1 Timothy 5
1 Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:
Do not chide a senior, but exhort him as a father; and younger men as brethren:
2 To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.
the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3 Give honour to widows who are truly widows.
Honour widows who are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.
But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let these learn first to shew piety at home, and to make suitable returns to their parents: for this is becoming, and acceptable in the sight of God.
5 Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.
Now she, that is really a widow and desolate, hopeth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.
But she that indulgeth to luxury, is dead while she liveth.
7 Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.
These things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.
But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he hath renounced the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,
Let not a widow be chosen into the number under sixty years old,
10 And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.
having been the wife of one man: in repute for good actions, if she have educated children, if she have entertained strangers, if she have washed the feet of saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, and diligently followed every good work.
11 But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;
But the younger widows refuse: for when they grow wanton against Christ, they will needs marry:
12 And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;
and are therefore to be condemned, because they violate their first faith.
13 And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.
And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tatlers also and busy-bodies, talking of things unbecoming them.
14 So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,
I would therefore have the younger widows marry, bear children, manage houshold affairs, and give no occasion to the adversary for reproach.
15 For even now some are turned away to Satan.
For some are already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.
And if any believer have relations widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve those that are indeed widows and desolate.
17 Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Let the elders, who preside well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those that labour in preaching and teaching.
18 For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.
For the scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn:" and, "The workman is worthy of his hire."
19 Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.
Receive not an accusation against an elder, unless from two or three witnesses.
20 Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.
Those that offend reprove before all, that others also may fear.
21 I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou keep to these things without preference of persons, doing nothing with partiality.
22 Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.
Lay hands on no man precipitately, and be not hereby a partaker in the sins of others. Keep thyself pure.
23 Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.
Drink no longer water only, but use a little wine with it, for the sake of thy stomach and thy frequent infirmities.
24 The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them.
The sins of some men are notorious, leading as it were to their condemnation; and some more artful they follow after.
25 In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.
So also the good works of some are manifest; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
