Cómo tratar a viudas, ancianos y esclavos
1No reprendas con dureza al anciano, sino aconséjalo como si fuera tu padre. Trata a los jóvenes como a hermanos; 2a las ancianas, como a madres; a las jóvenes, como a hermanas, con toda pureza.
3Reconoce debidamente a las viudas que de veras están desamparadas. 4Pero si una viuda tiene hijos o nietos, que estos aprendan primero a poner en práctica su religión, cumpliendo sus obligaciones con su propia familia y correspondan así a sus padres y abuelos, porque eso agrada a Dios. 5La viuda desamparada, como ha quedado sola, pone su esperanza en Dios y persevera noche y día en sus oraciones y súplicas. 6En cambio, la viuda que se entrega al placer ya está muerta en vida. 7Encárgales estas cosas para que sean intachables. 8El que no provee para los suyos, y sobre todo para los de su propia casa, ha negado la fe y es peor que un incrédulo.
9En la lista de las viudas debe figurar únicamente la que tenga más de sesenta años, que haya sido fiel a su esposo,5:9 fiel a su esposo. Alt. que no haya tenido más de un esposo. 10y que sea reconocida por sus buenas obras, tales como criar hijos, practicar la hospitalidad, lavar los pies de los creyentes, ayudar a los que sufren y aprovechar toda oportunidad para hacer el bien.
11No incluyas en esa lista a las viudas más jóvenes, porque cuando sus pasiones las alejan de Cristo, les da por casarse. 12Así resultan culpables de faltar a su primer compromiso. 13Además se acostumbran a estar ociosas y andar de casa en casa. Y no solo se vuelven holgazanas, sino también chismosas y entrometidas, hablando de lo que no deben. 14Por eso exhorto a las viudas jóvenes a que se casen y tengan hijos, y a que lleven bien su hogar y no den lugar a las críticas del enemigo. 15Y es que algunas ya se han descarriado para seguir a Satanás.
16Si alguna creyente tiene viudas en su familia, debe ayudarlas para que no sean una carga a la iglesia; así la iglesia podrá atender a las viudas desamparadas.
17Los líderes que dirigen bien los asuntos de la iglesia son dignos de doble honor,5:17 honor. Alt. honorario. especialmente los que dedican sus esfuerzos a la predicación y a la enseñanza. 18Pues la Escritura dice: «No pongas bozal al buey mientras esté sacando el grano»5:18 Dt 25:4. y «El trabajador tiene derecho a su salario».5:18 Lc 10:7. 19No admitas ninguna acusación contra un líder de la iglesia, a no ser que esté respaldada por dos o tres testigos. 20A los que pecan, repréndelos en público para que sirva de escarmiento.
21Te insto delante de Dios, de Cristo Jesús y de los elegidos ángeles a que sigas estas instrucciones sin dejarte llevar por prejuicios ni favoritismos.
22No te apresures a imponerle las manos a nadie, no sea que te hagas cómplice de pecados ajenos. Consérvate puro.
23No sigas bebiendo solo agua; toma también un poco de vino a causa de tu mal de estómago y tus frecuentes enfermedades.
24Los pecados de algunos son evidentes aun antes de ser llevados a juicio, mientras que los pecados de otros se descubren después. 25De igual manera son evidentes las buenas obras que, aunque estén ocultas, tarde o temprano se manifestarán.5:25 tarde … manifestarán. Alt. y, si son malas, no podrán quedar ocultas.
Instructions About Widows, Elders and Slaves
1Correct an older man in a way that shows respect. Make an appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as if they were your brothers. 2Treat older women as if they were your mothers. Treat younger women as if they were your sisters. Be completely pure in the way you treat them.
3Take care of the widows who really need help. 4But suppose a widow has children or grandchildren. They should first learn to put their faith into practice. They should care for their own family. In that way they will pay back their parents and grandparents. That pleases God. 5A widow who really needs help and is left all alone puts her hope in God. Night and day she keeps on praying. Night and day she asks God for help. 6But a widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still living. 7Give these instructions to the people. Then no one can be blamed. 8Everyone should provide for their own relatives. Most of all, everyone should take care of their own family. If they don’t, they have left the faith. They are worse than someone who doesn’t believe.
9No widow should be put on the list of widows unless she is more than 60 years old. She must also have been faithful to her husband. 10She must be well known for the good things she does. That includes bringing up children. It includes inviting guests into her home. It includes washing the feet of the Lord’s people. It includes helping those who are in trouble. A widow should spend her time doing all kinds of good things.
11Don’t put younger widows on that kind of list. They might want pleasure more than they want Christ. Then they would want to get married again. 12If they do that, they will be judged. They have broken their first promise. 13Besides, they get into the habit of having nothing to do. They go around from house to house. They waste their time. They also bother other people and say things that make no sense. They shouldn’t say those things. 14So here is the advice I give to younger widows. Get married. Have children. Take care of your own homes. Don’t give the enemy the chance to tell lies about you. 15In fact, some have already turned away to follow Satan.
16Suppose a woman is a believer and takes care of widows. She should continue to help them. She shouldn’t let the church pay the expenses. Then the church can help the widows who really need it.
17The elders who do the church’s work well are worth twice as much honor. That is true in a special way of elders who preach and teach. 18Scripture says, “Do not stop an ox from eating while it helps separate the grain from the straw.” (Deuteronomy 25:4) Scripture also says, “Workers are worthy of their pay.” (Luke 10:7) 19Don’t believe a charge against an elder unless two or three witnesses bring it. 20But those elders who are sinning should be corrected in front of everyone. This will be a warning to the others. 21I command you to follow these instructions. I command you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels. Treat everyone the same. Don’t favor one person over another.
22Don’t be too quick to place your hands on others to set them apart to serve God. Don’t take part in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23Stop drinking only water. If your stomach is upset, drink a little wine. It can also help the other sicknesses you often have.
24The sins of some people are easy to see. They are already being judged. Others will be judged later. 25In the same way, good works are easy to see. But even good works that are hard to see can’t stay hidden forever.
