1 But the Lord says, “No servant can serve two masters.”⁠a If we desire to serve both God and wealth, it is useless for us: 2 For what advantage is it, if a person gains the whole world and loses their soul?⁠b 3 Now this age and the age to come are two enemies. 4 One speaks of adultery and defilement and greed and deceit, but the other rejects these. 5 We therefore cannot be friends with both, but must reject the one and keep company with the other. 6 Let us consider that it is better to hate the things here, because they are lowly, short-lived, and perishable, and to love the things there, for they are good and imperishable. 7 For, if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; but if otherwise, then nothing shall save us from eternal punishment if we disobey His commandments. 8 And the scripture also says in Ezekiel, “Though Noah and Job and Daniel should rise up, they shall not deliver their children in the captivity.” 9 But if even such righteous men as these cannot, by their righteous deeds, deliver their children, with what confidence shall we—if we do not keep our baptism pure and undefiled—enter the kingdom of God? Or who shall be our advocate, unless we are found having holy and righteous works?