1 Timothy 5
1 Blame thou not an eldere man, but biseche as a fadir, yonge men as britheren; elde wymmen as modris,
Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2 yonge wymmen as sistris, in al chastite.
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3 Honoure thou widewis, that ben very widewis.
Honor the widows who are truly widows.
4 But if ony widewe hath children of sones, lerne sche first to gouerne her hous, and quyte to fadir and modir; for this thing is acceptid bifor 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 And sche that is a widewe verili, and desolate, hope in to God, and be bisy in bisechingis and preieris niyt and dai.
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 For sche that is lyuynge in delicis, is deed.
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
7 And comaunde thou this thing, that thei be withouten repreef.
Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach.
8 For if ony man hath not cure of his owne, and most of hise household men, he hath denyed the feith, and is worse than an vnfeithful man.
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 A widewe be chosun not lesse than sixti yeer, that was wijf of oon hosebonde,
A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,
10 and hath witnessing in good werkis, if sche nurschede children, if sche resseyuede pore men to herbore, if sche hath waischun the feet of hooli men, if sche mynystride to men that suffriden tribulacioun, if sche folewide al good werk.
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 eschewe thou yongere widewis; for whanne thei han do letcherie, thei wolen be weddid in Crist,
But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
12 hauynge dampnacioun, for thei han maad voide the firste feith.
and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith.
13 Also thei idil lernen to go aboute housis, not oneli ydel, but ful of wordis and curiouse, spekynge thingis that bihoueth 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 Therfor Y wole, that yongere widewis be weddid, and bringe forth children, and ben hosewyues, to yyue noon occasioun to the aduersarie, bi cause of cursid thing.
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
15 For now summe ben turned abak aftir Sathanas.
For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 If ony feithful man hath widewis, mynystre he to hem, that the chirche be not greuyd, that it suffice to hem that ben very widewis.
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 The prestis that ben wel gouernoures, be thei had worthi to double onour; moost thei that trauelen in word and teching.
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For scripture seith, Thou schalt not bridil the mouth of the oxe threischinge, and, A werk man is worthi his hire.
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 Nyle thou resseyue accusyng ayens a preest, but vndur tweyne or thre witnessis.
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
20 But reproue thou men that synnen bifor alle men, that also othere haue drede.
But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
21 Y preie bifor God, and Jhesu Crist, and hise chosun aungelis, that thou kepe these thingis with oute preiudice, and do no thing in bowynge `in to the othere side.
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 Put thou hondis to no man, nether anoon comyne thou with othere mennus synnes. Kepe thi silf chast.
Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Nyle thou yit drinke watir, but vse a litil wyn, for thi stomac, and `for thin ofte fallynge infirmytees.
Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 Sum mennus synnes ben opyn, bifor goynge to dom; but of summen thei comen aftir.
The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later.
25 And also goode dedis ben opyn, and tho that han hem in othere maner, moun not be hid.
In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
