Chapter IV.—Exhortations. Let not widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector603 and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou dost not, inasmuch as thou art stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent604 occurrence: seek after all by name.605 Do not despise either male or female 95 slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit them- selves606 the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires. Let not the widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou doest not. Be thou stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent607 occurrence: seek after all by name.608 Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit them- selves609 the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not wish to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires. 603 The word in the original (φροντιστής) denotes one who thinks or cares for another. 604 Some refer the words to more frequent meetings, and others to these meetings being more numerous; no comparison is necessarily implied. 605 i.e., so as to bring them out to the public assembly. 606 Or, “act the part of slaves.” 607 Some refer the words to more frequent meetings, and others to these meetings being more numerous; no comparison is necessarily implied. 608 i.e., so as to bring them out to the public assembly. 609 Or, “act the part of slaves.” Chapter IV.—Exhortations. 244 Chapter IV.—Exhortations.