5
1 Don’t
rebuke an older
man, but exhort
him as a
father; the
younger men
as brothers;
2 the
elder women as
mothers; the
younger as sisters,
in all purity.
3 Honor
widows who are
widows indeed.
4 But
if any widow
has children or
grandchildren, let
them learn first
to show
piety toward their
own family and
to repay their
parents, for this
is
acceptable in the
sight of God.
5 Now
she who is
a widow indeed
and desolate, has
her hope set
on God and
continues in petitions
and prayers night
and day.
6 But
she who gives
herself to
pleasure is dead
while she lives.
7 Also
command these
things, that they
may be
without reproach.
8 But
if anyone doesn’t
provide for his
own, and
especially his own
household, he
has denied the
faith and is
worse than
an unbeliever.
9 Let
no one be enrolled
as a widow
under sixty years
old, having been
the wife of
one man,
10 being approved by
good works, if
she has brought
up children, if
she has been hospitable
to strangers, if
she has washed
the saints’ feet,
if she has
relieved the
afflicted, and if
she has diligently
followed every
good work.
11 But
refuse younger
widows, for when
they have grown wanton
against Christ,
they desire to
marry,
12 having
condemnation, because
they have rejected
their first pledge.
13 Besides,
they also learn
to be idle, going
about from house
to house. Not
only idle, but
also gossips and
busybodies, saying
things which they
ought not.
14 I
desire therefore
that the
younger widows marry,
bear children, rule
the household, and
give no occasion
to the adversary
for insulting.
15 For
already some have
turned away after
Satan.
16 If
any man or
woman who believes
has widows, let
them relieve them,
and don’t let
the assembly
be burdened, that
it might 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
in teaching.
18 For
the Scripture says,
“You shall not
muzzle the ox
when it treads out
the grain.”
And,
“The laborer
is worthy of his
wages.”
19 Don’t
receive an
accusation against
an elder except
at the word of
two or three
witnesses.
20 Those
who sin, reprove
in the sight
of all, that
the rest also
may be in
fear.
21 I command
you in the
sight of God,
and the Lord
Jesus Christ, and
the chosen angels,
that you observe
these things
without prejudice,
doing nothing by
partiality.
22 Lay
hands hastily on
no one. Don’t be
a participant in
other people’s sins. Keep
yourself pure.
23 Be
no longer a drinker
of water only,
but use a
little wine for
your stomach’s
sake and your
frequent infirmities.
24 Some
men’s sins are
evident, preceding them
to judgment, and
some also
follow later.
25 In
the same way
also there are
good works that
are obvious, and
those that
are otherwise can’t
be hidden.