1 Timothy 5
1Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;
2the older women as mothers; the younger women as sisters—and do so with all purity.
3Honor widows who are truly widows.
4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness toward their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5Now the one who is truly a widow—the one who has been left with no one—has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
6But she who lives for pleasure is dead while she lives.
7And command these things, so that they will be above reproach.
8But if anyone does not provide for his own family, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9No widow is to be added to the list of widows unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one man,
10has a reputation for good works—that is, if she has raised children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the holy ones, if she has cared for the afflicted, and if she has devoted herself to all kinds of good works.
11And refuse to add younger widows to the list, because when they have sensual desires that draw them away from Christ, they will desire to marry,
12and thus incur judgment because they have rejected their former faith.
13And at the same time, they will also learn to be idle, going around from house to house; and they will not only be idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not say.
14Therefore, I want younger widows to marry, bear children, manage their household, and give the Opposer no opportunity for slanderous insults,
15for some have already turned away to follow the Adversary.
16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her household who need help, let her care for them, and do not let the church be burdened, so that it can care for those who are truly widows.
17Let the elders who lead well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in proclaiming the word and in teaching.
18For the Scripture says, Do not muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain. And, The worker is worthy of his wages.
19Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
20Reprove in front of everyone those who persist in sin, so that the rest will also be afraid of the consequences.
21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels, that you follow these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
22Do not be hasty to lay hands on anyone and thus share responsibility for the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23Do not continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach issues and frequent illnesses.
24The sins of some people are obvious, being revealed before they enter into judgment, but with other people, their sins are revealed later.
25In the same way, there are also good works that are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.