1 Timothy 5
1Rebuke
not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
3Honour widows that are widows indeed.
4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite
their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5Now
she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9Let
not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.
10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have
lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed
every good work.
11But the younger widows
refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not
only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion
to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
15For
some are already turned aside after Satan.
16If
any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve
them that are widows indeed.
17Let the elders
that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.
And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19Against
an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that
thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself
pure.
23Drink no longer water, but use a little
wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
24Some
men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are
otherwise cannot be hid.