1 Timothy 4:6–5:16

6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now: 7but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: 8for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. 9Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. 10For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe. 11These things command and teach. 12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all. 16Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.

5 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: 2the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. 3Honor widows that are widows indeed. 4But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7These things also command, that they may be without reproach. 8But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 9Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. 11But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; 12having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 13And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: 15for already some are turned aside after Satan. 16If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.