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

³ Honor widows that are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grand-children, let them learn first to be dutiful to their own family, and to requite their parents; for that is good and acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ But she that is a widow indeed, and left alone, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she that lives voluptuously, is dead while she lives. ⁷ These things also give in charge, that they may be blameless. ⁸ And if any one provides not for his own, and especially for those of his own house hold, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be put on the list, if she is not under sixty years, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ having a good reputation for good works; if she has borne children, if she has entertained 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 reject: for when they become wanton against the Christ, they desire to marry, ¹² incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their former obligation. ¹³ At the same time, also, they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which are not proper. ¹⁴ I will, therefore, that the younger widows marry, bear children, man age the house, and thus give no occasion to the adversaries to speak reproachfully. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing man or woman has widows, let him or her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.