1 Timothy 5:16-18

International Children’s Bible

¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, then she should care for them herself. The church should not have to care for them. Then the church will be able to care for the widows who have no living family.

¹⁷The elders who lead the church well should receive great honor. Those who work hard by speaking and teaching especially should receive great honor. ¹⁸For the Scripture says, “When an ox is working in the grain, do not cover its mouth to keep it from eating.”^[a] And the Scripture also says, “A worker should be given his pay.”^[b]

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Footnotes

5:18 “When . . . eating.” Quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4.
5:18 “A worker . . . pay.” Quotation from Luke 10:7.

1 Timothy 5:16-18

New International Version

¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.^(A)

¹⁷The elders^(B) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(C) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”^[a]^(D) and “The worker deserves his wages.”^[b]^(E)