1 Timothy 5:3-16 - The Support Of Widows

³ Honor widows that are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety at home, and so repay their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. ⁵ Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. ⁷ And these things give in a charge, that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let not a widow be put on the list under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ Well reported of for good works; if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. ¹¹ But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they will marry; ¹² Having judgment, because they have cast off their first faith. ¹³ And at the same time they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but gossips also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. ¹⁴ I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, rule the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵ For some are already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any man or woman that believes has widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.