Testimonies Against the Jews, Book 3

Preface

1 Cyprian to his son Quirinus, greeting. In keeping with the faith and devotion that you show toward the Lord God, dearest son, you asked me to excerpt for your instruction from the holy Scriptures certain headings bearing on the religious discipline of our school. You were looking for a concise course of divine reading, so that a mind devoted to God might not be wearied by long or numerous volumes of books, but, instructed by a summary of heavenly precepts, might have a wholesome and ample compendium to support its memory. And because I owe you a service full of love, I have done what you asked, laboring once so that you would not have to labor always. So, as far as our modest ability could take in, I have collected certain commands of the Lord and divine teachings that may be both easy and useful to readers, since a few things arranged in a summary are both read through quickly and repeated often. I pray, dearest son, that you may always fare well.

On the good of works and of mercy.

1 In Isaiah: “Cry out with strength and do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their sins, and to the house of Jacob their crimes. They seek me day by day and long to know my ways, like a people that had done righteousness and had not forsaken the judgment of God. They now ask of me a just judgment and long to draw near to God, saying: ‘Why is it that we fasted and you did not see, that we humbled our souls and you did not take notice?’ For in the days of your fasting your own wills are found. For either you goad those who are subject to you, or you fast for lawsuits and quarrels, or you strike your neighbors with your fists. Why do you fast to me, so that today your voice may be heard in clamor? This is not the fast that I have chosen, nor a day for a man to humble his soul. Even if you twist your neck like a hoop and spread sackcloth and ashes beneath you, not even so will you call it an acceptable fast. Not such a fast have I chosen, says the Lord; but loose every knot of injustice, undo the strangling bonds of oppressive dealings, send the broken away into rest, and tear up every unjust contract. Break your bread for the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house. If you see someone naked, clothe him, and you shall not despise those of your own seed. Then your early light shall break forth, and your garments shall quickly spring up; and righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you. Then you shall cry out, and God shall hear you; while you are still speaking, he will say: ‘Here I am.’” 2 Also in Job: “I kept the needy from the hand of the mighty, and I helped the orphan who had no helper. The mouth of the widow blessed me, since I was eye to the blind; I was also foot to the lame, and father of the weak.” 3 Also in Tobit: “And I said to Tobias my son: ‘Go and bring whatever poor man you find among our brothers, provided he keeps God in mind with his whole heart. Bring him, and he shall share this meal of mine with me. See, I am waiting for you, son, until you come.’” 4 Also there: “All the days of your life, son, keep God in mind, and do not transgress his commandments. Do righteousness all the days of your life, and do not walk in the way of iniquity; for if you act in truth, there will be regard for your works. Give alms from your substance, and do not turn your face away from any poor man; so it will come about that the face of God is not turned away from you. As you have, son, so do: if your substance is abundant, give more alms from it; if you have little, share out of that very little. And do not be afraid when you give alms: you are laying up a good reward for yourself against the day of need, for almsgiving delivers from death and does not allow one to go into darkness. Almsgiving is a good gift for all who practise it in the sight of the most high God.” 5 Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: “He who has mercy on the poor lends to God.” 6 Also there: “He who gives to the poor will not be in want; but he who turns away his eye will be in great poverty.” 7 Also there: “By almsgiving and faith sins are purged.” 8 Also there: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 9 Also there: “As water quenches fire, so almsgiving quenches sin.” 10 Also in Proverbs: “[Do not say:] ‘Go and come back; tomorrow I will give,’ when you could do good at once. For you do not know what will happen the next day.” 11 Also there: “He who stops his ear so as not to hear the weak will himself call upon God, and there will be no one to hear him.” 12 Also there: “He who lives blamelessly in righteousness will leave blessed children.” 13 Also in Ecclesiasticus: “Son, if you have, do good with it, and you will offer offerings worthy of God; remember that death does not delay.” 14 Also there: “Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it will plead for you against every evil.” 15 Also in Psalm 36 [37], that mercy benefits even one's descendants: “I have been young and have grown old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread. All day long he is merciful and lends, and his seed will be in blessing.” 16 Also in Psalm 40 [41]: “Blessed is he who considers the needy and the poor; in the evil day the Lord will deliver him.” 17 Also in Psalm 111 [112]: “He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains for ever and ever.” 18 Also in Hosea: “I desire mercy rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” 19 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” 20 Also there: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” 21 Also there: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not dig through. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 22 Also there: “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls; when he has found a precious pearl, he goes and sells all that he had and buys it.” That even a small work is of benefit. Also there: “And whoever gives one of these least a cup of cold water to drink only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, his reward will not perish.” That alms are to be refused to no one. Also there: “Give to everyone who asks you, and do not turn away from him who wishes to borrow from you.” 23 Also there: “‘If you wish to come into life, keep the commandments.’ He says: ‘Which?’ Jesus said to him: ‘You shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not bear false witness; honor father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man says to him: ‘All these I have kept; what do I still lack?’ Jesus says to him: ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your goods and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” 24 Also there: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory, and all the nations will be gathered before him. And he will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will set the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom that has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, naked and you covered me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ And the King will answer and say to them: ‘Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of these least of my brothers, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those on the left: ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which my Father has prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you did not give me to eat, I was thirsty and you did not give me drink, I was a stranger and you did not take me in, I was naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not come to me.’ Then they too will answer, saying: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ And he will answer them: ‘Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.’ And these will go into eternal burning, but the righteous into eternal life.” 25 Also in the Gospel according to Luke: “Sell what you possess and give alms.” 26 Also there: “He who made what is inside also made what is outside. But give alms, and see, all things are clean for you.” 27 Also there: “‘See, I give half of my substance to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said: ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he too is a son of Abraham.’” 28 Also the apostle Paul in Second Corinthians: “Let your abundance supply their want, so that their abundance may also be a supply for your want, and there may be equality, as it is written: He who had much did not have too much, and he who had little did not lack.” 29 Also there: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows in blessing will also reap of blessing. But let each give as he has purposed in his heart, not as from sorrow or from necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 30 Also there: “As it is written: He has scattered, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains for ever.” 31 Also there: “He who supplies seed to the sower will both supply bread for eating and multiply your sowing and increase the growth of the fruits of your righteousness, so that you may be enriched in all things.” 32 Also there: “The ministration of this service will not only supply what the saints lack but will overflow through much thanksgiving to God.” 33 Also in the Epistle of John: “Whoever has this world's substance and sees his brother in need and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God remain in him?” 34 Also in the Gospel according to Luke: “When you give a lunch or a supper, do not invite your friends or brothers or neighbors or the rich, so that they do not invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a lunch or a supper, invite beggars, the crippled, the blind, the lame, and you will be blessed, because they have nothing with which to repay you; but you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

That in works and almsgiving, even if less is done because of slender means, the will itself is enough.

1 In Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians: “If the will is ready, it is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what one does not have; nor is it meant that others should have relief and you distress.”

That love and brotherly affection are to be practised devoutly and steadfastly.

1 In Malachi: “Did not one God create us? Is there not one Father of us all? Why then has each of you forsaken his brother?” 2 Also in the Gospel according to John: “My peace I give you, my peace I leave you.” 3 Also there: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love than this no one has, that he lay down his life for his friends.” 4 Also there: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” 5 Also there: “I say to you that if two of you agree on earth, whatever you ask concerning anything will be done for you by my Father who is in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them.” 6 Also in First Corinthians: “And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to fleshly people, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able, and even now you are not able, for you are still fleshly. For where there is jealousy and strife and dissension among you, are you not fleshly and walking according to man?” 7 Also there: “And if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I distribute all I have in food, and if I hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is great-souled, love is kind, love is not jealous, love does not act wrongly, is not puffed up, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice over injustice, but rejoices with the truth. It loves all things, believes all things, hopes all things, bears all things. Love never fails.” 8 Also to the Galatians: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and accuse one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.” 9 Also in the Epistle of John: “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: everyone who is not righteous is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” 10 Also there: “He who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has life abiding in him.” 11 Also there: “If anyone says that he loves God and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he sees cannot love God whom he does not see.” 12 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “And the multitude of those who had believed acted with one soul and mind, and there was no distinction among them, nor did they regard anything of the goods they had as their own, but all things were common to them.” 13 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “If you offer your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go first, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift at the altar.” 14 Also the apostle John: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 15 Also there: “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness even until now.”

That we are to boast in nothing, since nothing is our own.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “No one can receive anything unless it has been given him from heaven.” 2 Also in Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians: “For what do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 3 Also in the first book of Kingdoms: “Do not boast or speak lofty things, and let no arrogant talk come out of your mouth, for God is the Lord of knowledge.” 4 Also there: “The bow of the mighty has been made weak, and the feeble have been equipped with strength.” 5 Also in Maccabees: “It is right to be subject to God, and for a mortal not to think himself equal to God.” 6 Also there: “And do not fear the words of a sinful man, for his glory will become dung and worms. Today he will be exalted, and tomorrow he will not be found, because he has returned to his earth, and his thought will perish.”

That humility and quietness are to be kept in all things.

1 In Isaiah the Lord God says thus: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth the footstool of my feet. What house will you build for me, or what is the place of my rest? For my hand made all these things, and all these things are mine. And upon whom shall I look, but upon the humble and quiet man who trembles at my words?” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” 3 Also according to Luke: “He who is least among you all, he will be great.” 4 Also there: “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 5 Also to the Romans: “Do not be high-minded, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you either.” 6 Also in Psalm 33 [34]: “And he will save the humble in spirit.” 7 Also to the Romans: “Render to all what is due: tribute to whom tribute, tax to whom tax, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” 8 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “They love the first place at dinners and the first seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplace, and to be called Rabbi by men. But you, do not be called Rabbi, for you have one teacher.” 9 Also in the Gospel according to John: “A servant is not greater than his master, nor an apostle greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed will you be if you do them.” 10 Also in Psalm 81 [82]: “Do justice to the humble and the poor.”

That all the good and righteous labor more, but must endure, because they are being tested.

1 In Solomon: “The furnace tests the potter's vessels, and the trial of tribulation tests righteous men.” 2 Also in Psalm 50 [51]: “A sacrifice to God is a troubled spirit; a contrite and humbled heart God does not despise.” 3 Also in Psalm 33 [34]: “The Lord is near to all who are troubled in heart, and he will save the humble in spirit.” 4 Also there: “Many are the tribulations of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver them from them all.” 5 Also in Job: “Naked I came out of my mother's womb, naked also I shall go into the earth. The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away; as it seemed good to the Lord, so it has been done. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 6 In all these things that happened to him Job did not sin with his lips in the sight of the Lord. Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” 7 Also according to John: “These things I have spoken to you so that in me you may have peace; but in the world you will have distress. But take courage, for I have overcome the world.” 8 Also the apostle in Second Corinthians: “There was given me a goad in my flesh, an angel of Satan to buffet me, so that I might not be exalted. For this reason I asked the Lord three times that it might depart from me, and he said to me: My grace is sufficient for you, for strength is made perfect in weakness.” 9 Also to the Romans: “We boast in the hope of the glory of God; and not only so, but we also boast in distresses, knowing that distress produces endurance, and endurance proof, and proof hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” 10 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “How wide and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who go in by it! How narrow and strait is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it!” 11 Also in Tobit: “Where are your righteous deeds? See what you are suffering.” 12 Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: “In the places of the ungodly the righteous groan, but at their destruction the righteous will abound.”

That the Holy Spirit whom we have received is not to be grieved.

1 The apostle Paul to the Ephesians: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and clamor and blasphemy be taken away from you.”

That anger must be overcome, so that it does not drive us to sin.

1 In Solomon, in Proverbs: “A patient man is better than a strong one; for he who restrains his anger is better than he who takes a city.” 2 Also there: “The foolish man shows his anger the same day, but the shrewd man hides the insult done to him.” 3 Also the apostle to the Ephesians: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun set upon your anger.” 4 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “You have heard that it was said to those of old: You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be liable to judgment.”

That brothers ought to bear with one another.

1 The apostle Paul to the Galatians: “Watch yourself, so that you too are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

That we are to trust in God alone and boast in him.

1 In Jeremiah: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man boast in his strength, nor the rich man boast in his riches; but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows that I am the Lord, who practise mercy and judgment and righteousness on the earth; for in these things is my will, says the Lord.” 2 Also in Psalm 55 [56]: “In the Lord I will hope; I will not fear what man may do to me.” 3 Also in Psalm 61 [62]: “My soul is subject to none but God alone.” 4 Also in Psalm 117 [118]: “I will not fear what man may do to me; the Lord is my helper.” 5 Also there: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man; it is better to hope in the Lord than to hope in princes.” 6 Also in Daniel: “And Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to King Nebuchadnezzar: king, we have no need to answer you in this matter. For there is a God whom we serve, able to rescue us from the furnace of burning fire, and he will deliver us from your hands, king. And if not, let it be known to you that we do not serve your gods, and we do not worship the golden image that you have set up.” 7 Also in Jeremiah: “Cursed is the man who puts his hope in man; and blessed is the man who trusts in God, and the Lord will be his hope.” 8 Also in Deuteronomy: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” 9 Also the apostle to the Romans: “And they worshipped and served the creature, forsaking the Creator. Therefore God also handed them over to shameful passions.” 10 Also in John: “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in this world.”

That he who has attained faith, having put off the former man, ought to think only of heavenly and spiritual things and pay no heed to the world, which he has already renounced.

1 In Isaiah: “Seek the Lord, and you will soon find him; call upon him. And when he has drawn near to you, let the ungodly man forsake his ways and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him turn to the Lord, and he will obtain mercy, for he will forgive your sins abundantly.” 2 Also in Solomon: “I saw all the works that are done under the sun, and look, all is vanity.” 3 Also in Exodus: “And thus you shall eat it: your belts fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staffs in your hands; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's passover.” 4 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Do not be anxious, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear? For the nations seek these things. For your Father knows that you need all these things. Seek first the kingdom and righteousness of God, and all these things will be added to you.” 5 Also there: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” 6 Also there: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” 7 Also there: “Look at the birds of the sky: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they?” 8 Also according to Luke: “Keep your belts fastened and your lamps burning, and be like men waiting for their master, when he comes from the wedding, so that when he comes and knocks you may open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching when he comes.” 9 Also according to Matthew: “Foxes have dens and the birds of the sky have lodgings, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 10 Also there: “He who does not renounce all that is his cannot be my disciple.” 11 Also the apostle in First Corinthians: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a great price. Glorify God and carry him in your body.” 12 Also there: “The time is short. It remains, then, that those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who weep as though not weeping, and those who rejoice as though not rejoicing, and those who buy as though not possessing, and those who use this world as though not using it; for the form of this world is passing away.” 13 Also there: “The first man was from the slime of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the one from the slime, so are those who are from the slime; and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. As we have borne the image of him who is from the slime, let us also bear the image of him who is from heaven.” 14 Also to the Philippians: “All seek their own, and not the things of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our lowliness, conformed to the body of his glory.” 15 Also to the Galatians: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world.” 16 Also to Timothy: “No one serving as a soldier to God entangles himself in worldly business, so that he may please him who approved him. And if anyone competes, he will not be crowned unless he has fought lawfully.” 17 Also to the Colossians: “If you have died with Christ from the elements of this world, why, as if living in this world, do you pursue vain things?” 18 Also on this very point: “If you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God; set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, appears, then you also will appear in glory.” 19 Also to the Ephesians: “Put off, as regards your former way of life, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desires of deceit; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who has been created according to God in righteousness and holiness and truth.” On this very point, in the Epistle of Peter: “As strangers and sojourners, abstain from fleshly desires, which war against the soul, keeping your conduct good among the gentiles, so that, while they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and magnify the Lord.” 20 Also in the Epistle of John: “He who says he abides in Christ ought himself also to walk as he walked.” 21 Also there: “Do not love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; for all that is in the world is the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the ambition of the world, which is not from the Father but from the desire of the world. And the world will pass away, and its desire; but he who does the will of God abides for ever, even as he abides for ever.” 22 Also the apostle in First Corinthians: “Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For Christ our passover has also been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

That we are not to swear.

1 In Solomon: “A man who swears much will be filled with iniquity, and the scourge will not depart from his house; and if he swears in vain, he will not be justified.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “I say to you, do not swear at all. But let your word be: yes, yes; no, no.” 3 Also in Exodus: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

That we are not to curse.

1 In Exodus: “You shall not curse, nor shall you speak ill of the ruler of your people.” 2 Also in Psalm 33 [34]: “Who is the man who desires life and longs to see good days? Restrain your tongue from evil, and let your lips not speak deceit.” 3 Also in Leviticus: “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Bring out the one who has cursed outside the camp, and let all who heard lay their hands on his head, and let the whole congregation of the children of Israel stone him.” 4 Also the apostle to the Ephesians: “Let no evil word proceed from your mouth, but whatever is good, for the building up of faith, that it may give grace to those who hear.” 5 Also to the Romans: “Bless, and do not curse.” 6 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool,’ will be liable to the gehenna of fire.” 7 Also according to Luke: “But I say to you that for every idle word that men speak they will give account on the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

That we are never to grumble, but to bless God for everything that happens.

1 In Job: “‘Say some word against the Lord, and die.’ But he looked at her and said: ‘You have spoken like one of the foolish women. If we have received good things from the hand of the Lord, shall we not endure evil things?’ In all these things that happened to him Job did not sin with his lips in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Also there: “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on earth: a man without complaint, a true worshipper of God, keeping himself from all evil.” 3 Also in Psalm 33 [34]: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall always be in my mouth.” 4 Also in Numbers: “Let their murmuring against me cease, and they shall not die.” 5 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “And about midnight Paul and Silas, praying, gave thanks to God; and the prisoners heard them.” 6 Also the apostle Paul to the Philippians: “But do all things out of love, without murmurings and disputings, so that you may be without complaint and spotless children of God.”

That men are tempted by God for this purpose, that they may be proved.

1 In Genesis: “And God tempted Abraham and said to him: Take your son, that only son of yours whom you have loved, Isaac, and go into the high land, and you shall offer him as a sacrifice on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 2 Also in Deuteronomy: “The Lord your God tempts you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” 3 Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: “And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality; and having been troubled in a few things, they will be well rewarded in many, for God tested them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace he proved them, and as a whole burnt offering he accepted them. And in their time there will be regard for them; they will judge nations and rule over peoples, and their Lord will reign for ever.” 4 Also in Maccabees: “Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was credited to him as righteousness?”

On the good of martyrdom.

1 In the Wisdom of Solomon: “A faithful martyr delivers the soul from evils.” 2 Also there: “Then the righteous will stand in great boldness against those who afflicted them and who plundered their labors. Seeing them, they will be troubled with terrible fear and will be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation, saying among themselves, repenting and groaning in anguish of spirit: These are the ones whom we once held in derision and as a byword of reproach. We fools considered their life madness and their end without honor. How are they now numbered among the sons of God, and their lot is among the saints? So we strayed from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness did not shine on us, and the sun did not rise for us. We grew weary in the way of iniquity and destruction, and we walked through trackless deserts, but the way of the Lord we did not know. What did pride profit us, or what has the boasting of riches brought us? All those things have passed away like a shadow.” 3 Also in Psalm 115 [116]: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” 4 Also in Psalm 125 [126]: “Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. Going, they went and wept, sowing their seeds; but coming, they will come with exultation, carrying their sheaves.” 5 Also in the Gospel according to John: “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” 6 Also there: “The hour will come when everyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. But they will do this because they have not known the Father or me.” 7 Also according to Matthew: “Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 8 Also there: “But when they hand you over, do not be anxious what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” 9 Also there: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can kill both soul and body in gehenna.” 10 Also there: “Whoever confesses me before men, I too will confess him before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I too will deny him before my Father who is in heaven. But he who endures to the end, he will be saved.” 11 Also according to Luke: “Blessed will you be when men hate you and separate you and cast you out and curse your name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and exult, for see, your reward is great in heaven.” 12 Also there: “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive sevenfold in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” 13 Also in the Apocalypse: “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar of God the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for their witness; and they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those who live on the earth? And a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be completed, who would afterwards be slain after their example.” 14 Also there: “After this I saw a great multitude which no one could number, from every nation and every tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and the Lamb; and they were clothed in white robes, and there were palms in their hands, and they said with a loud cry: Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. And one of the elders answered, saying to me: Those who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and where have they come from? And I said to him: Lord, you know. And he said to me: These are they who have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will live over them. They will neither hunger nor thirst any more, nor will the sun fall on them, nor will they suffer any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shelter them and lead them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 15 Also there: “He who conquers, I will grant him to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of my God.” 16 Also there: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Happy are those who will keep watch and keep their garments, so that they do not walk naked and men see their shame. Also the apostle in Second Timothy: “I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. There now remains for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all who love his appearing.” 17 Also to the Romans: “We are children of God; and if children, heirs also, and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.” 18 Also in Psalm 118 [119]: “Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who search out his testimonies.”

That what we suffer in this world is less than the reward that has been promised.

1 The apostle Paul to the Romans: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us.”

Additional transmitted quotation

2 Also in Maccabees: "Lord, who have the holy knowledge, it is clear that while I might be delivered from death, I am suffering most cruel pains of body, being beaten with whips; yet in spirit I suffer these things willingly, because of the fear of you yourself." 3 Also in the same place: "You indeed, being powerless, destroy us out of this present life; but the King of the world will raise us up who have died for His laws into the eternal resurrection of life." 4 Also in the same place: "It is better that, given up to death by men, we should expect hope from God to be raised again by Him. For there will be no resurrection to life for you." 5 Also in the same place: "Having power among men, although you are perishable, you do what you wish. But do not think that our race is forsaken of God. Wait, and see how His great power will torment you and your descendants." 6 Also in the same place: Do not be mistaken without cause; for we suffer these things on our own accounts, as sinners against our God. But do not think that you will go unpunished, having undertaken to fight against God."

That nothing is to be put before the love of God and of Christ.

1 In Deuteronomy: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “He who loves father or mother above me is not worthy of me, and he who loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take up his cross and follow me is not my disciple.” 3 Also the apostle Paul to the Romans: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Distress, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written: For your sake we are put to death all the day long; we are counted as sheep for slaughter. But in all these things we more than conquer through him who loved us.”

That we must obey not our own will but God's.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “I did not come down from heaven to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” 2 Also according to Matthew: “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I will, but what you will.” 3 Also in the daily prayer: “Your will be done in heaven and on earth.” 4 Also according to Matthew: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he will enter the kingdom of heaven.” 5 Also according to Luke: “But that servant who knows his master's will and does not obey his will shall be beaten with many stripes.” 6 Also in the Epistle of John: “But he who does the will of God abides for ever, even as he abides for ever.”

That fear is the foundation and support of hope and faith.

1 In Psalm 110 [111]: “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.” 2 Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: “The beginning of wisdom is to fear God.” 3 Also in Proverbs: “Blessed is the man who reveres all things with fear.” 4 Also in Isaiah: “And upon whom else shall I look, but upon the humble and quiet man who trembles at my words?” 5 Also in Genesis: “And the angel of the Lord called him from heaven and said to him: Abraham, Abraham. And he said: Here I am. And he said: Do not lay your hand on the boy, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear your God, and you have not spared your most beloved son for my sake.” 6 Also in the second Psalm: “Serve the Lord in fear, and rejoice in him with trembling.” 7 Also in Psalm 33 [34]: “Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” 8 Also in Psalm 18 [19]: “The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever.”

Additional transmitted quotation

9 Also in Deuteronomy, the word of God to Moses: "Call the people together to me, and let them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they themselves live on the earth." 10 Also in Jeremiah: "Look, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will establish for the house of Israel, and for the house of Judah, a new covenant: not according to the covenant that I had ordered with their fathers in the day when I took their hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; because they have not remained in my covenant, and I have disregarded them, says the Lord; because this is the covenant which I will establish for the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, I will give my law, and will write it in their mind and I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not teach each one his brother, saying, Know the Lord because all will know me, from the least to the greatest of them: because I will forgive their iniquities, and their sins I will not remember any more. If the heaven should be lifted up on high, says the Lord, and if the earth should be made low from beneath, yet I will not cast away the people of Israel, says the Lord, for all the things which they have done. Look, I will gather them together from every land in which I have scattered them in anger, and in my fury, and in great indignation; and I will grind them down into that place, and I will leave them in fear; and they will be my people, and I will be their God: and I will give them another way, and another heart, that they may fear me all their days in prosperity with their children: and I will establish for them an everlasting covenant, which I will not turn away from after them; and I will put my fear into their heart, that they may not depart from me: and I will visit them to do them good, and to plant them in their land in faith, and with all my heart and all my mind." 11 Also in the Apocalypse: "And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones in the sight (of God), fell face down, and worshiped God, saying, We thank you, Lord God almighty, who are and who were; because you have taken your great power and have reigned. And the nations were angry, and your anger has come, and the time for the dead to be judged and the reward to be given to your servants the prophets, and the saints that fear your name, small and great; and to disperse those who have corrupted the earth." 12 Also in the same place: "And I saw another angel flying through the middle of the sky, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to all the nations, and tribes, and tongues, and peoples, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give him honor, because the hour of His judgment has come; and worship him who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the springs of water." 13 Also in the same place: "And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mingled with fire; and those victorious over the beast and its image and the number of its name, a hundred and forty-four, standing upon the sea of glass, having the harps of God; and they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who would not fear you and honor your name? For you alone are holy: and because all nations will come and worship in your sight, because your righteous deeds have been revealed." 14 Also in Daniel: "There was a man living in Babylon named Joakim; and he married a woman named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very beautiful woman, and one who feared the Lord. And her parents were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses." Moreover, in Daniel: "And we are humbled today in all the earth because of our sins, and there is now no any prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or offering, or sacrifice, or incense, or place to sacrifice before you, and to find mercy from you. And yet in the soul and spirit of lowliness let us be accepted like the burnt offerings of rams and bulls, and like many thousands of lambs which are fattest. If our offering may be made in your presence this day, their power will be consumed, for they will not be ashamed who put their trust in you. And now we follow with our whole heart, and we fear and seek your face. Do not give us over to disgrace, but do with us according to your calmness, and deliver us according to your great mercy." 15 Also in the same place: "And the king rejoiced greatly, and ordered Daniel to be brought up out of the den of lions; and the lions had not hurt him, because he trusted and had believed in his God. And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel; and they threw them into the den of lions, and their wives and their children. And before they had reached the floor of the den they were seized by the lions, and they broke all their bones in pieces. Then Darius the king wrote, To all peoples, tribes, and languages which are in my kingdom, peace to you from me. I decree and order that all those who are in my kingdom will fear and tremble before the most high God whom Daniel serves, because He is the God who lives and remains forever, and his kingdom will not pass away, and his dominion continues forever; and he will save. He performs signs, wonders, and marvelous things in heaven and on earth; he rescued Daniel from the lions' den." 16 Also in Micah: "With what should I approach the Lord, and reach out to him? in sacrifices, in burnt-offerings, in year-old calves? Does the Lord favor and receive me with thousands of fat goats? or should I give my first fruits of unrighteousness, the fruit of my body, the sin of my soul? You have been told, human being, what is good; what else does the Lord require except that you practice judgment and justice, and love mercy, and be ready to go with the Lord your God. People will call on the voice of the Lord in the city, and He will save those who fear His name." 17 Also in Micah: "Feed your people with your rod, the sheep of your inheritance; and pluck up those who live separately in the middle of Carmel. They will prepare Bashan and Gilead according to the days of the age; and according to the days of their departure from the land of Egypt I will show them wonderful things. The nations will see and be put to shame at all their might; and they will place their hand over their mouth. Their ears will be deafened, and they will lick the dust as snakes do. Dragging the earth, they will be disturbed, and they will lick the dust: in their end they will be afraid before the Lord their God, and they will fear because of you. Who is a God like you, taking away unrighteousness and passing over impiety? " And in Nahum: "The mountains were moved at Him, and the hills trembled; and the earth was laid bare before His face, and all who live there. Who can bear the presence of his anger, and who can withstand his furious anger? His fury causes rulers to melt away, and the rocks were melted by Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for him in the day of affliction, and knows those who fear him." 18 Also in Haggai: "And Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, of the tribe of Judah, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all who remained of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the word of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord sent him to them, and the people were afraid before God." 19 Also in Malachi: "My covenant was with life and peace; and I gave them fear, to fear me in the presence of my name."

That we are not to judge another rashly.

1 In the Gospel according to Luke: “Do not judge, so that you are not judged; do not condemn, so that you are not condemned.” 2 Also to the Romans: “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he will stand, for God is able to make him stand again.” 3 Also there: “Therefore you are without excuse, O man; for in judging another you condemn yourself, since you who judge do the same things. And do you who judge those who do such things, and do the same yourself, hope that you will escape the judgment of God?” 4 Also in First Corinthians: “And let anyone who thinks he stands be careful not to fall.” 5 Also there: “If anyone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.”

That when an injury has been received it is to be forgiven and pardoned.

1 In the Gospel, in the daily prayer: “Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Mark: “And when you stand to pray, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your sins. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive you your sins.” 3 Also there: “With the measure with which you measure, it will be measured back to you.”

That evil is not to be repaid for evil.

1 In the Epistle of the apostle Paul to the Romans: “Repaying no one evil for evil.” 2 Also there: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 3 Also in the Apocalypse: “And he said to me: Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is now near. And let those who persist in doing harm do harm, and let him who is filthy be filthy still; but let the righteous do more righteous things still, and likewise the holy more holy things. See, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each according to his deeds.”

That no one can come to the Father except through Christ.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” 2 Also there: “I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved.”

That no one can attain to the kingdom of God unless he has been baptized and born again.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “Unless one is born again of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. For what is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 2 Also there: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you.”

That it is of little profit to be baptized and to receive the Eucharist unless one advances in deeds and works.

1 In the Epistle of the apostle Paul to the First Corinthians: “Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but only one receives the crown? So run that you may all obtain it. And they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 3 Also there: “Many will say to me on that day: Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then I will say to them: I do not know you; depart from me, you workers of iniquity.” 4 Also there: “Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” 5 Also the apostle Paul to the Philippians: “Shine as lights in the world.”

That even one who has been baptized loses the grace he has obtained unless he keeps his innocence.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “See, you have been made well; stop sinning, so that something worse does not happen to you.” 2 Also the apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone violates the temple of God, God will violate him.” 3 Also in Chronicles: “God is with you while you are with him; if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

That one who has sinned against God cannot be forgiven in the church.

1 In the Gospel according to Matthew: “Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” 2 Also according to Mark: “All sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and blasphemies; but whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness, but will be guilty of an eternal sin.” 3 Also in the first book of Kingdoms: “If a man sins by offending against a man, they will pray to the Lord for him; but if a man sins against God, who will pray for him?”

On hatred of the Name, foretold beforehand.

1 In the Gospel according to Luke: “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake.” 2 Also according to John: “If the world hates you, know that it hated me first. If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own; but because you are not of the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

Additional transmitted quotation attributed to Baruch

3 Also in Baruch: "For the time will come, and you will seek me, both you and those who come after you, to hear the word of wisdom and of understanding; and you will not find me. But the nations will desire to see the wise man preaching, but they will not have that opportunity; not because the wisdom of this world will be lacking, or disappear from the earth; but neither will the word of the law be lacking to the world. For wisdom will be in a few who watch, and are silent and quiet, and who converse with one another and meditate in their hearts; because some will dread them and fear them as evil. But some do not believe the word of the law of the Highest. But some who are amazed in their expression will not believe; and they will oppose those who believe and hinder the spirit of truth. Moreover, others will be wise in the spirit of error and declare decrees as though they were those of the Highest and the Strong One. Moreover, others have faith. Others are mighty and strong in the faith of the Highest, and hated by the stranger."

That what anyone has vowed to God is to be paid quickly.

1 In Solomon: “When you vow a vow to God, do not delay to pay it.” 2 Also in Deuteronomy: “But if you vow a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not be slow to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it will be sin. You shall keep what goes out through your lips, and you shall perform the gift that you have spoken with your mouth.” 3 Also in Psalm 49 [50]: “Offer to God a sacrifice of praise, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon me in the day of your trouble, and I will deliver you, and you will glorify me.” 4 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “Has Satan filled your heart, that you should lie to the Holy Spirit, when the field was in your own power? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Also in Jeremiah: “Cursed is he who does the works of God negligently.”

That he who does not believe is already judged.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “He who does not believe is already judged, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light.” 2 Also in Psalm 1: “Therefore the ungodly do not rise again in the judgment, nor sinners in the council of the righteous.”

On the good of virginity and continence.

1 In Genesis: “I will greatly multiply your sorrows and your groanings; in sorrow you shall bear children, and your turning shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Not all receive this saying, but those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made so by men, and there are eunuchs who have castrated themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake. Let him who is able to receive it receive it.” 3 Also according to Luke: “The sons of this world beget and are begotten. But those who have been counted worthy of that world and of the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they will not begin to die, for they are equal to the angels of God, since they are sons of the resurrection. And that the dead rise, Moses indicates, when he says at the bush: the Lord, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to him.” 4 Also in the Epistle of the apostle Paul to the First Corinthians: “It is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband give the wife her due, and likewise the wife to the husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by consent for a time, so that you may be free for prayer; and come together again, so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. This I say by way of concession, not of command. For I wish all men to be as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one of this kind, another of that.” 5 Also there: “The unmarried man thinks about the things of the Lord, how he may please God; but he who has been joined in marriage thinks about the things of this world, how he may please his wife. So too the woman and the unmarried virgin think about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she who has married thinks about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” 6 Also in Exodus, when God had commanded Moses to sanctify the people for the third day, he sanctified them and added: “Be ready for three days; you shall not go near women.” 7 Also in the first book of Kingdoms: “And the priest answered David and said: There are no common loaves in my hand, only one holy loaf; if the young men have kept themselves from women, they shall eat.” 8 Also in the Apocalypse: “These are they who have not defiled themselves with women, for they have remained virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”

That the Father judges nothing, but the Son; and that the Father is not honored by one by whom the Son is not honored.

1 In the Gospel according to John: “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” 2 Also in Genesis: “And the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire from heaven, from the Lord.” 3 Also in Psalm 71 [72]: “God, give your judgment to the king, and your righteousness to the king's son, to judge your people in your righteousness.”

That a believer ought not to live like the pagans.

1 In Jeremiah: “Thus says the Lord: Do not walk according to the ways of the nations.” On this very point, that one ought to separate himself from the pagans so as not to be a partner in their guilt and a sharer in their plague, also in the Apocalypse: “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying: Come out of her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins and may not be struck by her plagues; for her sins have reached up to heaven, and the Lord God has remembered her iniquities. Therefore he will repay her double, and in the cup in which she mixed, double has been mixed for her; and as much as she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so much torment and mourning will be given her. Because she says in her heart: I am a queen, and I am not a widow, and I shall not see mourning; therefore in one hour her plagues will come, death, mourning, and famine, and she will be burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who will judge her. And the kings of the earth who committed fornication with her and lived in luxury will weep and beat their breasts over her.” 2 Also in Isaiah: “Go out from their midst, you who carry the vessels of the Lord.”

That God is patient for this purpose, that we may repent of our sin and be reformed.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “Do not say: I have sinned, and what harm has happened to me? For the Most High is a patient repayer.” 2 Also the apostle to the Romans: “Or do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But by your hardness and impenitent heart you are storing up anger for yourself on the day of anger and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will repay each according to his works.”

That a woman ought not to be adorned in worldly fashion.

1 In the Apocalypse: “And one of the seven angels who had the bowls came and approached me, saying: Come, I will show you the condemnation of the great prostitute who sits upon many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. And I saw a woman sitting upon a beast. And that woman was clothed in a purple and scarlet mantle, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and uncleanness and the fornication of the whole earth.” 2 Also to Timothy: “Let your women be with modesty and chastity, adorning themselves not with braided hair nor with gold nor pearls or costly clothing, but as befits women who profess chastity, by good conduct.” 3 Also the apostle Peter to the people of Pontus: “Let there be in a woman not the outward adornment of ornament or gold or clothing, but the adornment of the heart.” 4 Also in Genesis: “Tamar covered herself with a mantle and adorned herself, and when Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute.”

That a believer ought not to be punished for other offenses, but only for the Name.

1 The apostle Peter to the people of Pontus: “Let none of you suffer as a thief or a murderer or as an evildoer or as one who meddles in others' affairs, but as a Christian.”

That the servant of God ought to be innocent, so that he does not fall into punishment by the world.

1 The apostle Paul to the Romans: “Do you wish not to fear the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from it.”

That an example of living has been given us in Christ.

1 In the Epistle of the apostle Peter to the people of Pontus: “Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps; who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth; who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, did not threaten, but handed himself over to one who judged unjustly.” 2 Also the apostle Paul to the Philippians: “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, made in the likeness of man and found in fashion as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God exalted him and gave him a name, that it might be above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus is in the glory of God the Father.” 3 Also in the Gospel according to John: “If I, your master and lord, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash the feet of others; for I have given you an example, that as I have done, you also should do to others.”

That good works are to be done without boasting or display.

1 In the Gospel according to Matthew: “Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” 2 Also there: “When you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the streets and synagogues, that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward.”

That we are not to speak foolishly or coarsely.

1 The apostle Paul to the Ephesians: “Foolish talk and coarse jesting, which are not fitting, let them not even be named among us.”

That faith is of total benefit, and that we can do as much as we believe.

1 In Genesis: “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 2 Also in Isaiah: “And if you do not believe, neither will you understand.” 3 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 4 Also there: “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” 5 Also according to Mark: “Whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours.” 6 Also there: “All things are possible to him who believes.” 7 Also in Habakkuk: “But the righteous lives by my faith.” 8 Also in Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, believing, were delivered from the flame.

That he who truly believes can obtain it at once.

1 In the Acts of the Apostles: “‘See, here is water; what prevents me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said: ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’”

That believers who have a dispute among themselves ought not to go to a pagan judge.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Does any of you, having a matter against another, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” 2 Also there: “Already it is altogether a fault among you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why do you not rather suffer wrong? Why do you not rather suffer fraud? But you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that to brothers. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not obtain the kingdom of God?”

That hope is of things to come, and that faith concerning what has been promised must therefore be patient.

1 The apostle Paul to the Romans: “We have been saved in hope. But hope that is seen is not hope; for what one sees, why does he hope for it? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

That a woman ought to be silent in the church.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Let your women be silent in the churches. But if any wish to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home.” 2 Also to Timothy: “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. But a woman is not permitted to teach or to have authority over her husband, but to remain silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived.”

That it comes about through our own fault and desert that we are afflicted and do not feel God's help in all things.

1 In Hosea: “Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel; for the Lord has a judgment against the inhabitants of the land, because there is neither mercy nor truth nor knowledge of God in the land. Cursing and lying and murder and theft and adultery have spread over the land; they mingle blood with blood. Therefore the land will mourn with all its inhabitants, with the beasts of the field, with the serpents of the earth, with the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea will fail, so that no one judges, no one refutes.” 2 Also in the prophet Isaiah: “Is the hand of the Lord not strong enough to save, or will he make his ear heavy so that he does not hear? But your sins separate between you and God, and because of your sins he has turned his face from you, so as not to have mercy. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with sins; and your lips have spoken wickedness, and your tongue meditates injustice. No one speaks truth, nor is there true judgment. They trust in vain things and speak empty words; they conceive pain and bring forth wickedness.” 3 Also in Zephaniah: “Let it utterly fail from the face of the earth, says the Lord. Let man and beast fail, let the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea fail, and I will take away the wicked from the face of the earth.”

That we are not to lend at interest.

1 In Psalm 14 [15]: “He who has not put out his money at interest and has not taken bribes against the innocent: he who does these things will not be moved for ever.” 2 Also in Ezekiel: “But the man who is righteous will not oppress anyone, and will restore the debtor's pledge, and will not commit robbery; he will give his bread to the hungry and cover the naked, and he will not put out his money at interest.” 3 Also in Deuteronomy: “You shall not lend to your brother at interest, whether interest on money or interest on food.”

That even enemies are to be loved.

1 In the Gospel according to Luke: “If you love those who love you, what thanks is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, who makes his sun rise on the good and the evil and sends rain on the just and the unjust.”

That the sacrament of the faith is not to be profaned.

1 In Solomon, in Proverbs: “Say nothing in the ears of a foolish man, because when he hears he may mock your sensible words.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor throw your pearls before swine, or they may trample them under their feet and turn and dash you down.”

That no one ought to be puffed up over his work.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “Do not exalt yourself in doing your work.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Luke: “Which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, says to him when he comes in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Does he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and gird yourself and serve me until I have eaten and drunk, and afterwards you shall eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did what he was commanded? So you also, when you have done what you were commanded, say: ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we ought to have done.’”

That the freedom to believe or not to believe is placed in our own choice.

1 In Deuteronomy: “See, I have set before your face life and death, good and evil. Choose life, that you may live.” 2 Also in Isaiah: “And if you are willing and listen to me, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you are unwilling and do not listen to me, the sword will devour you. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken these things.” 3 Also in the Gospel according to Luke: “The kingdom of God is within you.”

That the secrets of God cannot be seen through, and that our faith ought therefore to be simple.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “We see now through a mirror, in a riddle, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I have been known.” 2 Also in Solomon, in Wisdom: “And seek God in simplicity of heart.” 3 Also in the same: “He who walks simply walks confidently.” 4 Also there: “Do not be very wise, and do not argue more than you ought.” 5 Also in the same: “Do not seek what is too high for you, and do not search into what is too strong for you.” 6 Also in Isaiah: “Woe to those who are clever in their own eyes.” 7 Also in Maccabees: Daniel in his simplicity was delivered from the mouth of the lions. Also the apostle Paul to the Romans: “O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and untraceable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid him? For from him and through him and in him are all things; to him be glory for ever and ever.” 8 Also to Timothy: “But avoid foolish and uninstructed questions, knowing that they breed quarrels; and the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all.”

That no one is without stain and without sin.

1 In Job: “For who is clean from stains? Not one, even if his life on earth is but a single day.” 2 Also in Psalm 50 [51]: “For I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins my mother bore me.” 3 Also the apostle John: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

That we are to please not men but God.

1 In Psalm 52 [53]: “Those who please men have been put to shame, because God has despised them.” 2 Also the apostle Paul to the Galatians: “If I wished to please men, I would not be the servant of Christ.”

That nothing of what is done escapes God.

1 In the Wisdom of Solomon: “In every place the eyes of God watch the good and the evil.” 2 Also in Jeremiah: “I am a God near at hand, and not a God far off. If a man hides himself in a hiding place, shall I then not see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth, says the Lord?” 3 Also in the first book of Kingdoms: “Man looks on the face, but God on the heart.” 4 Also in the Apocalypse: “And all the churches will know that I am he who searches the reins and the heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.” 5 Also in Psalm 18 [19]: “Who understands his faults? Cleanse me from my hidden ones, Lord.” 6 Also the apostle Paul in Second Corinthians: “We must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due for the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil.”

That the believer is corrected and preserved.

1 In Psalm 117 [118]: “The Lord has chastened me sorely, but he has not handed me over to death.” 2 Also in Psalm 88 [89]: “I will visit their iniquities with the rod, and their sins with scourges; but my mercy I will not turn away from them.” 3 Also in Malachi: “And he will sit refining and purifying as gold and silver, and he will cleanse the sons of Levi.” 4 Also in the Gospel: “You will not come out from there until you have paid the last farthing.”

That no one ought to be saddened by death, since in living there is toil and danger, in dying peace and the assurance of rising again.

1 In Genesis: “Then God said to Adam: Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from that tree from which alone I had commanded you not to eat, cursed shall the ground be in all your works; in sorrow and groaning you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the grass of the field in the sweat of your face. You shall eat your bread until you return to the earth from which you were taken; for you are earth, and to earth you shall go.” 2 Also there: “And Enoch pleased God, and he was not found afterwards, because God had taken him away.” 3 Also in Isaiah: “All flesh is grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass has withered and the flower has fallen, but the word of the Lord remains for ever.” 4 Also in Ezekiel: “They say: Our bones have become dry, our hope has perished, we have breathed our last. Therefore prophesy and say: Thus says the Lord: Look, I open your graves, and I will bring you out of your graves and bring you into the land of Israel. I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live; and I will place you in your own land, and you shall know that I the Lord have spoken and will do it, says the Lord.” 5 Also in the Wisdom of Solomon: “He was snatched away, so that wickedness would not change his understanding; for his soul was pleasing to God.” 6 Also in Psalm 83 [84]: “How lovely are your dwellings, Lord of hosts! My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord.” 7 Also the apostle Paul to the Thessalonians: “We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” 8 Also in First Corinthians: “Fool, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.” 9 Also there: “Star differs from star in glory; so also is the resurrection. The body is sown in corruption, it rises without corruption; it is sown in dishonor, it rises in glory; it is sown in weakness, it rises in power; it is sown a natural body, it rises a spiritual one.” 10 Also there: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible has put on immortality and this mortal has put on incorruption, then the word that is written will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your sting? Where, O death, is your victory?” 11 Also in the Gospel according to John: “Father, I desire that those whom you have given me may be with me where I shall be, and see my glory which you gave me before the foundation of the world.” 12 Also according to Luke: “Now, Lord, you let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.” 13 Also according to John: “If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”

On the idols which the pagans think are gods.

1 In the Wisdom of Solomon: “They considered all the idols of the nations to be gods, which have neither the sight of eyes for seeing, nor nostrils for drawing breath, nor ears for hearing, nor fingers on their hands for handling, and their feet too are sluggish for walking. For a man made them, and one who has borrowed his breath fashioned them. But no man can fashion a god like himself; for since he is mortal, he fashions a dead thing with lawless hands. He himself is better than the things he worships, for he at least has lived, but they never.” 2 Also there: “Nor, paying heed to the works, did they recognize who the craftsman was; but they thought either fire or wind or swift air or the circle of the stars or the great water or the sun or the moon to be gods, rulers of the world. If they supposed these to be gods because of their beauty, let them know how much more beautiful than these is their Lord; or if they marveled at their power and works, let them understand from them that he who established these mighty things is mightier than they.” 3 Also in Psalm 134 [135]: “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; for there is no breath in their mouth. Let all who make them become like them, and all who trust in them.” 4 Also in Psalm 95 [96]: “For all the gods of the nations are demons, but the Lord made the heavens.” 5 Also in Exodus: “You shall not make for yourselves gods of gold nor gods of silver.” And again: “You shall not make for yourself an idol, nor a likeness of anything.”

Additional transmitted quotation

6 Also in Jeremiah: "This is what the Lord says: Do not follow the ways of the nations, and do not fear the signs of heaven; for they fear those things in their own persons, because the customs of the nations are empty. Wood cut out from the forest is made into the work of the carpenter, and melted silver and gold are beautifully arranged: they strengthen them with hammers and nails, and they will not be moved, for they are fixed. The silver is brought from Tarshish, the gold comes from Moab. All things are the works of the craftsmen; they will clothe it with blue and purple; lifting them, they will carry them, because they will not go forward. Do not be afraid of them, because they do no evil, nor is there any good in them. Say this: The gods that have not made the heaven and the earth perish from the earth, and from under this heaven. The heaven has trembled at this, and has shuddered much more violently, says the Lord. My people have done these evil things. They have forsaken the fountain of living water, and have dug out for themselves worn-out wells, which could not hold water. Your abandonment of me has struck you, and your wickedness will accuse you. And know and see that it will be bitter for you that you have forsaken me, says the Lord your God, and you have not hoped in me, says your Lord. Because long ago you rejected my yoke, broke your bonds, and said, I will not serve, but I will go upon every lofty mountain, and upon every high hill, and upon every shady tree: there I will be put to shame with fornication. To the wood and to the stone they have said, You are my father; and to the stone, You have fathered me: and they turned to me their back, and not their face." 7 In Isaiah: "Bel has fallen; the dragon has been dissolved; their carved works have become like beasts and cattle. Laboring and hungry, and without strength, you will carry them bound as a heavy burden." And again: "Gathered together, they will not be able to be saved from war; but they themselves have been led captive with you." And again: "To whom have you likened me? See and understand that you are mistaken in your heart, who lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, bringing it up to the weight. The workmen have made with their hand the things made; and, bowing down, they have worshiped it, and have raised it on their shoulders: and this is how they walked. But if they should place them down, they will remain in their place, and will not be moved; and they will not hear those who cry to them: they will not save them from evils." 8 Also in Jeremiah: "The Lord, who made heaven and earth, has ordered the world in strength and understanding, and in his wisdom has stretched out the heaven, and the multitude of the waters in the heaven. He has brought out the clouds from the end of the earth, the lightning for rain; and He has brought out the winds from His treasures. Every man is made foolish by his knowledge, every craftsman is put to shame by his carved images; because he has cast a falsehood: there is no breath in them. They are empty works of delusion; in the time of their visitation they will perish." And in the Apocalypse: "And the sixth angel sounded with his trumpet. And I heard one of the four corners of the golden ark, which is in the presence of God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Release the four angels bound at the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were released, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, to kill a third of humanity; and the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million: I heard the number of them. And then I saw the horses in the vision, and those that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of hyacinth, and of sulfur: and the heads of the horses (as the heads of lions); and out of their mouth went fire, and smoke, and sulfur. By these three plagues a third of humanity was killed, by the fire, and the smoke, and the sulfur that came from their mouths. For the power of the horses is in their mouths and their tails: their tails were like snakes; for they had heads, and with them they cause harm. And the rest of the people who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works their hands had done, that they should not worship demons and idols, that is, images of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood, which can neither see nor walk, nor did they repent of their murders, their sexual immorality, or their deeds." 9 Also in the same place: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image, and has received his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will drink the wine of his anger, and will be punished with fire and sulfur, under the eyes of the holy angels, and under the eyes of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torments will rise forever and ever."

That excessive craving for food is not to be indulged.

1 In Isaiah: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we shall die. This sin shall not be forgiven you until you die.” 2 Also in Exodus: “And the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 3 Also the apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Food does not commend us to God; neither if we eat shall we abound, nor if we do not eat shall we lack.” 4 Also there: “When you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you may not come together for judgment.” 5 Also to the Romans: “The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” 6 Also in the Gospel according to John: “I have food to eat that you do not know. My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”

That the craving for possessions and money is not to be indulged.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver.” 2 Also in Proverbs: “He who hoards grain is cursed among the people; but blessing is on the head of him who shares it.” 3 Also in Isaiah: “Woe to those who join house to house and add field to field, so as to take something from their neighbor. Will you live alone upon the earth?” 4 Also in Zephaniah: “They will build houses and not live in them, and plant vineyards and not drink their wine, for the day of the Lord is near.” 5 Also in the Gospel according to Luke: “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul?” 6 Also there: “But God said to him: Fool, this night your soul is required of you; then whose will the things you have prepared be?” 7 Also there: “Remember that you received good things in your life, and Lazarus evil things; now he is comforted here, and you are in torment.” 8 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “But Peter said to him: Silver and gold I have none, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk. And taking him by the right hand he raised him up.” 9 Also in First Timothy: “We brought nothing into this world, and neither can we take anything out. So having food and clothing, let us be content with these. But those who wish to become rich fall into temptation and the snare of the devil and many harmful desires, which plunge a man into ruin and destruction. For the root of all evils is covetousness, which some have craved and made shipwreck of the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.”

That marriage is not to be contracted with the pagans.

1 In Tobit: “Take a wife from the seed of your parents, and do not take a foreign wife who is not from the tribe of your parents.” 2 Also in Genesis, Abraham sends his servant so that Rebecca may be taken from his own seed for his son Isaac. Also in Ezra, when the Jews were being laid waste, God was not satisfied until they had put away their foreign wives, together with the children they had begotten of them. Also the apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if he has fallen asleep, she is free: let her marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she will be happier if she remains as she is.” 3 Also in First Corinthians: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute is one body? For the two shall be in one flesh. But he who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit.” 4 Also in Second Corinthians: “Do not be joined with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 5 Also concerning Solomon in the third book of Kingdoms: “And his foreign wives turned his heart after their gods.”

That the sin of sexual immorality is graver.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Every sin that a man commits is outside the body; but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. You are not your own: you were bought for a great price. Glorify and carry the Lord in your body.”

Which things are fleshly and bring forth death, and which are spiritual and lead to life.

1 The apostle Paul to the Galatians: “For the flesh desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to one another, so that you do not do the very things you wish. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are adulteries, acts of sexual immorality, uncleanness, filthiness, idolatry, sorceries, murders, enmities, strifes, jealousies, animosities, provocations, grudges, dissensions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and things like these: those who do such things will not possess the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, great-heartedness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control, chastity. For those who are Christ's have crucified their flesh with its vices and desires.”

That all sins are laid aside in baptism.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Neither the sexually immoral, nor those who serve idols, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor men who lie with males, nor thieves, nor the fraudulent, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will obtain the kingdom of God. And such indeed you were; but you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

That the discipline of God is to be observed in the precepts of the church.

1 In Jeremiah: “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and they will feed you, feeding you with discipline.” 2 Also in Solomon, in Proverbs: “My son, do not neglect the discipline of God, nor faint when you are rebuked by him; for whom God loves, he rebukes.” 3 Also in Psalm 2: “Lay hold of discipline, so that the Lord does not become angry and you perish from the right way, when his anger is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who trust in him.” 4 Also in Psalm 49 [50]: “But to the sinner God says: Why do you recount my righteous acts and take my covenant in your mouth? For you have hated discipline and cast my words behind you.” 5 Also in Solomon: “He who rejects discipline is wretched.”

That it was foretold that they would spurn sound discipline.

1 The apostle Paul in Second Timothy: “There will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own desires they will heap up for themselves teachers, itching in their hearing, scratching their ears; and they will turn their hearing away from the truth and turn aside to fables.”

That we must withdraw from one who lives disorderly and against discipline.

1 The apostle Paul to the Thessalonians: “Now we command you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from all brothers who walk disorderly and not according to the tradition which they received from us.” 2 Also in Psalm 49 [50]: “If you saw a thief, you ran along with him, and you cast your lot with adulterers.”

That the kingdom of God is not in the wisdom of the world nor in eloquence, but in the faith of the cross and in the power of one's way of life.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Christ sent me to preach, not in wisdom of speech, so that the cross of Christ is not made empty. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For the Jews desire signs and the Greeks seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 2 Also there: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise, let him become a fool in this world, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: He catches the wise in their own craftiness.” 3 Also there: “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”

That parents are to be obeyed.

1 The apostle Paul to the Ephesians: “Children, be obedient to your parents, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

That fathers too ought not to be harsh toward their children.

1 The apostle Paul to the Ephesians: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.”

That slaves, when they have believed, ought to serve their fleshly masters all the more.

1 Paul to the Ephesians: “Slaves, obey your fleshly masters with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ, not serving for the eye, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ.”

Also that masters ought to be gentler.

1 The apostle Paul to the Ephesians: “And you, masters, do the same to them, giving up threats, knowing that both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.”

That all approved widows are to be honored.

1 The apostle Paul in First Timothy: “Honor widows who are truly widows. But she who lives in luxury is dead while she lives.” 2 Also there: “But avoid younger widows; for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they wish to marry, incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their first faith.”

That everyone ought to take greater care of his own, and especially of believers.

1 The apostle Paul in First Timothy: “But if anyone does not take care of his own, and especially of his household, he denies the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 2 Also in Isaiah: “If you see someone naked, clothe him, and do not despise those of your own seed.” Concerning these household members it is said in the Gospel: “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more his household!”

That an elder is not to be accused rashly.

1 The apostle Paul in First Timothy: “Do not receive an accusation against an elder.”

That one who sins is to be rebuked publicly.

1 The apostle Paul in First Timothy: “Rebuke one who sins in the presence of all, so that the rest may have fear.”

That we are not to talk with heretics.

1 The apostle Paul to Titus: “Avoid a heretical man after a first rebuke, knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, and is condemned by himself.” 2 Also the apostle John: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would surely have remained with us.” 3 Also in Second Timothy: “Their word creeps like a cancer.”

That the innocent ask with confidence and obtain.

1 The apostle John: “If our heart does not reproach us, we have confidence toward God, and whatever we ask we shall receive from him.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” 3 Also in Psalm 23 [24]: “Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He who is innocent in hands and clean in heart.”

That the devil has no power against a man unless God has permitted it.

1 In the Gospel according to John Jesus said: “You would have no power against me unless it had been given you from above.” 2 Also in the third book of Kingdoms: “And the Lord stirred up a satan against Solomon himself.” 3 Also in Job, God first gave permission, and only so was the devil allowed. Also in the Gospel the Lord first gives permission, saying to Judas: “What you are doing, do quickly.” 4 Also in Solomon, in Proverbs: “The heart of the king is in the hand of God.”

That a hired man's wages are to be paid promptly.

1 In Leviticus: “The wages of your hired man shall not remain with you overnight until morning.”

That we are not to practise divination.

1 In Deuteronomy: “Do not take omens, nor practise augury.”

That a topknot is not to be worn.

1 In Leviticus: “You shall not make a topknot from the hair of your head.”

That the beard is not to be plucked.

1 In Leviticus: “You shall not spoil the shape of your beard.”

That we are to rise when a bishop or presbyter comes.

1 In Leviticus: “You shall rise up before the face of an elder, and you shall honor the person of a presbyter.”

That schism must not be made, even if he who withdraws remains in the one faith and in the same tradition.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “He who splits logs will be endangered by them, if the iron flies off.” 2 Also in Exodus: “In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house.” 3 Also in Psalm 132 [133]: “Look, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live in unity.” 4 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.” 5 Also the apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Now I urge you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you, but that you be perfected in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 6 Also in Psalm 67 [68]: “God, who makes those of one mind live in a house.”

That believers ought to be simple, but with prudence.

1 In the Gospel according to Matthew: “Be prudent as serpents and simple as doves.” 2 Also there: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its savor, with what will it be salted? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

That a brother is not to be cheated.

1 The apostle Paul in First Thessalonians: “Not to overreach one's brother in business, because God is the avenger in all these things.”

That the end of the world will come suddenly.

1 The apostle Paul in First Thessalonians: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘Peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them.” 2 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “No one can know the time or the times which the Father has set in his own power.”

That a wife is not to depart from her husband, or, if she departs, is to remain unmarried.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “To those who are married I command, not I but the Lord, that a wife is not to depart from her husband; but if she departs, she is to remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband; and a husband is not to put away his wife.”

That each person is tempted only as much as he is able to bear.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “No temptation will seize you but what is human. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, so that you may be able to endure.”

That not everything that is lawful is to be done.

1 The apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient; all things are lawful, but not all things build up.”

That it was foretold that heresies would come.

1 The apostle Paul: “There must also be heresies, so that those who are approved may be made manifest among you.”

That the Eucharist is to be received with fear and honor.

1 In Leviticus: “But whatever soul eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of salvation, which is the Lord's, with his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall perish from his people.” 2 Also in First Corinthians: “Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

That we are to live with the good, but avoid the wicked.

1 In Solomon, in Proverbs: “Do not bring the ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous.” 2 Also in Ecclesiasticus: “Let righteous men be your companions at table.” 3 Also there: “A faithful friend is a medicine of life and immortality.” 4 Also there: “Keep far from a man who has power to kill, and you will not suspect danger.” 5 Also there: “Happy is he who finds a true friend, and who tells of righteousness to an ear that hears.” 6 Also there: “Hedge your ears with thorns, and do not listen to a wicked tongue.” 7 Also in Psalm 17 [18]: “With the holy you will be holy, and with the innocent man you will be innocent, and with the perverse you will be overturned.” 8 Also the apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “Evil conversations corrupt good morals.”

That we must act by deeds, not words.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “Do not be quick with your tongue, and useless and slack in your works.” 2 Also the apostle in First Corinthians: “The kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” 3 Also to the Romans: “It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified.” 4 Also in the Gospel according to John: “He who does and so teaches will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” 5 Also according to Matthew: “Everyone who hears my words and does them I will liken to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded upon the rock. And everyone who hears my words and does not do them I will liken to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”

That we must hasten to faith and to attainment.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “Do not delay to turn to the Lord, and do not put it off from day to day; for his anger comes suddenly.”

That a catechumen ought no longer to sin.

1 The apostle Paul to the Romans: “Let us do evil, that good may come: their condemnation is just.”

That the judgment will be according to the times, whether of natural equity before the law, or of the law after Moses.

1 The apostle Paul to the Romans: “As many as have sinned without the law will perish without the law; and as many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.”

That the grace of God ought to be free.

1 In the Acts of the Apostles: “Your money perish with you, because you thought the grace of God could be possessed by money.” 2 Also in the Gospel: “Freely you have received, freely give.” 3 Also there: “You have made my Father's house a house of trade, and you have made the house of prayer a den of robbers.” 4 Also in Isaiah: “You who thirst, go to the water; and as many as have no money, go, buy and drink without money.” 5 Also in the Apocalypse: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To him who thirsts I will give from the fountain of the water of life freely. He who conquers will possess these things and their inheritance, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.”

That the Holy Spirit has often appeared in fire.

1 In Exodus: “And Mount Sinai was all smoking, because God had come down upon it in fire.” 2 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind rushing, and it filled the whole place where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues divided as of fire, which also rested on each one of them; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” 3 Also in the sacrifices: whichever God held acceptable, fire came down from heaven to consume them. Also in Exodus: “The angel of the Lord appeared in a flame of fire from the bush.”

That all good people ought to listen willingly to rebuke.

1 In the Proverbs of Solomon: “He who rebukes an ungodly man will be hated by him. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”

That we must refrain from much speaking.

1 In the Proverbs of Solomon: “In much speaking you will not escape sin; but if you spare your lips you will be wise.”

That we are not to lie.

1 In the Proverbs of Solomon: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.”

That those who do wrong in the household are to be corrected often.

1 In the Proverbs of Solomon: “He who spares his rod hates his son.” 2 Also there: “Do not cease to correct a child.”

That when injury has been received, patience is to be kept and vengeance left to God.

1 In the Proverbs of Solomon: “Do not say, ‘I will avenge myself on my enemy’; but wait for the Lord, that he may be your help.” 2 Also in Zephaniah: “Wait for me, says the Lord, on the day of my rising again for a testimony; for my judgment is upon the assemblies of the nations, to take hold of kings and pour out my anger upon them.” 3 Also elsewhere: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

That we are not to disparage others.

1 In Solomon, in Proverbs: “Do not love to disparage, so that you are not uprooted.” 2 Also in Psalm 49 [50]: “You sat and disparaged your brother, and set a stumbling block against your mother's son.” 3 Also the apostle Paul to the Romans: “I myself wished to be accursed from Christ for my brothers.” 4 Also to the Colossians: “To speak evil of no one, and not to be quarrelsome.”

That we must not lay snares for our neighbor.

1 In Solomon, in Proverbs: “He who digs a pit for his neighbor will himself fall into it.”

That the sick are to be visited.

1 In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: “Do not be slow to visit the sick; for by such things you will be made firm in love.” 2 Also in the Gospel: “I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.”

That whisperers are accursed.

1 In Ecclesiasticus: “The whisperer and the double-tongued is accursed, for he has troubled many who were at peace.”

That the sacrifices of the wicked are not acceptable.

1 In Ecclesiasticus: “The Most High does not approve the gifts of the unrighteous.”

That those who have held greater power in the world are judged more severely.

1 In Ecclesiasticus: “A most severe judgment will fall on those who rule; for mercy is granted to the lowly, but the mighty will suffer torments mightily.” 2 Also in the second Psalm: “And now, O kings, understand; be instructed, you who judge the earth.”

That the widow and orphans ought to be protected.

1 In Solomon: “Be merciful to orphans as a father, and as a husband to their mother; and you will be like a son of the Most High, if you obey.” 2 Also in Exodus: “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. But if you afflict them and they cry aloud to me, I will hear their cries, and I will be angry in my soul and kill you with the sword; and your wives will be widows and your children orphans.” 3 Also in Isaiah: “Judge for the orphan and do justice to the widow; and come, let us reason together, says the Lord.” 4 Also in Job: “I kept the needy from the hand of the mighty, and I helped the orphan who had no helper; the mouth of the widow blessed me.” 5 Also in Psalm 67 [68]: “Father of orphans and judge of widows.”

That while one is in the flesh, he ought to make confession.

1 In Psalm 6: “But in the underworld who will confess to you?” 2 Also in Psalm 29 [30]: “Will the dust make confession to you?” 3 Also elsewhere, that confession is to be made: “I prefer the repentance of the sinner to his death.” 4 Also in Jeremiah: “Thus says the Lord: Shall he who falls not rise again, or he who turns away not turn back?”

That flattery is ruinous.

1 In Isaiah: “Those who call you happy lead you into error and disturb the path of your feet.”

That God is loved more by him to whom more sins are forgiven in baptism.

1 In the Gospel according to Luke: “He to whom more is forgiven loves more, and he to whom little is forgiven loves little.”

That the struggle against the devil is a hard one, and that we ought therefore to stand firm so that we may conquer.

1 The apostle Paul to the Ephesians: “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and princes of this world and of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the most evil day, so that, having accomplished all things, you may stand, truth fastened around your waist, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, taking up in all things the shield of faith, with which you may be able to quench all the burning darts of the most wicked one, and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

On the Antichrist, that he will come as a man.

1 In Isaiah: “This is the man who stirs up the earth, who shakes kings, who makes the whole world a desert.”

That the yoke of the law, which we have cast off, was heavy, and that the yoke of the Lord, which we have taken up, is light.

1 In the second Psalm: “Why have the nations raged, and the peoples devised vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ: Let us break their bonds and cast their yoke from us.” 2 Also in the Gospel according to Matthew: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is good and my burden is light.” 3 Also in the Acts of the Apostles: “It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no burden other than these necessary things: that you abstain from idolatries and from blood and from sexual immorality; and whatever you do not wish to be done to you, do not do to another.”

That we must persevere in prayer.

1 Paul to the Colossians: “Persevere in prayer, keeping watch in it.” 2 Also in the first Psalm: “But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he will meditate day and night.”