1 Timothy 5
Honor Widows
aDo not sharply rebuke an bolder man, but rather plead with him as a father, to cthe younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows who are awidows indeed, 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, athey must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is bacceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a awidow indeed and who has been left alone, bhas fixed her hope on God and continues in cpetitions and prayers night and day. 6 But she who alives in self-indulgence is bdead even while she lives. 7 aAnd command these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has adenied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9 A widow is to be aput on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been bthe wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for agood works; if she has brought up children, if she has bshown hospitality to strangers, if she chas washed the saints’ feet, if she has dassisted those in affliction, if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel asensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house. And not merely idle, but also agossips and bbusybodies, talking about cthings not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get amarried, bear children, bkeep house, and cgive the enemy no opportunity for reviling, 15 for some ahave already turned aside after bSatan. 16 If any believing woman ahas widows, she must bassist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are cwidows indeed.
Honoring the Elders
17 aThe elders who blead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who clabor at preaching the word and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “aYou shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing,” and “bThe laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an aelder except on the basis of btwo or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, areprove in the presence of all, bso that the rest also will be fearful. 21 aI solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His elect angels, to observe these instructions without bias, doing nothing in partiality. 22 aDo not lay hands upon anyone hastily and thereby share bresponsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink water only, but ause a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
24 The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins afollow after. 25 So also good works are quite evident, and athose which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
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