1 Timothy 5

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

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

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

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

3 Honour widows who are really widows;

Honor widows who are widows indeed.

4 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.

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.

5 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.

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

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

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

7 And these things enjoin, that they may be irreproachable.

Also command these things, so that they will be without fault.

8 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.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

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

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

10 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.

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.

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

But refuse younger widows, for whenever their passions lead them away from Messiah, they desire to marry;

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

having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

13 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.

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.

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

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

15 For already some have turned aside after Satan.

For already some have turned aside after Satan.

16 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.

If any believing woman has widows, she must assist them, and do not let the church be burdened; that it might help those widows who are truly in need.

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

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

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

For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

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

Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.

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

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

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

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

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

Do not ordain anyone hastily, nor participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

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

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

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

The sins of some people are obvious, going before them to judgment, but those of others show up later.

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

In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.