1 Timothy 5
1 You may not rebuke an elder, but exhort [him] as a father, younger persons as brothers,
Do not scold an older man. Instead, exhort him as if he were a father. Exhort younger men as if they were brothers.
2 aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters—in all purity;
Exhort older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters in all purity.
3 honor widows who are really widows;
Honor widows, the real widows.
4 and if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety to their own house, and to give back a repayment to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show honor in their own household. Let them repay their parents, because this is pleasing to God.
5 And she who is really a widow and desolate, has hoped on God, and remains in the supplications and in the prayers night and day,
But a real widow is left all alone. She puts her certain hope in God. She always remains with requests and prayers both night and day.
6 but she given to luxury [while] living has died;
However, the woman who lives for pleasure is dead, even though she is still alive.
7 and charge these things, that they may be blameless;
Give these instructions as well, so that they may be blameless.
8 and if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of the household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.
But if someone does not provide for his own relatives, especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 A widow—do not let her be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband,
Let a woman be enrolled as a widow who is not younger than sixty, a wife of one husband.
10 being testified to in good works: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if she washed holy ones’ feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she followed after every good work;
She must be known for good deeds, whether it is that she has cared for children, or has been hospitable to strangers, or has washed the feet of the saints, or has relieved the afflicted, or has been devoted to every good work.
11 and be refusing younger widows, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry,
But as for younger widows, refuse to enroll them in the list. For when they give in to bodily desires against Christ, they want to marry.
12 having judgment, because they cast away the first faith,
In this way they incur guilt because they revoke their first commitment.
13 and also at the same time, they learn [to be] idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking things they should not;
At the same time, they also learn to be lazy and they go around from house to house. They not only become lazy, but they also talk nonsense and are busybodies, saying things they should not say.
14 I intend, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer of reviling;
I therefore want younger women to marry, to bear children, to manage the household, and to give no opportunity for the enemy to slander us.
15 for some already turned aside after Satan.
For some have already turned aside after Satan.
16 If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the assembly be burdened, that it may relieve those [who are] really widows.
If any believing woman has widows, let her help them, so that the church will not be weighed down, so that it might help the real widows.
17 Let them, the well-leading elders, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in word and teaching,
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work with the word and in teaching.
18 for the Writing says, “You will not muzzle an ox treading out,” and, “Worthy [is] the workman of his reward.”
For the scripture says, “You shall not put a muzzle on an ox while it treads the grain” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except on two or three witnesses.
Do not receive an accusation against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses.
20 Reprove those sinning before all, that the others may also have fear;
Correct sinners before all so that the rest may be afraid.
21 I fully testify, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen messengers, that you may keep these things, without prejudging, doing nothing by partiality.
I solemnly command you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, to keep these commands without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
22 Be quickly laying hands on no one, nor be having fellowship with [the] sins of others; be keeping yourself pure;
Place hands hastily on no one. Do not share in the sins of another person. You should keep yourself pure.
23 no longer be drinking water, but be using a little wine, because of your stomach and of your frequent sicknesses;
You should no longer drink water. Instead, you should take a little wine for the stomach and your frequent sicknesses.
24 the sins of certain men are evident beforehand, leading before to judgment, but some also they follow after;
The sins of some people are openly known, and they go before them into judgment. But some sins follow later.
25 in like manner the right works are also evident beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.
Likewise, some good works are openly known, but even the others cannot be hidden.
