1 Timothy 5

Instructions about Specific Groups

1 Do not address an older man harshlyt but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,t

2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters – with complete purity.
3 Honors widows who are truly in need.t4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their dutyt toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them.t For this is what pleases God.t5 But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own,t has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day.6 But the one who lives for pleasure is dead event while she lives.7 Reinforcet these commands,t so that they will be beyond reproach.

8 But if someone does not provide for his own,t especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow should be put on the lists unlesst she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one husband,t10 and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children,t practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress – as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.t11 But do not accept younger widows on the list,t because their passions may lead them away from Christt and they will desire to marry,12 and so incur judgment for breaking their former pledge.ts13 And besides that, going aroundt from house to house they learn to be lazy,t and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not.t14 So I want younger women to marry, raise children, and manage a household, in order to give the adversary no opportunity to vilify us.t15 For some have already wandered away to follow Satan.t

16 If a believing womans has widows in her family,t let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.t
17 Elders who provide effective leadershipt must be counted worthyt of double honor,t especially those who work hard in speakingt and teaching.18 For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”s and, “The worker deserves his pay.”s19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.s20 Those guilty of sins must be rebukedt before all,t as a warning to the rest.t21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.t22 Do not lay hands on anyonet hastily and so identify with the sins of others.t Keep yourself pure.23 (Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestiont and your frequent illnesses.)s24 The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.t

25 Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.

1 Timothy 5

1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.3 Honor widows that are widows indeed.4 But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.7 These things also command, that they may be without reproach.8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:15 for already some are turned aside after Satan.16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.20 Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.21 I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.23 Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.24 Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after.25 In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.