1
My child, remember night and day him who
speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as you do the Lord. For wherever
the lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord.
2
And seek out day by day the faces
of the saints, in order that you may rest upon their words. Do not long for
division, but rather bring those who contend to peace.
3
Judge righteously, and do
not respect persons in reproving for transgressions. You shall not be undecided
whether or not it shall be.
4
Be not a stretcher forth of the hands to receive and
a drawer of them back to give. If you have anything, through your hands you
shall give ransom for your sins.
5
Do not hesitate to give, nor complain when you
give; for you shall know who is the good repayer of the hire. Do not turn away
from him who is in want; rather, share all things with your brother, and do not
say that they are your own.
6
For if you are partakers in that which is immortal,
how much more in things which are mortal? Do not remove your hand from your son
or daughter; rather, teach them the fear of God from their youth.
7
Do not enjoin
anything in your bitterness upon your bondman or maidservant, who hope in the
same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is over both; for he comes not
to call according to the outward appearance, but to them whom the Spirit has
prepared. And you bondmen shall be subject to your masters as to a type of God,
in modesty and fear.
8
You shall hate all hypocrisy and everything which is not
pleasing to the Lord. Do not in any way forsake the commandments of the Lord;
but keep what you have received, neither adding thereto nor taking away
therefrom.
9
In the church you shall acknowledge your transgressions, and you
shall not come near for your prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of
life.