1 Timothy 5:2-16

2to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3Honor widows who are actually 1widows; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, 2they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is 3acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is actually a 4widow and has been left alone 5has set her hope on God, and she continues in 6requests and prayers night and day. 6But she who 7indulges herself in luxury is 8dead, even while she lives. 7910Give 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 11denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9A widow is to be 12put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been 13the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for 14good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has 15shown hospitality to strangers, if she 16has washed the 17saints’ feet, if she has 18assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel 19physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, 12thereby incurring condemnation, because they have 20ignored 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 21gossips and 22busybodies, talking about 23things not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get 24married, have children, 25manage their households, and 26give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; 15for some 27have already turned away to follow 28Satan. 16If any woman who is a believer 29has dependent widows, she must 30assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually 31widows.