The Old Testament assigns Israel the duty of caring for widows and the fatherless (Deuteronomy 10:18; 14:29). It often condemns neglecting them as the worst evil against society (Exodus 22:22–24; Deuteronomy 27:19). Job agreed that neglecting them was wrong but claimed he was innocent (Job 24:3, 21; 29:12–13; 31:16–18, 21).