1 Timothy 5

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

1Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:

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

2To the older women as to mothers, to the younger as to sisters, with a clean heart.

3Honour widows who are really widows;

3Give honour to widows who are truly widows.

4but 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 ofGod.

4But if any widow has children or children's children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.

5Now she who [is] a widow indeed, and is left alone, has put [her] hope inGod, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

5Now she who is truly a widow and without family puts her hope in God, giving herself to prayer day and night.

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

6But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she is living.

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

7Give orders to this effect, so that no evil may be said of anyone.

8But 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.

8If anyone has no care for his family and those in his house, he is false to the faith, and is worse than one who has no faith.

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

9Let no woman be numbered among the widows who is under sixty years old, and only if she has been the wife of one man,

10borne 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.

10And if witness is given of her good works; if she has had the care of children, if she has been kind to travellers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those who are in trouble, giving herself to good works.

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

11But to the younger widows say No: for when their love is turned away from Christ, they have a desire to be married;

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

12And they are judged because they have been false to their first faith;

13And, 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.

13And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.

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

14So it is my desire that the younger widows may be married and have children, controlling their families, and giving the Evil One no chance to say anything against them,

15For already some have turned aside after Satan.

15For even now some are turned away to Satan.

16If 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.

16If any woman of the faith has relations who are widows, let her give them help, so that the care of them does not come on the church, and so it may give help to those who are truly widowed.

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

17Let rulers whose rule is good be honoured twice over, specially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

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

18For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

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

19Do not take as true any statement made against one in authority, but only if two or three give witness to it.

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

20Say sharp words to sinners when all are present, so that the rest may be in fear.

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

21I give you orders before God and Christ Jesus and the angels of God's selection, to keep these orders without giving thought to one side more than another.

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

22Do not put hands on any man without thought, and have no part in other men's sins: keep yourself clean.

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

23Do not take only water as your drink, but take a little wine for the good of your stomach, and because you are frequently ill.

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

24The sins of some men are clearly seen, going before them to be judged; but with others, their sins go after them.

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

25In the same way, there are good works which are clearly seen; and those which are not so, may not be kept secret.