Chap. iii.—Exhortations as to ecclesiastical duties

Chap. iii.—Exhortations as to ecclesiastical duties.

“Honour widows that are widows indeed.”[1914] Be the friend of orphans; for God is “the father of the fatherless, and the judge of the widows.”[1915] Do nothing without the bishops; for they are priests, and thou a servant of the priests. They baptize, offer sacrifice,[1916] ordain, and lay on hands; but thou ministerest to them, as the holy Stephen did at Jerusalem to James and the presbyters. Do not neglect the sacred meetings[1917] [of the saints]; inquire after every one by name. “Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example to the believers, both in word and conduct.”[1918]