6
but
1she who is self-indulgent is
2dead even while she lives.
7
3Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for
4members of his household, he has
5denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been
6the wife of one husband,
10
and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has
7shown hospitality,
8has washed the feet of the saints, has
9cared for the afflicted, and has
10devoted herself to every good work.
11
But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when
11their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry
12
and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
13
Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also
12gossips and
13busybodies, saying what they should not.
14
So I would have
14younger widows marry, bear children,
15manage their households, and
16give the adversary no occasion for slander.
15
17For some have already strayed after Satan.
16
If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those
18who are truly widows.