I TIMOTHY CHAPTER V.

[1 Rules to be observed in reproving. 3 Of widows and elders. 23 A precept for Timothy's health.]



REBUKE not an elder, but entreat him as a 
father; and the younger men as brethren;
2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as 
sisters, with all purity.
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 
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. 
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, 
trusteth in god, and continueth in supplications
and prayers night and day. 
6 But she that liveth in pleasure, is dead 
while she liveth. 
7 And these things give in charge, that they 
may be blameless. 
8 But if any provide not for his own, and 
especially for those of his own house, he hath
denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under 
threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 
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. 
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when 
they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, 
they will marry;
12 Having damnation, because they have cast 
off their first faith. 
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.
14 I will therefore that the younger women 
marry, bear children, guide the house, give none 
occasion to adversary to speak reproachfully. 
15 For some are already turned aside after 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. 
17 Let the elders that rule well, be counted 
worthy of double honour, especially they who 
labour in the word and doctrine. 
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle 
the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The 
labourer is worthy of his reward. 
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, 
but before two or three witnesses. 
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others 
also may fear. 
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. 
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be 
partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine 
for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities. 
24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going 
before to judgment: and some men they follow after. 
25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest 
beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot 
be hid.