Órfãos
Deus tem um cuidado especial pelos órfãos. Ele se apresenta como pai dos que não têm pai e defensor dos desamparados, e ordena a seu povo que faça o mesmo.
Deus, pai dos órfãos
O Senhor é pai dos órfãos e protetor das viúvas. Ele sustenta os que perderam amparo humano e cuida deles com ternura.
I have laboured with crying; my jaws are become hoarse: my eyes have failed, whilst I hope in my God.
They are multiplied above the hairs of my head, who hate me without cause. My enemies are grown strong who have wrongfully persecuted me: then did I pay that which I took not away.
Who giveth to beasts their food: and to the young ravens that call upon him.
For lo, thy enemies have made a noise: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you.
O chamado da justiça
A religião pura é visitar órfãos e viúvas em suas aflições. Deus ordena a defesa do necessitado e o cuidado com os mais frágeis.
Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one’s self unspotted from this world.
Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: Judge ye true judgment, and shew ye mercy and compassion every man to his brother. And oppress not the widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger, and the poor: and let not a man devise evil in his heart against his brother.
You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan. If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry: And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless that had no helper. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow.