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Do not rebuke an elder, but encourage him as a father, and the younger men as brothers;

the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all pureness.

Honor widows which are truly widows.

But if any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show godliness toward their own house, and to repay their family. For that is an honorable thing, and acceptable before God.

And she who is a true widow, and left alone, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

Therefore, warn them of these things, so that they may be blameless.

If there is anyone who does not look out for his own, and namely for those of his household, he denies the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Do not let a widow under 60 years old be registered; who has been the wife of one husband

10 and has a reputation for good works (whether she has nourished her children, taken in strangers, washed the saints’ feet, ministered to those who were in adversity, and if she has constantly pursued every good work).

11 But refuse the younger widows. For when their desires begin to draw them away from Christ, they will marry,

12 having damnation because they have broken their first faith.

13 And also, being idle, they learn to go about from house to house. Indeed, not only are they idle, but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things which are not necessary.

14 Therefore, I desire that the younger women marry, and bear children, and govern the house, and give no opportunity for the adversary to speak evil.

15 For some have already turned back after Satan.

16 If any faithful man or faithful woman has widows, let them minister to them, and do not let the Church be charged, so that there may be enough for those who are true widows.

17 Let the elders who rule well have double the honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

19 Receive no accusation against an elder unless by two or three witnesses.

20 Rebuke those who sin openly, so that the rest may also fear.

21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels to observe these things, without preferring one to another. And do nothing with partiality.

22 Do not quickly lay hands on anyone or share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Drink water no longer. But use a little wine for your stomach’s sake, and your frequent infirmities.

24 Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment. But some follow afterward.

25 Likewise, good works are also evident beforehand. And those which are otherwise cannot be hidden.

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

Deberes hacia los demás

No reprendas al anciano, sino exhórtalo como a un padre; a los más jóvenes, como a hermanos; a las ancianas, como a madres; a las jovencitas, con toda pureza, como a hermanas.

Honra a las viudas que en verdad son viudas. Pero si alguna viuda tiene hijos, o nietos, éstos deben aprender primero a ser piadosos para con su propia familia, y a recompensar a sus padres; porque ante Dios esto es bueno y agradable. La viuda que en verdad es viuda, y que se ha quedado sola, espera en Dios y noche y día persevera en súplicas y oraciones; pero la que se entrega a los placeres, está muerta en vida. Manda también estas cosas, para que sean irreprensibles; porque si alguno no provee para los suyos, y especialmente para los de su casa, niega la fe y es peor que un incrédulo.

En la lista deben figurar sólo las viudas mayores de sesenta años, y que hayan tenido un solo marido; 10 que cuente con un testimonio de buenas obras, como haber criado hijos, practicado la hospitalidad, lavado los pies de los santos, socorrido a los afligidos, y practicado toda buena obra. 11 Pero no admitas viudas más jóvenes, porque luego se rebelan contra Cristo y, llevadas por sus deseos, quieren casarse, 12 con lo que incurren en condenación por quebrantar su primera fe. 13 Además, aprenden a ser ociosas y a andar de casa en casa; y no solamente se vuelven ociosas sino también chismosas y entrometidas, y hablan de lo que no deben. 14 Por eso quiero que las viudas jóvenes se casen y críen hijos; que gobiernen su casa y no den al adversario ninguna ocasión de maledicencia. 15 Porque ya algunas se han apartado por seguir a Satanás. 16 Si algún creyente o alguna creyente tiene viudas, que las mantenga, para no gravar a la iglesia; así habrá lo suficiente para las viudas que en verdad lo son.

17 Los ancianos que gobiernan bien deben considerarse dignos de doble honor, mayormente los que se dedican a predicar y enseñar. 18 Pues la Escritura dice: «No pondrás bozal al buey que trilla»,(A) y: «Digno es el obrero de su salario.»(B) 19 No admitas ninguna acusación contra un anciano, a menos que haya dos o tres testigos.(C) 20 A los que persisten en pecar, repréndelos delante de todos, para que los demás también teman. 21 Te encarezco delante de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo, y de sus ángeles escogidos, que guardes estas cosas sin prejuicios y sin actuar con parcialidad. 22 No impongas a nadie las manos con ligereza, ni participes en pecados ajenos. Consérvate puro.

23 Por causa de tu estómago y de tus frecuentes enfermedades ya no bebas agua, sino toma un poco de vino.

24 Los pecados de algunos hombres se hacen evidentes antes de que ellos sean llevados a juicio, aunque a otros se les descubren después. 25 De igual manera, las buenas obras se hacen evidentes; y aun las que son diferentes, tampoco pueden permanecer ocultas.

Rules for Living with Others

Do not speak angrily to an older man, but plead with him as if he were your father. Treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters. Always treat them in a pure way.

Take care of widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to do their duty to their own family and to repay their parents or grandparents. That pleases God. The true widow, who is all alone, puts her hope in God and continues to pray night and day for God’s help. But the widow who uses her life to please herself is really dead while she is alive. Tell the believers to do these things so that no one can criticize them. Whoever does not care for his own relatives, especially his own family members, has turned against the faith and is worse than someone who does not believe in God.

To be on the list of widows, a woman must be at least sixty years old. She must have been faithful to her husband. 10 She must be known for her good works—works such as raising her children, welcoming strangers, washing the feet of God’s people, helping those in trouble, and giving her life to do all kinds of good deeds.

11 But do not put younger widows on that list. After they give themselves to Christ, they are pulled away from him by their physical desires, and then they want to marry again. 12 They will be judged for not doing what they first promised to do. 13 Besides that, they learn to waste their time, going from house to house. And they not only waste their time but also begin to gossip and busy themselves with other people’s lives, saying things they should not say. 14 So I want the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their homes. Then no enemy will have any reason to criticize them. 15 But some have already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should care for them herself. The church should not have to care for them. Then it will be able to take care of those who are truly widows.

17 The elders who lead the church well should receive double honor, especially those who work hard by speaking and teaching, 18 because the Scripture says: “When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating,”[a] and “A worker should be given his pay.”[b]

19 Do not listen to someone who accuses an elder, without two or three witnesses. 20 Tell those who continue sinning that they are wrong. Do this in front of the whole church so that the others will have a warning.

21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, I command you to do these things without showing favor of any kind to anyone.

22 Think carefully before you lay your hands on[c] anyone, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Stop drinking only water, but drink a little wine to help your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.

24 The sins of some people are easy to see even before they are judged, but the sins of others are seen only later. 25 So also good deeds are easy to see, but even those that are not easily seen cannot stay hidden.

Footnotes

  1. 5:18 “When . . . eating.” Quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4.
  2. 5:18 “A worker . . . pay.” Quotation from Luke 10:7.
  3. 5:22 lay your hands on The laying on of hands had many purposes, including the giving of a blessing, power, or authority.