1 Timothy 5

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; ²the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. ³Honour widows who are widows indeed. ⁴But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of Allah. ⁵Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on Allah, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day. ⁶But she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷Also command these things, that they may be without reproach. ⁸But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰being 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.

¹¹But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against al-Masih, they desire to marry; ¹²having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. ¹³Besides, 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. ¹⁴I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. ¹⁵For already some have turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the congregation be burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.

¹⁷Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and in teaching. ¹⁸For Al-Kitab says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain."[1] And, "The labourer is worthy of his wages."[2]

¹⁹Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses. ²⁰Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear. ²¹I charge you in the sight of Allah, and al-Masih 'Isa, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality. ²²Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure. ²³Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.

²⁴Some men's sins are evident, preceding them to judgment, and some also follow later. ²⁵In the same way also there are good works that are obvious, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.