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.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.

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.

¹⁰ But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord.^[a] A wife must not leave her husband. ¹¹ But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.

The Prophecy of Anna

³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.^[a] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.