5:1 DO NOT sharply censure {or} rebuke an older man, but entreat {and} plead with him as [you would with] a father. Treat younger men like brothers; |
5:2 [Treat] older women like mothers [and] younger women like sisters, in all purity. |
5:3 [Always] treat with great consideration {and} give aid to those who are truly widowed (solitary and without support). |
5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, see to it that these are first made to understand that it is their religious duty [to defray their natural obligation to those] at home, and make return to their parents {or} grandparents [for all their care by contributing to their maintenance], for this is acceptable in the sight of God. |
5:5 Now [a woman] who is a real widow and is left entirely alone {and} desolate has fixed her hope on God and perseveres in supplications and prayers night and day, |
5:6 Whereas she who lives in pleasure {and} self-gratification [giving herself up to luxury and self-indulgence] is dead even while she [still] lives. |
5:7 Charge [the people] thus, so that they may be without reproach {and} blameless. |
5:8 If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters]. |
5:9 Let no one be put on the roll of widows [who are to receive church support] who is under sixty years of age or who has been the wife of more than one man; |
5:10 And she must have a reputation for good deeds, as one who has brought up children, who has practiced hospitality to strangers [of the brotherhood], washed the feet of the saints, helped to relieve the distressed, [and] devoted herself diligently to doing good in every way. |
5:11 But refuse [to enroll on this list the] younger widows, for when they become restive {and} their natural desires grow strong, they withdraw themselves against Christ [and] wish to marry [again]. |
5:12 And so they incur condemnation for having set aside {and} slighted their previous pledge. |
5:13 Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say {and} talking of things they should not mention. |
5:14 So I would have younger [widows] marry, bear children, guide the household, [and] not give opponents of the faith occasion for slander or reproach. |
5:15 For already some [widows] have turned aside after Satan. |
5:16 If any believing woman {or believing man} has [relatives or persons in the household who are] widows, let him relieve them; let the church not be burdened [with them], so that it may [be free to] assist those who are truly widows (those who are all alone and are dependent). |
5:17 Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor [and of adequate financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching. |
5:18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire. |
5:19 Listen to no accusation [presented before a judge] against an elder unless it is confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. |
5:20 As for those who are guilty {and} persist in sin, rebuke {and} admonish them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned {and} stand in wholesome awe {and} fear. |
5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the chosen angels that you guard {and} keep [these rules] without personal prejudice {or} favor, doing nothing from partiality. |
5:22 Do not be in a hurry in the laying on of hands [giving the sanction of the church too hastily in reinstating expelled offenders or in ordination in questionable cases], nor share {or} participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure. |
5:23 Drink water no longer exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. |
5:24 The sins of some men are conspicuous (openly evident to all eyes), going before them to the judgment [seat] {and} proclaiming their sentence in advance; but the sins of others appear later [following the offender to the bar of judgment and coming into view there]. |
5:25 So also, good deeds are evident {and} conspicuous, and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden [indefinitely]. |