⁵ Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers ^(A)night and day.

Honor True Widows

³ Honor widows who are really widows.

³⁷ and this woman was a widow ^[a]of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers ^(A)night and day.

⁵ For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

³² But I want you to be without ^[a]care. ^(A)He who is unmarried ^[b]cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.

¹⁶ If any believing ^[a]man or woman has widows, let them ^[b]relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men ^(A)always ought to pray and not lose heart,

^18 (A)praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, ^(B)being watchful to this end with all perseverance and ^(C)supplication for all the saints—

³⁴ There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman ^(A)cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

²⁰ For since the creation of the world ^(A)His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and ^[a]Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but ^(B)became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.