Timotheum I 5
1 Seniorem ne increpaveris, sed obsecra ut patrem: iuvenes, ut fratres:
Do not reprimand an aged man, but continue pleading with him as if he were your father. Treat the young men as brothers,
2 anus, ut matres: iuvenculas, ut sorores in omni castitate:
the older women as mothers, the younger women as sisters in all purity.
3 Viduas honora, quae vere viduae sunt.
Ever honor widows who are really widows;
4 Si qua autem vidua filios, aut nepotes habet: discat primum domum suam regere, et mutuam vicem reddere parentibus: hoc enim acceptum est coram Deo.
but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn to show their piety first toward their own household, and to make some return to their parents, for that is pleasing in God’s sight.
5 Quae autem vere vidua est, et desolata, speret in Deum, et instet obsecrationibus, et orationibus nocte ac die.
Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has fixed her hope on God, and devotes herself to supplications and prayers, day and night.
6 Nam quae in deliciis est, vivens mortua est.
But she who lives in wantonness is dead even while she still lives.
7 Et hoc praecipe ut irreprehensibiles sint.
Keep admonishing them regarding these things, so that they may be irreproachable.
8 Si quis autem suorum, et maxime domesticorum curam non habet, fidem negavit, et est infideli deterior.
But if any one fails to provide for his own, and especially for his kindred, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
9 Vidua eligatur non minus sexaginta annorum, quae fuerit unius viri uxor,
A widow, to be placed upon the list, must be not less than sixty years old, and one who has been the wife of but one husband.
10 in operibus bonis testimonium habens, si filios educavit, si hospitio recepit, si sanctorum pedes lavit, si tribulationem patientibus subministravit, si omne opus bonum subsecuta est.
She must be well reputed for good works, as one who has brought up a family, received strangers with hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the distressed, and diligently followed every good work.
11 Adolescentiores autem viduas devita: Cum enim luxuriatae fuerint in Christo, nubere volunt:
But exclude from the list the younger widows; for where they have become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 habentes damnationem, quia primam fidem irritam fecerunt.
and incur condemnation because they have broken their first troth.
13 simul autem et otiosae discunt circuire domos: non solum otiosae, sed et verbosae, et curiosae, loquentes quae non oportet.
Moreover, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and are not only idlers, but gossips also, and busybodies, repeating things they ought not.
14 Volo ergo iuniores nubere, filios procreare, matresfamilias esse, nullam occasionem dare adversario maledicti gratia.
It is my wish, then, that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule their houses, and give no occasion to our adversary for railing.
15 Iam enim quaedam conversae sunt retro post satanan.
For already some widows have gone astray after Satan.
16 Si quis fidelis habet viduas, subministret illis, et non gravetur Ecclesia: ut iis, quae vere viduae sunt, sufficiat.
Any believing woman, who has widowed relatives, ought to relieve them and not let the church be burdened with them; so that the church may relieve the really destitute widows.
17 Qui bene praesunt presbyteri, duplici honore digni habeantur: maxime qui laborant in verbo et doctrina.
Let the elders who fill their offices well, be held worthy of twofold honor; especially those who have the task of preaching and teaching.
18 Dicit enim Scriptura: Non alligabis os bovi trituranti. Et: Dignus est operarius mercede sua.
For the Scripture says, You must not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain, and The worker is worth his wages.
19 Adversus presbyterum accusationem noli recipere, nisi sub duobus aut tribus testibus.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 Peccantes coram omnibus argue: ut et ceteri timorem habeant.
Rebuke offenders publicly, so that others also may take warning.
21 Testor coram Deo et Christo Iesu, et electis angelis eius, ut haec custodias sine praeiudicio, nihil faciens in alteram partem declinando.
I charge you solemnly in the presence of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice against any man, and do nothing out of partiality.
22 Manus cito nemini imposueris, neque communicaveris peccatis alienis. Teipsum castum custodi.
Never ordain any one hastily, nor take part in the wrong-doing of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Noli adhuc aquam bibere, sed modico vino utere propter stomachum tuum, et frequentes tuas infirmitates.
Do not continue to drink nothing but water, but take a little wine for your stomach’s sake, and your frequent attacks of illness.
24 Quorundam hominum peccata manifesta sunt, praecedentia ad iudicium: quorundam autem subsequuntur.
Some men’s sins are notorious, and lead them straight on the way to condemnation; but others’ sins follow them up.
25 Similiter et facta bona manifesta sunt: et quae aliter se habent, abscondi non possunt.
So also noble deeds are conspicuous, and even if otherwise, they cannot be kept hidden.
