The Fences

My child, run from everything evil and from everything that resembles it. Do not be quick to anger, for anger leads the way to murder; and do not be jealous or argumentative or hot-tempered, for murders are born out of all these. My child, do not be a man of cravings, for craving leads the way to sexual immorality; and do not be foul-mouthed or let your eyes rove, for adulteries are born out of all these. My child, do not be a reader of omens, since that leads to idolatry; and do not chant spells or practice astrology or perform purifications, and do not even want to look at such things, for idolatry is born out of all these. My child, do not be a liar, since lying leads to theft; and do not love money or hunger for praise, for thefts are born out of all these. My child, do not be a grumbler, since it leads to speaking against God; and do not be stubborn or evil-minded, for speech against God is born out of all these. [a]

Be gentle, since the gentle will inherit the earth. Be patient and merciful and without malice, quiet and good, and always trembling at the words you have heard. Do not exalt yourself, and do not let your soul become presumptuous. Your soul is not to be joined to the proud; live among the righteous and the humble instead. Take whatever happens to you as good, knowing that nothing happens apart from God. [b]

My child, remember night and day the one who speaks the word of God to you, and honor him as the Lord; for where the Lord’s rule is spoken of, there the Lord is. Seek out the faces of the holy ones every day, so that you may find rest in their words. Do not long for division; make peace between those who are fighting. Judge fairly, and show no favoritism when you correct a wrong. Do not be double-minded, wondering whether a thing will happen or not. [c]

Do not be a man who stretches out his hands to receive and pulls them back when it is time to give. If you have something by the work of your hands, give it as a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give, and do not grumble while you give; you will find out who the good paymaster is. Do not turn away from anyone in need. Share everything with your brother, and do not say that any of it is your own; for if you are partners in what is immortal, how much more in what is mortal.

Do not withhold your hand from your son or your daughter, but teach them the fear of God from their earliest years. Do not give orders in your bitterness to your male slave or your slave girl, who hope in the same God, or they may stop fearing the God who is over you both; for he does not come to call people by their rank, but those whom the Spirit has prepared. And you slaves, submit to your masters as to a figure of God, with modesty and fear. Hate every kind of hypocrisy and everything that does not please the Lord. Do not abandon the commands of the Lord; guard what you received, adding nothing and taking nothing away. In the church confess your offenses, and do not come to your prayer with a bad conscience. This is the way of life. [d]