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

³ Honor widows who are widows indeed. ⁴ But, if any widow has children or grand-children, let them learn first to show regard to their own family, and to make returns to their parents; for this is acceptable before God. ⁵ Now she that is really a widow, and left alone, has set her hope on God, and continues in supplications and prayers, night and day. ⁶ But she who lives in pleasure, though living, has died. ⁷ And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. ⁸ But, if any one provides not for his own, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled, when she has become not less than sixty years old, having been a wife of one man, ¹⁰ noted for good works; if she nourished children, if she used hospitality, if she washed the saints' feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she diligently followed every good work. ¹¹ But younger widows refuse; for, when they grow wanton against Christ, they wish to marry, ¹² having condemnation, because they set aside their first faith. ¹³ And, at the same time, they learn to be idle, going around from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not. ¹⁴ I desire, therefore, that younger widows marry, bear children, rule a house-hold, give no occasion to the adversary for reproach; ¹⁵ for already some turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ If any believing woman has widows, let her relieve them, and let not the assembly be burdened, in order that it may relieve those who are really widows.