1 Timothy 5

1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

Do not reprimand an older man, but plead with him as if he were your father. Treat the young men as brothers,

2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters – with all purity.

3 Honour widows who are widows indeed.

Show consideration for widows – I mean those who are really widowed.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

But, if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn to show proper regard for the members of their own family first, and to make some return to their parents; for that is pleasing in God’s sight.

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

As for the woman who is really widowed and left quite alone, her hopes are fixed on God, and she devotes herself to prayers and supplications night and day.

6 But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

But the life of a widow who is devoted to pleasure is a living death.

7 Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

Those are the points you should teach, so that there may be no call for your censure.

8 But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Anyone who fails to provide for their own relatives, and especially for those under their own roof, has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

A widow, when her name is added to the list, should not be less than sixty years old; she should have been a faithful wife,

10 being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

and be well spoken of for her kind actions. She should have brought up children, have shown hospitality to strangers, have washed the feet of her fellow Christians, have relieved those who were in distress, and devoted herself to every kind of good action.

11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

But you should exclude the younger widows from the list; for, when they grow restive under the yoke of the Christ, they want to marry,

12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

and so they bring condemnation on themselves for having broken their previous promise.

13 Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

And not only that, but they learn to be idle as they go about from house to house. Nor are they merely idle, but they also become gossips and busybodies, and talk of what they ought not.

14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

Therefore I advise young widows to marry, bear children, and attend to their homes, and so avoid giving the enemy an opportunity for scandal.

15 For already some have turned away after Satan.

There are some who have already left us, to follow Satan.

16 If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

Any Christian woman, who has relatives who are widows, ought to relieve them and not allow them to become a burden to the church, so that the church may relieve those widows who are really widowed.

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and in teaching.

Those church elders who fill their office well should be held deserving of especial consideration, particularly those whose work lies in preaching and teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The labourer is worthy of his wages.”

The words of scripture are – “You should not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain.” and again – “The worker is worth their wages.”

19 Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.

Do not entertain a charge against an church elder, unless it is supported by two or three witnesses;

20 Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

but rebuke offenders publicly, so that others may take warning.

21 I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

I charge you solemnly, before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, to carry out these directions, unswayed by prejudice, never acting with partiality.

22 Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

Never ordain anyone hastily, and take no part in the wrongdoing of others. Keep your life pure.

23 Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

Do not continue to drink water only, but take a little wine because of the weakness of your stomach, and your frequent ailments.

24 Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgement, and some also follow later.

There are some people whose sins are conspicuous and lead on to judgment, while there are others whose sins dog their steps.

25 In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

In the same way noble deeds become conspicuous, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.