5:1 Do not sharply reprimand an older man but encourage him as a father, the younger men as brothers,

5:2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters; do all of this with absolute propriety.

5:3 Honor those who are widows in the fullest sense of the word.

5:4 Now if a widow has children or grandchildren, those must do their duty above all and repay what is due to their parents or grandparents, because this is acceptable to God.

5:5 But the true widow, being without support of any kind, is relying on God and praying fervently night and day.

5:6 On the other hand, the self-indulgent one is dead on her feet.

5:7 Direct all of these things so that they may be blameless.

5:8 But if anyone fails to care for their own, especially those living in their own household, they have renounced the faith and are worse than an unbeliever.

5:9 Don’t enroll any widow under the age of sixty or if she has had more than one man.

5:10 She must have a good reputation for how she raised children, being hospitable, serving the other believers, giving aid to the oppressed, and every good deed that follows from that.

5:11 Decline younger widows, because whenever they want to marry again they are likely to rebel against the Anointed,

5:12 bringing the verdict that they have broken the pledge.

5:13 But at the same time they develop the habit of going around to various houses; they’re not only idle but gossipy and meddling, saying things they shouldn’t.

5:14 So I’d like the younger ones to marry, raise a family, and take control over their household, so that they don’t give critics any ground to stand on,

5:15 for some have already turned to follow the Adversary.

5:16 If any believing woman is related to widows, she should support them instead of burdening the Congregation with them.

5:17 The elders who have protected and provided well are worthy of double honor, especially those who have done the work of teaching the Word.

5:18 As the scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox threshing grain,” and “The worker deserves compensation.”

5:19 Don’t listen to a charge against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses,

5:20 but if the charges are true, the elder must be held up as a public example in order to instill fear in the others.

5:21 I solemnly declare, in the presence of God and Anointed Jesus and the chosen Messengers, that you watch over these things without bias and without a hint of partiality.

5:22 And stop being so quick to dedicate people, so that you do not take part in the failures of others; watch yourself and stay holy.

5:23 Stop drinking the water, and take some wine for your frequent urination problem.

5:24 Some people’s failures are so obvious they practically convict them before the trial, while other people’s are only revealed later.

5:25 Likewise, some good deeds are obvious, while others can’t be hidden for long.