1 Timothy 5
Honor Widows
1 aDo not sharply rebuke an bolder man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to cthe younger men as brothers, 2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3Honor widows who are dwidows indeed; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ethey must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to ▼▼ Lit give back recompenses
make some return to their parents; for this is gacceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is a hwidow indeed and who has been left alone, ihas fixed her hope on God and continues in jentreaties and prayers night and day. 6But she who kgives herself to wanton pleasure is ldead even while she lives. 7 ▼▼ Or Keep commanding
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nPrescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has odenied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9A widow is to be pput on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been qthe wife of one man, 10having a reputation for rgood works; and if she has brought up children, if she has sshown hospitality to strangers, if she thas washed the ▼▼ Or holy ones
saints’ feet, if she has vassisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel wsensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous ▼▼ Lit faith
pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also ygossips and zbusybodies, talking about aathings not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get abmarried, bear children, ackeep house, and adgive the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15for some aehave already turned aside to follow afSatan. 16If any woman who is a believer aghas dependent widows, she must ahassist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are aiwidows indeed. Concerning Elders
17 ajThe elders who akrule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who alwork hard ▼▼ Lit in word
at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, an“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and ao“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19Do not receive an accusation against an apelder except on the basis of aqtwo or three witnesses. 20Those who continue in sin, arrebuke in the presence of all, asso that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 atI solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 auDo not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and ▼▼ Lit do not share
thereby share aw responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself ▼▼ Lit pure
free from sin. 23No longer drink water exclusively, but ayuse a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. 24The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins azfollow after. 25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and bathose which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
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