1 Timothy 5:10-20

10 and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.
11 But do not include younger widows in the list; because when their desires make them want to marry, they turn away from Christ,
12 and so become guilty of breaking their earlier promise to him.
13 They also learn to waste their time in going around from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not.
14 So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us.
15 For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan.
16 But if any Christian woman has widows in her family, she must take care of them and not put the burden on the church, so that it may take care of the widows who are all alone.
17 The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain" and "Workers should be given their pay." 1
19 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses. 2
20 Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 5.18 aDeuteronomy 25.4; bMatthew 10.10;Luke 10.7.
  • 2. 5.19Deuteronomy 17.6; 19.15.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.