1 Timothy 5

1 You should not rebuke an old man, but rather plead with him, as if he were your father; with young men, like brothers;

Rebuke not an elder sharply, but exhort [him] as a father, younger [men] as brethren,

2 with old women, like mothers; with young women, in all chastity, like sisters.

elder women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

3 Honor those widows who are true widows.

Honour widows who are really widows;

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let her first learn to manage her own household, and to fulfill, in turn, her own obligation to her parents; for this is acceptable before God.

but if any widow have children or descendants, let them learn first to be pious as regards their own house, and to render a return on their side to [their] parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 But she who is truly a widow and is destitute, let her hope in God, and let her be urgent in supplications and prayers, night and day.

Now she who [is] a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put [her] hope in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 For she who is living in pleasures is dead, while living.

But she that lives in habits of self-indulgence is dead [while] living.

7 And give instruction in this, so that they may be beyond reproach.

And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

8 But if anyone has no concern for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.

But if any one does not provide for his own, and specially for those of [his] house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than the unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be chosen who is no less than sixty years of age, who was the wife of one husband,

Let a widow be put upon the list, being of not less than sixty years, [having been] wife of one man,

10 who has testimony of her good works: whether she has educated children, or has provided hospitality, or has washed the feet of the saints, or has ministered to those suffering tribulation, or has pursued any kind of good work.

borne witness to in good works, if she have brought up children, if she have exercised hospitality, if she have washed saints' feet, if she have imparted relief to the distressed, if she have diligently followed every good work.

11 But avoid the younger widows. For once they have flourished in Christ, they will want to marry,

But younger widows decline; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

12 resulting in damnation, because they have disregarded the primacy of faith.

being guilty, because they have cast off their first faith.

13 And being at the same time also idle, they learn to go from house to house, being not only idle, but also talkative and curious, speaking of things which do not concern them.

And, at the same time, they learn also [to be] idle, going about to people's houses; and not only idle, but also gossipers and meddlers, speaking things not becoming.

14 Therefore, I want the younger women to marry, to procreate children, to be mothers of families, to provide no ready opportunity for the adversary to speak evil.

I will therefore that the younger marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary in respect of reproach.

15 For certain ones have already been turned back to Satan.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 If any among the faithful have widows, let him minister to them and not burden the Church, so that there may be enough for those who are true widows.

If any believing man or woman have widows, let them impart relief to them, and let not the assembly be charged, that it may impart relief to those [that are] widows indeed.

17 Let priests who lead well be held worthy of twice the honor, especially those who labor in the Word and in doctrine.

Let the elders who take the lead [among the saints] well be esteemed worthy of double honour, specially those labouring in word and teaching;

18 For Scripture says: “You shall not muzzle an ox as it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his pay.”

for the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman [is] worthy of his hire.

19 Do not be willing to accept an accusation against a priest, except under two or three witnesses.

Against an elder receive not an accusation unless where there are two or three witnesses.

20 Reprove sinners in the sight of everyone, so that the others may have fear.

Those that sin convict before all, that the rest also may have fear.

21 I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect Angels, that you should observe these things without prejudgment, doing nothing which shows favoritism to either side.

I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by favour.

22 You should not be quick to impose hands on anyone, nor should you take part in the sins of outsiders. Keep yourself chaste.

Lay hands quickly on no man, nor partake in others' sins. Keep thyself pure.

23 Do not continue to drink only water, but make use of a little wine, for the sake of your stomach and your frequent infirmities.

Drink no longer only water, but use a little wine on account of thy stomach and thy frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some men have been made manifest, preceding them to judgment, but those of others are manifested later.

Of some men the sins are manifest beforehand, going before to judgment, and some also they follow after.

25 Similarly, too, good deeds have been made manifest, but even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden.

In like manner good works also are manifest beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hid.