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 you would to a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,
2 yonge wymmen as sistris, in al chastite.
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honoure thou widewis, that ben very widewis.
Honor 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 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.
5 And sche that is a widewe verili, and desolate, hope in to God, and be bisy in bisechingis and preieris niyt and dai.
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.
6 For sche that is lyuynge in delicis, is deed.
But she who lives in self-indulgence is dead even while she lives.
7 And comaunde thou this thing, that thei be withouten repreef.
Give these commands as well, so that no one will be open to blame.
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.
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.
9 A widewe be chosun not lesse than sixti yeer, that was wijf of oon hosebonde,
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,
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 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.
11 But eschewe thou yongere widewis; for whanne thei han do letcherie, thei wolen be weddid in Crist,
But reject younger widows, for when their sensual desires draw them away from Christ, they wish to marry,
12 hauynge dampnacioun, for thei han maad voide the firste feith.
thus bringing judgment on themselves because they have broken their previous pledge.
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 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.
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, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no opportunity to revile us.
15 For now summe ben turned abak aftir Sathanas.
For some have already turned away 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 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.
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 well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in 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, “Yoʋ shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”
19 Nyle thou resseyue accusyng ayens a preest, but vndur tweyne or thre witnessis.
Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses.
20 But reproue thou men that synnen bifor alle men, that also othere haue drede.
As for those who sin, reprove them in the presence of all, so that others will be afraid to follow their example.
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 yoʋ before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the chosen angels to observe these things without partiality, doing nothing out of favoritism.
22 Put thou hondis to no man, nether anoon comyne thou with othere mennus synnes. Kepe thi silf chast.
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, and do not take part in the sins of others; keep yoʋrself pure.
23 Nyle thou yit drinke watir, but vse a litil wyn, for thi stomac, and `for thin ofte fallynge infirmytees.
(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of yoʋr stomach and yoʋr frequent illnesses.)
24 Sum mennus synnes ben opyn, bifor goynge to dom; but of summen thei comen aftir.
The sins of some are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others trail along behind.
25 And also goode dedis ben opyn, and tho that han hem in othere maner, moun not be hid.
In the same way, good works are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
