1 Timothy 5

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as you would to a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers,

2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity.

older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows.

Give financial support to widows who are really ‘widows’.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show godliness toward their own household and to make some repayment to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to demonstrate piety in their own household by repaying their parents, for this is pleasing to God.

5 Now a woman who is truly a widow and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her supplications and prayers.

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

6 But she who lives in self-indulgence is dead even while she lives.

But she who indulges in pleasure is dead while she lives.

7 Give these commands as well, so that no one will be open to blame.

You should even command these things, so that they may be blameless.

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 A widow may be put on the list to receive support if she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband,

No widow should be enrolled unless she is at least sixty, a one man wife,

10 and has a reputation for good works, that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

known for good works—she brought up children, she lodged strangers, she washed saints' feet, she relieved the afflicted, she devoted herself to every good work.

11 But reject younger widows, for when their sensual desires draw them away from Christ, they wish to marry,

As for younger widows, do not enroll them; because whenever they are controlled by sensual desires rather than by Christ, they want to marry,

12 thus bringing judgment on themselves because they have broken their previous pledge.

coming under judgment because they have broken their first commitment.

13 At the same time, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house. And they are not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not say.

Not only that, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no opportunity to revile us.

So I want the younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage the home, to give the adversary no occasion for caustic comments.

15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan.

(In fact, some have already turned aside after Satan.)

16 If any believing man or woman has relatives who are widows, they must help them; the church should not be burdened, so that it may help those who are truly widows.

If any man or woman who is a believer has widows, let them relieve them and not burden the congregation, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.

17 Elders who lead well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of a double honorarium, especially those who labor in word and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, “Yoʋ shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

For the Scripture says: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain,” and “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

20 As for those who sin, reprove them in the presence of all, so that others will be afraid to follow their example.

Those who are sinning rebuke publicly, so that the rest also may be in fear.

21 I solemnly charge yoʋ before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the chosen angels to observe these things without partiality, doing nothing out of favoritism.

I charge you in the presence of God and Sovereign Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudgment, doing nothing by partiality.

22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, and do not take part in the sins of others; keep yoʋrself pure.

Do not lay hands [in ordination] hastily on anyone, do not thereby participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of yoʋr stomach and yoʋr frequent illnesses.)

Stop drinking only water; use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.

24 The sins of some are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others trail along behind.

The sins of some men are obvious, leading the way into judgment, while those of others trail behind.

25 In the same way, good works are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

So also the good works are obvious; even the ones that are not, cannot be hidden.