1 Timothy 5
1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;
Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:
2 the older women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed.
Give honour to widows who are truly widows.
4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.
5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.
6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.
But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.
7 Also command these things, so that they will be without fault.
Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.
9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,
10 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.
And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.
11 But refuse younger widows, for whenever their passions lead them away from Christ, they desire to marry;
But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;
12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;
13 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.
And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.
14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling.
So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,
15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.
For even now some are turned away to Satan.
16 If any believing woman has widows, let her assist them, and do not let the church be burdened; that it might help those widows who are truly in need.
If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.
20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.
21 I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.
22 Do not ordain anyone hastily, nor participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.
23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.
24 The sins of some people are obvious, going before them to judgment, but those of others show up later.
The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them.
25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.
