⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,

² Now the overseer is to be above reproach,^(A) faithful to his wife,^(B) temperate,^(C) self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,^(D) able to teach,^(E)

¹¹ As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.

³⁶ There was also a prophet,^(A) Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.^[a](B) She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.^(C)

¹⁴ So I counsel younger widows to marry,^(A) to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.^(B)