1 Timothy 5:3-25

3Honor widows who are 1widows indeed; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, 2they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to 3make some return to their parents; for this is 4acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is a 5widow indeed and who has been left alone, 6has fixed her hope on God and continues in 7entreaties and prayers night and day. 6But she who 8gives herself to wanton pleasure is 9dead even while she lives. 71011Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has 12denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow is to be 13put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been 14the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for 15good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has 16shown hospitality to strangers, if she 17has washed the 18saints’ feet, if she has 19assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel 20sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous 21pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also 22gossips and 23busybodies, talking about 24things not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get 25married, bear children, 26keep house, and 27give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15for some 28have already turned aside to follow 29Satan. 16If any woman who is a believer 30has dependent widows, she must 31assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are 32widows indeed.

1733The elders who 34rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who 35work hard 36at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “37You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “38The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19Do not receive an accusation against an 39elder except on the basis of 40two or three witnesses. 20Those who continue in sin, 41rebuke in the presence of all, 42so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 2143I 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. 2244Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and 45thereby share 46responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself 47free from sin.

23No longer drink water exclusively, but 48use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

24The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins 49follow after. 25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and 50those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.