1 Timothy 5:4-16

English Standard Version

⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn ^(A)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for ^(B)this is pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵ She ^(C)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and ^(D)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but ^(E)she who is self-indulgent is ^(F)dead even while she lives. ^7 (G)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for ^(H)members of his household, he has ^(I)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been ^(J)the wife of one husband,^{[a] 10} and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ^(K)shown hospitality, ^(L)has washed the feet of the saints, has ^(M)cared for the afflicted, and has ^(N)devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when ^(O)their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry ¹² and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. ¹³ Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also ^(P)gossips and ^(Q)busybodies, saying what they should not. ¹⁴ So I would have ^(R)younger widows marry, bear children, ^(S)manage their households, and ^(T)give the adversary no occasion for slander. ^15 (U)For some have already strayed after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those ^(V)who are truly widows.