1 Timothy 5

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3 Honor the widows who are truly widows.

4 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 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 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

7 Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.

8 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 A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband,

10 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 But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,

12 and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.

13 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 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

16 If any believing man or believing woman has dependent widows, they must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.

17 Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

18 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 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

20 Those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.

21 I solemnly charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.

22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24 The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.

25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.

1 ¶ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren;

2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3 ¶ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And withal they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

17 ¶ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.

19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.

24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some [men] they follow after.

25 Likewise also the good works [of some] are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

1 Rebuke not an old man, but admonish him as a father, the young as brethren,

2 the old women as the mothers, the young as the sisters with all chastity.

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

4 But if a widow have children, or nephews, let them first learn to rule their own houses godly, and repay their parents likewise: for this is well done, and acceptable in the sight of God.

5 Now this is a true widow, which is lonely, and putteth her hope in God, and continueth in prayer and supplication day and night.

6 But she that liveth in lusts is dead alive.

7 These things give, that they may be blameless.

8 But if any man provide not for his own, especially for the members of his household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than a heathen.

9 Let no widow be mentioned that is under threescore years old, or that hath been a man's wife,

10 Who hath testified of good works, when she hath brought up children, when she hath been hospitable, when she hath washed the saints' feet, when she hath ministered to the afflicted, when she hath done all good works.

11 But abstain from the young widows: for when they have become lustful against Christ, they will be free.

12 And have their judgment, that they have broken the first faith.

13 Besides this, they are idle, and go about learning in the houses: not only are they idle, but they are also talkative, and forward, and speak that which ought not to be.

14 Now therefore will I that the young widows may be free, and bring forth children, and keep house, and give no cause of reproach to the adversary.

15 For some are already turned back after Satan.

16 And if a creditor have widows, let him provide for them, and let not the church be troubled; that they which are right widows may have enough.

17 The elders that preside well shall be counted worthy of double honour, especially they that labour in the word and in doctrine.

18 For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not bind up the mouth of the ox that thresheth, and: A labourer is worthy of his hire.

19 Against an elder take no complaint, save two or three witnesses.

20 Let them that sin be punished above all, that they also may fear.

21 I testify before God, and before the Lord Jehovah Christ, and before the elect angels, that thou keepest these things without discretion, and doest nothing according to pleasure.

22 Lay not thine hands soon on any man; neither be thou partaker of the sins of others. Keep thyself chaste.

23 Drink no more water, but need a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and that thou art often sick.

24 Some men's sins are manifest, that they may be judged before: but some are manifest afterward.

25 The same also of some good works are first made manifest; neither are the rest hid.