Closing Words

So read these words to the rest of the brothers, so that they may learn what the life of monks ought to be, and may believe that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ glorifies those who glorify him. Those who serve him to the end he leads not only to the kingdom of heaven; even here, though they hide themselves and want to withdraw from the world, he makes them illustrious and well known everywhere because of their virtue and the help they give to others. And if need be, read this among the pagans too, so that even in this way they may learn that our Lord Jesus Christ is not only God and the Son of God, but also that the Christians who truly serve him and believe in him devoutly prove that the demons, whom the Greeks themselves think to be gods, are not gods at all. More than that, the Christians tread them underfoot and put them to flight as deceivers and corrupters of humankind, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. [a]