1 While we are on earth, then, let us repent: for we are clay under the craftsman’s hand. 2 For just as a potter, if he is making a vessel and it gets twisted or crushed in his hands, reshapes it again; but if he has once put it into the fiery oven, he can no longer mend it:⁠a so also let us, while we are in this world, repent wholeheartedly of the evil things which we have done in the flesh, so that we may be saved by the Lord while we still have time for repentance. 3 For after we have left the world, we can no longer make confession there or repent any more. 4 Therefore, brothers and sisters, if we do the will of the Father and keep the flesh pure and guard the commandments of the Lord, we shall receive eternal life. 5 For the Lord says in the Gospel, “If you did not keep what is little, who will give you what is great? For I say to you that whoever is faithful in the least, is also faithful in much.”⁠b 6 So then He means this: keep the flesh pure and the seal unstained, so that we may receive life.