1 Timothy 5 (New American Standard)

Honor Widows

1 ¹Do not sharply rebuke an ²older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to ³the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are ⁴widows indeed ; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, ⁵they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to ^amake some return to their parents ; for this is ⁶acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a ⁷widow indeed and who has been left alone, ⁸has fixed her hope on God and continues in ⁹entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who ¹⁰gives herself to wanton pleasure is ¹¹dead even while she lives. 7 ^b12Prescribe 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 ¹³denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 A widow is to be ¹⁴put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been ¹⁵the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for ¹⁶good works ; and if she has brought up children, if she has ¹⁷shown hospitality to strangers, if she ¹⁸has washed the ^csaints' feet, if she has ¹⁹assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel ²⁰sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous ^dpledge. 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house ; and not merely idle, but also ²¹gossips and ²²busybodies, talking about ²³things not proper to mention. 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get ²⁴married, bear children, ²⁵keep house, and ²⁶give the enemy no occasion for reproach ; 15 for some ²⁷have already turned aside to follow ²⁸Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer ²⁹has dependent widows, she must ³⁰assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are ³¹widows indeed.

Concerning Elders

17 ³²The elders who ³³rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who ³⁴work hard ^eat preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "³⁵YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "³⁶The laborer is worthy of his wages." 19 Do not receive an accusation against an ³⁷elder except on the basis of ³⁸two or three witnesses. 20 Those who continue in sin, ³⁹rebuke in the presence of all, ⁴⁰so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 ⁴¹I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22 ⁴²Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and ^fthereby share ⁴³responsibility for the sins of others ; keep yourself ^gfree from sin. 23 No longer drink water exclusively, but ⁴⁴use 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 ⁴⁵follow after. 25 Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and ⁴⁶those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.