1 Timothy 5:3-16

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

³ Honor widows who are really widows. ⁴ If a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn their religious duty to their own family and make some repayment to their parents, for this is pleasing in God’s sight.^{(A) 5} The real widow, left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,^{(B) 6} but the widow^[a] who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.^{(C) 7} Give these commands as well, so that they may be above reproach.^{(D) 8} And whoever does not provide for relatives, and especially for family members, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.^(E)

⁹ Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once;^{[b] 10} she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way.^{(F) 11} But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when their sensual desires alienate them from Christ, they want to marry, ¹² and so they incur condemnation for having violated their first pledge. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to be idle, gadding about from house to house, and they are not merely idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say.^{(G) 14} So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, and manage their households, so as to give the adversary no occasion to revile us.^{(H) 15} For some have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman^[c] has relatives who are widows, let her assist them; let the church not be burdened, so that it can assist those who are real widows.