| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, | 1Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, |
| 2older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. | 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. |
| 3Honor widows who are really widows. | 3Honor the widows who are truly widows. |
| 4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. | 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. |
| 5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. | 5The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers. |
| 6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. | 6But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive. |
| 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. | 7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach. |
| 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. | 8If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. |
| 9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, | 9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man, |
| 10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. | 10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work. |
| 11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, | 11But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, |
| 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. | 12and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. |
| 13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. | 13At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. |
| 14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. | 14So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. |
| 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. | 15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan. |
| 16If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows. | 16If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need. |
| 17Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. | 17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. |
| 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” | 18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” |
| 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. | 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. |
| 20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. | 20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin. |
| 21I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. | 21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality. |
| 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. | 22Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. |
| 23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. | 23Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. |
| 24Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. | 24The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later. |
| 25Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. | 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden. |
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