1 Timothy 5

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

Don't rebuke a man who is older than you. Instead, encourage him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,

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

older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with the highest standards of decency.

3 Honor widows who are widows indeed.

Help widows who don't have a family.

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.

For the Christian responsibility of a widow's children or grandchildren is to do their duty for their own family, and repay their parents by helping them out. This is what pleases 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.

Now a real widow, having no family, alone and without support, puts her hope in God and prays for help night and day.

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

But a widow who concentrates on pleasing herself is already dead, even though she's still physically alive.

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

Give people these instructions so that they will be above criticism.

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.

But those who don't look after their relatives, especially their own family, have denied their beliefs, and are worse than those who don't believe.

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

Only widows over sixty who have been faithful to their husbands should be put on the list.

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.

The widow should have a reputation for doing good. Did she bring up children properly? Has she been hospitable? Has she washed the feet of church members? Has she helped those who were in trouble? Has she really tried to do good in every way?

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

Don't take on widows who are younger, because when their physical desires make them want to re-marry they abandon their dedication to Christ.

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

In this they are guilty of breaking their previous commitment.

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.

They also get used to a lazy life, just visiting each other in their homes. Not only lazy, but they gossip and meddle, talking about things they shouldn't.

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

So my best advice is that younger widows marry and have children and take care of the home. That way there's no opportunity for criticism from the Enemy.

15 For already some have turned away after Satan.

However, some have already gone the way of 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.

Any Christian woman who has widows in the family should help them, so that the church is not burdened with the responsibility, and can help those widows who are truly in need.

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

Elders who direct the church well should be seen as doubly valuable, particularly those who work in speaking the Word and in teaching.

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.”

As Scripture says, “Don't muzzle the ox when it's threshing out the grain.” Also, “The worker deserves to be paid.”

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

Don't entertain any accusation against an elder unless two or three witnesses support it.

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

Censure those who sin in front of everyone as a warning to others as well.

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.

Before God and Christ Jesus, and the holy angels, I instruct you to follow these instructions without bias. Don't do anything from an attitude of favoritism.

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

Don't be in a hurry to lay hands on anyone; and don't get involved in the sins of others. 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.

Don't just drink water, but use a little bit of wine because of your bad stomach—you're sick so often!

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

The sins of some people are really obvious, and they are clearly guilty, but the sins of others are not seen until later.

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

Similarly some good works are obvious, and even those that are hidden won't be for long.