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.

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)

³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.^{(A) 4} But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents,^(B) for this is pleasing to God.^(C)

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife^(A) and must manage his children and his household well.^(B)

³⁹ A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.^(A) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.^{(B) 40} In my judgment,^(C) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.^{(A) 11} But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.^(B) And a husband must not divorce his wife.

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)