1 Timothy 5
1 An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren:
Do not reprimand an aged man, but continue pleading with him as if he were your father. Treat the young men as brothers,
2 Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity.
the older women as mothers, the younger women as sisters in all purity.
3 Honour widows, that are widows indeed.
Ever honor widows who are really widows;
4 But if any widow have children, or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house, and to make a return of duty to her parents: for this is acceptable before God.
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 But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.
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 For she that liveth in pleasures, is dead while she is living.
But she who lives in wantonness is dead even while she still lives.
7 And this give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Keep admonishing them regarding these things, so that they may be irreproachable.
8 But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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 Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.
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 Having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work.
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 But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry:
But exclude from the list the younger widows; for where they have become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith.
and incur condemnation because they have broken their first troth.
13 And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
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 I will therefore that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil.
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 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
For already some widows have gone astray after Satan.
16 If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed.
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 Let the priests that rule well, be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine:
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 For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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 Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin reprove before all: that the rest also may have fear.
Rebuke offenders publicly, so that others also may take warning.
21 I charge thee before God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by declining to either side.
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 Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. Keep thyself chaste.
Never ordain any one hastily, nor take part in the wrong-doing of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thy frequent infirmities.
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 Some men’s sins are manifest, going before to judgment: and some men they follow after.
Some men’s sins are notorious, and lead them straight on the way to condemnation; but others’ sins follow them up.
25 In like manner also good deeds are manifest: and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.
So also noble deeds are conspicuous, and even if otherwise, they cannot be kept hidden.
