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 actually need assistance;

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 God accepts this.

5:5  Now she who has become widow indeed and who has become abandoned, 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 has, in effect, died even while she lives.

5:7   Prescribe these things as well, so that they may remain 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 behaves worse than an unbeliever.

5:9   We should put a widow on the list only if she has reached sixty years, and had only married 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 idleness, 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 we recognize as a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not become burdened, so that it may assist those who we recognize as true widows indeed.

5:17   The elders who rule well we should consider 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 THRESHES," and " The laborer deserves 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 have fear 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 become evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

5:25   Likewise also, good deeds become quite evident, and bad deeds we cannot conceal either.