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

³ Honor widows who are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to be godly to their own house, and give back to their forebears what is due them; for that is good and pleasing before God. ⁵ But she being really a widow, and having been left alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in self-pleasure has died while living. ⁷ And command these things so that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Do not let a widow be enrolled having become less than sixty years old, the wife of one man, ¹⁰ well reported of for good works: if she brought up children, if she lodged strangers, if she washed the feet of saints, if she relieved the afflicted, if she followed after every good work. ¹¹ But refuse younger widows, for whenever they grow lustful against Christ, they desire to marry; ¹² having guilt because they have cast off the first faith. ¹³ And with it all they also learn to be idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things they ought not. ¹⁴ Therefore I want the younger ones to marry, bear children, guide the house, giving no occasion to the adversary because of reproach. ¹⁵ For some have already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be charged, so that it may relieve those who are widows indeed.