1 Timothy 5
1 Don't rebuke a man who is older than you. Instead, encourage him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
Rebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort [him] as a father, younger [men] as brethren,
2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with the highest standards of decency.
elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
3 Help widows who don't have a family.
Honour widows who are really widows;
4 For the Christian responsibility of a widow's children or grandchildren is to do their duty for their own family, and repay their parents by helping them out. This is what pleases God.
but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
5 Now a real widow, having no family, alone and without support, puts her hope in God and prays for help night and day.
Now she who [is] a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put [her] hope in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But a widow who concentrates on pleasing herself is already dead, even though she's still physically alive.
But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [while] living.
7 Give people these instructions so that they will be above criticism.
And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.
8 But those who don't look after their relatives, especially their own family, have denied their beliefs, and are worse than those who don't believe.
But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of [his] house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever.
9 Only widows over sixty who have been faithful to their husbands should be put on the list.
Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, [having been] wife of one man,
10 The widow should have a reputation for doing good. Did she bring up children properly? Has she been hospitable? Has she washed the feet of church members? Has she helped those who were in trouble? Has she really tried to do good in every way?
borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.
11 Don't take on widows who are younger, because when their physical desires make them want to re-marry they abandon their dedication to Christ.
But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
12 In this they are guilty of breaking their previous commitment.
being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.
13 They also get used to a lazy life, just visiting each other in their homes. Not only lazy, but they gossip and meddle, talking about things they shouldn't.
And, at the same time, they learn also [to be] idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.
14 So my best advice is that younger widows marry and have children and take care of the home. That way there's no opportunity for criticism from the Enemy.
I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.
15 However, some have already gone the way of Satan.
For already some have turned aside after Satan.
16 Any Christian woman who has widows in the family should help them, so that the church is not burdened with the responsibility, and can help those widows who are truly in need.
If any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those [that are] widows indeed.
17 Elders who direct the church well should be seen as doubly valuable, particularly those who work in speaking the Word and in teaching.
Let the elders who take the lead [among the saints] well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;
18 As Scripture says, “Don't muzzle the ox when it's threshing out the grain.” Also, “The worker deserves to be paid.”
for the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman [is] worthy of his hire.
19 Don't entertain any accusation against an elder unless two or three witnesses support it.
Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.
20 Censure those who sin in front of everyone as a warning to others as well.
Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear.
21 Before God and Christ Jesus, and the holy angels, I instruct you to follow these instructions without bias. Don't do anything from an attitude of favoritism.
I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour.
22 Don't be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone; and don't get involved in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.
23 Don't just drink water, but use a little bit of wine because of your bad stomach—you're sick so often!
Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some people are really obvious, and they are clearly guilty, but the sins of others are not seen until later.
Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after.
25 Similarly some good works are obvious, and even those that are hidden won't be for long.
In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.
