Honor widows (A)who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn (B)to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for (C)this is pleasing in the sight of God. She (D)who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and (E)continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but (F)she who is self-indulgent is (G)dead even while she lives. (H)Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for (I)members of his household, he has (J)denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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Take care of widows who are truly needy. But if a particular widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to respect their own family and repay their parents, because this pleases God. A widow who is truly needy and all alone puts her hope in God and keeps on going with requests and prayers, night and day. But a widow who tries to live a life of luxury is dead even while she is alive. Teach these things so that the families[a] will be without fault. But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:7 Or they

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.(A) 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) The widow who is really in need(D) and left all alone puts her hope in God(E) and continues night and day to pray(F) and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.(G) Give the people these instructions,(H) so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied(I) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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