Honour widows that are widows indeed.

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.

Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.

The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;