1 Timothy 5

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

1Do not scold an older man. Speak to him kindly, the way you would speak to your father. Treat younger men like brothers.

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

2Treat older women like mothers. Treat younger women like sisters, and always in a pure way.

3Honour widows that are widows indeed.

3Take good care of widows who are truly alone. A widow is a woman whose husband has died.

4But 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.

4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, those children should care for her first. They should pay their parents back for the care they were given. This pleases God.

NoteThe KJV says "nephews." In 1611 that word meant grandchildren, not a brother's or sister's sons.

5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

5A widow who is truly alone and has no one puts her hope in God. She keeps on praying and asking him for help, night and day.

6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

6But a widow who lives only for fun is dead inside, even while she is still alive.

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

7Teach people these things. Then no one can say they did anything wrong.

8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

8Suppose someone will not take care of his own family, especially the people in his own house. He has turned away from what he says he believes. He is worse than a person who does not believe at all.

9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

9Only put a widow on the church's list of widows if she is at least sixty years old. She must have been faithful to her husband.

10Well 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.

10She must be well known for good deeds. She raised children. She welcomed strangers into her home. She washed the feet of God's people. She helped people who were hurting. She did every kind of good work.

11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

11Do not put younger widows on that list. Their strong feelings may pull them away from Christ, and then they will want to marry.

12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

12That brings a judgment against them, because they did not keep the promise they made at first.

NoteThe KJV word "damnation" here means a judgment or a verdict against them, not being sent to hell.

13And 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.

13They also learn to be lazy, going from house to house. They are not only lazy. They gossip and get into other people's business. They say things they should not say.

14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

14So I want younger widows to marry, have children, and take care of their homes. Then no enemy will have a reason to say bad things about them.

15For some are already turned aside after Satan.

15Some have already turned away and started following Satan.

16If 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.

16If a woman who believes has widows in her family, she should help them. Then the church will not be weighed down. The church can help the widows who are truly alone.

17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

17Elders who lead the church well should be given double honor. This is even more true for those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

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

18The Scriptures say, "Do not tie shut the mouth of the ox while it walks on the grain." And they say, "A worker should be paid for his work."

Note"Corn" in the KJV means grain of any kind, such as wheat. Oxen walked over cut grain to knock the seeds loose. Tying an ox's mouth shut kept it from eating any of it.

19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

19Do not listen to a complaint against an elder unless two or three people can say they saw it.

20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

20Those who keep on sinning should be corrected in front of everyone. Then the others will be careful too.

21I 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.

21I tell you this in a very serious way. God, Christ Jesus, and God's chosen angels are watching. Keep these rules. Do not treat one person better than another. Do not play favorites.

22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

22Do not be in a hurry to lay your hands on someone and make him a leader. If you rush, you share in his wrongs. Keep yourself pure.

NoteLaying hands on someone was the ceremony for choosing a person to lead in the church.

23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

23Stop drinking only water. Drink a little wine too, because your stomach bothers you and you are often sick.

24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

24Some people's sins are easy to see. Those sins go ahead of them to be judged. Other people's sins do not show up until later.

25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

25Good deeds work the same way. Some are easy to see. Even the ones nobody notices cannot stay hidden forever.