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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. 12 Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. 13 And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. 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. 15 For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan.

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11 But do not include younger widows on your list.[a] For whenever their natural desires cause them to lose their devotion to the Messiah,[b] they want to remarry. 12 They receive condemnation because they have set aside their prior commitment to the Messiah.[c] 13 At the same time, they also learn how to be lazy while going from house to house. Not only this, but they even become gossips and keep busy by interfering in other people’s lives, saying things they should not say.

14 Therefore, I want younger widows to remarry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them. 15 For some widows[d] have already turned away to follow Satan.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Timothy 5:11 The Gk. lacks on your list
  2. 1 Timothy 5:11 Or Christ
  3. 1 Timothy 5:12 The Gk. lacks to the Messiah
  4. 1 Timothy 5:15 The Gk. lacks widows