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

³ Honour widows who are widows indeed. ⁴ But if any widow have children or grandchildren, let these learn first to shew piety at home, and to make suitable returns to their parents: for this is becoming, and acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ Now she, that is really a widow and desolate, hopeth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she that indulgeth to luxury, is dead while she liveth. ⁷ These things give in charge, that they may be blameless. ⁸ But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he hath renounced the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

⁹ Let not a widow be chosen into the number under sixty years old, ¹⁰ having been the wife of one man: in repute for good actions, if she have educated children, if she have entertained strangers, if she have washed the feet of saints, if she have relieved the afflicted, and diligently followed every good work. ¹¹ But the younger widows refuse: for when they grow wanton against Christ, they will needs marry: ¹² and are therefore to be condemned, because they violate their first faith. ¹³ And withal being idle they learn to go about from house to house: and are not only idle, but tatlers also and busy-bodies, talking of things unbecoming them. ¹⁴ I would therefore have the younger widows marry, bear children, manage houshold affairs, and give no occasion to the adversary for reproach. ¹⁵ For some are already turned aside after Satan. ¹⁶ And if any believer have relations widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve those that are indeed widows and desolate.