1 I said, “Sir, I do not understand these parables, nor can I grasp them, unless you explain them to me.” 2 “I will explain everything to you,” he said, “and I will make clear to you whatever I tell you. Keep the commandments of the Lord, and you will be well-pleasing to God, and will be enrolled among those who keep His commandments. 3 But if you do any good thing beyond God’s command, you will gain for yourself greater glory, and you will be more honored in God’s sight than you would have otherwise been. So if, while keeping the commandments of God, you add these services as well, you will rejoice if you observe them according to my command.” 4 I said to him, “Sir, I will keep whatever you command me; for I know that you are with me.” “I will be with you,” he said, “because you have such great zeal for doing good; yes, and I will be with everyone,” he said, “who has such zeal. 5 This fasting,” he said, “is very good if the commandments of the Lord are kept. This is the way you will keep this fast that you are about to observe. 6 First of all, keep yourself from every evil word and every evil desire, and cleanse your heart from all the vanities of this world. If you keep these things, this fast will be perfect for you. 7 And this is how you will do it. Having fulfilled what is written, on the day you fast you will taste nothing but bread and water, and from the food that you would have eaten that day, you will calculate the amount you would have spent, and will give it to a widow, or an orphan, or someone in need;⁠a and so you will humble your soul, so that the one who has received from your humility may be satisfied, and may pray for you to the Lord. 8 If then you accomplish this fast as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable in God’s sight, and this fasting will be recorded; and this service performed in this way is beautiful and joyful and acceptable to the Lord. 9 You and your children and your whole household will observe these things; and by observing them, you will be blessed; yes, and all those who hear and observe them will be blessed, and whatever they ask of the Lord, they will receive.”