1 Timothy

If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints" feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Honour widows that are widows indeed.

The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

These things command and teach.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

But refuse profane and old wives" fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.