²⁴ Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!^(A)

³¹ So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

⁷ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.^(A)

Elijah Predicts a Drought

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe^[a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”^{(A) 2} The word of the Lord came to him, saying, ³ “Go from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ⁴ You shall drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” ⁵ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the wadi.

³⁰ For it is the nations^[a] of the world that seek all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.^{(A) 31} Instead, seek his^[b] kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.^(B)

²⁶ The king was deeply grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her.