Honor widows who are truly widows. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to show profound respect for their own household first, and to pay back recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. But the widow who is one truly, and is left alone, has put her hope in God and continues in her petitions and prayers night and day. But the one who lives for sensual pleasure is dead even though she[a] lives. And command these things, in order that they may be irreproachable. But if someone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially the members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:6 Here “even though” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lives”) which is understood as concessive

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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