Liber de Divinis Scripturis sive Speculum quod fertur S. Augustini

...will descend from heaven: and the dead who rise first in Christ: then we who are living will be snatched up together with them in clouds to meet Christ in the air, and thus we will always be with the Lord. Likewise in the Apocalypse: And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne. And books were opened: and another book was opened, which is of life, and the dead were judged according to what was written in the books, and according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and hell gave up the dead who were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. XXVIII. ON THE TRIBULATIONS AND PROBATIONS OF THE JUST. In Psalm XIX: These in chariots and these on horses, but we shall be magnified in the name of our Lord God. They were bound and fell, but we rose and were raised up. Likewise in Psalm XXXII: But our soul is patient in the Lord, because he is our helper and protector: and in him our heart will rejoice, and we have hoped in his holy name. Let your mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have hoped in you. Likewise in Psalm XXXIII: I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my distresses. The Lord sends an angel around those who fear him and will deliver them. Fear the Lord, his saints, for nothing is lacking to those who fear him. Likewise in Psalm XXXVI: When the just man falls, he will not be troubled, because the Lord steadies his hand.

Likewise in Psalm 41: My tears have been my bread day and night, while it is said to me daily: Where is your God? These things I have remembered, and I have poured out my soul within me. Likewise in Psalm 43: In you we will winnow our enemies, and in your name we despise those who rise up against us. For you have saved us, God, from those afflicting us, and you have confounded those who hated us. You have given us as sheep for food, from the voice of the reproacher and reviler, from the face of the enemy and persecutor. All these things have come upon us, and we have not forgotten you, and we have not acted unjustly in your covenant, and our heart has not drawn back. And you have turned our paths from your way, and the shadow of death has covered us. If we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have stretched out our hands to a foreign god, will not God require these things? For he himself knows the secrets of the heart. Because we are put to death all day for your sake, we have been reckoned as sheep for slaughter. Likewise in Psalm 54: I have been saddened in my exercise, and I have been disturbed by the voice of the enemy and by the tribulation of the sinner. My heart has been disturbed within me, and the fear of death has fallen upon me. And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and rest? Likewise in Psalm 65: Because you have tested us, God, you have examined us with fire, as silver is examined in fire. We have passed through fire and water, and you have led us into a place of refreshment. Likewise

In Psalm 125: Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. They went forth and wept, casting their seeds; but coming, they will come in exultation, bearing their sheaves. Likewise in Proverbs: As silver and gold are tested in the furnace, so are chosen hearts before God. Likewise there: Do, son, what I command you, and you will be safe. For you have come into the hands of evil men because of your friend. Be untiring, but attend to your friend whom you have pledged. Give no sleep to your eyes nor slumber to your eyelids, that you may escape like a doe from nets and like a bird from a snare. Likewise in the Book of Wisdom: But the souls of the just are in the hand of the Lord, and torment will not touch them. Unless they appear to die in the eyes of the foolish, and the malice of their end is reckoned. And if they have suffered torments before men, their hope is full of immortality, and having been vexed for a short time, they will be well disposed in many things. For God has tested them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in a furnace he has tested them, and as a sacrificial offering he has accepted them, and in time there will be regard for them. They will shine like sparks running through a reed-bed, they will judge nations and rule over peoples, and their Lord will reign forever. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Son, approaching the service of the Lord, stand in justice and fear, and prepare your soul for temptation.

Humble your heart and endure; incline your ear and receive the words of understanding, and do not hasten toward the time of concealment. Endure the support of the Lord; join yourself to the Lord and endure, so that your life may grow in the end. Accept everything that is imposed upon you, and endure it in pain, and in your humility have patience; for gold and silver are tested in fire, but righteous men in the furnace of humiliation. Likewise there: The potter's vessel is tested by the furnace, and righteous men by the temptation of tribulation. Likewise in Ecclesiastes: And God will seek out the one who endures persecution. Likewise in Tobit: Blessed is our Lord God, because behold, I see you, son; and blessed is His name, which is great; and blessed are all His holy angels; and may His name be holy and blessed in all ages of ages. For He scourged me in my reproof, and He had mercy on me, and restored the light to my eyes, so that I might see my son. Likewise in Job: And hearing this, the Lord said from the cloud to Job: Therefore gird your loins more like a man, and I will question you, and you shall answer me. Do not think that my judgment is alien to you, and do not suppose that I have decreed otherwise than that you should appear less unjust. Likewise there: For I am conscious that my tongue has uttered nothing, and my throat has never ceased to meditate on understanding.

For the proof of a man is his life on earth, and his deed is like his daily wage. Likewise there: Take upon yourself height and strength, and put on brightness and honor. Dismiss the angels of wrath, and extinguish every injurious and proud one. Separate the impious from yourself at once and hide them all in the earth, and confound their faces with disgrace, and render to them what is theirs. But if they are with you without honor, then you will see and confess that my right hand is powerful to save you. Likewise there: The Lord knows my way, and he judges me like gold that is tested by fire, so that I may proceed in his commands, so that I may keep his path. And I will not turn aside from his precepts, nor will I depart from his ways, and I will not be moved, but in my bosom I will store his words. For what I endure, I know that he has judged as he wished. And who is there who contradicts him? For what he wished, he did. And because of this, rebuked, I will hasten to him, and I will diligently attend to him, because he is the Lord, and he has softened my heart, and he has encompassed me. Likewise in the book

1 Maccabees: And the days of Mattathias drew near, the days of his dying, and he said to his sons: Now pride and oppression and the time of destruction and wrath and indignation are consummated. Now, sons, emulate the law and give your lives for the paternal covenant; and be mindful of your fathers, who did what they did in their times, leaving an example to their posterity, and receive great glory and an everlasting name. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptations, and was it not accounted to him for righteousness? Joseph in a time of distress kept the commandment, and became ruler in Egypt. Phinehas, our father, when he had been zealous with zeal, received the covenant of the everlasting priesthood. Joshua, when he had fulfilled the word, became judge over Israel. Caleb, while bearing testimony in the assembly, received an inheritance. David, in his mercy, obtained the seat of an eternal kingdom. Elijah, when he had been zealous with zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven. Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, believing, were freed from the flame. Daniel, in his simplicity, was freed from the mouth of the lions. Therefore, consider through the generations of generations, that all who hope in God will not be weakened; fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory will be in dung and in worms. Today he will be exalted, and tomorrow he will not be.

will be found, because it will return to its dust, and its thought will perish. And my sons, be strengthened and prevail in the law, for it will glorify you. Likewise the apostle Paul to the Romans: Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience, patience produces testing, testing produces hope, hope does not confound: because the love of God is diffused in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who is given to us. Likewise there: Who then 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 mortified for you all day long, we are considered as sheep for slaughter. Likewise to the Corinthians II: In all things we have suffered tribulation, but not distressed: confused, but not at a loss: we suffer persecution, but are not abandoned: we are cast down, but do not perish.

always bearing the death of our Lord Jesus Christ in our body, so that the life of Christ Jesus may be manifested in our body. For thus we who live are delivered unto death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Likewise according to Matthew: Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Likewise there: Blessed are you, when men have hated you and drive you away and persecute you and reproach you and speak every evil against you. Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in heaven: for thus they persecuted the prophets before you. Likewise there: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Likewise there: Beware of men: for they will betray you in the council, and in their synagogues they will scourge you: you will stand before kings and governors for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they betray you, do not be anxious about what you will say: for in that hour it will be given to you what to say: for it is not you who speak, but the spirit of your father who speaks in you. Nor fear those who can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul: rather fear him who can kill both soul and body and cast into Gehenna. Likewise there: He who finds his soul will lose it: and he who has lost his soul for my sake will find it.

XXIX. That the Lord does not remain in those who have deviated from his precepts. In Genesis: But the angels of God, seeing the daughters of men that they were beautiful, took for themselves wives from among all those whom they chose. And then God said: My spirit will not remain in these men forever, because they are carnal. Again in 1 Kings: Does God desire holocausts and sacrifices more than to hear his own voice? For obedience to what is said is better than sacrifice, and obedience to the commandments better than the fat of rams. Since sin is a disgrace, pain and groaning will be brought to you. Because you have spurned the word of the Lord, the Lord will spurn you, so that you may not reign in Israel. And the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord seized him and suffocated him. Again in 3 Kings: And King Solomon was fond of women. And because of this it came to pass that in the time of his old age his heart was not directed by the Lord. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because he had turned his heart away from the Lord God of Israel. And the Lord raised up Satan against Solomon, and Satan was over Israel all the days of Solomon. Again in Paralipomenon: The Lord your God

She is with you as long as you are with her; but if you abandon her, she will abandon you. Likewise in Psalm 80: And the people did not obey my voice, and Israel did not heed me; and I let them go according to the desires of their hearts. If my people had listened to me, if Israel had walked in my ways, I would have humbled their enemies to nothing and laid my hand upon those who troubled them. Likewise in the Wisdom of Solomon: For perverse thoughts separate from God, but proven virtue convicts the foolish; for wisdom will not enter a malicious soul, nor will it dwell in a body subject to sins. For the holy spirit of discipline will flee from deceit, and will withdraw itself from thoughts that are without understanding, and will be convicted by the iniquity that comes upon it. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: Who gave Jacob and Israel into plunder to those who despoil them? Was it not God, against whom they sinned, and they refused to enter his ways? And he brought his wrath upon them, and war prevailed against them, and each one of them did not know. Nor did they take it to heart. Likewise there: Does not the hand of the Lord avail to save? Or has he made his ear heavy, so that he does not hear? But your sins separate between you and God; and because of your sins he turns away his face so that he may not have mercy. For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers are in sins; your lips have spoken iniquity, and your tongue meditates injustice.

No one speaks justice, nor is there true judgment; they trust in vanities and speak empty words, because they give birth to deceit and bring forth iniquity. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: And your sins have removed good things from you, because impieties have been found in my people. Likewise there: But because you have embittered the Lord, you have been handed over to adversaries; for you have exasperated him who made us, the eternal Lord, sacrificing to demons and not to God. Likewise the Apostle to the Romans: For saying that they are wise, they have become fools. And they have exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of a corruptible image of man and of birds and of four-footed beasts and of serpents. Because of this, God has delivered them over to the desires of their hearts, to uncleanness, so that they may inflict insults upon their bodies among themselves, those who have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and have worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Because of this, God has delivered them over to the passions of dishonor.

XXX. THE SERVANT OF GOD MUST NOT BE OVERCOME BY THE DETRACTION OF THE WICKED. In the prophet Isaiah: Hear me, you who know judgment, my people, in whose heart my law is: do not fear the reproaches of men and their detraction, lest you be overcome. For as a garment, so in time they will be consumed: and like wool, a moth will devour them. But my justice will be eternal, and my salvation for ages of ages. Likewise Tobit: All my neighbors mocked me, saying: how does this man not fear, who has already been sought out to be killed for this cause, and fled? how has he again begun to bury the dead? But I, intent on the commandments of God, did not fear what man might say. Likewise in 1 Maccabees: Do not fear the words of a sinful man, for his glory is in dung and in worms; today he will be exalted and tomorrow he will not be found, for he will return to his dust, and his thought will perish. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: Blessed will you be, when men have hated you and drive you away and persecute you.

and they reproached, and they will speak all evil against you. Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens. For thus they also persecuted the prophets who were before you. XXXI. ONE MUST NOT DETRACT. In Numbers: And the Lord said to Aaron and Miriam: Hear my words. If there is a prophet of the Lord among you, I will make myself known to him in a vision and I will speak to him in a dream, not as to my servant Moses, who is faithful in my whole house; mouth to mouth I will speak to him in a visible form and not through riddles, and he saw the honor of the Lord. And why did you not fear to detract from my servant Moses? And the wrath of the Lord's indignation will be upon you. Likewise in Psalm 49: Sitting against your brother you detracted, and against the son of your mother you placed a scandal. These things you did, and I was silent: you thought it iniquity that I would be like you. I will reprove you and set those things before your face. Likewise in Psalm 100: The one detracting, secretly slandering his neighbor, I pursued him. Likewise in Psalm 70: Let those detracting my soul be confounded and fail. Likewise in Proverbs: Do not love to detract, lest you be rooted out. But open your eyes, and you will see just things. Likewise in Wisdom: Therefore guard yourselves from murmuring, which profits nothing, and from detraction spare your tongue: for an obscure response will not go into the void, but the mouth that lies kills the soul. Likewise James the Apostle: Brethren, do not detract from one another.

For whoever disparages his brother and judges him, disparages the law and judges it. If you judge the law, you are no longer a follower of the law, but a judge. For there is one giver and judge of the laws, who is able to save and to destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor? Likewise in Psalm 100: He who speaks iniquity has not directed it before my eyes. In the mornings I would slay all the sinners of the earth, that I might destroy them from the city of the Lord, all who work iniquity. XXXII. ON CORRECTION AND DISCIPLINE. In Psalm 2: Restrain discipline, lest the Lord grow angry, and you perish from the right way, when his wrath has blazed up in a brief moment. Likewise in Proverbs: Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you; a foolish man, and he will come to hate you. Likewise there: Give occasion to a wise man, and he will be wiser; make it known to a just man, and he will increase in understanding. Likewise there: He who loves discipline loves wisdom; for he who hates those who rebuke him is foolish. Likewise there: The undisciplined man does not love those who rebuke him, nor does he converse with the wise. Likewise there: He who rejects disci-

He who hates discipline, hates himself: for he who preserves reproof acquires prudence. Likewise there: The fear of the Lord is discipline and wisdom. Likewise there: He who receives discipline will be in good; for he who keeps reproofs will become wise. Likewise there: When a pestilent man is chastised, the fool becomes more astute; but if you rebuke a prudent man, he will understand the sense. Likewise there: Give your heart to discipline, and prepare your ears for words of wisdom. Likewise there: Death confronts the undisciplined, but the fool dies by his sins. Likewise there: If you scourge a fool in the midst of an assembly, doing him dishonor, you will not remove his folly. Likewise there: A man who rebukes is better than a man with a stiff neck; for suddenly there will be no health for that burning one. Likewise there: He who rebukes a man for his ways will have more grace than he who flatters. Likewise there: Blows and reproofs give wisdom; but a wandering child shames his father. Likewise in the book of Wisdom: For he who casts aside wisdom and discipline is unhappy; and their hope is empty, and their labors without fruit, and their works useless. Likewise there: For your judgments are great and ineffable; because of this, undisciplined souls have gone astray. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: He who rejoices in iniquity will be marked; and he who hates correction has his life diminished. Likewise there: Reprove your neighbor before you threaten, and give place to the fear of the Most High.

Likewise there: How good it is to reprove rather than to be angry, and not to forbid one who confesses in prayer! Likewise there: For the undisciplined man, discovery is to his detriment. Likewise there: He who hates correction is the footprint of a sinner; and those who fear the gift turn to a hard heart. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: I have struck your children in vain, you have not received discipline. Likewise there: Thus says the Lord: This people, who do not hear the voice of the Lord nor spurn discipline, faith has departed from their mouth. Likewise in the prophet Amos: They hated the one reproving at the gates, and they abhorred the most just word. Likewise Job: Blessed is the man whom the Lord reproves, because the correction of almighty God is salvation. Likewise in the prophet Ezekiel: The house of Israel does not wish to hear you, because they do not wish to hear me: for the whole house of Israel is contentious and hard of heart. Likewise the Apostle to the Galatians: Are you so foolish? Having begun with the spirit, will you now be perfected with the flesh? Likewise to the Thessalonians I: Reprove the restless, console the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient with all. Likewise to Timothy I: Insist opportunely, reprove the importunate, exhort, rebuke, with all patience and teaching.

CHAPTER XXXIII. ON TRANSGRESSORS. In Psalm 100: I have hated those who commit transgressions; a perverse heart did not cleave to me. Likewise in Proverbs: As a dog when it returns to its vomit becomes loathsome, so a fool by his own malice turned back to his sins. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: The beginning of man's pride is to apostatize from God, for the beginning of every sin is pride. Likewise there: In two things my heart feared, and in the third anger came upon me: a warrior failing through want, a learned man held in contempt, and he who passes from justice into sin—God prepares him for the sword. Likewise in Isaiah the prophet: Woe to the apostate son, says the Lord: you have taken counsel not through me, and made a pact not through my spirit, adding sins upon sins. Likewise there: And the saints will go forth, and they will see the limbs of men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, and their fire will not be extinguished, and they will be in the sight of every flesh. Likewise in Ezekiel the prophet: If

will he who does evil be set free? And will he who passes over the testament be saved? Likewise there: And I will choose from among you your impious and deserters, because from their dwelling I will lead them out: they will not enter the land of Israel: and you will know that I am the Lord. Likewise in the prophet Hosea: Woe to them, because they have departed from me: they are manifest, because they have sinned against me, and have not cried out to me with their hearts. Likewise in the second epistle of the apostle Peter: For it was better for them not to have known the way of truth than, after knowledge of righteousness, to apostatize from the divine mandate handed down to them. The common thing happened to them: like a dog returning to its vomit, and like a washed sow that is defiled in its wallowing. Likewise in the epistle of the apostle Jude: Also the angels, who did not keep their order, left their dwelling; for the great judgment of God, with the eyes of the holy angels, he will reserve them for darkness; but Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, when they had committed adultery and followed the flesh, were set forth as an example, suffering eternal punishments. Likewise in Numbers: Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let all who hate you flee, and be shattered: and turn, O Lord, the thousands of Israel.

XXXIIII. ON PRIDE. In Psalm 30: And he will repay those who abundantly commit pride. Likewise in Psalm 72: Therefore their pride prevailed over them: their iniquity came forth as if from fat. Likewise in Psalm 100: They who commit pride do not dwell in the midst of my house. Likewise in Psalm 118: The proud were acting unjustly everywhere. Likewise in Proverbs: The Lord resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Likewise there: He who guards his mouth, saves his soul: for he who is insolent with his lips will terrify himself. Likewise there: The Lord will destroy the houses of the proud. Likewise there: Unclean before the Lord is everyone who exalts his heart. Likewise there: A bad son has proud eyes, and is lifted up by his own eyelids. Likewise there: A rash and proud man is called a pestilence. Likewise there: Do not be proud before the king, nor stand in the places of the powerful. For it is better for you that it be said: come up to me, than to be humiliated in the sight of a powerful man. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Pride is hateful before God and men. Likewise there: And why does earth and ashes take pride? Likewise there: There will be no health for the synagogues of the proud: for the root of sin will take root in them. Likewise there: The beginning of the pride of man is to apostatize from God: because the beginning of all sin is pride. The Lord has pulled down the seats of the proud leaders, and has made the meek sit in their place. The Lord has dried up the roots of the proud nations, and has planted the humble from those same nations.

The Lord has destroyed the memory of the proud, and has left the memory of the humble in understanding. Pride was not created for men, nor wrath for the race of women. Likewise there: He who touches pitch will be defiled by it; and he who associates with a proud man will put on pride. Likewise there: A house which is excessively wealthy will be annihilated by pride. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: But every unjust man will fail, and the proud man will perish, and those who act unjustly in sorrow have perished, and those who cause men to sin in speech. Likewise there: And those who are proud will be crushed by contumely, and they will be humbled, and the lofty will fall by the sword. Likewise there: And I will humble the contumely of the proud. Likewise there: Pride and the riches of the impious have ceased. Likewise in the prophet Amos: Because the Lord has sworn by himself, that I abhor all pride of Jacob, and I have hated its regions. Likewise in Haba- kuk: But the just man lives by my faith; but he who pleases himself, a despiser and a proud man, will accomplish nothing. Likewise in Deuteronomy: And every one who acts in pride, so that he does not hearken to the priest who stands to minister in the name of his God, or to the judges who are in those days, that man shall die, and you shall remove the evil from him in Israel: and all the people, when they hear, will fear and will not commit injustice. Likewise in Job: And because the years of pride are numbered, and so they are disposed in the ears of the Lord: and when they seem to be pacified, a reversal will come upon them.

because he who dwells in high places sees the one doing injury and humbles the proud. Likewise in Tobit: Therefore also you, son, love your brothers, and do not act with a proud heart toward the daughters of the daughters of your people; nor take anyone among them into subjection because of poverty and need; for in pride abounds ruin and faithlessness; nor does the step stand firmly when fixed in the boards; because the fruit of adultery is discoloration and diminution of life. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: But you seek to be exalted in small things, and diminished in the greatest. Likewise there: Because what is lofty in men is an abomination before the Lord. XXXV. ON MEEKNESS. In Numbers: And Moses was meek before all men who are upon the earth. Likewise in Psalm 24: Sweet and meek is the Lord; for this reason he established a law for those who transgress on the way, he directs the meek in judgment, he will teach the meek his ways. Likewise in the Proverbs of Solomon: Meek-

A man accustomed to being a physician of the heart is a moth, however, understanding the heart in the bones. Likewise there: The meek man with humility is better than he who divides the spoils with the insolent. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Son, complete your works in meekness, and you will be loved by every man. Likewise there: Be meek in hearing a word, so that you may understand, and speak a true answer with wisdom. Likewise there: Son, keep your soul in meekness, and give it honor according to its dignity. Likewise the Apostle to the Ephesians: Therefore I beseech you, I who am a prisoner in the Lord, that you walk worthily in the calling to which you are called, with all humility of mind and meekness, with much patience, bearing with one another in charity, careful to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Likewise James the Apostle: Who among you is prudent and wise? Let him show his works of good conduct in meekness and prudence.

XXXVI. ON PATIENCE. In Proverbs: In the heart of a good man patience will be found, for in the heart of the foolish it is not recognized. Likewise there: A patient man is better than a strong man, for he who restrains his anger is better than he who captures a city. Likewise there: He who refrains from uttering a harsh word is prudent, but a patient man is wise. Likewise there: A patient man is rich in wisdom, but the faint-hearted is exceedingly foolish. Likewise the Apostle to the Thessalonians I: 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. XXXVII. ON HUMILITY. In Proverbs: Every humble work is manifest before God, for the impious will fall on the day of evils. Likewise there: Humble your spirit greatly, for the vengeance of the flesh of the impious is fire and worm. Likewise there: A humble response turns away anger. Likewise there: Humility exalts nations. Likewise in Psalm 33: The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, and the humble

spirit will save. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: Because God has had mercy on his people, and he has comforted the humble of his people. Likewise there: And to whom shall I look, says the Lord, except to the one who is humble and quiet and trembles at my words? Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: For whoever humbles himself will be exalted, and whoever exalts himself will be humbled. Likewise in the first Epistle of Peter: But all of you put on quietness and humility of mind: because the Lord resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Likewise James the apostle: Humble yourselves before God. And resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Likewise there: Humble yourselves before the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. XXXVIII. ON THE WISE MAN. In Proverbs: Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and immortal is he who finds prudence. For it is better to purchase her than treasures of gold and silver. Likewise there: The wise will possess glory, and the foolish will share disgrace. Likewise there: Good sense comes to those who know it, but a prudent man will find it. Likewise there: Wisdom is an ornament to the young, but gray hair is the glory of the old. Likewise there: Give the wise man an opportunity, and he will be wiser: I make it known to the just man, and he will add to his understanding. Likewise there: The wise in heart will perceive the commandments. Likewise there: The wise will conceal their understanding.

Likewise there: A wise man acts quietly. Likewise there: A wise man is a seat of understanding. Likewise there: The law is a fountain of life for the wise. Likewise there: The heart of the wise will possess sense. Likewise there: A desirable treasure rests in the mouth of the wise. Likewise there: A wise man is better than a strong man, and a man having prudence is better than a large field. Likewise there: The wise do not turn away from the mouth of the Lord, but ponder in counsels. Likewise there: He who walks wisely will be saved. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom. Likewise there: Do not hide your wisdom in adornment: for wisdom is known in speech, and sense and knowledge of teaching in words of truth, and steadfastness in works of justice. Likewise there: Humble wisdom will exalt his head, and will make him sit in the midst of the great. Likewise there: Happy is the wise man who meditates on truth and justice in his wisdom, and in his sense will ponder the circumspection of God. Likewise there: A wise man will fear in all things. Likewise there: Sensible men acted wisely in words, and understood truth and justice, and wept at proverbs and judgments. Likewise there: A wise man will be silent until the time: but a talkative and imprudent man will not keep time. Likewise there: The wise man makes himself affable in words. Likewise there: The mouth of the prudent

It is sought in the church, and they will ponder its words in their hearts. Likewise there: A pious man abides in wisdom like the sun; for the fool is changed like the moon. Likewise there: A sensible man believes the law of God. Likewise there: A skilled man has taught many, and is gentle to his own soul. Likewise there: A wise man will be filled with blessing, and those who see him will praise him. Likewise there: The wise man among the people will inherit honor, and his name will live forever. Likewise in Ecclesiastes: The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, and the heart of the foolish in a house of luxury. Likewise there: The words of the wise bring rest to those who hear. Likewise Job: For wisdom is to fear the Lord; but to abstain from evils is knowledge. Likewise Tobit: But attend to yourself, son, in all your works, and be wise in all your words; and what you would not wish done to you, do not do to another. Likewise in Proverbs: The wise man, fearing, withdraws from evil; the fool, trusting in himself, mingles with the wicked.

CHAPTER 39. ON THE CONDUCT OF YOUTH. In Psalm 118: Wherewith shall a young man correct his way? By keeping thy words. Likewise in the Proverbs of Solomon: To know wisdom and discipline, and to understand the words of prudence, and to perceive the subtleties of speech, and to understand true justice, and to direct a just judgment: that he may give cunning to the innocent, but to a younger boy sense and skill: for hearing these things, a wise man will be wiser. Likewise there: Son, let not an evil thought seize you, which has abandoned the teaching of youth and forgotten the divine covenant. For it has placed its house near death, and its courses are near hell with the earth-born. All who go by that way will not return, but will come to repentance. Likewise there: Son, do not fail: but keep my counsel and thought: that your soul may live always and grace be about your neck. Then there will be health for your flesh and diligence for your bones. Likewise there: Do not enter the paths of the impious, nor emulate the ways of the wicked: in whatever place they have pitched camp, do not go there: but turn away from them and decline. Likewise there: Guard your heart with all watchfulness: for from these are the exits of life. Remove from yourself a perverse mouth, and drive far from you unjust lips. Let your eyes see rightly, and your eyelids announce just things. Make straight paths for your feet, and direct your ways: nor

declines to the right or to the left, but turn your foot away from the evil path. Likewise there: Ornament for youths is wisdom, but for elders glory is grey hair. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Son, from your youth receive instruction, and up to old age you will find wisdom. As one who plows and sows, approach her, and you will enjoy her good fruits. For in her work you will labor little, and you will soon eat of her produce. How exceedingly harsh she is to the unlearned: and the witless will not abide in her. Likewise there: Be constant with the holy man, whomever you know to be preserving the fear of the Lord. Likewise there: Stand in the multitude of prudent elders, and join their wisdom from the heart: and desire to hear every narrative of God, and proverbs of praise shall not escape you. Seeing a sensible man, wake up to him, and let your foot tread the threshold of his doors. Have thought in the precepts of God, and be constant in his commandments: and he himself will give you a heart, and the desire for wisdom will give

tor tibi. Likewise there: Son, in your life test your soul: and if it is worthless, do not give it power. For not every kind of thing pleases every soul. Likewise there: Young man, speak in your own cause only when questioned. Let your answer have a head. In many things be as if ignorant and at the same time inquiring. In the midst of the great do not presume, and where there are old men do not speak much. Before hail comes lightning, and before a modest man comes grace. And if it is time to rise, do not tarry. Rather, run ahead first into your own house: there divert yourself, there play and carry out your designs, and not in delights or proud word, but in blessing him who blessed you, who filled you with his goods and satiates you with his goods. Likewise in Ecclesiastes: Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart be well disposed in the days of your youth: and walk in the way of your heart without stain and not in boldness in the sight

of your eyes. And know that above all these things God will bring you to judgment. Drive anger from your heart, and remove wickedness from your flesh, because youth and foolishness are vanity. And remember the one who created you in the days of your youth. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: My lot is the Lord, I said; therefore I will endure him. The Lord is good to those who endure him. The soul that has sought him, it is good to endure and to hope in the salvation of God. It is good for a man when he has borne a heavy yoke in his youth: he will sit alone and be silent, because he has taken upon himself a heavy yoke. He will put his mouth in the pit: if indeed there is hope for the one who suffers. He will offer his cheek to the one who strikes him, and he will be filled with reproaches: because the Lord will not repel me forever. For when he has humbled, he will have mercy according to the abundance of his mercy. Likewise in Tobit: You, however, in all the days of your life, son, fear your God, and do not wish to sin or to transgress his commandments: because mercy and wrath come from him. But the one who loves justice in all the days of his life, do well before him, and do not walk in the paths of the wicked.

of chastity. Likewise there: And now, little children, this is what I command you: that in what I instruct you, you serve God and do before him what pleases him. But also command your children to work for justice and, giving alms, to be mindful of God in all their ways and to bless his name at all times in truth and with all their strength. Likewise the Apostle to Timothy: Flee youthful desires; instead pursue justice, faith, charity, peace with those who invoke God from a pure heart. XL. NOT TO SWEAR FALSELY. In Leviticus: You shall not swear by my name unjustly, and you shall not profane the holy name: I am your Lord. Likewise in Psalm 43: He who swears to his neighbor and does not deceive him. Likewise in Psalm 23: He who does not take his soul in vain, nor swears to his neighbor deceitfully, shall receive blessing from the Lord and mercy from his saving God. Likewise in the Book of Wisdom: For either while they rejoice, they become mad, or they prophesy falsely, or they live unjustly, or they quickly commit perjury. For while they trust in idols, which are without a soul, swearing falsely they do not hope to be harmed, and they have sworn unjustly, feigning contempt for justice. Likewise in the prophet Zechariah: And do not love false oaths, because all these things I have hated, says the Lord Almighty.

XLI. ON NOT SWEARING. In Ecclesiasticus: Do not accustom your mouth to swearing, for there are many pitfalls in it. And do not mix with names, otherwise you will not be free from them. For just as a slave who is constantly questioned will not be diminished by envy, so every person who swears and names will not be wholly cleansed from sin. A man who swears much will be filled with iniquity, and a plague will not depart from his house; and if he has sworn falsely, he will not be justified. Likewise there: The speech of one who swears much will cause shuddering. Likewise according to Matthew: You have heard that it is said: you shall not commit perjury, but you shall render to the Lord your oaths. But I say to you: do not swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is the seat of God, nor by earth, because it is the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great king, nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your speech be: yes, yes; no, no; for whatever is more than that is from evil.

XLII. ON NOT GIVING FALSE TESTIMONY. In Exodus: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not consent with an unjust man to become an unjust witness. Likewise in Psalm 34: Unjust witnesses rising up asked me what I did not know, they repaid me evil for good. Likewise in Proverbs: A false witness kindles injustice and injects judgments between brothers. Likewise there: A swift witness, however, has an unjust tongue. Likewise there: A faithful witness will snatch the soul from evils, but a deceitful false one kindles them. Likewise there: A man of changeable tongue will fall into evils. Likewise there: A false witness will not go unpunished; but he who accuses unjustly will not escape. Likewise there: A lying witness will perish, but an obedient man will speak cautiously. Likewise there: Do not be a lying witness against your fellow citizen, nor be unrestrained with your lips. Likewise there: A club and a sword and a dart are harmful; so also is a man who gives false testimony against his friend. Likewise there: A lying tongue hates the truth, but an unrestrained mouth creates seditions.

XLIII. ON NOT LYING. In Exodus: You shall not commit theft, and you shall not lie, nor shall anyone bring false accusation against his neighbor. Likewise in the book of Wisdom: But the mouth that lies kills the soul. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Do not tell a lie against your brother, nor do likewise to a friend. Likewise there: Do not wish to lie any lie, for its persistence is not good. Likewise there: A wicked superfluity to a man is a lie; it will be persistently in the mouth of the undisciplined. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: Lying and not faith have prevailed over the earth, because evils have come forth from the evil, and they have not known me. Likewise there: Better is a poor man walking in truth than a rich liar. Likewise the apostle Paul to the Ephesians: Putting aside lying, let each one speak the truth with his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Likewise to the Colossians: Do not lie to one another, stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds. Likewise the apostle John: Every lie is not of the truth.

XLIIII. ON THE PROHIBITION OF IDOLATRY. In Exodus: And Moses went down to the people, and said to them: the Lord has spoken all these words, saying: I am the Lord your God, who led you out of Egypt, out of the house of servitude. You shall have no other gods besides me: you shall not make for yourself an idol, nor any likeness whatsoever, whether in the sky above or on the earth below: you shall not worship them, nor serve them: I am the Lord your God. Likewise there: And the Lord said to Moses: you shall say this to the house of Jacob, and you shall testify to the sons of Israel, saying: you have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven: you shall not make for yourselves gods of silver nor gods of gold, nor shall you make for yourselves an idol. Likewise there: He who sacrifices to gods shall be rooted out, except to the Lord alone. Likewise there: And the names of foreign gods you shall not remember, nor shall they be heard from your mouth. Likewise there: You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them. You shall not act according to their works, but you shall cast down and destroy and break their images, and you shall serve the Lord your God. And I will bless your bread and your water, and I will turn away sickness from you. Likewise there: Take heed to yourself, lest by chance you make a testament for those who sit upon the land into which you are about to enter, lest their offense be in you. You shall destroy their altars, and you shall smash their pillars, and you shall cut down their groves. For you shall not worship any other god: for I am the Lord your God: I am jealous by name, a jealous God.

XLIIII. ON THE PROHIBITION OF IDOLATRY. In Exodus: And Moses went down to the people, and said to them: the Lord has spoken all these words, saying: I am the Lord your God, who led you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Do not by chance arrange a testament for those who sit upon the earth, and do not fornicate after their gods, and if they invite you, do not eat of their sacrifices: and do not take from their daughters for your sons, nor give your daughters to their sons: and let not your daughters fornicate after their gods. And you shall not make for yourselves molten gods. Likewise in Leviticus: You shall not serve idols, and you shall not make for yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God. Likewise there: Do not eat in the mountains: you shall not practice divination, you shall not practice augury. Likewise there: You shall not follow ventriloquists, and you shall not cleave to enchanters, so that you be polluted by them: I am the Lord your God. Likewise there: And the soul that has followed ventriloquists or enchanters, so that they fornicate by following them, I shall set my face against that soul and destroy it from its people. And you shall be holy, because I am holy, the Lord your God. Likewise there: You shall not make for yourselves idols made by hand, nor carved images, nor shall you set up standing stones for yourselves, nor shall you place a polished carved stone in your land, to worship them: I am the Lord your God. Likewise in Numbers: And you shall remove their watchtowers, and destroy all their molten images, and remove all their standing stones. Likewise in Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy: See that you do not commit iniquity, nor make for yourselves a graven image of a male or female, or an image of any beast which is upon the earth, or a likeness of birds flying under the sky, or a likeness of serpents upon the earth, or an image of fishes which are in the waters under the earth. And do not, looking up into the sky and seeing the sun and moon or stars and all the ornaments of the sky, err and adore them, and serve those things which God has appointed for all nations which are under the sky. But God has taken you and cast you out of the iron furnace from Egypt, that you might be a people in lot unto this day. Likewise there: Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the testament of the Lord your God, which he has made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image of all that the Lord your God has foretold to you: because the Lord your God is a consuming and jealous fire. Likewise there: You shall cast down their altars, and break their pillars, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire: because you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord your God has chosen you for himself, that you might be to him an eternal people over all the nations which

are upon the face of the earth. Likewise there: You shall burn the graven images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet silver or gold from them, and you shall not take any for yourself, lest you sin because of it: for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. Nor shall you bring filth into your house. You shall be anathema, just as that thing is. You shall hate with hatred, and abhor with abomination those things, because they are anathema. Likewise there: And it shall be, if you forget the Lord your God and go after alien gods, and serve them and worship them, behold I testify to you today, heaven and earth, that you will perish by destruction: just as the other nations, which the Lord God is about to destroy from before your face, so shall you perish, if you do not heed the voice of the Lord your God. Likewise there: If you are sons of God, you will not fear, and you will not practice divination. Likewise there: Cursed is the man who makes a graven or molten image, an abomination to God and the work of the hands of craftsmen, and places it in secret. And all the people answer, saying: So be it, so be it. Likewise there: They sacrificed to demons and not to God, gods whom they did not know. New ones came, whom their fathers did not know. Likewise there: See, see that I am, and there is no god besides me. I kill and I make alive, I strike and I heal, and there is none who can snatch from my hands. Likewise in the book of Joshua son of Nun: And therefore be very strong to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you do not go out to the right or to the left.

and do not, when you enter among those nations, have fellowship with them. And the names of their gods shall not even be uttered among you, nor shall you serve them or worship them, but you shall cleave to the Lord your God, as you have done up to this day. And the Lord himself has destroyed them from before your face. Likewise there: And Joshua said to the people: If you serve foreign gods, you will not be able to serve the Lord, because the Lord is holy. And when He is jealous for you, you will not patiently bear your sins; but on the day you abandon the Lord, coming wrath will vex you and destroy you. Why do you serve foreign gods, when He has done well by you in all things? And the people answered Joshua, saying: We will not worship foreign gods, but we will serve our God. And Joshua said to the people: You yourselves are therefore witnesses, because you have chosen to serve the Lord. And now remove the gods of the foreigners that are among you, and direct your heart to the Lord God of Israel. And all the people answered Joshua, saying: We will serve the Lord, and we will listen to His voice. Likewise in 1 Kings: And Samuel spoke to the whole house of Israel, saying: If you turn to the Lord with your whole heart, remove the foreign gods from among you, and cut down their groves, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him alone, and He will free you from the hand of the foreigners. And having heard these things, the sons of Israel removed the Baalim, and turned away the groves of Astaroth, and served the Lord alone.

Again in Psalm 80: Hear, my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify to you. O Israel, if you hear me, there will not be in you a new god, nor will you worship a foreign god: for I am the Lord your God, who led you out of the land of Egypt. Again in Psalm 95: For all the gods of the nations are demons, but the Lord made the heavens. Again in Psalm 96: Let all be confounded who worship graven images, who glory in their idols. Again in Psalm 113: The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the works of men's hands: they have a mouth, and will not speak; they have eyes, and will not see; they have ears, and will not hear; they have nostrils, and will not smell; they have hands, and will not touch; they have feet, and will not walk; they will not cry out in their throat, for there is no breath in their mouth. May all who make them, and all who trust in them, become like them! Again in the book of Wisdom: Nor did they, paying attention to the works, recognize who the craftsman was, but they thought either fire or spirit or swift air or the circle of stars or excessive water or the sun or the moon were the rulers of the world, gods: of whom if

on account of its appearance esteemed this, let them know how much more beautiful the Lord is than these: for the begetter of beauty established all these things. Likewise there: But unhappy are they, and among the dead is the hope of those men who have called gods the works of their own hands, gold and silver and the invention of art and the likeness of animals, or useless stone, the work of an ancient hand. Likewise there: He will not blush to speak with one who is without a soul: and for health indeed he entreats the infirm, for life he begs of the dead, and for a journey he asks of him who cannot walk: and concerning acquiring and working and the outcome of all things he asks of him who is incapable in all things. Likewise there: For the beginning of fornication is the seeking after idols, and the invention of them is the corruption of life. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: And you shall abominate images covered with silver and gold: you shall make their faces minute, and you shall winnow them like the water of an unclean woman, and you shall carry them away like dung. Then there will be rain for the seed of your land, and bread for the generation of the land.

of yours, and it will be in satiety and fatness. Likewise there: Let them approach and announce to us what is to come, or tell of former things which have been, and we will attend with our mind, and we will know what will be the last things and what is to come in the last time, and we will know that you are gods. Do good or harm, and we will marvel, and we will see. For whence are you, and whence your fabrication? From the land of abomination they chose you. For from the nations, behold, there is no one, nor from their idols who might announce. And if I ask: Whence are you? They will not answer me: for there are those who make you, and who vainly seduce you. Likewise there: Blush with shame, you who trust in carved images, who say to molten images: You are our gods. Deaf ones, hear, and blind ones, look back, that you may see. And who are the blind, if not my children? And who are the deaf, if not those who rule over them? And the servants of God are blinded. Likewise there: Have you not heard from the beginning, and have I not announced to you?

you yourselves are witnesses, if there is a god besides me. And at that time there were none who would fashion and carve a god. All are vain, who do those things which please their own souls, which will not profit them: but all who fashion a god and carve useless things will blush. And all from whom they were made have withered: for they are deaf to men. Know that their heart is ash and they err, and no one can snatch away their soul. See therefore, you will not say that there is a lie in my right hand. Remember these things, Jacob and Israel, because you are my servant: and Israel, do not forget me. For behold, I have wiped away your iniquities like snow and your sins like darkness. Likewise there: Be mindful of these things and groan: have repentance, you who err: turn from the heart, and recall the things from the beginning of time, that I am the Lord and there is no other besides me. Likewise there: This people who always provoke me against me: they sacrifice in gardens and burn on bricks to demons which are nothing, and in tombs and in caves they sleep for the sake of dreams, who

they eat pork. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: Thus says the Lord: Do not walk according to the ways of the nations, and do not fear the signs of the heavens, fearing the sight of their faces; for the ordinances of the nations are vain: wood cut from the forest, the work of a craftsman and cast metal, adorned with silver and gold, and they fasten them with hammers and nails; and they will not move, because they are fixed. Likewise there: Is there among the idols of the nations one that gives rain? And if the sky will give its fullness, are you not yourself? And we will endure you, Lord, because you have made all these things. Likewise there: Lord, my strength and my help, and my refuge in the day of evils. To you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and will say: How false are the idols our fathers possessed! And there is no use in them, if a man makes gods for himself, and they themselves are not gods. Likewise in the prophet Hosea: But I am the Lord your God, who makes firm the heaven and creates the earth, whose hands have created the whole host of heaven, and I have not shown you

that you might go after them. Likewise in the prophet Ezekiel: Their silver shall be cast out into the streets, and their gold shall be scattered; their souls shall not enjoy, and their bellies shall not be filled, because the torment of their iniquities has been made. The chosen of the world set them up in pride, and they made images of their abominations from them. Likewise in Daniel: And Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered Nebuchadnezzar: We have no cause to answer you concerning this speech; for there is a God in heaven, whom we serve, powerful to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and to snatch us from your hands and save us. Therefore you must know, O king, that we do not serve your gods and we do not worship the image which you have set up. Likewise the apostle Paul to the Corinthians I: Concerning the food of sacrifices, therefore, we know that an idol is nothing and that no one is God except the one. Likewise there: What then do I say? That something sacrificed to idols is something? Not that the idol is something. But those who sacrifice sacrifice to demons. I do not, however, wish you to become companions of demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Likewise to the Galatians: Then indeed, not knowing God, you served those who are not gods; now, however, since you have come to know God, or rather have been known by God, how do you turn again to weak and needy elements, which you wish to serve again? You observe days and months and seasons and years.

I fear that perhaps I have labored in vain among you. Be as I am, because I also am as you are. Likewise John the Apostle: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles: Since therefore we are of the race of God, we ought not to esteem that which is like the divine to be gold or silver or stone, the sculpture of art and of human desire. Likewise in the Apocalypse: If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his right hand, he will drink of the indignation of God, which is mixed unmixed in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tormented in

fire and brimstone in the sight of the angels and the Lamb. And the smoke and their torments ascend for ever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and its image, and who receive the mark of its name. XLV. NOT TO COMMIT FORNICATION. In Exodus: You shall not commit fornication. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. Likewise in Leviticus: Any man who has committed adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the man who has committed adultery and the woman who has committed adultery shall die by death. Whoever sleeps with his own relative uncovers the shame of his kinship: they shall die without children. Whoever takes his brother's wife, it is uncleanness, you have uncovered your brother's shame: they shall die without children. Likewise in Deuteronomy: You shall not commit adultery. Likewise there: There shall be no fornicator among the sons of Israel, and there shall be no fornicatress among the daughters of Israel. Likewise in the Proverbs of Solomon: But a woman captures the precious souls of men. Will anyone bind fire in his bosom, and yet his garments not be burned? Or will he walk upon coals of fire, and yet his feet not be burned? So he who

its mark on his forehead, even if he has received** (it tn ras. the mark of his name. XLV. NOT TO COMMIT FORNICATION. In Exodus chapter 11: You shall not commit adultery, nor shall you desire his wife. In Leviticus chapter 12: If anyone has committed adultery with another's wife, because they have committed a crime: let their blood be upon them. In Deuteronomy chapter 4: You shall not commit adultery. Likewise in Deuteronomy chapter 13: There shall be no harlot among the daughters of Israel, nor a fornicator among the sons of Israel. In Psalm 72: For behold, those who separate themselves from you shall perish, even at the gates of the daughter of Zion. In Proverbs chapter 7: But a woman captures a man's precious soul, so that he who enters to his neighbor's wife shall not go unpunished, nor anyone who touches her. Likewise there: The adulterer, on account of poverty of sense, acquires the destruction of his own soul; he will suffer pains and shame, and his disgrace will not be erased. Likewise there: An unjust thought is an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the saints are chaste. Likewise there: The father of a man who loves wisdom rejoices; but he who supports harlots loses his wealth. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Do not give your soul to fornicators in any way, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance. Likewise in Job: Or if my heart has followed my eye, or if I have touched a gift with my hands, let me be scattered and not gathered together.

or if my mind has followed another man's wife, or if I have frequented her doorways in lust, let my wife be taken away and given to another. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Wine and women cause wise men to apostatize, and they reprove the sensible; and he who joins with fornicators will be wicked; rot and worms will inherit him. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: They have become horses mad for women! Each one enters his neighbor's wife: he will not be clean when he has touched her. Likewise chapter VII: He who is an adulterer because of poverty of heart—even his reproach will not be erased. Likewise chapter XXIX: A man who loves wisdom gladdens his father, but he who supports harlots wastes his substance. In Ecclesiasticus chapter VII: Do not give your soul to fornicators in any way, lest you lose yourself and your inheritance. In Hosea chapter: All the adulterous princes are like an oven kindled by a baker. In Job chapter: And if my eye has followed my heart, and a stain has adhered to my hands, let my wife be a harlot for another, and let others bend over her. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus chapter XI: Wine and women cause wise men to apostatize, and rot and worms will inherit him. In Jeremiah chapter: I have filled them and they committed adultery, and in the house of a harlot.

neighed after her. "Shall I not visit these things," says the Lord, "or shall my soul not take vengeance in such a nation?" Likewise Tobit to his son: "Beware, however, of all fornication." Likewise in Psalm 72: "For behold, those who distance themselves from you will perish. You have destroyed all who fornicate away from you. But for me to cleave to God is good, to place my hope in God, so that I may proclaim all your promises at the gates of daughter Zion." Likewise in the prophet Hosea: "Princes committing adultery, all like a burning oven for baking, a conflagration of flame." Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: "You have heard that it is said: 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, that everyone who has seen a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart." Likewise there: "Everyone who dismisses his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries a woman dismissed by her husband commits adultery." Likewise the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians I: "Do you not know that your bodies are members

of Christ? Therefore, taking the members of Christ, shall I make them members of a harlot? Far be it. Do you not know that he who joins himself to a harlot is one body? For they will be two in one flesh. But he who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man commits is outside the body: but he who fornicates sins in his own body. Or do you not know that your members are the 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 with a price. Glorify and bear the Lord in your body. XLVI. ON THE NEGLIGENCE OF PRIESTS. In the prophet Jeremiah: And the priests did not say: Where is God? And the keepers of my law did not know me, and the shepherds acted impiously against me. Likewise there: Horrible things have been done on the earth: prophets prophesy wickedly, and priests have clapped their hands, and my people have loved them.

What will you do in the future? Likewise there: From the priest to the false prophet, all have made a lie, saying: peace, peace. And where is peace? Likewise there: How do you say: we are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Your measuring has been made in vain. The scribes are confounded, the wise are terrified, because they have rejected the word of the Lord: what wisdom is in them? Likewise there: Your tabernacle has been made wretched, it has perished, and all its skins are torn: because the shepherds have acted foolishly, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they did not understand. Likewise there: Therefore the Lord says this to the shepherds who rule my people: you have scattered my sheep, and you have driven them out, and you have not visited them. Behold, I take vengeance upon you according to your evil pursuits. And I will raise up for them shepherds who will feed them: and they will no longer fear nor be terrified, says the Lord. Likewise in the prophet Hosea: The priests have hidden the way of the Lord, and fire has consumed their judges, and there was none among them who would call upon me. Likewise in the prophet Micah: And the priests answered with bribes, and rested in the Lord, saying: Is not the Lord in us? Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: O evil shepherds! You have corrupted my sheep, teaching them according to your wills, and you have not taught them what is true. Likewise in the prophet Zephaniah: Its priests pollute the holy things and reject the law.

Likewise in the prophet Malachi: You priests, who deceive my name, and said: In what have we deceived your name? Offering at my altar polluted bread. There is no will for me, says the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept the sacrifice from your hands. Likewise in the prophet Ezekiel: And therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Behold, you devour the milk, and you cover yourselves with their wool, and you have slaughtered what is fat, and you have scattered my sheep: what was weak you did not strengthen, and what was ill you did not cure, and the broken you did not bind up, and what was straying you did not turn back, and what was perishing you did not seek out, and you oppressed the strong with labor. And my sheep have been scattered, because there are no shepherds, and they have become prey for all the beasts of the field. And my sheep have been scattered over every mountain and on every high hill, and over the face of the whole earth they have been scattered, and there was none who would seek them out nor who would call them back. Likewise in the prophet Malachi: Those who have provoked the Lord with your words, and said: In what have we provoked him? In that you say: Everyone who does evil is good before the Lord, and he was pleased with them. And where is God?

of justice? Likewise in the prophet Hosea: Their sacrifices are like the bread of mourning: all who eat them will be defiled. Likewise in Numbers: Separate yourselves from the tabernacles of these very harsh men, and do not touch anything that belongs to them, lest you perish together in their sin. XLVII. ON THE SANCTIFICATION OF PRIESTS OR THOSE MINISTERING TO GOD, AND ON THE ENTIRE ORDINATION OF ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE. In Exodus: And the priests who approach the Lord shall be sanctified, lest the Lord abandon them. Likewise there: And you shall make linen breeches for them, to cover the shame of the body, from the loins to the knees. Likewise there: Everyone who touches the altar shall be sanctified. Likewise in Leviticus: They shall be holy to their Lord, and they shall not defile the name of their Lord God, and they shall offer gifts to him, and they shall be holy. They shall not take a harlot or a defiled woman, they shall not take a woman cast off by her husband, because they are holy to their Lord God. And you shall sanctify them. For the gifts of your Lord God these men offer: they shall be holy, because I, the Lord who sanctifies them, am holy. Likewise there: And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: You and your sons with you shall not drink wine or strong drink when you enter the tabernacle of the testimony, or when you approach the altar, lest you die. Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy. Likewise in 1 Chronicles: And David called Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and the Levites Ariel, Asa, Joel, Aminadab.

and he said to them: You, the heads of the families of the Levites, purify yourselves and your brothers, and bring back the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. And the priests and Levites purified themselves, so that they might carry the ark of the Lord of Israel. Likewise the apostle Paul to Titus: For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct what is lacking and establish presbyters in the cities, as I have arranged for you. If anyone is without reproach, a husband of one wife, having faithful children, not under accusation 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 seeker of base gain: but hospitable, kind, prudent, just, holy, continent, holding to the faithful word according to doctrine, so that he may be able to exhort in sound teaching and refute those who contradict. For there are many who are disobedient, vain talkers, and seducers. Likewise to Timothy I: A human saying: If anyone desires the episcopate, he desires a good work. For a bishop must be irreproachable, a husband of one wife, sober, prudent, orderly, hospitable, teachable, not given to wine,

not a striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, governing his own house well, having children subject with all chastity — but 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, puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil. Moreover, he ought also to have a good testimony from those who are outside, so that he does not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise, deacons are to be chaste and modest, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not seekers after base gain, not covetous, holding the sacrament of faith in a pure conscience. And these also are to be tested first, and then they are to minister, having no crime. Likewise there: Deacons are to be men of one wife, who preside well over their children and their own household. For those who have ministered well acquire a good rank for themselves, and much confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. Likewise the apostle Peter in his first epistle: But I beseech the elders who are among you, as a witness of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, likewise a companion of greater age and of the future declaration of praise, that you rule the people of the Lord, with care

having possessions not in greed nor in domination of brothers, but willingly from the heart and freely, and without reproach, so that you may be an example to the sheep, in good works, in every conduct which is according to God: so that when the prince of shepherds appears, you may render an account of the sheep, and receive that blooming and unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elders. All of you, however, put on quietness and humility of mind: because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the powerful right hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the time of his visitation: casting all your care upon him, since he himself has care of all things. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: Who is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has set over his household, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that servant, whom his master, upon coming, finds doing thus. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all that he possesses. But if that evil servant says: My master is slow to come, and begins to strike his fellow servants, sitting and

drinking with the luxurious; but the master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he will not perceive, and will divide him and place his portion with the unbelievers: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Likewise the apostle Paul to the Colossians: Say to Archippus: see the ministry which you have received, that you may fulfill it. Likewise in Leviticus: You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of testimony for seven days, until the day of your completion is fulfilled. Likewise there: You shall sit at the door of the tabernacle of testimony for seven days day and night. Keep the observances of the Lord, lest you die. XLVIII. CONCERNING THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE PEOPLE. In Exodus: Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people, and spoke to them, and sanctified them: and they washed their garments. And he said to them: Be ready for three days, and do not approach a woman. Likewise in Deuteronomy: Behold, I have shown you the judgments and justices, as the Lord commanded me, to do thus in the land into which you will enter to possess it. And keep and do them, because this is your wisdom and understanding before

among all nations, whatever hear these justices, and they will say: behold a prudent and knowing people, what a great nation this is. For what nation is so great, that its God approaches it, as our Lord God does in all things whenever we call upon him? And what other nation is so great, that it has justice and just judgments according to this entire law, which I deliver to you before you today? Attend to yourself and keep your soul, lest you forget all the words which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And you will instruct your sons and the sons of your sons. Likewise in the second book of Paralipomenon, the priest Joadas: And he set doorkeepers over the gates of the house of the Lord, and the unclean shall not enter in any matter. Likewise Peter the Apostle I: And you, saints, be in all your conduct, because it is written: be saints, because I also am holy.

XLIX. On Avoiding Strife. In Proverbs: Strife stirs up hatred, but friendship protects all who do not contend. Likewise there: Silence calms contradictions, but among the powerful it decides. Likewise there: Do not proceed quickly into a quarrel, lest you later repent. When your friend has cursed you, draw back. Do not contend when a friend reproaches you. Grace and friendship set free; keep them for yourself, lest you be in reproaches, but guard your ways by preserving them well. Likewise there: A spirited man digs up strife, but an angry man will heap up sins. Likewise the Apostle to the Corinthians I: For when there is rivalry and contention among you, are you not carnal and walking according to man? Likewise to the Philippians: If therefore there is any consolation in Christ, any address of charity, any fellowship of spirit, any bowels of compassion: fill my joy, that you all say the same thing, having the same charity, unanimous, feeling as one, nothing through contention nor through vain glory, but with humility of mind each esteeming others as superior to themselves, not each looking to their own concerns, but to those of others.

L. On Avoiding Heretics and False Prophets, or Contentions of the Law. In Jeremiah: And the Lord said to me: The prophets falsely prophesy in my name: I did not send them, and I did not command them, nor have I spoken to them: because they prophesy to you false visions and divinations and presumptions of their own heart. Likewise there: Do not listen to the words of the prophets, because they are vain and speak visions of their own heart, and not from the mouth of the Lord. They say to those who reject the word of the Lord: Peace will be with you. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: This people loves me with their lips, but their heart is far from me: for they worship me in vain, teaching doctrines of human commandments. Likewise in Ezekiel: And I will stretch out my hand over the prophets who see lies and speak vanities: they will not be in the discipline of my people, nor will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, and they will not enter the land of Israel, because they have led my people astray saying: Peace, peace, and there was no peace. Likewise there: Woe to those who take up pillows under every elbow of the hand and make coverings over every head of every age for the subverting of souls.

them, and they were defiling me and seducing my people to the slaying of souls that ought not to die, and to the freeing of souls that ought not to live, while you speak to a people listening to vain words, because you were overturning the heart of the just and strengthening the hand of the unjust, so that he would not at all turn away from his evil way and live. Likewise the apostle Paul to the Romans: I beseech you, brothers, diligently observe those who are tumultuous and cause scandals beyond the doctrine that you have learned, saying or doing such things. Shun them. For such men do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own bellies, and by the smoothness of their words and their blessing, hearts of innocence are seduced. Let your obedience, however, extend to all. I rejoice over you, and I want you to be prudent for good, but simple for evil. May the God of peace crush the enemy under your feet as quickly as possible. Likewise to the Corinthians II: But what I do and will do, to cut off the occasion of those who wish

occasion, so that those in whom they boast may be found out just as we are. For such pseudo-apostles, workers of wickedness, deceitful, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. But it is no wonder, since Satan himself transforms himself as an angel of light; it is not a great thing if his ministers are transformed as ministers of justice, whose end is according to their works. Likewise to the Philippians: See the dogs, see the evil workers, see the concision. For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit and glory in Christ and do not trust in the flesh. Likewise there: For many walk whom I often told you about, but 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. Likewise to the Colossians: Let no one therefore judge you in food or in drink or in the observance of a feast day or in the beginnings of months.

either in amulets or in fasts or on the sabbath, which is a shadow of future things, but the body of Christ. Let no one seduce you, wishing in humility of sense and superstition of angels, which he saw while walking, exalting himself without cause, inflated with the sense of his own flesh, and not holding to the head, from which the whole body through connections and joints is produced and extended and grows into the increase of God. If, therefore, you are dead with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you decide as if living in this world? Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle! All these things are destruction in their very use, according to the precepts and commandments of men, which indeed have a rationale of wisdom in religion and humility of heart, not sparing the body, not in any honor for the satiety of the flesh. Likewise to Timothy I: The end of the precept is charity from a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith. From which some, going beyond, have turned to vain speech, wishing to be teachers of the law themselves, not understanding either what they say or what they affirm. Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not assent to the sound words of our Lord Jesus

of Christ and of the doctrine which is according to piety, but he is puffed up, knowing nothing, yet sick over questions and verbal battles, from which arise envies, contentions, blasphemies, evil suspicions, conflicts of men corrupted in mind and destitute of truth, who think that the worship of God is a source of gain. Withdraw from such a one. Likewise to the same, II: But avoid profane novelties of words. For they greatly advance impiety, and their speech creeps like a cancer. Likewise there: O Timothy, keep the commandment, avoiding profane novelties of words and oppositions of falsely named knowledge, which some promising have fallen away from the faith. Likewise to Timothy II: But know this, that in the last times perilous times will come: there will be men loving themselves, covetous, proud, disdainful, blasphemous, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, unfaithful, without affection, disparagers of keeping covenant, incontinent, harsh, without kindness, traitors, insolent, swollen, lovers of their own will more than of God, having the form of piety but denying its virtue. And avoid these. From these are

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. For just as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these resist the truth: men corrupt in mind, reprobate in faith. But they will advance no further: for their madness will be manifest to all, as was that of those others. Likewise there: As I asked you to remain in Ephesus when I went to Macedonia, to warn certain ones not to teach otherwise nor to attend to Jewish fables and endless genealogies, which provide questions rather than edification of God, which is in faith. Likewise to Titus: But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions and legal battles: for they are useless and vain. After one correction, shun a heretical man, knowing that such a one is perverse and sins, being condemned by his own judgment. Likewise to the Laodiceans: And let not the vain talk of certain ones, insinuating themselves to turn you away from the truth of the Gospel which is preached by me, fail you. Likewise the apostle

John: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into this world." Likewise, John the Apostle, II: "If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not even say 'Hail' to him. For he who says 'Hail' to him shares in his evil works. Behold, I have told you beforehand, lest you be condemned on the day of the Lord." Likewise, in the Gospel according to Matthew: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves: you will know them by their fruits." Likewise, to the Ephesians: "But test what pleases God: and do not share in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them: for what is done by them in secret is shameful even to speak of." LI. ON CONTINENCE. In Psalm 139: "A talkative man will not be set straight upon the earth." Likewise, in Proverbs: "From much speaking you will not escape sin: but by sparing your lips you will be wise." Likewise, there: "He who uses many words injures his own soul." Likewise, there: "By making yourself mute, you will seem to be wise." Likewise, there: "He who answers a word before he hears, it is folly and a reproach to him." Likewise, there: "Death and life are in the hands of the tongue: but he who is continent will eat its fruits." Likewise, there: "He who

keeps his mouth and tongue, saves his soul from distress. Likewise there: A strong snare for a man are his lips, and he is caught by the word of his mouth. Likewise there: An abomination to the Lord is the one who fixes his eye, and the unlearned are incontinent with their tongue. Likewise there: If you see a man swift in words, know that he has more hope as a fool than that one. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Do not be hasty with your tongue and useless and slack in your works. Likewise there: Do not be called a whisperer, and be caught by your tongue: for a thief has confusion and repentance; but for a whisperer there is hatred and enmities and insult. Likewise there: Do not repeat a harsh and evil word. Likewise there: There is a silent man who is found wise, and there is a silent man who has no sense of speech, and there is a silent man knowing the time of fitting time. Likewise there: A wise man will be silent until the time; a wanton and imprudent man will not keep time. He who uses many words harms his soul, and he who unjustly assumes power is likewise advanced in evils. Likewise there: He who is a whisperer in all things and without need will be hated. Likewise there: The silent and sensible man will be honored with honor. Likewise there: In the midst of sensible men, keep the word of the time; in the midst of those deliberating, be constant. Likewise there: An angry man kindles strife, and a sinful man will disturb friends and will thrust slander into the midst of those having peace.

according to the strength of a man is his wrath, and according to his substance he will exalt strife. A hasty quarrel kindles fire, and swift strife pours out blood, and a testifying tongue brings death: if you blow upon it, it will blaze up like a spark; if you spit upon it, it will be extinguished, and both proceed from the mouth. The whisperer and the double-tongued are accursed: for they disturb many who have peace. Likewise there: A third tongue has moved many and scattered them from nation to nation: it has destroyed the cities of the rich and undermined the houses of the great: it has cut down the strengths of peoples and dissolved strong nations. He who looks to it will have no rest, nor will he dwell with rest. Likewise there: The blows of a whip cause a bruise, but the blow of a tongue will crush bones. Many have fallen by the sword, but not so many as those who have perished through the tongue. Fortunate is he who has been freed from an evil tongue, who has not passed through its wrath and has not been bound by its chains! For its yoke is an iron yoke, its death is the most wicked and useless death of the underworld. Likewise there: Melt down your gold and your silver, and make a balance for your words and straight reins for your mouth: and take care, lest you slip with your tongue and fall in the sight of enemies lying in wait for you, and your fall be

an incurable wound. Also there: Who will give my mouth preservation and a sure seal upon my lips, lest I fall from them and my tongue destroy me? God the Father and ruler of my life, do not abandon me to fall into them: lest my ignorance increase, and I be caught in the sight of my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice. Also there: Accustom your mouth to discipline, for in it there is a word of sin. Also in Ecclesiastes: Do not hasten with your mouth, and let your heart not hurry to utter a word before the face of God: because God is in heaven and you are on earth: therefore let your words be few. Also there: Do not give your mouth so that your flesh may sin: and do not speak before the face of God because of ignorance, so that the Lord may not be angry at your words and destroy the work of his hands. Also in Job: And therefore hide yourself from a most wicked tongue, and you will not fear the evils that come upon you. Deride the unjust and bridle the mouth of the wicked. Also there: And if we are puffed up in much speaking, before the Lord it will not be absolved. Also in Psalm 13: They acted deceitfully with their tongues, the venom of asps under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Also in Psalm 33: Who is the man who wants life and desires to see good days? Restrain your tongue from evil and your lips, lest they speak deceit: turn away from evil and do good: seek peace and follow it. Also in Psalm 38: I said: I will guard my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue.

I have set a guard over my mouth, while the sinner stands against me. Likewise in Psalm 140: Place, O Lord, a guard over my mouth and a door of circumspection upon my lips. Let not my heart incline to evil words for making excuses in sins. With men who work iniquity, and I will not join with their chosen ones. Likewise the Apostle to the Ephesians: Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth, but if any is good for the edification of faith, so that it may give grace to the hearers. And you shall not have grieved the Holy Spirit of God, with which you are sealed on the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and shouting and abuse be removed from you, along with all malice. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Do not quarrel with a talkative man, and do not put wood on his fire. Likewise the Apostle James: Let every man indeed be swift to hear and slow to speak. Likewise there: If anyone thinks himself to be scrupulous, not restraining his tongue, but deceiving his heart, his religion is vain. Likewise there: Do not be talkative, my brothers, knowing that you will receive greater judgment. For we all offend in many things. If anyone does not offend in word, this man is perfect; he can restrain the whole body and direct it.

Why then are bridles placed in the mouths of horses, except that they may be persuaded by us and we may turn the whole body about? Behold also ships, which are so immense, are borne under harsh winds and are turned about by the smallest rudder, wherever the impulse of the one directing wishes. So also the tongue is a part of the body, but it is great in speech. And just as a small fire sets a great forest ablaze, so also the tongue is fire: and the world of iniquity through the tongue stands firm in our members, which stains the whole body, and inflames the wheel of generation and is inflamed by generation. For every nature of beasts and birds and serpents and sea monsters is tamed and subjected to human nature: but no one can tame the tongue of men nor restrain it from evil, because it is full of deadly poison. LII. DRUNKENNESS IS TO BE SHUNNED. In Proverbs: He who is merry in wine-drinking gatherings will leave behind insult. Likewise there: Wine is a reckless thing.

and injurious is drunkenness. But the fool mingles with all these. Likewise there: Do not be a wine-bibber, nor stretch yourself out to buy flesh; for every drunkard and fornicator will beg, and will be clothed in torn rags, and every sleepy-head. Likewise there: To whom woe? To whom tumult? To whom lawsuits? To whom quarrels and brawls? To whom useless afflictions? Whose are the envious eyes? Are they not of those who tarry in wine? Are they not of those who seek out where feasts are held? Do not therefore inebriate yourselves with wine, but speak with just men and converse in walks. For if you have given your eyes to bowls and cups, in the end you will walk more naked than a hair. Likewise there: The powerful are wrathful: let them not drink wine, lest, when they have drunk, they forget wisdom and cannot judge rightly for the weak. Likewise there: Thorns grow in the hands of a drunkard. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: A drunken worker will not grow rich, and he who scorns small things will gradually fall. Wine and women make even the wise apostatize, and they reprove the sensible. And he who joins himself to fornicators will be worthless; rot and worms will inherit him. Likewise there: A drunken and erring woman is great wrath, and her shame and foulness will not be covered. Likewise there: And if you have sat in the midst of many, do not be the first among them to ask for drink. For a little wine is sufficient for a disciplined man, and in sleeping you will not labor from it and you will not feel pain.

wakefulness, and cholera, and twisting for a foolish man: sleep of health in a temperate man: he will sleep until morning, and his soul will delight with him. Likewise there: Do not provoke those who love wine; for wine has destroyed many. Fire tests hard iron, so wine exposes the hearts of the proud. A moderate life for men is wine not in drunkenness: if you drink it moderately, so that you are sober; because death cheats life. Wine was created for joy, not for drunkenness from the beginning. Exultation of soul and heart is wine drunk in moderation. Much wine drunk produces imitation and anger, and the vehemence of drunkenness causes many ruins. Likewise in Ecclesiastes: It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of drinking. Likewise in the prophet Joel: Be sober, you who are drunk with your wine: weep and wail, all who drink wine in drunkenness, because joy and gladness have been taken from your mouth. Likewise the Apostle to the Romans: As in the day let us walk honorably, not in revelries, not in drunkennesses, not in lusts and impurities, not in contention and rivalry: but clothe yourselves with the Lo

nor Jesus Christ. Likewise to the Corinthians I: The avaricious, the drunkards, the slanderers will not possess the kingdom of God. Likewise to the Ephesians: Do not become drunk with wine, in which there is luxury, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. LIII. THE WICKEDNESS OF WOMEN IS TO BE AVOIDED. In the Proverbs of Solomon: Do not pay heed to a deceitful woman; for honey drips from the lips of a harlot, which for a time sweetens your throat; yet in the end you will find it more bitter than gall and sharper than a two-edged sword. For her footsteps do not accord with life; for she does not follow the ways of life, for her ways are deceitful and not well considered. Keep your path far from her; do not approach the doors of her house, lest you leave your life and your substance to others who are without mercy. Likewise there: Do not be too much with another woman, nor join yourself to the embraces of one who is not yours. Likewise there: Son, let not the desire for beauty overcome you, nor be caught by your eyes, nor be carried away by your eyelids. For what is the price of a harlot? One loaf of bread; but a woman captures the precious souls of men. Likewise there: Can one hold fire in his bosom and not burn his garments? Or walk upon coals of fire and not burn his feet? So he who goes in to his neighbor's wife will not go unpunished, nor will any who touches her. Likewise there: A foolish and bold woman becomes devoid of prudence, who knows no shame. Likewise there: As a moth to a garment and a worm

wood, so an evil woman will destroy a man. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Do not look at a woman who is given to many men, lest you fall into her snares. Do not be constant with a dancing woman nor listen to her, lest you perish through her wiles. Likewise there: Do not give your soul to fornicators, lest you lose yourself and your inheritance. Do not be seen in the streets of the city, nor wander in its squares. Turn your face away from a painted woman, and do not gaze upon another's beauty. Every mercenary woman is like dung trampled in the road. Many who admired the beauty of another's woman have been rejected; for her conversation burns like fire. Do not recline on the couch with another's woman, and do not argue with her over wine, lest your heart incline toward her, and you slide into perdition through your own blood. Likewise there: Do not give a woman power over your soul, lest she enter into your strength and you be confounded. Likewise there: All evils are short compared to the evil of a woman; may the lot of the sinner fall upon

her. Likewise there: As a sandy ascent is to the feet of an old soldier, so is a talkative woman to a quiet man. Do not gaze upon a woman's beauty, and do not covet a woman's form. Anger, irreverence, and great confusion to a man is a woman, if she holds primacy and administers to her husband. From a woman the beginning of sin was made, and because of her we all die. Likewise there: A woman's fornication is known by the haughtiness of her eyes and her eyelids. Likewise in Ecclesiastes: And I shall call a woman more bitter than death. Her heart is a net and a snare, and a trap in her hands. A wicked woman, he who holds her is as one who holds a scorpion. Likewise in Proverbs: As earrings in the ears of a pig, so is beauty to a wicked woman. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: A humble soul, a sad face, and a wound of the heart is a wicked woman and contrary to her husband. Likewise there: Slack hands and weak knees are a woman who does not consent to her husband in distress. Likewise there: A drunken and erring woman is great anger, and her insult and shame will not be concealed.

LIV. That thunder, rains, lightnings, hailstones, snows, frosts, winds, lightning flashes, and clouds are from the Lord. In Exodus: And Moses stretched forth his hand toward the sky, and the Lord gave forth voices and hail, and fire ran over the land of Egypt. Likewise there: And it happened on the third day, when morning had come, there were voices and lightnings and dark clouds over Mount Sinai, and the sound of a trumpet resounded greatly, because the Lord had descended upon the mountain in the likeness of fire: and smoke arose like the smoke of a great furnace. Likewise in Genesis: And the Lord spoke to Noah, saying: After seven days I will bring a flood of water for forty days and as many nights, and I will destroy every generation that I have made from the face of the earth. And all the fountains of the abyss burst forth, and the floodgates of the sky were opened, and the rains of the deluge fell upon the whole earth. And then the Lord sent a wind and held back the water. Likewise in the book of Joshua: And it happened, when they were fleeing from before the sons of Israel in the descent of Beth-horon, the Lord cast down upon them hailstones from the sky: and the wrath of the Lord pursued them as far as Azekah, and more died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel slew with swords in battle. Likewise in 1 Kings: And in—

and Samuel called upon the Lord God, and the Lord gave forth voices and rains on that day: and all the peoples feared the Lord God greatly and Samuel. Likewise in III Kings: And the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying: Go and appear to Ahab, and I will give rain upon the earth. Likewise in Psalm 147: Who gives snow like wool, scatters cloud like ashes, who sends forth his hail like morsels of bread: before the face of his cold who can stand? He sends forth his word, and he will melt them: his spirit has blown, and the waters flow. Likewise in Psalm 148: Praise the Lord, sun and moon, praise him, all stars and light. Praise him, heavens of heavens, and the waters which are above the heavens, let them praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke and they were made, he commanded and they were created. Likewise there: Praise the Lord from the earth, dragons and all the deeps: fire, hail, snow, ice, and the spirit of the storm, which do his word. Likewise in Jeremiah: The Lord, who made the earth in his power, and in his wisdom stretched out the heaven and the multitude of water in the heaven, and brought forth clouds from the end of the earth, and made lightning and flashes into rain, and brought forth light from his treasuries. And every man vanished from his knowledge. Likewise there: Is there among the idols of the nations one that rains? And if the sky will give its fullness, are you not the same? And we will sustain you, Lord, since you have made all these things.

Likewise in Leviticus: And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, offered alien fire in the sight of the Lord, which the Lord had not commanded them. And fire went forth from the Lord and consumed them, and they died in the sight of the Lord. Likewise in Job: Because with the Lord is prudence, the height of thought and understanding. And if God destroys, who shall build? If he shuts, who shall open? If he dries up the waters, who shall water the earth? And if he multiplies the rain, he himself overturns it. For with him is all power. LV. ONE MUST NOT DIVINE NOR PRACTICE SOOTHSAYING. In Deuteronomy: There shall not be found among you one who passes his son or daughter through fire, and who practices divination, who augurs or inspects entrails, and who darkens with potions, a charmer, a ventriloquist, and one who inspects portents, and who questions the dead. For he is abominable to the Lord your God, and everyone who does these things. For because of these abominations the Lord will root them out from you. But you shall be perfect before the Lord your God. For those nations which you will possess, they listen to auguries and divinations: but to you the Lord your God has not given thus. Likewise in the Book of Wisdom: For indeed you hated those ancients of your holy land, because they did works hateful to you through medi-

and unjust sacrifices, and the slayers of children without mercy. LVI. ON THE MAKING OF THE WORLD AND THAT ALL THINGS WERE MADE FROM NOTHING. In Genesis: In the beginning God made heaven and earth. Likewise in Exodus: Because in six days God made heaven and earth and the sea and all things that are in them. Likewise in Esdras: You, Lord God, made heaven and earth and the heaven of heavens and their powers. You made the earth and all things that are in it, the seas and what is in them, and by your power all things are given life. The powers of the heavens also always adore you, Lord. Likewise in Psalm 32: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made firm, and by the breath of his mouth all their power. Likewise in Psalm 73: Yours is the day and yours is the night: you made the sun and the moon. You made all the boundaries of the earth: summer and spring you made them. Likewise in Psalm 88: Yours are the heavens and yours is the earth, you founded the orb of the earth and its fullness. Likewise in Psalm 148: Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his powers. Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him, all stars and light. Praise him, heavens of heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens, let them praise the name of the Lord. Because he spoke and they were made, he commanded and they were created. He established them for eternity and for the age of ages.

Likewise in Maccabees: I pray you, therefore, look upon heaven and earth and the sea and all things that are in them, and seeing, know that these were created from nothing by the Lord God, who also made the human race likewise: and He Himself will judge the world. Likewise in the prophet Isaiah: My hand founded the earth, and my right hand solidified the heaven. Likewise there: For the heaven is solidified like smoke. Likewise there: I made the earth and man upon it, and my hand solidified the heaven. I commanded all the stars to shine. Likewise in the Gospel according to John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made. Likewise to the Ephesians: Of the mystery hidden from eternity in God, who created all things. Likewise to the Colossians: Who rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His glory, in whom we have redemption, remission of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, since in Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

all things were created through him and in him: and he is before all, and all things consist in him. Likewise in Jeremiah: The Lord, who made the earth by his power, and in his wisdom stretched out the sky and the multitude of water in the sky, and brought forth clouds from the end of the earth, and made lightning and flashes in the rain, and brought forth light from his treasuries. Likewise in Tobit: Let the heavens and every creature of the whole earth bless you: because you spoke, and all things were made, and you confirm all things by your word. You made Adam and gave him Eve as a helpmate. Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles: We, like you, are passible men, evangelizing to you about God, that you may be converted from these vain things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things that are in them. Who in past generations left all nations to go their own ways... and indeed not without testimony did he leave himself, doing good from heaven, giving you eternal fruitful rain, filling your hearts with food and joy. Likewise there: God, who made this world and all things that are in it. He, being the lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples.

LVII. That darkness was created by God. In Isaiah: I who created light and made darkness, making peace and creating good things. I am the Lord who makes all these things. Likewise in Job: Behold, then, Job, these things and be silent, corrected by the power of the Lord, who ordered his works, making light from darkness. LVIII. Concerning accidental homicide. In Exodus: If anyone strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall be punished by judgment. But if he survives one or two days, he shall not be punished: for his price is his. Likewise there: But if two men quarrel, and one of them strikes his neighbor with a stone or a fist or iron, and he does not die, but lies in his bed, and if that man rises and walks with a staff, the striker shall be innocent, only that he shall give his lost time and his medical expenses. Likewise there: But if two men quarrel, and they strike a pregnant woman, and she aborts an immature fetus, he shall suffer the loss.

whatever a man asks of a woman, she will give upon his request. But if it has been formed, he will give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. LIX. THAT TITHES AND FIRSTFRUITS OF FRUITS OR OF ALL THINGS OUGHT TO BE GIVEN TO THE CHURCH BY THE PRECEPT OF THE LAW. Abraham to Melchisedek in Genesis: And he gave him tithes from all his possessions. Likewise there: And Jacob vowed a vow, saying: If the Lord my God is with me, and protects me on this road on which I am traveling, and gives me bread to eat and clothing to cover myself, and brings me back in health to my father's house: and the Lord will be my God: and the stone which I set up will be my house of God, and of all that the Lord gives me, I will tithe a tenth to you from it. Likewise in Leviticus: Every tithe of the land, from the seed of the land and from the fruits of the trees, is holy to the Lord. But if a man redeems his tithe, what is added will be added to it, and it will be his. Likewise there: And every tithe of cattle and sheep and whatever passes under the rod in number, the tenth whatever it is will be holy to the Lord. You shall not change that good for bad nor bad for good. Likewise in Numbers: From the beginning of your threshing floor and wine vat you shall not defraud; the first of all the fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.

Likewise there: You shall set apart the first of your dough, the bread of offering, as you take it from the threshing-floor, the first of your dough. Likewise there: And the Lord said to Aaron: All the first of the oil and all the first of the wine and wheat, those first fruits which they will give to the Lord, I have given to you. Likewise there: In their land you shall not possess, and you shall have no portion among them, because I am your portion and your inheritance. And to the sons of Levi I have given every tithe as a lot for their services, with which they serve in the tabernacle of the testimony. Likewise in Deuteronomy: And the place which your Lord God has chosen for his name to be invoked there, you shall bring all that I command you today: your holocausts and sacrifices, and your tithes and first fruits, and your gifts and all that he chooses from your hands, whatever you vow to your Lord God. Likewise there: You shall tithe all your seed, that which is born in your field.

year to year. You shall bring tithes of your wheat, your wine, and your oil, and the firstlings of your cattle and your sheep, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God all the days of your life. And the Levite shall come, because they have no portion nor lot with you, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow who is in your cities, and they shall eat and be filled. And the Lord your God shall bless you in all your works, whatsoever you do. Likewise in Tobit: I went to Jerusalem on the feast days, keeping what is written that it ought to be done by all Israel. And observing the eternal precept established by God, I carried with me the firstfruits and tithes of the herd and of the flocks and the beginnings of the shearing of my sheep, and gave them to the priests, the sons of Aaron. And according to the custom of the law, I brought the firstfruits of wheat, wine, oil, figs, and of the other fruits to the Levites and to all who ministered in Jerusalem to the Lord, and according to the law of tithing, I exchanged what was to be exchanged, and gathered the price of the redeemed for six years, and afterwards I went and reckoned.

the fruit of each and every year, I would count the money in the holy place, so that I might give the tithe of the third year to proselytes and orphans and widows, who do all that is commanded by the Lord of Israel. Likewise the prophet Haggai: You have sown much and brought in very little, and I have blown upon it. Likewise the same: Thus says the Lord: Because my house lies deserted, while each of you busies himself enough with his own house, therefore the heaven will withhold its dew, and the earth will withdraw its fruits. And I will bring the sword upon the land and upon the grain and upon the wine and upon the oil and upon the men and upon their cattle and upon all the labors of their hands. Likewise in Malachi: Will a man supplant the Lord? Because you have supplanted me. And you said: In what have we supplanted you? Because the tithes and the first fruits are with you, and dissembling, you have dissembled, and you have supplanted me. And you have brought pledges into your treasuries, and there will be plunder in your houses. Likewise there: Cursed is the man who was powerful, and there was a male in his flock, and his vow was upon him, and he sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. Likewise in Proverbs: Honor the Lord from your just labors and offer to him from the fruits of your righteousness, so that your granaries may be filled with an abundance of wheat, and your wine and oil presses overflow.

60. CHILDREN ARE TO BE CORRECTED URGENTLY. In the Proverbs of Solomon: He who spares the rod hates his son, for he who loves diligently instructs. A father takes no joy in an untaught son. Likewise there: Do not cease to correct a child, for if you strike him with a rod, he will not die; you will indeed strike him with a rod, but you will free his soul from death. Likewise there: Instruct your son, and he will gladden you and give adornment to your soul. Likewise there: A youth who is with a holy man, his way is straight. The ear hears and the eye sees, both are works of the Lord. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Have you sons? Instruct them from their childhood. Have you daughters? Guard their bodies, and do not show a cheerful face to them. Likewise there: He who loves his son makes frequent use of the whip for him, so that he may rejoice in his latter end and not knock at the doors of his neighbors. He who teaches his son will be praised in him and among friends.

correct his son, and he will be praised in him. Likewise there: He who teaches his son sends his enemy into jealousy. The father is dead, and it is as if he is not dead, for he has left behind one like himself. Likewise there: An untamed horse turns out hard, and a neglected son turns out headstrong. Bend his neck in youth, and strike his sides while he is a child, lest he grow hard and not obey you, and it will be a grief to your soul. LXI. ONE MUST CLEAVE TO THE COMPANY AND DISCOURSE OF THE SAINTS. In the Proverbs: A youth who is with a saint, his path is straight. The ear hears and the eye sees, both are the works of the Lord. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Be constant with a saint, whomever you know to preserve the fear of God. Likewise there: Stand in the multitude of wise elders, and join their wisdom to your heart: and desire to hear every discourse of God, and let proverbs of praise not escape you. And if you see a wise man, hasten to him, and let your foot wear down the threshold of his doors. Likewise there: With your whole soul fear the Lord, and sanctify his priests. With all your strength fear him who made you, and do not abandon his ministers. Honor the Lord with your whole soul, and honor the priests. Likewise there: Do not despise the discourse of wise elders, and occupy yourself with their proverbs: for from them you will learn the teaching of understanding: and they themselves learned from their fathers.

Likewise there: Be constant in the midst of those who debate, make yourself affable to the assembly of the poor, humble your soul to the presbyter, and bow your head to the magnate. Likewise there: According to your ability, beware of your neighbor, and treat with the wise and the sensible. Likewise there: Let just men be your table companions, and let your glory be in the fear of the Lord. Let your discourse be with the sensible, and let all your speech be in the precepts of the Most High. The work of craftsmen will be praised in their hands, but the word of elders in their wisdom. LXII. THAT USURY IS NOT TO BE TAKEN. In Leviticus: You shall not give your money at usury, and you shall not give your food for the sake of receiving an addition: I am the Lord your God, who led you out of the land of Egypt. Likewise in Deuteronomy: You shall not exact from your brother usury of money, nor usury of food, nor usury of any thing whatsoever that you have lent. Likewise in Psalm 44: He who swears to his neighbor and does not deceive him: he who did not give his money at usury.

63. That a Merchant Cannot Be Free from Lying. In Ecclesiasticus: Two kinds of things have appeared to me difficult and dangerous: a merchant will hardly be freed from lying, and a tavern-keeper will not be justified from sin. If a stake is fixed in the midst of a joining of stones, so in the midst of selling and buying will sin be constrained. 64. That Double Weights Are Not to Be Had. In Deuteronomy: There shall not be in your house a great or a small weight, and there shall not be in your house a great or a small measure: a true and just weight shall be yours: that you may be for many days upon the land which the Lord God will give you as your portion: because everyone who does unjust things is abominable to the Lord. Likewise in Proverbs: An unjust balance is an abomination before the Lord: but an equal weight is acceptable to him. Likewise there: A double weight is an abomination to the Lord, and a deceitful balance is not good before him. Likewise there: A great and a small weight and double measures are both unclean before the Lord, and he who does these things in his pursuits will be hindered. Likewise in Amos the prophet: Hear then these things, you who oppress the poor in the morning and violate the needy from the land, saying: 'When will the harvest pass,' so that selling we may acquire, and the sabbaths, so that we may open treasuries and make a smaller measure, and so that we may enlarge the weight and make an unjust balance, so that we may possess the poor and needy with money for shoes, and from every business we will trade?

The Lord has sworn against the pride of Jacob: if he forgets all his works. And because of these things the earth will be disturbed, and all who dwell in it will mourn. 65. That Vows to the Lord Ought to Be Fulfilled Immediately. In Deuteronomy: But if you have vowed a vow to your Lord God, you will not delay in paying it: because your Lord God will exact it from you, and it will be a sin. But if you have not wished to vow, there will be no sin in you. You will keep what passes your lips, and you will do as you have vowed to your God the vow which you have spoken with your mouth. Likewise in Ecclesiastes: As soon as you have vowed a vow to the Lord, you will not delay in paying it. Therefore, pay what you have vowed. It is better not to vow than to have vowed and not to fulfill. 66. That One Should Not Laugh Foolishly. In Ecclesiasticus: A fool raises his voice in laughter, and a wise man will scarcely smile silently. Likewise there: The talk of sinners is hateful, and their laughter is in the delights of sin. Likewise there: Indignation is better than laughter, because the heart will be delighted in the face. The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, and the heart of fools is in a house of luxury. Likewise there: As the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is he who hears the laughter of fools.

LXVII. The Testimony of a Single Witness Is Not to Be Accepted. In Deuteronomy: A single witness shall not prevail, who gives testimony against a man for every sin and for every offense whatsoever he may have committed: every word shall stand on the testimony of two witnesses and on the testimony of three witnesses. LXVIII. A Man Shall Not Wear a Woman’s Garments, Nor a Woman a Man’s. In Deuteronomy: There shall be no man’s things upon a woman, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, because it is an abomination to the Lord, and whoever does these things. LXVIIII. The Sin of Parents Is Not to Be Imputed to Children, Nor That of Children to Parents. In Deuteronomy: Parents shall not die for their children, and children shall not die for their parents: each one shall die for his own sin. Likewise in Jeremiah: In those days they will not say: The fathers ate a sour grape, and the teeth of the children were set on edge; but each one shall die for his own sin, and whoever eats a sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. Likewise in Ezekiel: But the soul that has sinned shall die. The son, however, shall not receive the righteousness of the father, nor shall the father receive the injustice of the son: the righteousness of the just shall be upon him, and the iniquity of the unjust shall be upon him.

LXX. Children Are to Be Brought Up by Their Parents in the Fear of the Lord. In Deuteronomy: And these words, whatever I command you today, shall be in your heart and in your soul, and you shall show them to your sons and speak them to them sitting in your house and when you make a journey on the road, and in rest and in vigils: and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be movable before your eyes: and you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Likewise the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians: And you parents, do not provoke your sons to anger, but nourish them in the discipline and correction of the Lord. Likewise to Timothy: One who rules his own house well, having sons subject with all chastity. Likewise there: Deacons shall be husbands of one wife, who preside well over their sons and their own household. Likewise to the Colossians: Fathers, do not provoke your sons to indignation, lest they become faint-hearted.

LXXI. SOWING BEFORE THE TUMULT AND AFTERWARDS REAPING ITS FRUITS. In the prophet Hosea: Sow for yourselves justice and harvest the fruit of life, seek out for yourselves the light of knowledge, wait upon the Lord until the fruit of justice comes to you. Why have you loved impiety, and harvested its iniquities? Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Son, from your youth receive instruction, and until your gray hairs you will find wisdom. Like one who plows and sows, approach her, and endure her good fruits. For in her work you will labor little, and you will soon eat of her produce. Likewise in the prophet Jeremiah: Renew yourselves with newness, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves for your God, and circumcise the foreskin of your heart, men of Judah and you who dwell in Jerusalem, lest my indignation go forth like fire and blaze up, and there be none to quench it from the face of the wickedness of your thoughts. Likewise in Psalm 125: Those who sow in tears, reap in joy. They went and wept, casting their seeds; but coming, they will come in exultation, bearing their sheaves. Likewise the Apostle to the Galatians: Do not err, God is not mocked. For what a man has sown, that he will also reap: since he who sows in his flesh reaps corruption from the flesh, but he who sows in the spirit reaps eternal life from the spirit. But let us not grow weary in doing good: for in its time we will reap without failing.

LXXII. ON WEEPING FOR THE DEAD. In Ecclesiasticus: Son, shed tears for the dead, and as if suffering a grievous thing, begin to weep, and according to judgment cover his body, and do not despise his burial. On account of the funeral, bear his mourning bitterly for one day, and give comfort on account of the sadness. LXXIII. THAT NO ONE IS WITHOUT SIN. In Proverbs: Who will boast that he has a pure heart? Or who will dare to say that he is clean from sin? Likewise in Job: For if I were righteous, I do not doubt that my mouth has committed iniquity. And if I say: I am without complaint, I have spoken things equally difficult. For what man or men are clean and spotless from their works before the Lord? Because no one is clean from filth, not even one, even if his life on earth were but a single day. For what man is without complaint? Or who can be righteous who is born of woman? For if even the sky is not clean before the sight

LXXII. ON NOT STEALING. In Exodus: You shall not commit theft and you shall not lie. Likewise in Psalm 49: If you saw a thief, you ran with him, and with adulterers you placed your portion. Likewise there: I will accuse you and set those things before your face. Likewise in Proverbs: He who shares with a thief hates his own soul. Likewise to the Corinthians I: Not thieves, not covetous, not drunkards, not slanderers, not plunderers will possess the kingdom of God. Likewise in the prophet Zechariah: And turning, I lifted up my eyes, and I saw, and behold a flying sickle, twenty cubits in height and ten cubits in width. And it said to me: This is the curse, which goes to the sorcerers who are upon the face of the whole earth: because every thief and perjurer will be punished by it unto death. And I will bring it forth, says the Lord Almighty, and it will enter into the house of the thief and into the house of the one perjuring in my name with a lie, and it will rest in the middle of his house, and it will consume him and his substance and his stone. Likewise in Exodus: But if anyone steals a calf or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he shall give back five calves for one calf and four sheep for one sheep.

Likewise there: But if he is poor and has nothing from which to repay, he shall be sold for the theft. But if he has been caught and the theft has been found in his hands, from an ass to a living sheep, he shall repay double. LXXV. ON NOT BOASTING IN THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD. In Proverbs: Be confident with your whole heart in the Lord, but do not exalt yourself in your own wisdom. Likewise there: Do not be wise in your own eyes: but fear God and turn away from every evil. Then there will be health for your body and diligence for your bones. Likewise there: I saw a man who considered himself wise in his own eyes, but the fool had more hope than he. Likewise in Isaiah: Woe to those who are prudent in their own eyes and wise in their own sight. Likewise there: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the prudence of the prudent. Likewise in Jeremiah: Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the strong man boast in his strength, and let not the rich man boast in his riches: but let him who boasts boast in this, to know and to understand that I am the Lord who works mercy and judgment and justice upon the earth, because in these things is my will, says the Lord. Likewise the Apostle to the Romans: For saying themselves to be wise, they have become fools. Likewise to the Corinthians I: Where is the wise man? where is the scribe? where is the inquirer of this world? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

Likewise there: Behold your calling, brothers, for not many are wise according to the flesh, not many are powerful, not many are noble: but God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the strong, and God has chosen the ignoble and contemptible things which are not, to cast down those which are, so that no flesh may boast before God. Likewise there: Let no one deceive himself. If anyone seems to be wise in this world, let him become foolish, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly before God. For it is written: I will catch the wise in their own cunning. And again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. LXXVI. HONORS ARE NOT TO BE SOUGHT. In Ecclesiasticus: Do not be proud before the king, nor take your stand in the places of the powerful: for it is better that it be said to you: come up to me, than to be humiliated in the sight of the powerful. Do not seek from God a dukedom nor from the king a chair of honor: do not justify yourself before the Lord, for he is the knower of the heart. Do not seek to be chosen a judge unless you can by force break through iniquities, lest you fear the face of the powerful and place a stumbling block in your own cunning. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached the Lord with her sons,