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

³ Support widows, the real widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be devoted to their own house, and to give back recompense to their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ But the real widow, and made alone, has hoped in God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives. ⁷ And command these things, so that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if any man does not provide for his own, and especially those belonging his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Let no widow be enrolled under sixty years old, having become the wife of one man, ¹⁰ being testified in good works: if she has reared children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the feet of the sanctified, if she has relieved those who are afflicted, if she has followed every good work. ¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for when they are sexually aroused, they desire of the Christ to marry, ¹² which has condemnation because they have disregarded the original pledge. ¹³ And also at the same time they learn to be idle, roving the houses, and not only idle, but also babbling and meddlesome, speaking things that they ought not. ¹⁴ I desire therefore the younger women to marry, to bear children, to manage house, to give not one occasion to him who opposes on account of slander. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and let not the congregation be burdened, so that it may relieve the real widows.