Reproof and Respect 1 ULT Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort{ him} as a father, younger men as brothers, BSB BSB: Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 ULT older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. BSB BSB: older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Honoring True Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
3 ULT Honor widows— real widows. BSB BSB: Honor the widows who are truly widows.
4 ULT But if any widow has children or grandchildren, first let them learn to treat their own household in a godly way and to make repayment to their forebears, 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 ULT But the real widow and one having been left alone has hoped in God and remains in requests 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 ULT But the one living self- indulgently, living, has died. BSB BSB: But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7 ULT Command these things also so that they may be irreproachable. BSB BSB: Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.
8 ULT But if someone does not provide for his own, and especially for household members, he has denied the faith and 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 ULT Let a widow be enrolled, not less than 60 years old, having been a wife of one husband, BSB BSB: A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,
10 ULT being testified in good works: if she has raised children, if she has received strangers, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has aided the afflicted, if she has followed every 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 ULT But reject younger widows, for when they indulge themselves against Christ, they 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 ULT having judgment because they have annulled the first faith. BSB BSB: and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
13 ULT But at the same time, they also learn to be idle, wandering about the houses, and not only idle, but also babblers and meddlers, saying what they should not. 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 ULT Therefore, I want younger ones to marry, to bear children, to manage a household, to give no opportunity for reviling to the one opposing. BSB BSB: So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
15 ULT For already some have turned away after Satan. BSB BSB: For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 ULT If any believing woman has widows, let her aid them, and let the church not be weighed down, so that it may aid the real 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 ULT Let the elders having led well be considered worthy of double honor, especially the ones toiling in word and teaching. BSB BSB: Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 ULT For the Scripture says,“You will not muzzle an ox threshing,” and,“The worker{ is} worthy of his wages.” 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 ULT Against an elder, do not receive an accusation unless on two or three witnesses. BSB BSB: Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 ULT The ones sinning, rebuke before all, so that the rest also 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 ULT I declare before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you should keep these things without prejudgment, doing nothing according to partiality. 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 ULT Place hands hastily on no one, nor share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 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 ULT No longer drink only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. BSB BSB: Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 ULT The sins of some men are evident, going ahead into judgment, but also they follow after some. 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 ULT Likewise, also the good works{ are} evident, and the ones having otherwise are not able to be 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.