1 Timothy 5:1-18 ▼

1 You may not rebuke an elder, but exhort [him] as a father, younger persons as brothers,

2 aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters—in all purity;

3 honor widows who are really widows;

4 and if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety to their own house, and to give back a repayment to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.

5 And she who is really a widow and desolate, has hoped on God, and remains in the supplications and in the prayers night and day,

6 but she given to luxury [while] living has died;

7 and charge these things, that they may be blameless;

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

9 A widow—do not let her be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband,

10 being testified to in good works: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if she washed holy ones’ feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she followed after every good work;

11 and be refusing younger widows, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry,

12 having judgment, because they cast away the first faith,

13 and also at the same time, they learn [to be] idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking things they should not;

14 I intend, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer of reviling;

15 for some already turned aside after Satan.

16 If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the assembly be burdened, that it may relieve those [who are] really widows.

17 Let them, the well-leading elders, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in word and teaching,

18 for the Writing says, “You will not muzzle an ox treading out,” and, “Worthy [is] the workman of his reward.”