Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 5

¹ Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.

The Support of Widows

³ Support^[a] widows^(a) who are genuinely widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. ⁵ The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God^(b) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; ⁶ however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^{(c) 7} Command this also, so they won't be blamed. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide^(d) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith^(e) and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow should be placed on the official support list^[b] unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for good works^(f)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(g) washed the saints' feet,^(h) helped the afflicted,⁽ⁱ⁾ and devoted herself to every good work.^{(j) 11} But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^{(k) 12} and will therefore receive condemnation^(l) because they have renounced their original pledge. ¹³ At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(m) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn't say. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger women to marry,⁽ⁿ⁾ have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^{(o) 15} For some have already turned away^(p) to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any^[c] believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

Honoring the Elders

¹⁷ The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium,^[d] especially those who work hard^(q) at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says:

¹⁹ Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.^{(t) 20} Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. ²¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe^(u) these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. ²² Don't be too quick to appoint^[f](v) anyone as an elder, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.^{(w) 23} Don't continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. ²⁴ Some people's sins are obvious, going before them to judgment,^(x) but the sins of others surface^[g] later. ²⁵ Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.

Chapter 6

Honoring Masters

¹ All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters^[a] to be worthy of all respect, so that God's name^(a) and His teaching will not be blasphemed. ² Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.^(b)

False Doctrine and Human Greed

Teach and encourage these things. ³ If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord^(c) Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,^{(d) 4} he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words.^(e) From these come envy,^(f) quarreling,^(g) slander,^(h) evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness^[b] is a way to material gain.^{[c](i) 6} But godliness with contentment is a great gain.^(j)

⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root^[f] of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith^(l) and pierced themselves with many pains.

Fight the Good Fight

¹³ In the presence of God, who gives life to all,^(q) and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate,^(r) I charge you ¹⁴ to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing^(s) of our Lord^(t) Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ God will bring this about in His own time.^(u) He is

Instructions to the Rich

¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant^(ac) or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,^[g] who richly provides us with all things^(ad) to enjoy. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works,^(ae) to be generous, willing to share,^{(af) 19} storing up for themselves a good reserve^[h] for the age to come,^(ag) so that they may take hold of life that is real.

Guard the Heritage

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you,^(ah) avoiding^(ai) irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the "knowledge" that falsely bears that name.^{(aj) 21} By professing it, some^(ak) people have deviated from the faith.^(al)

Grace be with all of you.