1 Timothy 5

1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but appeal to him as you would to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3Honor widows who are truly widows.

4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness toward their own household and to repay their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

5The woman who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

6But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

7Command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.

8If anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old and has been the wife of one husband,

10and is well known for good works: if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress, and devoted herself to every good work.

11But do not put younger widows on the list, for when their desires draw them away from Christ, they want to marry,

12and so they incur condemnation for having set aside their first pledge.

13Besides that, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house. And they are not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not.

14So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity for slander.

15For some have already turned away to follow Satan.

16If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it may help those who are truly widows.

17Let the elders who lead well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his wages.”

19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

20As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be afraid.

21I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

22Do not be hasty in laying hands on anyone, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24The sins of some people are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment, but the sins of others follow after them.

25So also good works are obvious, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.