1 Timothy 5:1–6:21
5 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, with all purity.
3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and ato repay their parents; for this is 1good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers bnight and day. 6 But she who lives in 2pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, cand especially for those of his household, dhe has denied the faith eand is worse than an unbeliever.
9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.
11 But 3refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first 4faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing 5man or woman has widows, let them 6relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, f“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, g“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except hfrom two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the 7elect angels that you observe these things without iprejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor jshare in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent 8infirmities.
24 Some men’s sins are kclearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
6 Let as many abondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to bwholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, cand to the 1doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 2useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 3From dsuch withdraw yourself.
6 Now godliness with econtentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, 4and it is fcertain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be gcontent. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus hwho witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only 5Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in iunapproachable light, jwhom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain kriches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things lto enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 mstoring up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy! nGuard what was committed to your trust, oavoiding the profane and 6idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.