1 Timothy 5

¹ Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers;

² the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are widows indeed.

⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

⁵ Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

⁶ But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.

⁷ Also command these things, that they may be without reproach.

⁸ But if anyone doesn’t provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,

¹⁰ being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work.

¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,

¹² having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.

¹³ Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

¹⁴ I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for insulting.

¹⁵ For already some have turned away after Satan.

¹⁶ If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. CCC

¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” CCC

¹⁹ Don’t receive an accusation against an elder except at the word of two or three witnesses.

²⁰ Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.

²¹ I command you in the sight of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

²² Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.

²³ Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

²⁴ Some men’s sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later.

²⁵ In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise can’t be hidden.

¹ AAn ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father: young men, as brethren:

² Old women, as mothers: young women, as sisters, in all chastity.

³ Honour widows that are widows indeed.

⁴ But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let her learn first to govern her own house and to make a return of duty to her parents; for this is acceptable before God.

⁵ But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God and continue in supplications and prayers night and day.

⁶ For she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living.

⁷ And this give in charge, that they may be blameless.

⁸ But if any man have not care of his own and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband.

¹⁰ Having testimony for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have received to harbour, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have ministered to them that suffer tribulation, if she have diligently followed every good work.

¹¹ But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry:

¹² Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith.

¹³ And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tattlers also and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not.

¹⁴ I will, therefore, that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil.

¹⁵ For some are already turned aside after Satan.

¹⁶ If any of the faithful have widows, let him minister to them, and let not the church be charged: that there may be sufficient for them that are widows indeed.

¹⁷ Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. CCC

¹⁸ For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward. CCC

¹⁹ Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses.

²⁰ Them that sin reprove before all that the rest also may have fear.

²¹ I charge thee, before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by declining to either side.

²² Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. Keep thyself chaste.

²³ Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thy frequent infirmities.

²⁴ Some men’s sins are manifest, going before to judgment: and some men they follow after.

²⁵ In like manner also good deeds are manifest: and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.