Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Widows

⁹ Let a woman be registered as a widow if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ with a reputation for good works, having brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the feet of God’s people, helped those who were suffering, and been steadfast in doing good wherever she can. ¹¹ Refuse to register younger widows. When their desires become strong against the Messiah, you see, they will want to marry, ¹² and they will receive condemnation because they have abandoned their earlier faith. ¹³ In addition, they learn the habit of idleness, going around from one house to another, not only wasting their time but gossiping and meddling, saying things they shouldn’t.

¹⁴ So this is my wish: the younger ones should marry, have children, run their households and give the enemy no opportunity to slander us ¹⁵ (some, you see, have already gone off after the satan!) ¹⁶ If any believing woman has relatives who are widowed, let her help them, so that the church won’t be burdened. That way, it can help widows who really are widows.