The Lost Books of the Bible

CHAP. VII.

1926 anthology with historical English translations and Crane introduction William Wake and Frank Crane

CHAP. VII.

1 What rules are given for this purpose.

LET us, therefore, humble ourselves, brethren, laying aside all pride, and boasting, and foolishness, and anger: And let us do as it is written.

2 For thus saith the Holy Spirit;[255] Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches; but let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord, to seek him, and to do judgment and justice.

3 Above all, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, which he spake[256] concerning equity and long suffering,[257] saying,

4[258] Be ye merciful and ye shall obtain mercy; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: as ye do, so shall it be done unto you: as ye give, so shall it be given unto you: as ye judge, so shall ye be judged; as ye are kind to others so shall God be kind to you: with what measure ye mete, with the same shall it be measured to you again.

5 By this command, and by these rules, let us establish ourselves, that so we may always walk obediently to his holy words; being humble minded:

6 For so says[259] the Holy Scripture;[260] upon whom shall I look, even upon him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word.

7 It is, therefore, just and[261] righteous, men and brethren, that we should become obedient unto God, rather than follow such as[262] through pride and sedition, have made themselves the ring-leaders of a detestable emulation.

8 For it is not an ordinary harm that we shall do ourselves but rather a very great danger that we shall run, if we shall rashly give up ourselves to the wills of men who[263] promote strife and seditions, to turn us aside from that which is fitting.

9 But let us be kind to one another, according to the compassion and sweetness of him that made us.

10 For it is written,[264] The merciful shall inherit the earth; and they that are without evil shall be left upon it:[265] but the transgressors shall perish from off the face of it.

11 And again he saith,[266] I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like the cedar of Libanus. I passed by, and lo! he was not; I sought his place, but it could not be found.

12 Keep innocently, and do the thing that is right, for there shall be a remnant to the peaceable man.

13 Let us, therefore, hold fast to those who[267] religiously follow peace; and not to such as[268] only pretend to desire.

14 For he saith in a certain place,[269] This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

15 And again, They[270] bless with their mouths,[271] but curse in their hearts.

16 And again he saith,[272] They loved him with their mouths, and with their tongues they lied to him. For their heart was not r right with him, neither were they, faithful in his covenant.

17[273]Let all deceitful lips become dumb, and the tongue that speaketh proud things. Who have said,[274] with our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own, who is Lord over us.

18 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise saith the Lord; I will set him in safety, I will deal confidently with him.