1 Timothy 5
1 Do not sharply rebuke an aged man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men, as brethren;
Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 the elder women, as mothers; the younger, as sisters, with all purity.
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Honor as widows those that are widows indeed.
Honor the widows who are truly widows.
4 But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety to their own family, and to requite their parents; for this is acceptable before God.
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and left alone, hath set her hope on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day;
The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
6 but she that giveth herself up to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7 These things also enjoin, that they may be blameless.
Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.
8 But if any one provideth not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Let a widow be put on the list when not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one husband,
A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,
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 well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
11 But younger widows refuse; for when they become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
12 falling into condemnation, because they have cast off their first faith;
and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
13 and withal they learn to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
15 For some have already turned aside after Satan.
For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 If any man or woman that is a believer have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be burdened, that it may relieve those that are widows indeed.
If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and in teaching.
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture saith, “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox while he is treading out the grain”; and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation without two or three witnesses.
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 Those that sin rebuke before all, that the rest also may fear.
But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
21 I charge thee before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudging, doing nothing with partiality.
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
22 Lay hands hastily on no one, neither share in other men's sins. Keep thyself pure.
Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink water only, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thy frequent infirmities.
Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 Some men's sins are openly manifest, going before them to judgment; and some men they follow after.
The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.
25 In like manner also the good works of some are openly manifest; and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.
In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
