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1 Timothy

Guidance for Timothy, a young leader, on church management and living a godly life.

Chapter 5

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

*Don't scold an older person, but respect them like your dad; and treat younger people as your siblings.

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

*Older ladies act like moms; younger ones are like sisters, all clean and proper.

3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

*Respect widows who truly have no husband.

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.

*If a widow has kids or nieces/nephews, they should learn to be religious and take care of their parents first. This pleases God.

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

*Now, the true widow who is very sad trusts in God and keeps on asking for help all day and night through prayers.

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

*However, the woman living for fun is actually already dead, even when she's still alive.

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

*Tell them to follow these rules so they can be without fault.

8 But 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.

*If someone doesn't take care of their own family and especially those living with them, they have rejected their beliefs and are worse than someone who doesn't believe in anything.

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

*Do not allow a widow to join the group if she is younger than sixty, as long as she was married to only one person.

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.

*Known for her good deeds; if she has raised children well, if she has welcomed strangers, if she has cleaned the feet of holy people, if she has helped those in pain, if she has carefully done every good thing.

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

*But young widows don't agree: because once they start acting improperly toward Christ, they will remarry.

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

*Because they left their original belief, they receive condemnation.

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.

*They become lazy, moving from home to home without working. They are not just lazy, but they also gossip a lot and interfere in other people's business, talking about things they shouldn't.

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

*I want young women to get married, have kids, manage the home, and avoid giving any reason for opponents to criticize.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

*Some have already gone astray, following 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.

*If a believer has widows, they should help them, so the church doesn't have to. This way, the church can help those who really need assistance.

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

*Elders who govern well should receive extra respect, especially those who work hard teaching and explaining religious teachings.

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

*The Bible says, "Don't tie up the ox when it's working in the field" and also, "Workers should get paid for their work."

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

*Don't listen to a complaint against an older person without having it witnessed by at least two or three people.

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

*Rebuke those who do wrong in front of everyone, so others will be afraid to misbehave too.

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.

*I ask you, in the name of God, Jesus, and all good angels, to follow these rules fairly, without favoring one over another, and without being partial.

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

*Don't suddenly lay hands on anyone; don't participate in other people's wrongdoings; stay pure.

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

*Don't just drink water; have some wine for your stomach's health and to help with your frequent ailments.

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

*Some people's wrongdoings are clear ahead of time, happening before judging them; while others come later.

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

*Just like how good deeds of some people show up early, others' different actions can't be hidden.

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