1Section XVII. Concerning Orphans.
2It behoveth Christian people who have not children to take up the children of the departed, whether youths or virgins, and to make them as their own children, and love them yet more. And if any man have a son that is come to the ripe age of youth, let him marry the orphan virgin. And if ye do after this manner, ye shall perform a great work, and shall become fathers of the fatherless, and shall find a reward, in recompence for this your service, from the Lord God. But if any man be lifted up, and despise the fatherless, and say, I indeed will not marry the poor orphan; let him understand who it is that is the Father of the fatherless and the Avenger of the widow. For he who thinketh to do thus, shall scatter his wealth to another; and the Scripture shall be fulfilled against him, which saith. That which the Saints have not eaten, the Pharisees shall eat: as Isaiah saith. Your land, strangers and enemies shall devour it before your face.