1 Timothy 5
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
5 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.
The Support of Widows
3 Support[a] widows(A) who are genuinely in need. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practise godliness towards their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. 5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.(C) 7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works(F) – that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,(G) washed the saints’ feet,(H) helped the afflicted,(I) and devoted herself to every good work.(J) 11 But refuse to enrol younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry(K) 12 and will therefore receive condemnation(L) because they have renounced their original pledge. 13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips(M) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. 14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry,(N) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.(O) 15 For some have already turned away(P) to follow Satan. 16 If any[b] believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.
Honouring the Elders
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honour,[c] especially those who work hard(Q) at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,[d](R) and, ‘The worker is worthy of his wages.’(S)
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.(T) 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe(U) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favouritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appoint[e](V) anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.(W) 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgement,(X) but the sins of others surface[f] later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
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.
Footnotes
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.