1 Timothy 5:2-16

2older women as mothers; and younger women as sisters—with complete purity.

3Honor widows who are really widows—

4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show devotion to their own home and give back to their parents, for this is pleasing before God.

5Now she who is really a widow and has been left alone, has put her hope in God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.

6But she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

7Insist on these things, so that they might be beyond criticism.

8But if anyone does not provide for his own, especially those in his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9Let a widow be listed only if she is at least sixty, was the wife of one husband,

10well known for good deeds, if she raised children, if she showed hospitality, if she washed the feet of the kedoshim, if she helped those in trouble, and if she devoted herself to every good work.

11But refuse younger widows; for when their sensual desires draw them away from the Messiah, they want to get married—

12facing judgment because they have set aside their previous pledge.

13And at the same time, they also learn to be idle, going around from house to house—and not just idle, but also gossipers and busybodies, saying things they should not.

14Therefore, I want the younger widows to get married, have children, manage a household, and give no opportunity to the enemy for slander.

15For some have already gone astray after satan.

16If any woman of faith has widows in need, let her help them and not let the community be burdened, so it may help the real widows.