1 Timothy 5

Paul gives instructions on how to treat elders, widows, and various members of the church, teaching that the church should honor true widows and that those with families should care for their own. He instructs that elders who rule well should be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;	Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but appeal to him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,
2	The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.	older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
3	Honour widows that are widows indeed.	Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
4	But 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.	But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
5	Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.	The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
6	But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.	But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.
7	And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.	Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame.
8	But 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.	Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9	Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,	No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,
10	Well 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.	and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord's people, helping those in trouble, and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
11	But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;	As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.
12	Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.	Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.
13	And 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.	And besides, 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.
14	I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.	So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.
15	For some are already turned aside after Satan.	Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.
16	If 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.	If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
17	Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.	The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
18	For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.	For Scripture says, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."
19	Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.	Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
20	Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.	But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
21	I 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.	I charge You, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
22	Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.	Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep Yourself pure.
23	Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.	Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of Your stomach and Your frequent illnesses.
24	Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.	The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.
25	Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.	In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.