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. |