Chapter 20

1Let us exhort widows and unmarried women to receive with thanksgiving, fear, and trembling what God has bestowed upon them, and to give thanks to God, who gives food to the hungry. Which of you eats and drinks in moderation? Is it not God who gives these things to him? It is he who stretches out his hand and multiplies good things according to his will; who gives grain to young men, wine to maidens, the oil of rejoicing to the living, abundance to cattle, liberty to servants, flesh to beasts, fruit to birds, and fitting food to all.

2Therefore our Lord says, “Be like the birds of heaven, which neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. You are far better than many birds. Do not think, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we be clothed?’ For your Father in heaven knows that you seek all these things.”

3But if you desire to receive his good things and inherit his Kingdom, offer him praise, thanksgiving, and blessing. To those who receive the widow and the orphan, God the Father will give gladness in the Kingdom of heaven through his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.