| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, | 1Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to 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 complete purity. |
| 3Honor widows who are really widows. | 3Honor widows who are truly in need. |
| 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 should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God. |
| 5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. | 5But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day. |
| 6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. | 6But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. |
| 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. | 7Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond 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. | 8But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, 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, | 9No widow should be put on the list unless she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one husband, |
| 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 has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress--as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works. |
| 11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, | 11But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry, |
| 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. | 12and so incur judgment for breaking their former pledge. |
| 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. | 13And besides that, going around from house to house they learn to be lazy, and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not. |
| 14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. | 14So I want younger women to marry, raise children, and manage a household, in order to give the adversary no opportunity to vilify us. |
| 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. | 15For some have already wandered away 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 a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may 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 provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking 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 deserves his pay." |
| 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. | 19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses. |
| 20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. | 20Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest. |
| 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. | 21Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind. |
| 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. | 22Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with 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. | 23(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.) |
| 24Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. | 24The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later. |
| 25Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. | 25Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden. |
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