Reproof and Respect 1 CPDV You should not rebuke an old man, but rather plead with him, as if he were your father; with young men, like brothers; BSB BSB: Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 CPDV with old women, like mothers; with young women, in all chastity, like sisters. BSB BSB: older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Honoring True Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
3 CPDV Honor those widows who are true widows. BSB BSB: Honor the widows who are truly widows.
4 CPDV But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let her first learn to manage her own household, and to fulfill, in turn, her own obligation to her parents; for this is acceptable before God. BSB BSB: But 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.
5 CPDV But she who is truly a widow and is destitute, let her hope in God, and let her be urgent in supplications and prayers, night and day. BSB BSB: The 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.
6 CPDV For she who is living in pleasures is dead, while living. BSB BSB: But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7 CPDV And give instruction in this, so that they may be beyond reproach. BSB BSB: Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.
8 CPDV But if anyone has no concern for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever. BSB BSB: If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 CPDV Let a widow be chosen who is no less than sixty years of age, who was the wife of one husband, BSB BSB: A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,
10 CPDV who has testimony of her good works: whether she has educated children, or has provided hospitality, or has washed the feet of the saints, or has ministered to those suffering tribulation, or has pursued any kind of good work. BSB BSB: and 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.
11 CPDV But avoid the younger widows. For once they have flourished in Christ, they will want to marry, BSB BSB: But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
12 CPDV resulting in damnation, because they have disregarded the primacy of faith. BSB BSB: and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
13 CPDV And being at the same time also idle, they learn to go from house to house, being not only idle, but also talkative and curious, speaking of things which do not concern them. BSB BSB: At 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.
14 CPDV Therefore, I want the younger women to marry, to procreate children, to be mothers of families, to provide no ready opportunity for the adversary to speak evil. BSB BSB: So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
15 CPDV For certain ones have already been turned back to Satan. BSB BSB: For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 CPDV If any among the faithful have widows, let him minister to them and not burden the Church, so that there may be enough for those who are true widows. BSB BSB: If 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.
Honoring Elders 17 CPDV Let priests who lead well be held worthy of twice the honor, especially those who labor in the Word and in doctrine. BSB BSB: Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 CPDV For Scripture says: “You shall not muzzle an ox as it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his pay.” BSB BSB: For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
19 CPDV Do not be willing to accept an accusation against a priest, except under two or three witnesses. BSB BSB: Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 CPDV Reprove sinners in the sight of everyone, so that the others may have fear. BSB BSB: But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
A Charge to Timothy 21 CPDV I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect Angels, that you should observe these things without prejudgment, doing nothing which shows favoritism to either side. BSB BSB: I 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.
22 CPDV You should not be quick to impose hands on anyone, nor should you take part in the sins of outsiders. Keep yourself chaste. BSB BSB: Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 CPDV Do not continue to drink only water, but make use of a little wine, for the sake of your stomach and your frequent infirmities. BSB BSB: Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 CPDV The sins of some men have been made manifest, preceding them to judgment, but those of others are manifested later. BSB BSB: The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.
25 CPDV Similarly, too, good deeds have been made manifest, but even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden. BSB BSB: In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.