1 Timothy 5

1 Do not rebuke/scold older men. Instead, exhort/advise them [respectfully] as you would [exhort/advise] your father. Exhort/advise younger men [gently] as you would exhort/advise your brothers.

Do not rebuke an elder man, but entreat him as a father, younger men as brothers,

2 [Exhort/advise] older women [respectfully] as [you would exhort/advise] your mother. [Exhort/advise] younger women [gently] as [you would exhort/advise] your sisters; but you must act in a completely proper way as you do that.

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

3 [Make sure that the congregation] takes care of widows who have no one to care for them.

Support widows, the real widows.

4 If a widow has children or grandchildren, these [children or grandchildren] should learn that they are to take care of their own family first. By doing that they can repay their parents and grandparents for all that they did for them when they were young, because doing that pleases God.

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be devoted to their own house, and to give back recompense to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5 The widows who are really alone and have no one [to help them] confidently expect that God [will help them]. So night and day they pray, earnestly asking [DOU] [God that he will help them and others].

But the real widow, and made alone, has hoped in God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.

6 But widows who just want to have a lot of pleasure are [spiritually] [MET] dead, although they are [physically] alive.

But she who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives.

7 And tell [the congregation] that [the children or grandchildren should do] these things in order that [no one] can (criticize the believers/say that the believers are doing anything that is wrong).

And command these things, so that they may be blameless.

8 If anyone does not take care of those who live in his own house, and especially if he does not take care of his own family, he has (denied/quit believing) what we believe and [we should consider that] he is worse than a person who does not believe [in Christ].

But if any man does not provide for his own, and especially those belonging his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

9 [You have a list of] widows [who will do work for the congregation and receive money]. Put women’s names on the list [only if] they are more than 60 years old, and if they were faithful to their husbands.

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

10 [Put women’s names on that list only] if it is known that they have wholeheartedly done every kind of good deed, if they have helped [children] who were afflicted/suffering, if they have (brought up/cared for) their children [properly/well], if they have welcomed and cared for guests, and if they have humbly served [MTY] other believers.

being testified in good works: if she has reared children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the sanctified, if she has relieved those who are afflicted, if she has followed every good work.

11 As for younger widows, do not put their names on that list, because they [promise to do work for the congregation, but instead of doing that, they usually] want to marry [again] (OR, marry an unbeliever) when they have a strong desire to get married.

But refuse younger widows, for when they are sexually aroused, they desire of the Christ to marry,

12 If that happens, they may become guilty of not having done what they had promised [to do for the congregation] (OR, promised [Christ that they would do].)

which has condemnation because they have disregarded the original pledge.

13 In addition, they [generally] become lazy. Specifically, as they [just] go about from house to house, they also begin (to gossip/to talk about people) and to meddle in other people’s affairs, saying what they should not say.

And also at the same time they learn to be idle, roving the houses, and not only idle, but also babbling and meddlesome, speaking things that they ought not.

14 So I advise that [instead of putting the names of younger widows on the list, they] marry again, that they bear/have children, that they manage their homes [well], and that they do nothing for which an enemy can say bad things about [them].

I desire therefore the younger women to marry, to bear children, to manage house, to give not one occasion to him who opposes on account of slander.

15 [I say this] because some [younger widows] have stopped [obeying Christ] in order to obey Satan.

For some have already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any woman who believes [in Christ] has widows [in her household/family], she should take care of them. The congregation should not be burdened by having {She should not depend on the congregation} to take care of their [needs]. The congregation should take care of the widows who truly [have no one to care for them].

If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and let not the congregation be burdened, so that it may relieve the real widows.

17 [Each congregation] should pay well the elders who lead [well. They should] greatly honor them, especially those who preach and those who teach.

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

18 [Long ago Moses] wrote in the Scriptures, “While an ox is threshing [grain], you must not tie its mouth [so that it cannot eat the grain],” and [Jesus said], “[People] should pay those who work [for their benefit].” [So we know that congregations should support their leaders].

For the scripture says thou shall not muzzle an ox that is threshing. And the workman is worthy of his wage.

19 When some person accuses an elder [about doing wrong], accept what he says only if there are [at least] two or three persons who (testify/say [that]) [they saw him do that wrong].

Accept no accusation against an elder, except at two or three witnesses.

20 But as for any [elder] who repeatedly sins, rebuke him before the whole congregation, in order that the rest [of the elders] will be afraid [to sin].

Those who sin, rebuke in the sight of all, so that the others may also have fear.

21 I solemnly tell you that [as you keep in mind that] God and Christ Jesus and the holy angels know everything that you do, obey these commands [about elders]! [As you consider what others say about an elder doing wrong], do not easily/quickly decide that what they say is true. And treat them all equally.

I solemnly testify before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen agents, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing from partiality.

22 Do not be in a hurry to put your hands on a man ([to set him apart/to appoint him]) [as an elder. Wait until you have examined him to see how he conducts his life], because [God will consider] that you are responsible if [you approve] a person who sins, saying that he should [become an elder]. Keep your life pure in every way.

Lay hands hastily on no man, nor contribute to other sins. Keep thyself pure.

23 [And Timothy], no longer drink [only] water, but instead, drink a little wine [also], because [that may help to cure] your stomach’s frequent illnesses.

No longer drink water, but use a little wine because of thy stomach and thy frequent weaknesses.

24 [I tell you not] ([to set apart/appoint]) [elders hastily, without seeing how they conduct their lives, because] some people [sin secretly], so that it is not known what they have done until after someone examines them (OR, before God judges them). But some people sin openly, so that people know what they have done before anyone examines them.

The sins of some men are evident, leading to judgment, but also for some they follow after.

25 Similarly, although [some people] do good things openly, with the result that people know what they have done, some people [do good things secretly], yet the good things that they have done cannot remain secret either.

Likewise also good works are evident, and those faring otherwise cannot be hid.