1 Timothy 4-5

English Standard Version

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now ^(A)the Spirit expressly says that ^(B)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to ^(C)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² through the insincerity of ^(D)liars whose consciences are seared, ^3 (E)who forbid marriage and ^(F)require abstinence from foods ^(G)that God created ^(H)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For ^(I)everything created by God is good, and ^(J)nothing is to be rejected if it is ^(K)received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is made holy ^(L)by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

^6 (M)If you put these things before the brothers,^[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have ^(N)followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, ^(O)silly myths. Rather ^(P)train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while ^(Q)bodily training is of some value, godliness ^(R)is of value in every way, as ^(S)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is ^(T)trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive,^[b] because we have our hope set on the living God, ^(U)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach ^(V)these things. ^12 (W)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers ^(X)an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ^14 (Y)Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you ^(Z)by prophecy when the council of elders ^(AA)laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,^[c] so that ^(AB)all may see your progress. ^16 (AC)Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save ^(AD)both yourself and ^(AE)your hearers.

Instructions for the Church

5 ^(AF)Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, ^(AG)younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows ^(AH)who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn ^(AI)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for ^(AJ)this is pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵ She ^(AK)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and ^(AL)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but ^(AM)she who is self-indulgent is ^(AN)dead even while she lives. ^7 (AO)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for ^(AP)members of his household, he has ^(AQ)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been ^(AR)the wife of one husband,^{[d] 10} and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ^(AS)shown hospitality, ^(AT)has washed the feet of the saints, has ^(AU)cared for the afflicted, and has ^(AV)devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when ^(AW)their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry ¹² and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also ^(AX)gossips and ^(AY)busybodies, saying what they should not. ¹⁴ So I would have ^(AZ)younger widows marry, bear children, ^(BA)manage their households, and ^(BB)give the adversary no occasion for slander. ^15 (BC)For some have already strayed after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those ^(BD)who are truly widows.

¹⁷ Let the elders ^(BE)who rule well be considered worthy of ^(BF)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, ^(BG)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, ^(BH)“The laborer deserves his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not admit a charge against an elder except ^(BI)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰ As for those who persist in sin, ^(BJ)rebuke them in the presence of all, ^(BK)so that the rest may stand in fear. ²¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels ^(BL)I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, ^(BM)doing nothing from partiality. ^22 (BN)Do not be hasty in the ^(BO)laying on of hands, nor ^(BP)take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. ²³ (No longer drink only water, but ^(BQ)use a little wine ^(BR)for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) ²⁴ The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. ²⁵ So also good works are conspicuous, and ^(BS)even those that are not cannot remain hidden.