1 Timothy 5:6-20

English Standard Version

⁶but ^(A)she who is self-indulgent is ^(B)dead even while she lives. ⁷^(C)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for ^(D)members of his household, he has ^(E)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been ^(F)the wife of one husband,^[a] ¹⁰and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ^(G)shown hospitality, ^(H)has washed the feet of the saints, has ^(I)cared for the afflicted, and has ^(J)devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when ^(K)their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry ¹²and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. ¹³Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also ^(L)gossips and ^(M)busybodies, saying what they should not. ¹⁴So I would have ^(N)younger widows marry, bear children, ^(O)manage their households, and ^(P)give the adversary no occasion for slander. ¹⁵^(Q)For some have already strayed after Satan. ¹⁶If 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 ^(R)who are truly widows.

¹⁷Let the elders ^(S)who rule well be considered worthy of ^(T)double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For the Scripture says, ^(U)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, ^(V)“The laborer deserves his wages.” ¹⁹Do not admit a charge against an elder except ^(W)on the evidence of two or three witnesses. ²⁰As for those who persist in sin, ^(X)rebuke them in the presence of all, ^(Y)so that the rest may stand in fear.

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Footnotes

1 Timothy 5:9 Or a woman of one man

1 Timothy 5:6-20

New International Version

⁶But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.^(A) ⁷Give the people these instructions,^(B) so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied^(C) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰and is well known for her good deeds,^(D) such as bringing up children, showing hospitality,^(E) washing the feet^(F) of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble^(G) and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

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^(H) who talk nonsense,^(I) saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴So I counsel younger widows to marry,^(J) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.^(K) ¹⁵Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.^(L)

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.^(M)

¹⁷The elders^(N) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(O) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a]^(P) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^[b]^(Q) ¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder^(R) unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.^(S) ²⁰But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove^(T) before everyone, so that the others may take warning.^(U)