1 Timothy 5
1 Rebuke not an elder, but implore him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
Do not reprimand an older man, but plead with him as if he were your father. Treat the young men as brothers,
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters – with all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
Show consideration for widows – I mean those who are really widowed.
4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
But, if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to show proper regard for the members of their own family first, and to make some return to their parents; for that is pleasing in God’s sight.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
As for the woman who is really widowed and left quite alone, her hopes are fixed on God, and she devotes herself to prayers and supplications night and day.
6 But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
But the life of a widow who is devoted to pleasure is a living death.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
Those are the points you should teach, so that there may be no call for your censure.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Anyone who fails to provide for their own relatives, and especially for those under their own roof, has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.
A widow, when her name is added to the list, should not be less than sixty years old; she should have been a faithful wife,
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.
and be well spoken of for her kind actions. She should have brought up children, have shown hospitality to strangers, have washed the feet of her fellow Christians, have relieved those who were in distress, and devoted herself to every kind of good action.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
But you should exclude the younger widows from the list; for, when they grow restive under the yoke of the Christ, they want to marry,
12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
and so they bring condemnation on themselves for having broken their previous promise.
13 And likewise they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but gossiping also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
And not only that, but they learn to be idle as they go about from house to house. Nor are they merely idle, but they also become gossips and busybodies, and talk of what 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.
Therefore I advise young widows to marry, bear children, and attend to their homes, and so avoid giving the enemy an opportunity for scandal.
15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
There are some who have already left us, to follow Satan.
16 If any man or woman that believes have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
Any Christian woman, who has relatives who are widows, ought to relieve them and not allow them to become a burden to the church, so that the church may relieve those widows who are really widowed.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word (logos) and doctrine.
Those church elders who fill their office well should be held deserving of especial consideration, particularly those whose work lies in preaching and teaching.
18 For the scripture says, You shall not suppress the ox that treads out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
The words of scripture are – ‘You should not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.’ and again – ‘The worker is worth their wages.’
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Do not entertain a charge against an church elder, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses;
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
but rebuke offenders publicly, so that others may take warning.
21 I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
I charge you solemnly, before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, to carry out these directions, unswayed by prejudice, never acting with partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.
Never ordain anyone hastily, and take no part in the wrongdoing of others. Keep your life pure.
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.
Do not continue to drink water only, but take a little wine because of the weakness of your stomach, and your frequent ailments.
24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
There are some people whose sins are conspicuous and lead on to judgment, while there are others whose sins dog their steps.
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
In the same way noble deeds become conspicuous, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
