1 Timothy 5:5-16

5Now she who is a 1widow indeed and who has been left alone, 2has fixed her hope on God and continues in 3entreaties and prayers night and day. 6But she who 4gives herself to wanton pleasure is 5dead even while she lives. 767Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has 8denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow is to be 9put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been 10the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for 11good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has 12shown hospitality to strangers, if she 13has washed the 14saints’ feet, if she has 15assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel 16sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous 17pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also 18gossips and 19busybodies, talking about 20things not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get 21married, bear children, 22keep house, and 23give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15for some 24have already turned aside to follow 25Satan. 16If any woman who is a believer 26has dependent widows, she must 27assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are 28widows indeed.