1 Timothy 5

1Do not speak harshly to an older man. Instead, encourage him as you would your father. Treat younger men as brothers,

2Older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with complete purity.

3Take care of widows who are truly alone.

4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to show their faith by caring for their own family and paying back their parents and grandparents, for this pleases God.

5The widow who is truly alone, with no one to help, puts her hope in God and keeps on praying and asking God for help, night and day.

6But the widow who lives only for pleasure is dead even while she is alive.

7Give the people these instructions, so that no one can find fault with them.

8Anyone who does not provide for their own relatives, and especially for their own family, has turned away from the faith and is worse than someone who does not believe at all.

9A widow should be put on the list of widows only if she is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband.

10She must be known for her good deeds: bringing up children, welcoming strangers, washing the feet of God's people, helping those in trouble, and giving herself to every good work.

11But do not put younger widows on the list. For when their desires pull them away from Christ, they will want to marry.

12Then they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first promise.

13Besides, they get into the habit of being lazy and going from house to house. And they do not only become lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they should not.

14So I would rather that younger widows marry, have children, and manage their homes, giving the enemy no reason to speak against us.

15For some have already turned away to follow Satan.

16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them, so that the church is not burdened, and can help the widows who are truly alone.

17The elders who lead well should be given double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

18For the Scripture says: Do not stop the ox from eating while it treads out the grain, and: A worker deserves their pay.

19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

20Those who keep on sinning should be corrected in front of everyone, so that the others will be warned.

21Before God, before Christ Jesus, and before the chosen angels, I tell you to follow these instructions without favoring anyone or treating people unfairly.

22Do not be too quick to lay your hands on anyone, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23Stop drinking only water. Use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24The sins of some people are clear, and lead the way to judgment; the sins of others show up later.

25In the same way, good deeds are clear, and even those that are not cannot stay hidden.