1 Timothy 5:1-14

11Do not sharply rebuke an 2older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to 3the younger men as brothers, 2to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3Honor widows who are actually 4widows; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, 5they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is 6acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is actually a 7widow and has been left alone 8has set her hope on God, and she continues in 9requests and prayers night and day. 6But she who 10indulges herself in luxury is 11dead, even while she lives. 71213Give these instructions 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 14denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow is to be 15put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been 16the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for 17good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has 18shown hospitality to strangers, if she 19has washed the 20saints’ feet, if she has 21assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel 22physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, 12thereby incurring condemnation, because they have 23ignored their previous pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become 24gossips and 25busybodies, talking about 26things not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get 27married, have children, 28manage their households, and 29give the enemy no opportunity for reproach;