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.

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.

¹⁸ They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.

⁵ You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.

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]

³ They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.

³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.^{[a] 40} But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

A Warning to Jerusalem