1 Timothy 5
1 Do not speak harshly to an older man; instead, appeal to him as you would to a father, and to younger men as brothers.
2 Treat older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with complete purity.
3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice godliness within their own family and to repay their parents, for this is pleasing to God.
5 A woman who is truly a widow and has been left alone puts her hope in God and persists in prayers and petitions, night and day.
6 But a woman who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7 Also give these instructions, so that they may be above reproach.
8 If anyone does not care for their own, especially those of their household, they have denied the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.
9 A widow may be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old and has been the wife of one husband.
10 She must be known for good works: if she has raised children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress, and devoted herself to every good work.
11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their desires draw them away from Christ, they want to marry.
12 They incur condemnation because they have abandoned their first commitment.
13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house. And they are not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they ought not.
14 So I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to slander them.
15 For some have already turned aside to follow Satan.
16 If any believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them, so that the church will not be burdened and can help those who are truly widows.
17 Let the elders who lead well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in preaching and teaching.
18 For Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is threshing,” and, “The worker deserves his wages.”
19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
20 Rebuke those who sin in the presence of everyone, so that the rest may also be afraid.
21 Before God, Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, I solemnly charge you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.
22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
23 Stop drinking only water; use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
24 The sins of some people are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; the sins of others come after them.
25 In the same way, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.
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