1 Timothy 5

1 You may not rebuke an elder, but exhort [him] as a father, younger persons as brothers,

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

2 aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters—in all purity;

the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

3 honor widows who are really widows;

Honor widows who are widows indeed.

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 any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of 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,

Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

6 but she given to luxury [while] living has died;

But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 and charge these things, that they may be blameless;

Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

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 anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially 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 no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

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;

being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 and be refusing younger widows, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry,

But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

12 having judgment, because they cast away the first faith,

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

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;

Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

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 desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

15 for some already turned aside after Satan.

For already some have turned away 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 man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

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 counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in 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 muzzle the ox when it treads out 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.

Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.

20 Reprove those sinning before all, that the others may also have fear;

Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

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 command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Be quickly laying hands on no one, nor be having fellowship with [the] sins of others; be keeping yourself pure;

Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

23 no longer be drinking water, but be using a little wine, because of your stomach and of your frequent sicknesses;

Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

24 the sins of certain men are evident beforehand, leading before to judgment, but some also they follow after;

Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

25 in like manner the right works are also evident beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.