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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The Support of Widows

Support[a] widows(A) who are genuinely in need. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.(C) Command this also, so that they will be above reproach. But if anyone does not provide(D) for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:3 Lit Honor