Epistula I ad Timotheum, 5

1. Seniorem ne increpaveris, sed obsecra ut patrem, iuvenes ut fratres,

1. Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would a father; treat younger men like brothers,

2. anus ut matres, iuvenculas ut sorores in omni castitate.

2. older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity.

3. Viduas honora, quae vere viduae sunt.

3. Honor widows who are real widows.

4. Si qua autem vidua filios aut nepotes habet, discant primum domum suam pie regere et mutuam vicem reddere parentibus; hoc enim acceptum est coram Deo.

4. If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5. Quae autem vere vidua est et desolata, sperat in Deum et instat obsecrationibus et orationibus nocte ac die;

5. She who is a real widow, and is left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day;

6. nam quae in deliciis est vivens, mortua est.

6. whereas she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

7. Et haec praecipe, ut irreprehensibiles sint.

7. Command this, so that they may be without reproach.

8. Si quis autem suorum et maxime domesticorum curam non habet, fidem negavit et est infideli deterior.

8. If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9. Vidua adscribatur non minus sexaginta annorum, quae fuerit unius viri uxor,

9. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of 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.

10. and she must be well attested for her good deeds, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.

11. Adulescentiores autem viduas devita; cum enim luxuriatae fuerint adversus Christum, nubere volunt,

11. But refuse to enrol younger widows; for when they grow wanton against Christ they desire to marry,

12. habentes damnationem, quia primam fidem irritam fecerunt;

12. and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge.

13. simul autem et otiosae discunt circumire domos, non solum otiosae sed et verbosae et curiosae, loquentes quae non oportet.

13. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

14. Volo ergo iuniores nubere, filios procreare, dominas domus esse, nullam occasionem dare adversario maledicti gratia;

14. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, rule their households, and give the enemy no occasion to revile us.

15. iam enim quaedam conversae sunt retro Satanam.

15. For some have already strayed after Satan.

16. Si qua fidelis habet viduas, subministret illis, et non gravetur ecclesia, ut his, quae vere viduae sunt, sufficiat.

16. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are real widows.

17. Qui bene praesunt presbyteri, duplici honore digni habeantur, maxime qui laborant in verbo et doctrina;

17. Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;

18. dicit enim Scriptura: “Non infrenabis os bovi trituranti” et: “Dignus operarius mercede sua”.

18. for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

19. Adversus presbyterum accusationem noli recipere, nisi sub duobus vel tribus testibus.

19. Never admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

20. Peccantes coram omnibus argue, ut et ceteri timorem habeant.

20. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

21. Testificor coram Deo et Christo Iesu et electis angelis, ut haec custodias sine praeiudicio nihil faciens in aliquam partem declinando.

21. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without favor, doing nothing from partiality.

22. Manus cito nemini imposueris neque communicaveris peccatis alienis; teipsum castum custodi.

22. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure.

23. Noli adhuc aquam bibere, sed vino modico utere propter stomachum et frequentes tuas infirmitates.

23. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24. Quorundam hominum peccata manifesta sunt praecedentia ad iudicium, quosdam autem et subsequuntur;

24. The sins of some men are conspicuous, pointing to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.

25. similiter et facta bona manifesta sunt, et, quae aliter se habent, abscondi non possunt.

25. So also good deeds are conspicuous; and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.