1 Timothy 5

1 For she that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living. 2 And this give in charge, that they may be blameless. 3 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. 4 Let a widow be chosen of no less than threescore years of age, who hath been the wife of one husband. 5 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. 6 But the younger widows avoid. For when they have grown wanton in Christ, they will marry: 7 Having damnation, because they have made void their first faith. 8 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. 9 I will, therefore, that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil. 10 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 11 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. 12 Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honour: especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 13 For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 14 Against a priest receive not an accusation, but under two or three witnesses. 15 Them that sin reprove before all that the rest also may have fear. 16 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. 17 Impose not hands lightly upon any man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins. Keep thyself chaste. 18 Do not still drink water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thy frequent infirmities. 19 Some men’s sins are manifest, going before to judgment: and some men they follow after. 20 In like manner also good deeds are manifest: and they that are otherwise cannot be hid. 22 Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed. 23 But they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but serve them the rather, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 24 If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to that doctrine which is according to godliness, 25 He is proud, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and strifes of words; from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions,