1 Timothy 5

1 Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:

An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren:

2 To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.

Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity.

3 Give honour to widows who are truly widows.

Honour widows, that are widows indeed.

4 But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

But if any widow have children, or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house, and to make a return of duty to her parents: for this is acceptable before God.

5 Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.

But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God, and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.

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

For she that liveth in pleasures, is dead while she is living.

7 Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.

And this give in charge, that they may be blameless.

8 If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.

But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

9 Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,

Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.

10 And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

Having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;

But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry:

12 And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;

Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith.

13 And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.

And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,

I will therefore that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil.

15 For even now some are turned away to Satan.

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.

If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed.

17 Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Let the priests that rule well, be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine:

18 For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

19 Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.

Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses.

20 Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.

Them that sin reprove before all: that the rest also may have fear.

21 I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.

I charge thee before God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by declining to either side.

22 Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.

Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. Keep thyself chaste.

23 Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.

Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake, and thy frequent infirmities.

24 The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them.

Some men’s sins are manifest, going before to judgment: and some men they follow after.

25 In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.

In like manner also good deeds are manifest: and they that are otherwise, cannot be hid.