Liber qui appellatur Speculum

And shortly after: "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that spirits are subject to you; rejoice, however, that your names are written in the heavens." And a little later: "Behold, a certain expert in the law arose, testing him and saying: 'Master, what shall I do to possess eternal life?' And he said to him: 'What is written in the law? How do you read?' He answered and said: 'You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'" And shortly after: "Which of these three seems to you to have been the neighbor of the one who fell among robbers?" And he said: "The one who showed mercy to him." And Jesus said to him: "Go and do likewise." And shortly after: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her." Again, shortly after: "When you pray," he said, "say: 'Father, let your name be sanctified; let your kingdom come; give us our daily bread today; and forgive us our sins, since we ourselves forgive every debtor of ours; and lead us not into temptation.'

And he said to them: "Which of you will have a friend and go to him at midnight and say to him: 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for my friend has come from the road to me and I have nothing to set before him'? And he, answering from within, says: 'Do not bother me; the door is already closed, and my boys are with me in the bedroom; I cannot get up and give to you.' I tell you, even if he will not give to him rising because he is his friend, yet on account of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he has necessary. And I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. But which of you, when a son asks his father for bread, will he give him a stone? Or for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he reach him a scorpion? If then you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father from heaven give a good spirit to those who ask him?" And shortly after: "Now it happened while he was saying these things, a certain woman from the crowd, raising her voice, said to him: 'Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked.' But he said: 'Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.'" And shortly after: "And while he was speaking, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine at his house; and having entered, he reclined.

But the Pharisee began to say within himself, reasoning why he had not been baptized before the meal. And the Lord said to him: "Now you, Pharisees, clean what is on the outside of the cup and the dish, but what is inside you is full of plunder and iniquity. Fools, did not he who made what is on the outside also make what is on the inside? Nevertheless, give what is left over as alms, and behold, everything is clean for you. But woe to you, Pharisees, who tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect judgment and the love of God. These things you ought to have done, and those you ought not to have omitted. Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the first seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplace. Woe to you, because you are like monuments that are not visible, and men walking above do not know them." And in response, one of the experts in the law said to him: "Master, in saying this you also insult us." And he said: "Woe also to you, experts in the law, because you burden men with burdens that cannot be carried, and you yourselves do not touch your own loads with a single finger." And in another place: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." And a little later: "But I say to you, my friends: do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after this have nothing more they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to send into Gehenna. Thus I say to you, fear him. Do not five sparrows sell for a halfpenny?

And one of them is not forgotten before God. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore do not fear: you are worth more than sparrows. But I say to you: everyone who has confessed me before men, the Son of Man will confess in him before the angels of God; but whoever has denied me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Moreover, when they bring you into the synagogues and before magistrates and authorities, do not be anxious about how or what you should answer or say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what it is fitting to say. Then someone from the crowd said to him: "Master, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." And he said to him: "Man, who appointed a judge or a divider over you?" And he said to them: "See and beware of all avarice, because no one's life consists in the abundance of what he possesses." Then he spoke a parable to them, saying: "A certain rich man's field yielded abundant fruit, and he thought within himself, saying: 'What shall I do, since I have nowhere to gather my fruits?' And he said: 'I will do this: I will destroy my granaries and make them larger, and there I will gather all that has been born to me and my goods, and I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years: rest, drink, feast.'

But the giver said to him: "Fool, this night they demand your soul from you; but what you have prepared, whose will it be?" So it is with everyone who hoards for himself and is not rich in God. And he said to his disciples: "Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious about what the soul may eat, nor about what the body may wear. The soul is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the crows, for they neither sow nor reap, they have no pantry nor granary, and God feeds them: how much more are you worth than they? But which of you, by thinking, can add a cubit to his stature? If, therefore, you cannot do even the least thing, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they do not labor, they do not spin. And I say to you: not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of them. But if the grass of the field, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, God clothes thus, how much more you of little faith? And do not seek what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and do not be lifted up in pride. For all these things the peoples of the world seek: but your Father knows that you need them. Nevertheless, seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom. Sell what you possess and give alms. Make for yourselves purses that do not grow old, a treasure that does not fail in the heavens, which no thief approaches, nor moth destroys.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. And a little later: And you be ready, because at an hour you do not think the Son of Man comes. But Peter said to him: Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or to all? And the Lord said: Who do you think is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master will set over his household, to give out a measure of grain at the proper time? Blessed is that servant, whom, when the master comes, he finds doing thus. Truly I say to you, over all that he possesses he will set him. But if that servant says in his heart: My master is slow to come, and begins to beat the boys and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk: the master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect, and at an hour he does not know, and will divide that portion and place his share with the unfaithful. But that servant who knew his master's will and did not prepare and did not act according to his will, will be beaten many times; but he who did not know and did things worthy of blows, will be beaten few times. But from everyone to whom much is given, much will be demanded, and from those to whom they entrusted much, they will demand more. Likewise a little later: Hypocrites, you know how to test the face of the earth and the sky, but why do you not test this time? And why do you not judge from yourselves what is just? And a little after: Strive to enter through the narrow gate: because many, I tell you, seek to enter and will not be able.

And in another place: He was speaking a parable to those invited, intending to show how they should choose the first seats, saying to them: When you are invited to a wedding, do not recline in the first place, lest someone more honored than you be invited by him, and the one who invited you and him comes and says to you: Give this place to him, and then you begin with shame to hold the last place. But when you are invited, go, recline in the last place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he says to you: Friend, go up higher: then you will have glory before those reclining together. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. He was also saying to the one who had invited him: When you prepare a lunch or a dinner, do not call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your relatives, nor your rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back and there be a repayment for you. But when you hold a banquet, call the poor, the weak, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they have nothing to repay you: for it will be repaid to you in the reward of the righteous. And a little later: If someone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and even his own soul, he cannot be my disciple. And he who does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

For who among you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the expenses that are necessary, whether he has the means to complete it, lest after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all who see begin to mock him, saying: This man began to build and could not complete it? Or what king, about to wage war against another king, does not first sit down and consider whether he can meet with ten thousand men one who comes against him with twenty thousand? Otherwise, while the other is still far off, he sends an embassy and asks for terms of peace. Thus, then, every one of you who does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple. And after a little: And I say to you: make friends for yourselves from the mammon of iniquity, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles. He who is faithful in the least is also faithful in the greater. And he who is unjust in a small matter is also unjust in a greater. If, therefore, you have not been faithful in the iniquitous mammon, which is true, who will believe you? And if you have not been faithful in what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate one and love the other, or he will cleave to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Now the Pharisees, who were avaricious, heard all these things and derided him.

And he said to them: You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts: for what is lofty to men is an abomination before God. And after a few verses: Everyone who dismisses his wife and marries another commits adultery. And a little later: It is impossible that scandals not come; but woe to the one through whom they come. It is more useful for him if a millstone were placed around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that one of these little ones be scandalized. Pay attention to yourselves: if your brother has sinned, rebuke him, and if he has done penance, forgive him. And if he has sinned against you seven times in a day, and if seven times in a day he has turned to you saying: I repent, forgive him. And in another place: He also told a parable to some who trusted in themselves as if they were just and scorned others: Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee, standing, prayed thus within himself: Lord, I thank you that I am not like other men, robbers, unjust, adulterers, like even this publican: I fast twice on the Sabbath, I give tithes of everything I possess. And the publican, standing far off, did not dare to lift his eyes to heaven, but struck his breast saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. I tell you, this one went down justified to his house from that one: because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

They were also bringing to him infants, so that he might touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus, calling them together, said: Let the children come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child will not enter it. And a certain prince questioned him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess eternal life? But Jesus said: Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother. He said: I have kept all these from my youth. Hearing this, Jesus said to him: One thing still is lacking for you: sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven, and come, follow me. When he heard this, he was saddened, because he was very rich. But Jesus, seeing him become sad, said: How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And those who were listening said: And who can be saved? He said to them: What is impossible among men is possible with God. But Peter said: Behold, we have left everything and have followed you.

who said to them: “Amen, I say to you, no one who leaves home, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God fails to receive much more in this time and in the world to come, eternal life.” And elsewhere: “Now Zacchaeus, standing, said to the Lord: ‘Behold, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone, I have defrauded them fourfold.’ Jesus said to him: ‘Because today salvation has come to this house, in that he himself is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.’” And after a little: “Render therefore to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And in another place: “While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples: ‘Beware of the scribes, who wish to walk in robes and love greetings in the forum and the first seats in the synagogues and the first places at banquets, who devour the houses of widows while feigning long prayer: they will receive greater condemnation.’” And looking around, he saw those who were placing their gifts in the treasury, the rich; but he saw a certain poor widow placing two small copper coins, and he said: “Truly I say to you, this poor widow has given more than all. For all these gave to the gifts of God from their abundance; but she gave even what she lacked, her entire sustenance, which she had.” Likewise in another place: “Place therefore in your hearts, not to premeditate how you will answer.

For I will give you mouth and wisdom, to which all your adversaries will be unable to resist and contradict. You will be betrayed by parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of my name: and not a hair of your head will perish; in your patience you will possess your souls. And after a little: But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down by gluttony and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that sudden day come upon you. For like a snare it will come upon all who sit upon the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore at all times, praying that you may be deemed worthy to flee all those things which are to come and to stand before the Son of man. Likewise after a little: But a contention arose among them, as to which of them seemed to be greater. But he said to them: Kings of the nations rule over them, and those who have power over them are called benefactors. But you are not so, but let the one who is greater among you become as the younger, and the one who is before as the server. For who is greater, the one who reclines, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as the one who serves. And in another place: Pray that you do not enter into temptation.

CHAPTER 28. FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN. How can you believe, you who receive glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from God alone? And a little later: But Jesus said: I will not condemn you either. Go and sin no more. And a little later: If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. And shortly after: Amen, amen I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. And elsewhere: Amen, amen I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will not see death forever. And after some time: He who loves his soul will lose it; and he who hates his soul in this world preserves it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there my servant will be. If anyone has served me, my father will honor him. And in another place: For they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God. And elsewhere: You call me master and lord, and you speak well, for I am; therefore if I, the lord and master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you also should do. And a little later: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you, so that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. And a little later: If you love me, keep my commandments.

And a little later: He who has my commandments and keeps them, that is the one who loves me; but he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. And after three verses: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father loves him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him. He who does not love me does not keep my words. And a little later: Abide in me, and I in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches: he who abides in me and I in him, this one bears much fruit. Because without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he will be cast out like a branch that has withered, and they will gather them and throw them into the fire, and they burn. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, whatever you wish you will ask for, and it will be done for you. In this my Father has been glorified, that you may bear much fruit and become my disciples. Just as my Father loved me, and I loved you: abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have spoken these things to you so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be fulfilled. This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. No one has a greater love than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

And a little later: This I command you, that you love one another. These things from the four Gospels I have thought should be placed in this work, whereby it can be understood that the three evangelists, namely Mark and Matthew and Luke, have given us more precepts for living because they followed especially that part which is called the active life. But because John held more to the contemplative life, therefore, although his Gospel surpasses the others, we find in it far fewer moral precepts. Now from that book which they have entitled the Acts of the Apostles, we will record what we have found, which is altogether very little. For it contains a history of deeds, by which faith is built up, and there examples are recorded more than precepts. XXIX. FROM THE BOOK OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. James, therefore, speaking: Wherefore, he says, I judge that those who from among the Gentiles are converted to the Lord should not be troubled, but that we should write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols and from fornication and from strangled animals and from blood. And a little later: For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose upon you no further burden than these necessary things, that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from strangled animals and from fornication, from which if you keep yourselves, you will do well. Farewell.

And after many things, when the apostle Paul was speaking to the church leaders whom he had gathered together: "Attend," he says, "to yourselves and to the whole flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishops to rule the church of God, which He acquired with His own blood." And a little later the same to the same: "I have coveted neither silver nor gold nor clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have ministered to those things which were necessary for me and for those who are with me. I have shown you everything, because those who labor thus ought to receive the sick and remember the word of the Lord Jesus, since He Himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" And in another place, when James and those who were with him were speaking to the apostle Paul, they said to him: "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and all are zealots for the law. They have also heard about you, that you teach a departure from Moses for those Jews who are among the Gentiles, saying that they ought not to circumcise their sons nor to enter according to custom. What then? It is certainly necessary that the multitude come together; for they will hear that you have arrived. Therefore do what we tell you. There are four men among us who have a vow upon themselves. Take these, sanctify yourself with them, and spend effort on them, so that they shave their heads, and all will know that what they heard about you is false; but walk yourself also keeping the law.

Concerning those, however, who had believed from among the Gentiles, we have written, judging that they should abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled animals, and from fornication. We have found these things from the book of the Acts of the Apostles, congruent with this work of ours, to be sufficient to place here. There we see that the apostles wished to impose no burdens of the old law upon those who believed from among the Gentiles, insofar as it pertains to bodily abstinence from pleasure, except that they should observe these three things, that is, from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from fornication. Whence some think that there are only three deadly sins: idolatry, homicide, and fornication, where adultery and every intercourse outside of a wife is of course understood—as if there were no other deadly sins whatsoever besides these three which separate from the kingdom of God, or as if it were vainly and falsely said: "Neither thieves, nor the avaricious, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor plunderers will possess the kingdom of God.

But we must now restrain our discussion and come to the apostolic epistles, and see also in them what may be fittingly adapted to this work. XXX. FROM THE EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL TO THE ROMANS. For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For the power of God is for the salvation of every believer, first of the Jew and of the Greek. For the justice of God is revealed in it from faith to faith, as it is written: but the just man shall live by my faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all impiety and injustice of those men who detain the truth in injustice: because what is known of God is manifest in them: for God has manifested himself in them. For his invisible things are perceived by the understanding from the creation of the world through those things which have been made, his eternal power and divinity also, so that they are inexcusable, because, when they had known God, they did not glorify him as God or give thanks, but they vanished in their own thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened: for saying that they were wise, they became foolish, and they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of the corruptible image of man and of birds and of four-footed beasts and of serpents. On account of which God delivered them over to the desires of their heart in uncleanness, so that they might afflict their own bodies with contumely within themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Therefore God delivered them to the passions of ignominy. For their women changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. Likewise also the men, having abandoned the natural use of women, burned in their desires for each other, men working shame upon men, and they received in themselves the reward that was due for their error. And just as they did not approve of having knowledge of God, God delivered them to a reprobate mind, so that they do what is not fitting: filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness, full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity, whisperers, detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evils, disobedient to parents, foolish, disordered, without affection, without covenant, without mercy: who, when they had known the justice of God, did not understand that those who do such things are worthy of death, not only those who do them, but also those who consent to those who do them. For this reason you are inexcusable, O every man, who judges. For in that wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself: for you do the same things that you judge. For we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who do such things. But do you think, O man, who judges those who do such things, and do you do them, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Do you despise the riches of his goodness, patience, and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But according to your hardness and your impenitent heart, you store up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will render to each according to his works: to those who, with patience, seek glory, honor, and incorruption through good work, eternal life; but to those who, from contentiousness and who do not assent to the truth but believe in iniquity, wrath and indignation. Tribulation and anguish to every soul of a man doing evil, Jew first and Greek. But glory, honor, and peace to every one doing good, Jew first and Greek. And a little later: For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law will be justified. Again, a little after: Therefore, you who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say do not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege? You who glory in the law, do you dishonor God through transgression of the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. And somewhat later: Therefore, justified by faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: through whom we also have access by faith in that grace, in which we stand, and we glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God.

Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience produces testing, and testing produces hope; hope, however, confuses the Boethians, because the love of God is diffused in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. And in another place: Therefore, let sin not reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its lusts. But do not even offer your members as weapons of iniquity to sin, but offer yourselves to God as if living from the dead, and your members as weapons of righteousness to God. And a little later: I say "human" because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you have offered your members to serve impurity and iniquity for iniquity, so now offer your members to serve righteousness for sanctification. And in another place: Therefore, brothers, we are debtors not to the flesh, so that we live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if you mortify the works of the flesh by the spirit, you will live. For whoever are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. And a few verses later: Heirs indeed of God, but co-heirs of Christ, if only we suffer together, so that we may also be glorified together. And a little later: But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with patience. And a few verses later: We know, however, that for those who love God, all things cooperate for good. And a little later: Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation? Or distress? Or persecution? Or famine? Or nakedness? Or danger?

or the sword? As it is written: "Because we are killed all day long for your sake, we are considered as sheep for slaughter." But in all these things we prevail because of him who loved us. For I am certain that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor the present, nor the future, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And in another place: "For belief in the heart is for righteousness; but confession by the mouth is for salvation." For Scripture says: "Everyone who believes in him will not be confounded." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord of all is rich to all who call upon him. For everyone who invokes the name of the Lord will be saved. And in another place: "But you, stand firm in faith; do not be proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he may not spare you either. Therefore, see the goodness and severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but goodness toward you, if you remain in goodness." And a little later: "Therefore I beseech you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies as a living, holy, and God-pleasing sacrifice, your reasonable service. And do not conform yourselves to this world, but reform yourselves in the newness of your senses, so that you may prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

For I say through the grace which has been given to me, to all who are among you, not to know more than it is fitting to know, but to know with sobriety, each one according as God has apportioned the measure of faith. For just as in one body we have many members, but all the members do not have the same function, so we are many, one body in Christ, each one of us being members of one another, but having gifts according to the grace which has been given to us, differing: whether prophecy, according to the measure of faith; or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhorting; he who gives, in simplicity; he who presides, in solicitude; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Love without pretense. Hating evil, cleaving to good: loving the charity of brotherhood toward one another, anticipating one another in honor: not sluggish in solicitude: fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, earnest in prayer, sharing in the necessities of the saints, pursuing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Feeling the same thing toward one another. Not thinking high thoughts, but agreeing with the humble. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Returning evil to no one for evil: providing for good things, not only before God, but also before all men. If it can be done, as far as it lies with you, having peace with all men.

Do not defend yourselves, dearest ones, but give place to anger. For it is written: "Vengeance is mine, and I will repay," says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink: for in doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good. Let every soul be subject to higher powers. For there is no power except from God. Moreover, those that exist are ordained by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority resists God's ordinance. And those who resist acquire damnation for themselves. For princes are not to be feared for good works, but for evil. Do you wish not to fear authority? Do good, and you will have praise from it. For it is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, fear: for it does not carry the sword without cause. For it is God's minister, an avenger in wrath against him who does evil. Therefore be subject out of necessity, not only on account of wrath, but also on account of conscience. For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers, serving in this very thing. Render to all what is due: to whom tribute, tribute; to whom tax, tax; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor. Owe nothing to anyone, except that you love one another. For whoever loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For: "You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet," and whatever other commandment there is, is renewed in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Love of neighbor does not work evil. Therefore the fullness of the law is love. And knowing this time, because it is the hour for us now to rise from sleep. For our salvation is now nearer than when we believed. Night has passed, and day is approaching. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honorably as in the day, not in feasting and drunkenness, not in beds and unchastities, not in strife and rivalry: but clothe yourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ. And do not take care of the flesh in its desires. But take up the one weak in faith, not in disputations of thoughts. For one believes in eating everything: but he who is weak, let him eat vegetables. Let the one who eats not despise the one who does not eat, and let the one who does not eat not judge the one who eats: for God has taken him up. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls: but he will stand, for God is able to make him stand. For one judges a day among days, another judges every day. Let each one abound in his own sense. He who knows the day, knows it for the Lord: and he who eats, eats for the Lord: for he gives thanks to God. And he who does not eat, does not eat for the Lord, and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself. For whether we live, we live for the Lord: whether we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For in this Christ both died and rose again, that he might rule over the dead and the living.

But what do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the tribunal of God. For it is written: "I live," says the Lord, "because every knee shall bend to me, and every tongue shall confess God." Therefore each one of us will render account for himself to God. So let us no longer judge one another. But rather judge this: that you place no stumbling block or scandal before your brother. I know and trust in the Lord Jesus that nothing is common through him, except to him who thinks something is common, to him it is common. For if your brother is saddened on account of food, you no longer walk according to charity. Do not destroy through your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore let not our good be blasphemed. The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in this pleases God and is approved by men. Therefore let us pursue those things which are of peace, and those things which are of edification toward one another. Do not destroy the work of God on account of food. All things are indeed clean, but it is evil for the man who eats through a stumbling block. It is good not to eat meat and not to drink wine, nor that in which your brother stumbles or is scandalized or is weakened. Keep the faith which you have within yourself before God. Blessed is he who does not judge himself in that which he approves. But he who discerns, if he has eaten, is condemned, because it is not from faith. But everything which is not from faith is sin.

We, however, who are stronger, ought to bear the weaknesses of the infirm and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for good, toward edification. For indeed... Christ did not please himself, but, as it is written: "The reproaches of those who reproached you have fallen upon me." But whatever is written is written for our instruction, so that through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures we may have hope. But may God of patience and consolation grant you to think the same thing toward one another according to Jesus Christ, so that with one mind and one voice you may honor God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, receive one another, just as Christ received you, to the honor of God. And a little later: For Macedonia and Achaia have approved making some collection for the poor of the saints who are in Jerusalem. For it has pleased them, and they are debtors to them: for if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in carnal things. And after very few verses: Therefore I beseech you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you help me in prayers to God for me. And a little later: But I ask you, brothers, that you watch out for those who make divisions and stumbling blocks beyond the doctrine which you have learned, and that you avoid them. For such men do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by sweet words and blessings they seduce the hearts of the innocent.

Your obedience has been spread abroad to every place. Therefore I rejoice in you: but I do not want you to be wise in good and simple in evil. XXXI. FROM THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. But I beseech you, brothers, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you. Be perfect, however, in the same sense and in the same opinion. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by those who are of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. But I say this, that each one of you says: I indeed am of Paul, I of Apollo, I of Cephas, I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? And a little later: But you yourselves are in Christ Jesus, who has become wisdom for us from God, and justice, and sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, he who glories, glories in the Lord.

And in another place: For since there is jealousy and contention among you, are you not carnal and walking according to man? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollo," are you not men? And a little later: Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you? But if anyone violates the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which you are. Let no one deceive himself: if anyone among you seems wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. And after a few verses: Therefore do not judge before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both illuminate the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of hearts: and then praise will be given to each one by God. But these things, brothers, I have transferred to myself and Apollo for your sake, that you may learn in us, lest one be puffed up against another for another beyond what is written. For who distinguishes you? And what do you have that you have not received? But if you have received, why do you boast as if you had not received? And a little later: Up to this hour we are hungry, and thirsty, and naked, and struck with fists, and unstable, and we labor working with our hands. We are cursed and we bless, we suffer persecution and we endure, we are blasphemed and we pray. We have become like the refuse of this world, the offscouring of all, up to now.

not to confound you do I write this, but to admonish you as my dearest children. And a little later: Fornication is heard among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, so that someone has his father's wife, and you are puffed up, and have you not rather mourned, that this work might be removed from your midst? I, indeed, absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged as though present him who has so acted, that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with you assembled and with my spirit together with the power of the Lord Jesus, I deliver such a one to the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved for the day of the Lord Jesus. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven corrupts the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new dough, as you are unleavened. For our Passover, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us feast not on old leaven, nor on the leaven of malice and wickedness, but on the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in the epistle not to mingle with fornicators: not, of course, with the fornicators of this world, or with the avaricious, or the rapacious, or the servants of idols; otherwise you ought to have left this world. But now I have written to you not to mingle, if he who is called a brother is a fornicator, or avaricious, or a servant of idols, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or a rapacious person, not even to take food with such a one. For what have I to judge concerning those who are outside? Do you not judge concerning those who are within?

for those who are outside, God will judge. Remove evil from yourselves. Does any one of you dare, having a case against another, to be judged before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged in you, are you unworthy to judge even the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more worldly matters? Therefore, if you have worldly judgments, set up those who are contemptible in the church to judge. I say this to your shame. Is there not among you any wise person who can judge between his brother? But brother contends with brother in judgment, and this before unbelievers? Already it is altogether a sin among you that you have judgments among yourselves. Why do you not rather suffer injury? Why do you not rather endure fraud? But you commit injury and fraud, and this against brothers. Do you not know that the unjust will not possess the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers; nor the effeminate, nor male concubines, nor thieves, nor the avaricious, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor plunderers will possess the kingdom of God. And a little later: Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Therefore, shall I take away the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Far be it. Do you not know that whoever clings to a harlot becomes one body? They will be, he says, two in one flesh. But whoever clings to the Lord is one spirit.

flee fornication. Every sin that a man commits is outside the body; but he who fornicates sins against his own body. Do you not know that your members are a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you have been bought at a great price: glorify and bear the Lord in your body. Concerning those about whom you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman; but on account of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. Let the husband render the debt to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. A woman does not have power over her own body, but her husband does. Likewise, a man does not have power over his own body, but his wife does. Do not defraud one another, unless perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may be free for prayer; and then return again to the same, lest Satan tempt you on account of your incontinence. But I say this according to indulgence, not according to command. I wish, however, that all men were like myself; but each one has his own gift from God, one in this way, another in that. I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain as I do. But if they cannot contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn. To those who are joined in matrimony, I command—not I, but the Lord—that a wife not separate from her husband; but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And let a husband not put away his wife.

As for the others, I say—not the Lord—if a brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, he should not send her away; and if a woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she should not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not subjected to servitude in such a matter; in peace, however, God has called us. For how do you know, woman, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, man, whether you will save your wife? Unless each one, as the Lord has divided, as God has called each one, so he should walk—as I teach in all the churches. Has someone been called circumcised? Let him not bring forward the foreskin. Has someone been called in the foreskin? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and the foreskin is nothing, but the observance of God’s commandments is everything. Each one, in whatever calling he has been called, let him remain in it. Have you been called a slave? Let it not be your concern; but if you can become free, make use of it all the more. For he who has been called a slave in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord; likewise, he who has been called free is a slave of Christ. You have been bought with a price: do not become slaves of men. Each one, in whatever brotherhood he has been called, let him remain in this before God.

But concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord: I do give advice, however, as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord, so that I may be faithful. I therefore consider this to be good on account of the present necessity, since it is good for a man to be thus. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a release. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you take a wife, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such persons will have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you. This therefore I say, brothers: the time is short; it remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none, and those who weep as though they did not weep, and those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, and those who use this world as though they did not use it: for the figure of this world is passing away. But I want you to be without anxiety. He who is without a wife is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please God. But he who is with a wife is anxious about the things of this world, how to please his wife, and is divided. And an unmarried woman and a virgin thinks about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit. But a married woman thinks about the things of the world, how to please her husband. Moreover, I say this for your benefit: not to cast a snare for you, but for the sake of what is honorable and what may provide the ability to observe the Lord without hindrance.

If anyone, however, thinks that he will appear base concerning his virgin daughter, because she is past the usual age, and so it must be done, let him do what he wishes: he does not sin: let her marry. For he who is firm in his heart, not having necessity, but has power over his own will, and has judged in his heart to keep his virgin daughter, does well. Therefore, both he who joins his virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not join her does better. A woman is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is freed: let her marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she will be more blessed if she remains thus, according to my advice. I think, however, that I also have the spirit of God. Concerning those things which are sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up; but charity builds up. If anyone thinks he knows something, he has not yet known how he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. Concerning foods which are offered to idols, we know that the idol is nothing in the world. And a little later: But knowledge is not in all. Some, however, with a conscience up to now of the idol, eat as if it were idolothytum; and their conscience, being weak, is polluted. But food does not commend us to God. Neither if we do not eat will we fail, nor if we eat will we abound. But see to it, lest perhaps this license of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.

For if someone sees him who has knowledge reclining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, being weak, be built up to eat idolothyta? And the weak brother, for whom Christ died, will perish in your knowledge. But those who sin against brothers and strike their weak conscience sin against Christ. Therefore, if food scandalizes my brother, I will not eat meat forever, lest I scandalize my brother. And after a little: Do we not have the power to eat and drink? Do we not have the power to lead about a sister woman, just as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do I alone and Barnabas not have the power to do this? Who ever serves with his own pay? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who pastures a flock and does not eat of the flock’s milk? Do I say these things according to man? Or does the law not say this? For it is written in the law of Moses: You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading. Is God concerned about oxen? Or does it speak for our sake, indeed? For they are written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who treads in hope of receiving the fruit. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things? If others are partakers of your power, are we not rather? But we have not used this power, but we endure everything, lest we give any offense to the Gospel of Christ.

Do you not know that those who work in the sanctuary eat what comes from the sanctuary, and those who serve the altar share in the altar? So also the Lord has ordained that those who announce the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things. I have not written these things, however, so that they might be done in my case. For it is better for me to die than for anyone to void my glory. For if I evangelize, there is no glory for me: for necessity lies upon me: for woe is me if I do not evangelize. For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, a stewardship has been entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may set forth the gospel of Christ without expense, so that I do not abuse my authority in the gospel. For when I was free from all, I made myself a servant of all, in order to gain many. And I became to the Jews as a Jew, to gain the Jews: to those who are under the law, as if I were under the law — though I myself was not under the law, but under grace — in order to gain those who were under the law: to those who were without law, as if I were without law — though I was not without the law of God, but was in the law of Christ — in order to gain those who were without law. I became weak to the weak, to gain the weak. I have become all things to all, to gain all. But I do everything for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run indeed, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may seize it.

But everyone who contends in the contest abstains from all things: and they indeed, that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. I therefore run not as into uncertainty, I fight not as beating the air, but I chastise my body and reduce it to servitude, lest perhaps, after I have preached to others, I myself be found reprobate. For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that all our fathers were under a cloud. And after a very few verses: But in most of them it was not pleasing to God: for they were laid low in the desert. But these things were done in figure for us, that we might not be desirous of evils, as they also desired, nor become idolaters as some of them did, as it is written: the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Nor let us fornicate, as some of them fornicated and fell, twenty-three thousand in one day. Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted and perished by serpents. Nor murmur, as some of them murmured and perished by the destroyer. But all these things happened to them in figure: they were written, however, for our correction, into whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands see that he does not fall. Let no temptation seize you except a human one. But God is faithful, who does not suffer you to be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will bring about with the temptation also a result, so that you may be able to endure.

Therefore, my dearest ones, flee from the worship of idols. And a little later: But what the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not wish you to become companions of demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Do we emulate the Lord? Are we stronger than He? All things are permitted, but not all things are expedient. All things are permitted, but not all things edify. Let no one seek what is his own, but what is another's. Eat everything that comes to market, asking nothing for conscience's sake. But if someone says, "This is sacrificial meat offered to idols," do not eat it, on account of the one who disclosed it and on account of conscience. But by conscience I mean not your own, but another's. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? If I partake with grace, why am I blasphemed for giving thanks? Therefore, whether you eat or drink or do anything else, do everything for the glory of God. Be without offense to Jews, to Gentiles, and to the Church of God: just as I myself, through all things, please everyone, not seeking what is useful to me, but what is useful to many, that they may be saved. Be my imitators, as I am of Christ. And a little later: Every man praying or prophesying with covered head disfigures his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with uncovered head disfigures her head. And after.

a little: But I command this not in praise, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse. First, when you assemble in the church, I hear there are divisions, and I partly believe it. For heresies must exist, so that those who are approved may become manifest among you. Therefore, when you gather together, it is no longer to eat the Lord's Supper. For each one presumes to eat his own supper, and one is hungry, while another is drunk. Do you not have homes for eating and drinking? Or do you despise the church of God and confuse those who have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise. And after a few verses: Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and then eat of that bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment for himself, not discerning the body. For this reason, many among you are weak and feeble, and many sleep. But if we were to judge ourselves, we would certainly not be judged. While we are judged, however, we are rebuked by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with this world. Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you may not come together to judgment. The rest, when I come, I will arrange.

And in another place: But God has tempered the body, granting more abundant honor to the part that was lacking, so that there is no schism in the body, but the members are solicitous for one another in the same thing. And if one member suffers, all members suffer with it; if one member is glorified, all members rejoice with it. You, however, are the body of Christ and members of a member. And indeed, God has placed some in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then powers, then gifts of healings, assistances, kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all powers? Do all have the gift of healings? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? You envy the greater charismata: and I show you an even more excellent way. If I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but do not have charity, I have become like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And if I have prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge and have all faith, so that I might move mountains, but do not have charity, I am nothing. And if I distribute all my resources in food for the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have charity, it profits me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind.

Charity is not jealous, does not act perversely, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not think evil, does not rejoice over iniquity, but rejoices together with the truth. It endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, sustains all things. Charity will never fall away. And after a few verses: But now faith, hope, charity remain: these three, but greater than these is charity. Pursue charity. And a little later: Since you are emulators of spirits, seek to abound for the edification of the church. And again a little later: Brethren, do not become children in your minds, but be children in malice, yet be perfect in your minds. And in another place: What then, brethren? When you assemble, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has an apocalypse, has a tongue, has an interpretation: let all things be done for edification. And after very few verses: Let women be silent in the churches: for they are not permitted to speak, but to be subject, as the law says; but if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or did the word of God proceed from you, or did it come only to you? And a little later: Do not be led astray: evil conversations corrupt good morals. Awake justly and do not sin. For some have ignorance of God. I speak to you for reverence.

And shortly after: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Concerning the collections which are made for the saints, as I have arranged for the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of the week, each one of you shall set aside at home, storing up what has pleased him well, so that when I come, the collections may not then be made. But when I am present, those whom you have approved by letters, these I shall send to bear your grace to Jerusalem. And if it be fitting that I go, they will go with me. But I shall come to you when I have passed through Macedonia. For I shall pass through Macedonia. I may even remain with you, or even winter there, so that you may escort me wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you only in passing: for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits. But I shall remain at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and evident door is opened to me, and many adversaries. But if Timothy comes, see that he is without fear among you. And shortly after: Watch, stand firm in the faith, act manfully, and be strengthened. Let all your deeds be done in charity.

XXXII. FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. For our glory is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we have lived in the world in simplicity and sincerity of God, and not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God. And shortly after: But if anyone has grieved, he has not grieved me, but in part, that I may not burden you all. It is enough for him who is such that this rebuke, which comes from many, so that on the contrary you rather give and console, perhaps the one who is such may be swallowed up by an excess of sorrow. For this reason I beseech you, that you confirm your love for him. For I have written thus that I may know your obedience, whether you are obedient in all things. But to whom you have given something, I also give. For what I have given, if I have given anything, I have given for our sake in the person of Christ, that we may not be circumvented by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his thoughts. And in another place: Therefore, having this ministry, according to the mercy we have received, we do not fail; but we renounce the hidden things of disgrace, not walking in cunning, nor adulterating the word of God, but in the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every conscience of men before God. And after a few verses: For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ the Lord, and we are your servants through Jesus. And a little later: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the sublimity of the power of God may be, and not from us.

We suffer tribulation in all things, but we are not distressed; we are in difficulty, but we are not abandoned; we suffer persecution, but we are not forsaken; we are cast down, but we do not perish; always bearing about the mortification of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always delivered unto death for the sake of Jesus; so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Therefore death works in us, but life works in us. And having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, because of which I spoke, and we also believe, because of which we speak. And after six verses: For which reason we do not fail: but although our outer man is corrupted, yet our inner man is renewed from day to day. For that which is present, momentary and light in our tribulation, beyond measure works in us a weight of eternal glory in sublimity: we not contemplating those things which are seen, but those which are not seen. For those things which are seen are temporal, but those which are not seen are eternal. And a little later: But we assist and exhort, that you do not receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: At an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold now the acceptable time, behold now the day of salvation.

giving no offense to anyone, so that our ministry may not be reproached; but in all things let us show ourselves as ministers of God, in great patience, in tribulations, in necessities, in distresses, in blows, in prisons, in seditions, in labors, in vigils, in fasts, in chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in gentleness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned charity, in the word of truth, in the power of God: through the weapons of righteousness on the right and left, through glory and ignobility, through infamy and good fame: as deceivers and truthful, as those unknown and known, as if dying and behold we live, as chastened and not killed, as if always sad but rejoicing, as needy but enriching many, as having nothing and possessing all things. And after a few verses: Be enlarged yourselves also. Do not bear the yoke with the unfaithful. For what participation has justice with iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what part has the faithful with the unfaithful? What concord has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as the Lord says: Because I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Therefore, "Come out from among them and separate yourselves," says the Lord, "and do not touch anything unclean: and I will receive you, and I will be a father to you, and you will be to me sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. Having these promises, therefore, dearest ones, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God. And a little later: For even if I have saddened you in the letter, I do not repent; and if I did repent, seeing that that letter, even if for a moment, saddened you, now I rejoice, not because you were saddened, but because you were saddened to repentance. For you were saddened according to God, so that you might suffer no loss from yourselves. For sadness that is according to God works repentance into stable salvation: but worldly sadness works death. For behold, this very thing, that you are saddened according to God, what great solicitude it works in you! And after a few verses: Moreover, we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in much experience of tribulation, their abundance of joy, their deepest poverty abounded into the riches of their simplicity.

because, according to their virtue, I bear witness to them, and they were willing beyond their virtue, beseeching us with great exhortation for the grace and communion of the ministry which is performed among the saints. And not as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, then to us through the will of God, so that we might ask Titus that, just as he began, so he might also complete this grace among you. But just as you abound in all things—faith, speech, knowledge, and every diligence and your love for us—so may you also abound in this grace. I do not say this as one commanding, but, through the concern of others, I am also approving the good disposition of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He became needy for your sake, though He was rich, so that through His poverty you might be rich. And I give counsel in this: for this is useful to us, who not only began to do, but also to will, from the previous year. But now also complete it in deed, so that just as the mind of will is ready, so also the completion may be from what you have. For if the will is ready, it is accepted according to what it has, not according to what it does not have. For it is not that there be remission for others, but tribulation for you, but rather equality: in the present time, your abundance should supply their need, and their abundance should be a supplement to your need, so that equality may come about, as it is written: he who has much has not abounded, and he who has little has not diminished.

But thanks be to God, who gave the same concern for you in the heart of Titus: for he indeed undertook the exhortation, but being more diligent, he set out to you of his own will. Moreover, we sent with him a brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches — not only that, but he was also appointed by the churches as a companion of our pilgrimage in this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord and our determined will — avoiding this, lest anyone reproach us in this fullness which is ministered by us. For we provide for good things not only before God, but also before men. And after nine verses: For concerning the ministry which is performed among the saints, it is from abundance for me to write to you. For I know your ready spirit, for which I boast of you among the Macedonians, because Achaia has been prepared from the past year and your emulation has provoked very many. Moreover, I sent brothers, so that what we boast of you may not be made void in this part: so that, as I said, you may be ready, lest, when the Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we blush — not to say you — in this substance. Therefore I thought it necessary to ask the brothers that they might come to you and prepare this promised blessing to be ready, as it were a blessing, not as avarice. But this: he who sows sparingly, reaps sparingly, and he who sows in blessings, reaps from blessings.

For each one, according as he has determined in his heart, not from sadness or from necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. But God is able to make every grace abound in you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may abound in every good work, as it is written: He scattered, he gave to the poor, his justice remains forever. But he who administers the seed to the sower will also provide bread to eat and will multiply your seed. And he will increase the yields of the fruits of your justice, so that, enriched in all things, you may abound in all simplicity, which works through us the giving of thanks to God — since the ministry of this office not only supplies what is lacking to the saints, but also abounds through many thanksgivings in the Lord —, by the proving of this ministry glorifying God in the obedience of your confession and the simplicity of sharing with them and with all, and by their entreaty for you, who desire you on account of the eminent grace of God in you. I give thanks to God for his ineffable gift. And in another place: But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For not he who commends himself is approved, but he whom God commends. And after a little: Are they ministers of Christ? To speak less wisely, I am more.

in many labors, in more abundant imprisonments, in beatings beyond measure, in frequent deaths: from the Jews I received five times forty lashes less one, I was beaten with rods three times, I was stoned once, I suffered shipwreck three times, I was in the deep of the sea by night and day: in journeys often, in dangers of rivers, dangers of robbers, dangers from my own kind, dangers from peoples, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers from false brothers, in labor and hardship, in many vigils, in hunger and thirst, in many fasts, in cold and nakedness: besides those things which are external, my daily diligence, my care for all the churches. Who is sick, and I am not sick? Who is scandalized, and I do not burn? If I must boast, I will boast of those things which are of my weakness. And a little later: Gladly therefore I will boast in my infirmities, so that the virtue of Christ may dwell in me, on account of which I please myself in infirmities, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. And after eleven verses: Behold, I am prepared to come to you a third time, and I will not be burdensome to you. For I do not seek what is yours, but you. For children ought not to amass treasures for their parents, but parents for their children. But I most willingly will spend and even spend myself for your souls, although I love you more and am loved less.

And after a few verses: For I fear that, when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and I may be found by you as you do not wish: that perhaps contentions, rivalries, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, inflations, seditions may be among you, that when I come again, God may humble me before you and I may mourn many of those who previously sinned and did not do penance for the uncleanness and unchastity which they committed. And in another place: But we pray to God that you do nothing evil: not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is just. And after six verses: For the rest, brothers, rejoice, be perfected, be exhorted, think the same, have peace: and the God of love and peace will be with you. XXXIII. FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. If I were still pleasing men, I would not be a servant of Christ. And a little later: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor foreskin has any value, but faith, which works through love. And in another place: But you, brothers, have been called in freedom: only do not give freedom as an occasion for the flesh, but serve one another through the charity of the spirit. For every law is fulfilled in one saying: love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, see that you are not consumed by one another. I say: walk in the spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.

For these things are mutually opposed, so that you do not do whatever you wish. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: uncleanness, fornication, luxury, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, contentions, rivalries, angers, brawls, dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunkennesses, revelries, and things like these; which I foretell to you, as I have foretold, because those who do such things will not possess the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is: charity, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, kindness, faith, modesty, continence. Against such as these there is no law. But those who are of Christ have crucified their own flesh with its vices and lusts. If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit. Let us not become desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, even if a man has been overtaken in some fault, you who are spiritual instruct such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thus you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one prove his own work, and thus he will have glory in himself alone and not in another. For each one will bear his own burden. Moreover, let the one who is being catechized share the word with the one who catechizes him in all good things. Do not err: God is not mocked.

For whatever a man sows, that also he will reap: because he who sows in his flesh reaps corruption from the flesh, but he who sows in the spirit reaps eternal life from the spirit. Let us not grow weary in doing good: for in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, while we have time, let us work good toward all, but especially toward the household of the faith. XXXIV. FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. Therefore I beseech you, brothers, I who am a prisoner in the Lord, that you walk worthily in the calling by which you have been called, with all humility of mind and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another in charity, diligently preserving the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. And in another place: This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their own senses, having their intellect darkened by shadows, alienated from the life of God through ignorance, which is in them because of the blindness of their own hearts: who, despairing, have delivered themselves over to unchastity in the practice of every impurity and avarice. But you have not learned Christ in this way: if, however, you have heard him and are instructed in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off according to your former manner of life the old man, who is corrupted according to the desires of error. But renew yourselves in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who is created according to God in justice and sanctity of truth.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, since we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Let not the sun set upon your anger. Give no place to the devil. He who stole, let him steal no more: rather let him labor by working with his hands at what is good, so that he may have something to give to one in need. Let no evil word proceed from your mouth, but if any good word for edification at the opportune moment, that it may give grace to those hearing. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed on the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and clamor and blasphemy be removed from you, along with all malice. But be kind to one another, merciful, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as most dear children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God as a sweet fragrance. But let fornication and all uncleanness or avarice not even be named among you, as befits saints, nor ugliness, nor foolish talk, nor buffoonery, which does not pertain to the matter, but rather thanksgiving. For know this, understanding, that every fornicator, or unclean person, or avaricious person, which is the service of idols, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one seduce you with empty words: for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of faithlessness.

Do not, therefore, become participants of them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light—for the fruit of light is in all goodness and justice and truth—testing what is pleasing to God. And do not share in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, reprove them. For what is done in secret by them is shameful even to speak of. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by light. For everything that is made manifest is light. Wherefore it says: Arise, you who sleep, and rise from the dead, and Christ will illuminate you. See therefore, brothers, how cautiously you walk, not as foolish ones, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. For this reason, do not become imprudent, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and do not become drunk with wine, in which there is luxury: but be filled with spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives subject to their husbands as to the Lord: because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church, the savior of the body. But as the Church is subject to Christ, so also are wives subject to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for her, that she might.

sanctify, cleansing with the washing of water in the word: that he might present to himself a glorious church, having no spot or wrinkle, or anything of that kind, but so that it may be holy and immaculate. Thus also men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church: because we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they will be two in one flesh. This sacrament is great: but I speak of Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each of you individually, let each love his own wife as himself: but let the wife fear her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. For this is just. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment in the promise, that it may be well with you and you may be long-lived upon the earth. And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but educate them in the discipline and correction of the Lord. Servants, obey your carnal masters with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as you would Christ: not serving for show, as if pleasing men, but as servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart, serving with good will as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that each one, whatever good he has done, will receive this from the Lord, whether servant or free.

and lords, do the same to them, dismissing threats, knowing that both their lord and yours is in heaven and that there is no favoritism with him. For the rest, brothers, be strengthened in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the snares of the devil: for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against princes and powers, against the world-rulers of these shadows, against spiritual wickedness in the heavens. Therefore take up the armor of God, so that you may be able to resist on the evil day and stand perfect in all things. So stand, girding your loins in truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness and shodding your feet in the preparation of the gospel of peace: in all things taking up the shield of faith, in which you can extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, praying through every prayer and supplication at all times in the spirit, and in it being vigilant in every earnestness and supplication for all the saints, and for me, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth with confidence to make known the mystery of the gospel, on account of which I am discharging the office of legate in chains, so that in it I may dare to speak as I ought.

XXXV. From the Letter to the Philippians. Because I am confounded in nothing, but in all confidence as always, and now Christ will be magnified in my body, whether through life or through death. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. That I live in the flesh here is the fruit of work, and what I should choose I do not know. I am constrained by two things: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, which is much better; but to remain in the flesh is necessary for your sake. And after six verses: Only conduct yourselves worthily of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you, or am absent and hear about you, that you stand in one spirit, of one mind, laboring together in the faith of the Gospel, and are in no way terrified by adversaries—which in them is a cause of perdition, but for you of salvation; and this from God. Because it has been granted to you for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him: having the same struggle which you saw in me, and now hear about me. Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, any solace of charity, any fellowship of spirit, any bowels of compassion and mercies, fill my joy, that you may think the same, have the same charity, be of one mind, feeling the same thing. Nothing through contention, nor through vain glory, but in humility, each considering the other superior to himself. Not each considering his own interests, but those of others. This.

For think within yourselves what is also in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider it a usurpation to be equal to God: but he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, made in the likeness of men and found in habit as a man: he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, and death on the cross. For this reason God also exalted him and gave him a name above every name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of the heavenly, earthly, and infernal beings, and every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dearest ones, as you have always obeyed, not only as in my presence, but much more now in my absence, with fear and trembling work out your salvation. For it is God who works in you both the will and the accomplishment for good will. Do everything without murmurings and hesitations, so that you may be without complaint and simple children of God without reproach in the midst of a depraved and perverse nation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, holding the word of life for my glory on the day of Christ, because I have not run in vain nor labored in vain. But even if I am sacrificed upon the sacrifice and ministry of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate all of you. And you yourselves also rejoice and congratulate me. I hope, however, in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may also be of good cheer, knowing what is going on with you.

For I have no one so like-minded, who is solicitous for you with sincere affection. For all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know his character, because like a father with his son, he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him, as soon as I see what my circumstances are. But I trust in the Lord that I myself will come to you soon. Moreover, I thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, your apostle and the minister of my need, to you: because indeed he longed for all of you and was sad on account of what you heard, that he had fallen ill. For he was ill even to the point of death, but God had mercy on him: and not only on him, but also on me, lest I have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him more hastily, so that upon seeing him you might rejoice again and I might be without sorrow. Receive him, then, with all joy in the Lord, and hold such a one in honor: because for the sake of the work of Christ he approached even death, giving up his life, to fulfill what was lacking in you regarding my service. And a little later: Brethren, I do not consider that I have grasped it: but one thing, forgetting what is behind, and extending myself toward what is ahead, I pursue the appointed goal, the prize of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, let all of us who are perfect think this way: and if you think otherwise, and God has revealed this to you, nevertheless, with regard to what we have attained, let us think the same and remain in the same rule. Be my imitators, brothers, and observe those who walk in this way, just as you have our example. For many walk, whom I often told you about, and now I say weeping, enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their own confusion, who savor earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven. And after thirteen verses: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your petitions become known before God. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your intellects in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is chaste, whatever is just, whatever is holy, whatever is lovable, whatever is of good repute, if there is any virtue, if any praise, think on these things: which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do these things: and the God of peace will be with you. But I have rejoiced greatly in the Lord, because at last you have blossomed forth to feel for me, as you also used to feel: but you were occupied. I do not say this, however, as if on account of poverty.

But I have learned to be sufficient in what I have. I know how to humble myself, I know how to abound—I am instructed everywhere and in all things—and to be sated and to hunger, and to abound and to suffer want: I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my tribulation. And you, Philippians, know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone: because you sent to me both once and twice to Thessalonica for my use. Not that I seek the gift, but I require abundant fruit in your account. But I have everything and abound. I am filled with what was sent by Epaphroditus, the sweet fragrance, an acceptable offering, pleasing to the Lord. XXXVI. FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. You yourselves know, brothers, our coming to you, that it was not in vain: but having previously suffered and been subjected to insults, as you know, at Philippi, we had confidence in our God to speak to you the Gospel of God with great earnestness. For our exhortation is not from error nor from impurity nor from deceit: but just as we have been approved by God, so that the Gospel might be believed from us, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.

For we have never at any time been in the language of flattery, as you know; nor in the occasion of avarice, God is witness; nor seeking glory from men, neither from you nor from others, when we could be a burden as Christ’s apostles; but we have become little ones in your midst, as if a nurse cherishes her own children. Thus, desiring you eagerly, we wished to hand over to you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you have become very dear to us. For you are mindful, brothers, of our labor and fatigue: working night and day, lest we burden any of you, we preached the Gospel of God among you. You are witnesses, and God, how holily and justly and without complaint we were to you who believed: as you know, how we testified to each one of you, as a father his sons, entreating you and consoling you, that you might walk worthily of God, who called you into his kingdom and glory. Therefore we also give thanks to God without ceasing, because when you received from us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but as it truly is the word of God, who works in us who have believed. For you have become imitators, brothers, of the churches of God which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus, because you also have suffered the same from your fellow tribesmen as they themselves from the Jews.

And in another place: For the rest, therefore, brothers, we ask and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that just as you have received from us how you ought to walk and please God, as indeed you do walk, so you may abound the more. For you know what precepts we have given you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication, that each one of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the passion of desire, like the nations which are ignorant of God; that no one overstep or circumvent his brother in business, for God is the avenger of all these things, as we have previously told you and testified to you. For God has not called us into uncleanness, but into sanctification. Therefore, whoever scorns these things scorns not man, but God, who also gave His Holy Spirit in you. Concerning the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for you yourselves have learned from God to love one another. Indeed, you do that toward all brothers throughout Macedonia. But we ask you, brothers, that you abound the more and take pains to be quiet and to attend to your own business and to work with your hands, as we have commanded you, so that you may walk honorably toward those who are outside and desire nothing of anyone. But we do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who sleep, that you may not grieve, as others do who have no hope.

And after a few verses: Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us be watchful and sober. For those who sleep, sleep by night, and those who are drunk, are drunk by night. But we, who are of the day, let us be sober, clad in the breastplate of faith and charity and the helmet of the hope of salvation. For God has not placed us in wrath, but in the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are watchful or asleep, we may live together with him. For this reason, console one another, and edify each other, as indeed you do. Moreover, we ask you, brother, that you may know those who labor among us and preside over us in the Lord and admonish us, so that you may hold them more abundantly in charity on account of their work: have peace with them. Moreover, we ask you, brother, correct the restless, console the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone; but always pursue what is good among yourselves and towards all. Always rejoice, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all things. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of you. Do not extinguish the spirit. Do not despise prophecies. But test all things: hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every evil appearance.

CHAPTER XXXVII. FROM THE LETTER TO THE SAME AS ABOVE. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brother, as is fitting, because your faith increases, and the charity of each one of you all towards one another abounds: so much so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God on account of your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations, which you endure as an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be deemed worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer, if indeed it is just before God to repay tribulation to those who tribulate you, and to you who are tribulated, rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power and the flame of fire giving vengeance to those who have not known God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They will pay penalties in eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his power, when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to become admirable in all who have believed, because our testimony concerning you on that day was believed. In which we also always pray for.

to you, that our God may deign to call you by His vocation and fulfill every will of goodness and the work of faith in power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. And in another place: Moreover, we declare to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from any brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which they received from you. For you yourselves know how we ought to be imitated: since we were not restless among you, nor did we eat bread from anyone for free, but working in labor and toil night and day, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we lacked power, but that we might give ourselves as a model for you to imitate us. For even when we were among you, we declared this to you: that if anyone does not wish to work, neither should he eat. For we have heard that among you some walk restlessly, doing nothing, but acting curiously. To those who are of this sort we declare and beseech in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work in silence and eat their own bread. But you, brothers, do not fail to do good. But if anyone does not obey our word through this letter, mark him, so that you do not associate with him, that he may be confounded. And do not consider him an enemy, but correct him as a brother.

XXXVIII. FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. Therefore, if you have risen again with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God; savor the things that are above, not those upon the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Therefore mortify your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil desire, and avarice, which is the servitude of idols; on account of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of unbelief. In these things you also once walked, when you lived in them; but now put off all things: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy; let no shameful word be sent forth from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, stripping off the old man with his deeds and putting on the new man, the one who is renewed in knowledge, according to the image of him who created him; where there is no gentile and Jew, circumcision and foreskin, barbarian and Scythian, slave and free, but all things and in all things Christ. Therefore clothe yourselves as the elect of God, holy and beloved: the bowels of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; just as the Lord forgave you, so also do you. Above all these things, however, have charity, which is the bond of perfection.

and the peace of Christ exult in your hearts, in which you are also called in one body: and be in grace. Let the word of Christ dwell abundantly in you in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing yourselves with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in grace, singing in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Women, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Men, love your wives and do not be harsh toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to indignation, lest they become faint-hearted. Servants, obey your earthly masters in all things, not serving only for show as if pleasing men, but in simplicity of heart fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of inheritance from the Lord. Serve the Lord Christ. For whoever does injury receives what he has unjustly done, and there is no partiality of persons with God. Masters, provide what is just and fair to your servants, knowing that you too have a master in heaven. Be diligent in prayer, watchful in it with thanksgiving: praying also together for us, that God may open.

to us a door of speech for speaking the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am also bound, that I may manifest it as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be seasoned with the salt of grace, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. XXXIX. FROM THE EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. Now the end of the precept is charity from a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith. From which some, going astray, have turned to vain talk, wishing to be teachers of the law, not understanding either what they say or what they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully: knowing this, that the law is not laid down for the just, but for the unjust and the insubordinate, the impious and sinners, the wicked and the polluted, parricides and matricides, murderers, fornicators, male concubitors, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound doctrine, which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which has been entrusted to me. And a little later: Therefore I beseech that first of all there be supplications, prayers, petitions, thanksgivings for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all piety and chastity. Likewise a little later: Therefore I wish men to pray in every place, lifting up pure hands without anger and contention.

Similarly, women should adorn themselves with modest and sober attire, not with curled hair or gold or pearls or costly garments, but with what befits women who promise piety through good works. Let a woman learn in silence with complete submission. I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to have authority over a man, but to remain in silence. And after a few verses: Therefore the bishop must be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, sober, prudent, well-mannered, hospitable, a teacher, not given to wine, not a striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, well set over his own household, having children who are subject with complete chastity—for if someone does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he have diligence for the church of God?—not a neophyte, lest he be lifted up in pride and fall into the snare of the devil. He must also have a good testimony from those who are outside, so that he does not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise should be chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not pursuing base gain, holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. And they should first be tested and then minister, having no charge against them. Women likewise should be chaste, not slanderous, sober; faithful in all things. Deacons should be husbands of one wife, who preside well over their children and their households. For those who have ministered well acquire a good rank for themselves and great confidence in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

And after twelve verses: But the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, heeding spirits of error and doctrines of demons, speaking falsehood in hypocrisy, and having their conscience seared, forbidding marriage, abstaining from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful and by those who have known the truth. Because every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected which is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer. Proposing these things to the brethren, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished by the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have attained. But shun inept and old wives’ tales. Exercise yourself in piety. For bodily exercise is useful for a short time: but piety is useful for everything, having the promise of life both now and in the future. A faithful word and worthy of all acceptance. For in this we labor and are cursed, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of the faithful. Command these things and teach. Let no one despise your youth: but be an example to the faithful in word, in conduct, in charity, in faith, in chastity. While no one, attend to reading, exhortation, doctrine. Do not neglect the grace which is in you, which was given to you through prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the presbyterate. Meditate on these things, be in these things, so that your progress may be manifest to all.

Attend to yourself and to doctrine, persist in these things; for by doing so, you will both save yourself and those who hear you. Do not rebuke an elder, but entreat him as a father; young men as brothers; old women as mothers; young women as sisters, in all chastity. Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to manage their own household and to render mutual service to their parents; for this is acceptable before God. But she who is truly a widow and desolate has hoped in God and persists in supplications and prayers night and day. For she who lives in luxury is dead while living. And command this, that they be irreproachable. But if anyone does not have care for his own, especially his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be chosen who is not less than sixty years of age, who has been the wife of one man, having testimony in good works: if she has raised children, if she has received guests, if she has washed the feet of the saints, if she has ministered to those suffering tribulation, if she has pursued every good work. But avoid younger widows. For when they have luxuriated in Christ, they wish to marry, incurring condemnation because they have made void their first faith; and at the same time they learn to be idle, to go around to houses, not only idle but also talkative, speaking of things they ought not. Therefore I do not wish younger women to marry, to bear children, to be mothers of families, to give no occasion to the adversary for the sake of a curse.

For already some have turned back after Satan. If a faithful woman has widows, let her provide for them, so that the church may not be burdened, so that for those who are truly widows there may be enough. Let those who preside well, the presbyters, be held in double honor: especially those who labor in word and doctrine. For Scripture says: "You shall not muzzle the ox that treads the grain," and: "The worker is worthy of his wages." Do not accept an accusation against a presbyter unless with two or three witnesses. Rebuke those who sin before all, so that the rest may have fear. I testify before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels that you should keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by inclining to one side or the other. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor have fellowship with others' sins. Keep yourself chaste. Do not yet drink water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent infirmities. The sins of some men are manifest, preceding them to judgment; some, however, follow after them. Likewise, good deeds are manifest, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden. Whoever are under the yoke of servitude, let them hold their masters worthy of all honor, lest the name of the Lord and the doctrine be blasphemed. But those who have faithful masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them more, because they are faithful and beloved, who are partakers of the benefit. Teach and exhort these things.

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not assent to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to that teaching which is according to piety, he is proud, knowing nothing, but languishing over questions and verbal battles, from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions, conflicts of men of corrupted mind and who have been deprived of the truth, who think that piety is a source of gain. But piety is a great gain with sufficiency. We have brought nothing into this world: there is no doubt that we can carry nothing away either; but having food and clothing to cover us, we are content with these. For those who wish to become rich fall into temptation and the snare of the devil and many useless and harmful desires, which plunge men into ruin and perdition. For the root of all evils is covetousness, which some, pursuing it, have strayed from the faith and have entangled themselves in many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things: rather pursue justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, seize hold of eternal life, to which you have been called and have confessed a good confession before many witnesses. I command you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who bore witness under Pontius Pilate, to keep the good confession, to preserve the commandment without stain, blameless, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And after a few verses: Command the rich of this world not to think proudly nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in God, who provides us all things abundantly for enjoyment, to act well, to become rich in good works, to give readily, to share, to store up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp the true life. O Timothy, guard the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words and the oppositions of falsely named knowledge, by which some, making promises concerning the faith, have fallen away. Grace be with you. Amen. XL. FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of strength and love and sobriety. Do not, therefore, be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me as his prisoner, but labor for the gospel according to the power of God. And after very few verses: Having the form of sound words, which you have heard from me, in faith and love in Christ Jesus, guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us. And a little later: Therefore, my son, strengthen yourself in the grace which is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses, commend these things to faithful men who will be fit also to teach others. Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving God entangles himself in secular affairs, so that he may please the one to whom he has proved himself; for even he who contends in the contest is not crowned unless he has contended lawfully. The laboring farmer must first receive from the fruits.

Understand what I say: for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, from the seed of David, according to my Gospel, in which I labor even to chains, as one who works ill, but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with celestial glory. Faithful is the word: for if we have died together, we shall also live together; if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, He also will deny us; if we do not believe, He remains faithful, He cannot deny Himself. These things I testify, warning before God. Do not contend with words; it is useful for nothing except the ruin of hearers. Diligently show yourself acceptable to God, an irreproachable worker, rightly handling the word of truth. Shun profane and empty talk; for they greatly advance impiety, and their speech creeps like a cancer. And after six verses: The Lord knows who are His, and: let every one who invokes the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. In a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthenware ones, and some indeed for honor, others for dishonor. If therefore anyone cleanses himself from these, he will be a vessel sanctified for honor and useful to the Lord, prepared for every good work. Flee youthful desires; rather pursue justice, faith, charity, peace with those who invoke the Lord from a pure heart.

Avoid foolish and undisciplined questions, knowing that they breed quarrels. A servant of the Lord ought not to quarrel, but to be gentle to all, teachable, patient, correcting with modesty those who resist: lest at some time God give them repentance to recognize the truth, and they come to their senses from the snares of the devil, by whom they are held captive to his will. Know this, that in the last days perilous times will press upon us, and there will be men who love themselves, covetous, puffed up, proud, blasphemous, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, harsh, without kindness, traitors, insolent, swollen, lovers of pleasures more than of God, having the appearance indeed of piety but denying its virtue: and avoid these. For among them are those who penetrate houses and lead captive women burdened with sins, who are led by various desires, always learning and never arriving at knowledge of the truth. And after eight verses: But you have followed my teaching, instruction, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings, such as were done to me at Antioch, Iconium, Lystra: what persecutions I endured, and from all the Lord delivered me. And all who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus suffer persecutions.

But evil men and deceivers grow worse, wandering and leading others into error. You, however, remain in what you have learned and what has been entrusted to you, knowing from whom you learned. And since from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which can instruct you for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. All divinely inspired Scripture is useful for teaching, for refuting, for correcting, for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be perfect, instructed for every good work. I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and before his coming and his kingdom: preach the word, persist in season and out of season; argue, beseech, rebuke with all patience and learning. For there will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but will heap up teachers for themselves according to their own desires, itching in their ears, and will turn their hearing away from the truth, but will turn to fables. You, however, watch, labor in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already worn out, and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: for the rest, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord will give me on that day, a just judge, and not only to me, but also to those who love his coming.

XLI. From the Epistle to Titus. For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct what is lacking and appoint presbyters in the cities, as I have arranged for you, if anyone is without reproach, a husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of luxury, nor insubordinate. For a bishop must be without reproach as a steward of God, not proud, not wrathful, not given to wine, not a striker, not sordidly avaricious: but hospitable, kind, sober, just, holy, continent, embracing him who is faithful to the word according to doctrine, so that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. And after a few verses: For what reason rebuke them harshly, that they may be sound in faith, not heeding Jewish fables and the commandments of men who turn away from the truth. All things are pure to the pure: but to the defiled and the unfaithful nothing is pure: but both their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being abominable and untrustworthy, and reprobate for every good work. But you speak what befits sound doctrine. To the aged, that they be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, love, and patience.

women likewise in holy habit, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teaching well, so that they may teach prudence to the young girls, that they may love their husbands, cherish their children, be prudent, chaste, careful of the household, kind, submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise exhort the young men to be sober. In all things present yourself as an example of good works, in integrity of teaching, in gravity: a sound and irreproachable word, so that the one who is opposed may have nothing evil to say of us. That servants be subject to their masters, pleasing in all things, not contradicting, not defrauding, but showing good faith in all things, so that they may adorn the teaching of our savior God in all things. For the grace of God the savior has appeared to all men, instructing us, so that, renouncing impiety and worldly desires, we may live soberly, justly, and piously in this age, awaiting the blessed hope and the coming of the glory of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and cleanse for himself an acceptable people, followers of good works. Speak these things and exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Admonish them to be subject to princes and powers, to obey the word, to be ready for every good work, to blaspheme no one, not to be quarrelsome, to be modest, showing all gentleness to all men.

And after a few verses: The word is faithful, and concerning these I wish to confirm you, that those who believe in God may take care to be foremost in good works. These things are good and useful for men. But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and legal battles: for they are useless and vain. Avoid a heretical man after a first and second correction, knowing that he who is of such a kind is perverted and 'offends, condemned by his own judgment. XLII. FROM THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. For I have had great joy and consolation in your charity, because the bowels of the saints have rested through you, brother. And a little later: Whom I had wished to keep with me, that he might minister to me for you in the bonds of the gospel: but without your counsel I wished to do nothing, lest your good be as if from necessity, but voluntary. XLIII. FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. See, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, of departing from the living God: but let us exhort ourselves day by day, until 'today' is named, that none of you may be hardened by the deceit of sin. For we have been made partakers of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of his substance firm to the end. While it is said: today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in provocation. And after a few verses: Let us therefore fear, lest perhaps, the promise of entering into his rest being abandoned, it be thought that someone among us is lacking.

For indeed it was announced to us, just as to them: but the word heard did not profit them, not mixed with faith from those who heard. And in another place: Therefore, having a great high priest, who has penetrated the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold to our confession. And after four verses: Let us therefore approach with confidence the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in timely help. And a little later: For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work and the love which you have shown in his name, you who have ministered and do minister to the saints. But we desire each one of you to show the same diligence for the fulfillment of hope unto the end, that you may not become sluggish, but rather imitators of those who by faith and patience will inherit the promises. And after seven verses: For men swear by what is greater than themselves, and the end of all their controversies is an oath for their confirmation. And after a while: Let us hold to the confession of our hope unswervingly—for the one who promised is faithful—and let us consider one another in the provocation of charity and good works: not abandoning our assembly, as is the custom of some, but comforting one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching. For we who sin voluntarily after having received knowledge of the truth are no longer left a sacrifice for sins. A certain terrible expectation of judgment and a fire of emulation, which will consume the adversaries.

Whoever makes the law of Moses void dies without any mercy, with two or three witnesses: how much more do you think those deserve worse punishments, who have trampled the son of God, considered the blood of the testament polluted, by which he was sanctified, and offered insult to the spirit of grace? For we know who said: vengeance is mine and I will repay, and again: because the Lord will judge his people. It is dreadful to fall into the hands of the living God. But remember the former days, in which, having been enlightened, you sustained a great struggle of passions. And in one respect you were made a spectacle by reproaches and tribulations, in another you became companions of those who lived in such a way. For you suffered with those in chains, and you accepted the plunder of your goods with joy, knowing that you have a better and enduring substance. Therefore do not lose your confidence, which has a great reward. For patience is necessary for you, so that, doing the will of God, you may carry back the promise. For still a little while, he who is to come will come and will not delay: but my righteous one will live by faith: but if he withdraws himself, he will not please my soul.

And a little later: Therefore we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses placed upon us, laying down every burden and the sin surrounding us, let us run with patience to the contest set before us, looking to the author of faith and its perfecter, Jesus: who, with joy set before him, endured the cross, contempt being despised, and sits at the right hand of the seat of God. For consider him who endured such contradiction from sinners against themselves, so that you may not grow weary in your minds, fainting. You have not yet resisted unto blood, fighting against sin: and you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to us as to sons, saying: My son, do not neglect the discipline of the Lord, nor grow weary while you are rebuked by him. For whom the Lord loves, he chastises: but he scourges every son whom he receives. Persevere in discipline: God offers himself to us as to sons. For what son does not a father correct? But if you are outside discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are adulterers and not sons. Then indeed we had instructors of our flesh and we feared them: shall we not much more obey the father of spirits and live? And they indeed instructed us for a few days according to their will, but he instructs us for what is useful in receiving his sanctification.

All discipline, however, in the present indeed seems to be not of joy, but of sorrow, but afterwards it renders the most peaceful fruit of justice to those exercised by it. Therefore, lift up your slack hands and loose knees, and make your steps straight with your feet, so that it may not limp and wander, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all and sanctity, without which no one will see God. Contemplate that no one may fail the grace of God, lest some root of bitterness sprouting upward hinder and through it many be defiled: let no one be a fornicator or profane like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. And in another place: Let the charity of brotherhood remain. And do not forget hospitality. Through this, some have lain hidden, having received angels as guests. Remember those in chains as if you yourselves were bound, and those laboring as if you yourselves remained in the body. Honorable marriage in all things and an immaculate bed: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Let your manners be without avarice, content with present things. For He Himself said: I will not abandon you nor forsake you: so that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man may do to me. Remember your superiors, who have spoken the word of God to you: beholding the outcome of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ yesterday and today, the same and for all ages. Do not be led astray by various and foreign teachings.

It is best that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which did not profit those who walked. We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no power to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is offered for sin in the sanctuary by the high priest are burned outside the camp. For this reason also Jesus, in order to sanctify the people by his blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us therefore go out to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no abiding city here, but seek a future one. Through him, therefore, let us always offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing his name. But do not forget beneficence and fellowship: by such sacrifices God is propitiated. Obey your superiors and be subject to them: for they keep watch, as if about to render an account for your souls, so that they may do this with joy and not groaning: for this is not expedient for you. Pray for us. For we trust that we have a good conscience, desiring to live well in all things.

XLIIII. From the First Epistle of Peter. If now it is necessary to be saddened a little in various temptations, so that the tested quality of your faith may be much more precious than gold which perishes by fire. And in another place: Therefore, girding the loins of your mind, sober and perfect, hope in that grace which is offered to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ: as children of obedience, not conformed to the former desires of your ignorance, but according to him who called you holy, be yourselves holy in all your conduct, since it is written: you will be holy, because I also am holy. And if you invoke as father him who judges without partiality according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn. And after a few verses: Purifying your souls in obedience of charity, in simple love of brotherhood, love one another from the heart more attentively: reborn. And after a few verses: Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and pretense and envy and all slanders, like newborn infants, rational, without guile, desire milk. And after a few verses: Dearest ones, I beseech you as strangers and foreigners to abstain from carnal desires, which war against the soul. Having your conduct good among the Gentiles, so that in what they detract from you as from evildoers, you, considering your good works, may glorify our God on the day of visitation.

Be subject to every human ordinance for the sake of God, whether to a king as one in authority, or to leaders as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of the good — because it is the will of God that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of imprudent men — as free men, and not as having the cloak of freedom for malice, but as servants of God. Honor all, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king. Servants, be subject with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and moderate, but also to the difficult. For this is grace, if on account of the consciousness of God one endures sorrows, suffering unjustly. For what glory is it if you are punished and suffer when you are sinning? But if you suffer while doing good and endure patiently, this is grace before God. For to this you have been called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you might follow in his footsteps. And in another place: Likewise, let wives be subject to their husbands, so that even if some do not believe the word, they may be won over without a word by the conduct of the women, considering in fear your chaste conduct. Let their wealth not consist in outward hairdressing or the encircling of gold or the cultivation of garments, but in the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and modest spirit, which is rich in the sight of God.

For thus at times even holy women, hoping in God, would adorn themselves, subject to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, doing good and fearing no disturbance. Men likewise, dwelling together according to knowledge, bestowing honor upon the weaker vessel, the woman, as also upon co-heirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. In faith, however, be all of one mind, compassionate, lovers of brotherhood, merciful, humble, not returning evil for evil or curse for curse, but on the contrary blessing, because you are called to this, that you might possess blessing as an inheritance. For whoever wishes to love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it: for the eyes of the Lord are upon the just and His ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is upon those who do evil. And who can harm you, if you are good emulators? But if you suffer anything for the sake of justice, you are blessed. Do not fear their fear, and be not troubled. Sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, always ready to give an account to all who ask you concerning the hope that is in you: but with modesty and fear, having a good conscience, so that in what they detract from you, those who slander your good conversation in Christ may be confounded.

For it is better to be doing good and, if the will of God so wishes, to suffer, than to be doing evil. And after a few verses: Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought: for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sins, so that he now lives the remainder of his time in the flesh not according to human desires, but according to the will of God. For the past time is sufficient for fulfilling the will of the nations who walked in luxuries, desires, drunkenness, revelries, drinking bouts, and unlawful cults of idols. And after a few verses: Therefore be prudent and watchful in prayers, above all having continuous mutual love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins; be hospitable to one another without murmuring, each one as he has received grace, administering it to one another like good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If one speaks, it is as the words of God; if one ministers, it is as from the virtue which God administers, so that in all things God is honored through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory and dominion forever. Dearest ones, do not marvel at the fervor which comes to you as a temptation; do not be afraid as if something new were happening to you, but sharing in the passions of Christ, rejoice, so that you may also rejoice exulting in the revelation of his glory.

If you are reproached in the name of Christ, you are blessed: because the spirit of the glory and power of God rests upon you. He is blasphemed by them, but honored by you. Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a slanderer or a coveter of others' goods; but if as a Christian, let him not blush, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time that judgment begin from the house of God. If it begins first with us, what will be the end of those who do not believe the gospel of God? And if the just man is scarcely saved, where will the impious and the sinner appear? Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God commend their souls to the faithful Creator in good deeds. Therefore, I beseech the elders who are among you, I, a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a sharer in that glory which is to be revealed in the future: feed the flock of God which is among you, providing not under compulsion, but spontaneously according to God, not for the sake of base gain, but willingly, not lording it over the clergy, but becoming a pattern for the flock from the heart. And when the prince of shepherds appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. Likewise, young men, be subject to the elders. And all of you, instill humility in one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the time of visitation, casting all your care upon him, because he himself has care for you.

Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, strong in faith, knowing that the same passions are inflicted upon your brotherhood which are in the world. But God of all grace, who has called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after we have suffered a little, will himself perfect, confirm, and solidify his own dominion for ever and ever. Amen. XLV. FROM THE SECOND EPISTLE OF THE SAME. Through which things he has given us great and precious promises, so that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, fleeing the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world. But you, applying all care, minister in your faith virtue, in virtue knowledge, in knowledge abstinence, in abstinence patience, in patience piety, in piety love of brotherhood, in love of brotherhood charity. For when these are present and prevail in you, they will not constitute you empty nor without fruit in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he in whom they are not present is blind and groping with his hand, receiving forgetfulness of the purification of his old sins. Wherefore, brothers, strive the more, so that through good works you may make your calling and election certain. For doing these things, you will never sin.

And a little later: "Just as there will be among us false teachers, who will introduce sects of perdition and deny the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their debaucheries, through whom the way of truth will be blasphemed, and they will traffic in us with feigned words of avarice. For them judgment has long since not ceased; their ruin does not sleep." And in another place: "The Lord knows how to rescue the pious from temptation, but to reserve the wicked for torment on the day of judgment. And even more so those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise dominion. Bold, self-pleasing, they do not fear sects, blaspheming, where angels, though greater in strength and virtue, do not bear an execrable judgment against themselves.

But these, like irrational beasts, are naturally caught and destroyed, blaspheming in their ignorance against their own corruption, and they will perish, receiving the reward of injustice, thinking that pleasure is the delight of the day, wallowing in defilements and stains, reveling in their feasts with you, having eyes full of adultery and unceasing sin, seducing unstable souls, having a heart trained in avarice, children of cursing, abandoning the straight path, they have gone astray. And after a few verses: "For speaking the pride of vanity, they seduce those who have barely escaped, who live in error, into the desires of carnal luxury, promising them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption: for by whatever a person is overcome, of that he is also a slave. For if those fleeing the defilements of the world, in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, are again entangled and overcome, their latter state becomes worse than the former. For it would have been better for them not to know the path of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from what was given to them by holy command. For that true proverb happens to them: the dog returning to its vomit, and the sow washed in the mire. And after a while: 'Since all these things are to be dissolved, what sort you ought to be in holy conversations and pieties, waiting and hastening for the coming of the day of God.'

And a little later: "Dearest ones, awaiting these things, strive to be found immaculate and inviolate in peace, and consider the forbearance of our Lord as salvation." And in another place: "Therefore, you, brothers, knowing beforehand, take care lest, led astray by the error of the foolish, you fall away from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory to Him both now and on the day of eternity. Amen." XLVI. FROM THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have a perfect work, so that you may be perfect and whole, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives abundantly to all and does not reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, hesitating in nothing: for he who hesitates is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind. For that man should not think that he receives anything from the Lord, being double-minded, inconstant in all his ways. But let the humble brother glory in his exaltation, and the rich man in his humility, for like a flower of hay it will pass away. For the sun has risen with heat and dried up the hay, and its flower has fallen and the beauty of its face has perished: so too the rich man will wither in his ways.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation, because when he has been tested, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. And a little later: "Therefore, do not err, dearest brothers. Every best gift and every perfect gift comes from above, descending from the Father of lights." And after a few verses: "You know, my beloved brothers: let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger. For anger does not work the justice of God. Therefore, casting aside all uncleanness and abundance of malice, receive in meekness the implanted word, which can save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers deceiving yourselves. For if someone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he will be compared to a man looking at the face of his own birth in a mirror: for he looked at himself and went away, and immediately forgot what he was like. But he who has looked into the perfect law of liberty and has remained, not becoming a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in his deed. But if someone thinks himself to be religious, not restraining his tongue, but seducing his own heart, his religion is vain. Pure and immaculate religion before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation, to keep oneself immaculate from this world. My brothers, do not have faith in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in the acceptance of persons.

And after a few verses: "Hear me, my dearest brothers: did not God choose the poor in this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor. Do not the rich oppress us through their power, and do they not drag you into lawsuits? Do they not blaspheme the good name which has been invoked upon you? If, however, you fulfill the royal law according to the Scriptures: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being rebuked by the law as transgressors." And after a few verses: "For judgment without mercy awaits him who did not show mercy. But mercy prevails over judgment." And after a little: "Do not become many masters, my brothers, knowing that you take upon yourselves a greater judgment. For we all offend in many things. If anyone does not offend in word, that man is perfect; he can even lead the whole body by the bridle." And in another place: "But no man can tame the tongue: restless, evil, full of deadly poison. In it we bless God the Father, and in it we curse men, who were made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This ought not to be so, my brothers." And after a few verses: "Who among us is wise and disciplined? Let him show his work by good conduct in the gentleness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter zeal and contentions in your hearts, do not boast and be liars against the truth. That is not wisdom descending from above, but earthly, animal, diabolical. For where there is zeal and contention, there is inconstancy and every depraved work. But wisdom which is from above is first of all chaste, then peaceful, modest, persuadable, consenting to good things, full of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without pretense. Moreover, the fruit of justice is sown in peace by those who make peace. Whence come wars and quarrels among you? Is it not from your own lusts, which wage war in your members? And after a few verses: You ask, and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, so that you may consume in your lusts. Adulterers, do you not know that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of this world is constituted an enemy of God. And a little later: For this reason it says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore be subject to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Approach God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you who are double-minded. Be wretched and mourn. Weep: let your laughter be turned into lamentation and joy into grief. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. Do not speak ill of one another, brothers.