1 Timothy 5:1-18 ▼

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; younger men as brothers;

2 older women as mothers; younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows.

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to be devout first to their own household and to give back recompense to parents, for this is acceptable before God.

5 Now she who is truly a widow and having been left alone has hoped on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

6 But she given to luxury has died while living.

7 Also command these things, so that they may be above reproach.

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled, being not less than sixty years old, the wife of one man,

10 being testified to in good works: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if she washed the feet of the saints, if she gave relief to those being oppressed, if she followed after every good work.

11 But refuse younger widows; for when they might grow wanton against Christ, they want to marry,

12 having judgment because they set aside the first faith.

13 And at the same time also they learn to be idle, going around the houses, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, speaking things not being proper.

14 Therefore I intend for younger ones to marry, to bear children, to manage their households, to give the one opposing no occasion in favor of reviling.

15 For already some turned aside after Satan.

16 If any believing woman has widows, let her give relief to them, and let the church not be burdened, so that it may give relief to those truly widows.

17 Let the elders presiding well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in the word and the teaching.

18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”