as laid down in the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which has been entrusted to me.

And I am thankful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has thus enabled me, that he accounted me faithful, and appointed me to his service,

For everything that God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if only it is received with thankfulness.

but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let these learn to show their piety first toward their own household, and to make some return to their parents, for that is pleasing in God's sight.

Now she who is a widow indeed, and desolate, has fixed her hope on God, and devotes herself to supplications and prayers, day and night.

But if any one fails to provide for his own, and especially for his kindred, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.

A widow, to be placed upon the list, must be not less than sixty years old, and one who has been the wife of but one husband.

She must be well reputed for good works, as one who has brought up a family, received strangers with hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, relieved the distressed, and diligently followed every good work.

Any believing woman, who has widowed relatives, ought to relieve them and not let the church be burdened with them; so that the church may relieve the really destitute widows.

who alone possesses immortality, who dwells in light that none can approach, whom no man has ever seen or can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.