1 Timothy 5:9-16

⁹A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, ¹²thereby incurring condemnation, because they have ignored their previous pledge. ¹³At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. ¹⁴Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; ¹⁵for some have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually widows.