1 Timothy 5

Modern English Version

Duties Toward Others

5 Do not rebuke an elder, but exhort him as a father, the younger men as brothers, ² the elder women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, with complete purity.

³ Honor widows that are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety at home and to repay their parents. For this is good and acceptable before God. ⁵ Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷ And these things command, that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if any do not care for their own, and especially for those of their own house, they have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers.

⁹ Do not let a widow be counted unless she is over sixty years old, has been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ is well attested in good works, if she has brought up children, has lodged strangers, has washed the saints’ feet, has relieved the afflicted, and has diligently followed every good work.

¹¹ But refuse the younger widows, for when their sensual desires have drawn them away from Christ, they want to marry, ¹² and bring judgment on themselves, because they have cast off their first pledge. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to be idle, and not only idle, wandering around from house to house, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they ought not. ¹⁴ Therefore I desire that the younger women marry, bear children, manage the house, and give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan.

¹⁶ If any believing man or woman has widows, let those assist them. Do not let the church be charged, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain,”^[a] and, “The laborer is worthy of his reward.”^{[b] 19} Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except before two or three witnesses. ²⁰ Rebuke in the presence of everyone those who sin, that the rest also may fear. ²¹ I command you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

²² Do not lay hands suddenly on anyone, and do not partake of other men’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

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

²⁴ Some men’s sins are evident, pointing to judgment, but other men’s sins are revealed later. ²⁵ Likewise, the good works of some are evident, but those that are not cannot be hidden.