1 Timothy 5

1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but urge him as a father; younger men as brothers, [a] 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows — the ones who are really widows. [b] 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to be devout toward their own household and to give back what is owed to their forebears, for this is acceptable before God. [c] 5 And the one who is really a widow, and left alone, has set her hope on God and stays on at the pleas and the prayers, night and day; [d] † 6 but the one who lives in luxury is dead while she lives. [e] 7 Charge these things too, so that they may be beyond reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and most of all for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than one who is faithless. [f]

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years old, the wife of one husband, [g] 10 attested by good works: if she brought up children, if she took in strangers, if she washed the feet of holy ones, if she gave relief to those under affliction, if she followed after every good work. [h] 11 But refuse younger widows; for when they grow wanton against Christ, they want to marry, [i] 12 and they have judgment because they set aside their first pledge. [j] 13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, going around the houses — and not only idle, but babblers and meddlers, saying what they should not. [k] 14 So I want younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage the house, to give the one who opposes no opening for reviling. [l] 15 For already some have turned aside after Satan. 16 If any faithful woman has widows, let her give them relief, and let the gathering not be weighed down, so that it may give relief to those who are really widows. [m]

17 The elders who stand well in front are to be counted worthy of double honor, most of all those who labor in word and teaching. [n] 18 For the Scripture says, “You are not to muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his reward.” [o] 19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder, except on two or three witnesses. [p] 20 Those who are sinning, expose before all, so that the rest may have fear as well. [q] 21 I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen messengers that you keep these things without prejudgment, doing nothing by leaning to one side. [r] 22 Lay hands on no one quickly, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. [s] 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine, because of your stomach and your frequent weaknesses. [t]

24 The sins of some people are plain beforehand, going ahead of them into judgment; and for some they follow after. 25 In the same way also the good works are plain beforehand, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.