5 Don’t scold an elder harshly, but encourage him as a father. Encourage younger men as brothers, 2 female elders as mothers and younger ones as sisters in all purity.

3 Show honour to widows—the real widows that is 4 because if a widow has children or grandchildren, then they should be learning to show their godliness to their own relatives first, and to be repaying their parents and grandparents because this is what God expects. 5 A woman who is a real widow and has been left by herself but puts her hope in God, she is then able to spend her days and nights in prayer and requesting God’s response. 6 But a widow who just lives for pleasure is dead inside even though she’s still living. 7 You should teach these things, Timothy, so that the people don’t anger God, 8 because if someone is not providing for their own household, then they’ve rejected their faith in God and they’re acting worse than an unbeliever.

9 The assembly should enrol[fn] widows sixty years old and over who was the wife of a single husband. 10 She should be known for her good undertakings, for example if she raised children, if she was hospitable to strangers, if she washed the feet of believers, if she helped those who were oppressed, and if she always tried to do what was right.

11 But don’t enrol younger widows because their emotional needs might drive them to want to marry again rather than to serve the messiah 12 and we don’t want them to be judged because they couldn’t fulfil their faith commitment. 13 Plus they often follow others in idly going around houses, and not just being idle but also gossipping and meddling and chatting about things they shouldn’t. 14 That’s why I prefer younger women to be getting married and having children, to keep house, and to avoid all situations where others could accuse them. 15 In fact, some have already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any believing woman has widowed relatives, they should continue to help them and not burden the assembly, so then the assembly can assist the really needy widows.

17 An elder who has led well should be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who work hard in studying and teaching the message, 18 [ref]because the scriptures say, “Don’t muzzle the ox working on the threshing floor,” and “A worker deserves their wages.” 19 [ref]Don’t entertain an accusation against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses, 20 but the ones that are sinning need to be scolded publicly so that others will be reluctant to do the same.

21 I am telling you these things in the sight of God and Yeshua the messiah and the chosen messengers so that you can put them into practice without any favouritism or partiality. 22 Don’t rush to lay hands on anyone[fn] and don’t join in other people’s sinful schemes, but strive to keep yourself pure.

23 Just carry on just drinking only water, because a little bit of wine might be good for your stomach and help with your frequent bouts of sickness.

24 The sins of some people are quite easy to see, being known ahead of them going to face judgement, but other people’s sins will only become known later. 25 It’s the same with people’s good deeds—some are quite easy to see and others aren’t, but nothing will be hidden in the end.

6 Those who are bonded into slavery should consider their masters to be worthy of honour, so that God’s name and message won’t be slandered, 2 and the ones having masters who are also believers shouldn’t despise their masters because we’re all brothers. On the contrary, let them serve well because the ones benefitting from their good work are beloved believers.