The Way of Light

1 This, then, is the way of light: if anyone wants to travel on the way to⁠a his appointed place, let him be diligent in his works. The knowledge that is given to us, enabling us to walk in it, is as follows. 2 ‘You shall love Him who made you; you shall fear Him who created you; you shall glorify Him who redeemed you from death. You shall be single-hearted and rich in spirit. You shall not cling to those who follow the path of death. You shall hate everything not pleasing to God. You shall hate all hypocrisy. You shall never abandon the Lord’s commandments.’ 3 ‘You shall not exalt yourself but be humble in all things. You shall not claim glory for yourself. You shall not devise evil against your neighbor. You shall not allow arrogance into your soul.’ 4 ‘You shall not commit fornication; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not corrupt young people. The word of God shall not come from you where there is any impurity. You shall not show partiality when reproving someone for a transgression. You shall be gentle; you shall be quiet; you shall be in awe of the words you have heard. You shall not hold a grudge against your brother.’ 5 ‘You shall not waver about whether something will be or not. You shall not use the Lord’s name carelessly. You shall love your neighbor more than your own life. You shall not kill a child by abortion, nor again kill it once it is born. You shall not withhold your hand from your son or daughter, but from childhood you shall teach them the fear of God.’⁠b 6 ‘You shall not be found craving your neighbor’s goods; you shall not be found greedy for profit. Nor shall you associate your soul with the high-minded but shall walk with the humble and just. Whatever happens to you, accept it as good, knowing that nothing happens without God. You shall not be double-minded or speak with a double tongue.’ 7 ‘You shall be subject to your masters as a symbol of God, in shame and fear. You shall not order your bondservant or servant harshly⁠c if they set their hope on the same God, so that they do not stop fearing the God who is over both of you; for He did not come to call anyone with partiality but those whom the Spirit has prepared.’ 8 ‘You shall share in everything with your neighbor and not say that anything is your own. For if you are joint-heirs of what is imperishable, how much more of perishable things? You shall not be quick with your tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as you can, be pure for your soul’s sake.’ 9 ‘Do not be someone who stretches out his hands to take but draws them back when it comes to giving.⁠d You shall love as the apple of your eye everyone who speaks to you the word of the Lord.’⁠e 10 ‘You shall remember the day of judgment night and day, and you shall search every day for the faces of the saints, either laboring by word and going to encourage them and meditating on how you can save souls by the word, or you shall work with your hands as a ransom for your sins.’ 11 ‘You shall not hesitate to give, nor shall you grumble when giving, but you shall know who the good Paymaster of your reward is. You shall hold fast to what you have received, neither adding nor taking away. You shall utterly hate the Evil One. You shall judge justly.’ 12 ‘You shall not cause division, but you shall reconcile those who fight by bringing them together. You shall acknowledge your sins. You shall not pray with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.’