7 give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. 8 If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. 9 So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. 10 For almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness. 11 Indeed, almsgiving, for all who practice it, is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High.

3 nor were its fair flowers there to see; the powers that move the stars were not established, nor the countless hosts of angels assembled, 4 nor the vast tracts of air setup on high; the divisions of the firmaments had not received their names. Zion had not yet been chosen as God’s own footstool; 5 the present age had not been planned; the schemes of its sinners had not yet been outlawed, nor had God’s seal yet been set on those who have stored up a treasure of fidelity. 6 Then I considered these things; and the whole world was created through me and through me alone. In the same way, through me and through me alone the end shall come.’ 7 ‘Tell me’, I went on, ‘about the interval that divides the ages. When will the first age end and the next age begin?’