1 Timothy 5

1Don't sharply rebuke an older man, but encourage him as a father, younger men as brothers.

2Treat older women as mothers and younger women as sisters in all purity.

3Honor widows, the true widows.

4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to act devoutly toward their own household and to render repayment to their parents, for this is acceptable before God.

5But the true widow, left desolate, has set her hope on God and persists in supplications and prayers night and day.

6But she who lives wantonly is dead while she lives.

7Also command these things, that they may be irreproachable.

8But if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9Do not register a widow under sixty years who has been the wife of one man.

10being approved by good works, if she has raised children, if she has hosted strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has pursued every good work.

11But refuse younger widows, for when they become wanton against Christ, they desire to marry.

12They have judgment because they rejected their first faith.

13At the same time they also learn idleness, wandering from house to house—not only idle, but gossips and meddlers too, speaking things they ought not.

14Therefore I want younger women to marry, bear children, manage the household, and give the adversary no occasion for reviling.

15For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

16If any believing woman has widows, let her relieve them, and let the church not be burdened, so that it might relieve the true widows.

17Let elders who preside well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and teaching.

18For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it threshes," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

19Accept no accusation against an elder apart from two or three witnesses.

20Reprove those who sin before all, so that the rest may also fear.

21I charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you guard these things without prejudgment, doing nothing out of partiality.

22Do not be too quick to lay hands on anyone, nor share in others' sins. Keep yourself pure.

23No longer drink water, but use a little wine for your stomach and your frequent infirmities.

24Some people's sins are obvious, going before to judgment, but others also follow.

25Likewise, good works are also evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.