5:1  Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but {rather} appeal to {him} as a father, {to} the younger men as brothers,

5:2  the older women as mothers, {and} the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

5:3  Honor widows who are widows indeed;

5:4  but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

5:5  Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.

5:6  But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives.

5:7  Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach.

5:8  But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

5:9  A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, {having been} the wife of one man,

5:10  having a reputation for good works; {and} if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, {and} if she has devoted herself to every good work.

5:11  But refuse {to put} younger widows {on the list,} for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

5:12  {thus} incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge.

5:13  At the same time they also learn {to be} idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper {to mention.}

5:14  Therefore, I want younger {widows} to get married, bear children, keep house, {and} give the enemy no occasion for reproach;

5:15  for some have already turned aside to follow Satan.

5:16  If any woman who is a believer has {dependent} widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.

5:17  The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

5:18  For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING, and "The laborer is worthy of his wages.""

5:19  Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.

5:20  Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful {of sinning.}

5:21  I 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.

5:22  Do not lay hands upon anyone {too} hastily and thereby share {responsibility for} the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.

5:23  No longer drink water {exclusively,} but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

5:24  The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their {sins} follow after.

5:25  Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.