1 Timothy 5:9–16

⁹Let a widow be put on the list if she^* is not less than sixty years old, the wife of one husband, ¹⁰being well-attested by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has helped those who are oppressed, if she has devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹But refuse younger widows, for whenever their physical desires lead them away from Christ, they want to marry, ¹²thus incurring condemnation because they have broken their former pledge. ¹³And at the same time also, going around from house to house, they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but also gossipy and busybodies, saying the things that are not necessary. ¹⁴Therefore I want younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage a household, to give the adversary no opportunity for reproach. ¹⁵For already some have turned away and followed after Satan. ¹⁶If any believing woman has widows, she must help them, and the church must not be burdened, in order that it may help those who are truly widows.