⁹ A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband.^[a]

² So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[a] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

¹⁴ So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.

¹¹ The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry.

³ Take care of^[a] any widow who has no one else to care for her. ⁴ But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.