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Honor[a] widows who are truly in need.[b] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty[c] toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them.[d] For this is what pleases God.[e] But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own,[f] has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day. But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even[g] while she lives. Reinforce[h] these commands,[i] so that they will be beyond reproach. But if someone does not provide for his own,[j] especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:3 sn The word honor here carries the double meaning of respect and financial support. This Greek word can imply both senses, and both are intended in this context.
  2. 1 Timothy 5:3 tn Grk “the real widows,” “those who are really widows.”
  3. 1 Timothy 5:4 tn Or “to practice their religion.”
  4. 1 Timothy 5:4 tn Or “and so make some repayment to their parents”; Grk “and to give back recompense to their parents.”
  5. 1 Timothy 5:4 tn Grk “for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”
  6. 1 Timothy 5:5 tn Or “left all alone.”
  7. 1 Timothy 5:6 tn For “is dead even” the Greek text reads “has died.”
  8. 1 Timothy 5:7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  9. 1 Timothy 5:7 tn Grk “and command these things.”
  10. 1 Timothy 5:8 tn That is, “his own relatives.”

Take care of widows who are truly needy. But if a particular widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to respect their own family and repay their parents, because this pleases God. A widow who is truly needy and all alone puts her hope in God and keeps on going with requests and prayers, night and day. But a widow who tries to live a life of luxury is dead even while she is alive. Teach these things so that the families[a] will be without fault. But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:7 Or they

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.(A) But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,(B) for this is pleasing to God.(C) The widow who is really in need(D) and left all alone puts her hope in God(E) and continues night and day to pray(F) and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.(G) Give the people these instructions,(H) so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied(I) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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