³ Honor widows ^(A)who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn ^(B)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for ^(C)this is pleasing in the sight of God. ⁵ She ^(D)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and ^(E)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but ^(F)she who is self-indulgent is ^(G)dead even while she lives. ^7 (H)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for ^(I)members of his household, he has ^(J)denied 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 ^(K)the wife of one husband,^{[a] 10} and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has ^(L)shown hospitality, ^(M)has washed the feet of the saints, has ^(N)cared for the afflicted, and has ^(O)devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when ^(P)their 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 ^(Q)gossips and ^(R)busybodies, saying what they should not. ¹⁴ So I would have ^(S)younger widows marry, bear children, ^(T)manage their households, and ^(U)give the adversary no occasion for slander. ^15 (V)For 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 ^(W)who are truly widows.