1 Timothy 5:2-16

2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4But if any widow hath children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to repay their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.1 5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.2 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8But if any provideth not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.3 9Let not a widow be taken into the number under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,4 10Well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath lodged strangers, if she hath washed the saints’ feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work. 11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13And at the same time they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.5 15For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16If any man or woman that believeth hath widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.