Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, "Quick, take a sack of your best flour, and bake some bread."

He took some cream, some milk, and the meat, and set the food before the men. There under the tree he served them himself, and they ate.

Here I am at the well where the young women of the city will be coming to get water.

I will say to one of them, 'Please, lower your jar and let me have a drink.' If she says, 'Drink, and I will also bring water for your camels,' may she be the one that you have chosen for your servant Isaac. If this happens, I will know that you have kept your promise to my master."

She said, "Drink, sir," and quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and held it while he drank.

She quickly emptied her jar into the animals' drinking trough and ran to the well to get more water, until she had watered all his camels.

While Jacob was still talking with them, Rachel arrived with the flock.

When Jacob saw Rachel with his uncle Laban's flock, he went to the well, rolled the stone back, and watered the sheep.

(SEE 2:15)

One day Ruth said to Naomi, "Let me go to the fields to gather the grain that the harvest workers leave. I am sure to find someone who will let me work with him." Naomi answered, "Go ahead, daughter."

So Ruth went out to the fields and walked behind the workers, picking up the heads of grain which they left. It so happened that she was in a field that belonged to Boaz.

So Ruth worked with them and gathered grain until all the barley and wheat had been harvested. And she continued to live with her mother-in-law.

The LORD said, "Look how proud the women of Jerusalem are! They walk along with their noses in the air. They are always flirting. They take dainty little steps, and the bracelets on their ankles jingle.

A day is coming when the Lord will take away from the women of Jerusalem everything they are so proud of---the ornaments they wear on their ankles, on their heads, on their necks,

and their hats; the magic charms they wear on their arms and at their waists;

all their fine robes, gowns, cloaks, and purses;

Instead of using perfumes, they will stink; instead of fine belts, they will wear coarse ropes; instead of having beautiful hair, they will be bald; instead of fine clothes, they will be dressed in rags; their beauty will be turned to shame!

You women who live an easy life, free from worries, listen to what I am saying.

You have been living an easy life, free from worries; but now, tremble with fear! Strip off your clothes and tie rags around your waist.

So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, he was taken to the room upstairs, where all the widows crowded around him, crying and showing him all the shirts and coats that Dorcas had made while she was alive.

Peter put them all out of the room, and knelt down and prayed; then he turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before.

While we were with you, we used to tell you, "Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat."

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command these people and warn them to lead orderly lives and work to earn their own living.

and have a reputation for good deeds: a woman who brought up her children well, received strangers in her home, performed humble duties for other Christians, helped people in trouble, and devoted herself to doing good.

So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us.

to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God.