1 Timothy 5:11-21

New King James Version

¹¹But ^[a]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, ¹²having condemnation because they have cast off their first ^[b]faith. ¹³And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. ¹⁴Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶If any believing ^[c]man or woman has widows, let them ^[d]relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

Honor the Elders

¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸For the Scripture says, ^(A)“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, ^(B)“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” ¹⁹Do not receive an accusation against an elder except ^(C)from two or three witnesses. ²⁰Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

²¹I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the ^[e]elect angels that you observe these things without ^(D)prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.

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Footnotes

1 Timothy 5:11 Refuse to enroll
1 Timothy 5:12 Or solemn promise
1 Timothy 5:16 NU omits man or
1 Timothy 5:16 give aid to
1 Timothy 5:21 chosen

1 Timothy 5:11-21

New International Version

¹¹As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹²Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies^(A) who talk nonsense,^(B) saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴So I counsel younger widows to marry,^(C) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.^(D) ¹⁵Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.^(E)

¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.^(F)

¹⁷The elders^(G) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(H) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a]^(I) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^[b]^(J) ¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(K) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^(L) ²⁰But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(M) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^(N) ²¹I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus^(O) and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.