4. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God.
5. The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
6. But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives.
7. Command this, so that they may be irreproachable.
8. And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years old, married only once,
10. with a reputation for good works, namely, that she has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in distress, involved herself in every good work.
11. But exclude younger widows, for when their sensuality estranges them from Christ, they want to marry
12. and will incur condemnation for breaking their first pledge.
13. And furthermore, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers but gossips and busybodies as well, talking about things that ought not to be mentioned.
14. So I would like younger widows to marry, have children, and manage a home, so as to give the adversary no pretext for maligning us.
15. For some have already turned away to follow Satan.