Alternative Religion/ Library

1. There are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this. First of all, you must love the God who made you; secondly, your neighbour as yourself. All things you wouldn't have befall yourself, neither do to another.

Now of these words the doctrine is this. Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies and fast for those who persecute you; for what thanks is it, if you love those who love you? Don't even the Gentiles do the same? But you love those who hate you, and you will not have any enemies.

Abstain from fleshly and bodily lusts. If any man give you a blow on your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you will be perfect; if a man impresses you to go with him one mile, go with him two; if a man takes away your cloak, give him your coat also; if a man takes from you something of yours, don't ask for it back, for neither are you able. To every man who asks of you, give, and don't ask for it back; for the Father desires that gifts be given to all from His own bounties.

Blessed is he who gives according to the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to him who receives; for, if a man receives having need, he is guiltless; but he who has no need shall give satisfaction why and wherefore he received; and being put in confinement he shall be examined concerning the deeds he has done, and he shall not come out from there until he has given back the last farthing. Yes, as touching this also it is said; Let your alms sweat into your hands, until you will have learnt to whom to give.

2. This is the second commandment of the teaching. You must do no murder, you must not commit adultery, you must not corrupt boys, you must not commit fornication, you must not steal, you must not deal in magic, you must do no sorcery, you must not murder a child by abortion nor kill them when born, you must not covet your neighbour's goods, you must not perjure yourself, you must not bear false witness, you must not speak evil, you must not cherish a grudge, you must not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for the double tongue is a snare of death. Your word shall not be false nor empty, but fulfilled by action. You must not be avaricious nor a plunderer nor a hypocrite nor ill-tempered nor proud. You must not entertain an evil design against your neighbour. You must not hate any man, but some you must reprove, and for others you must pray, and others you must love more than your life.

3. My child, flee from every evil and everything that resembles it. Don't be angry, for anger leads to murder, nor jealous nor contentious nor wrathful; for of all these things murders are engendered.

My child, don't be lustful, for lust leads to fornication, neither foul-speaking neither with uplifted eyes; for of all these things adulteries are engendered.

My child, be no dealer in omens, since it leads to idolatry, nor an enchanter nor an astrologer nor a magician, neither be willing to look at them; for from all these things idolatry is engendered.

My child, don't be a liar, since lying leads to theft, neither avaricious neither vainglorious; for from all these things thefts are engendered.

My child, don't be a murmurer, since it leads to blasphemy, neither self-willed neither a thinker of evil thoughts; for from all these things blasphemies are engendered.

But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and quiet and kindly and always fearing the words which you have heard. You must not exalt yourself, neither must you admit boldness into your soul. Your soul shall not cleave together with the lofty, but with the righteous and humble must you walk. The accidents that befall you, you should receive as good, knowing that nothing is done without God.

4. My child, you must remember the one who speaks to you the word of God night and day, and honour him as the Lord; for whenever the Lordship speaks, there is the Lord. Moreover you must seek out day by day the persons of the saints, so that you may find rest in their words. You should not make a schism, but you must pacify those who contend; you must judge righteously, you must not make a difference in a person to reprove him for transgressions. You must not doubt whether a thing shall be or not be.

Don't be found holding out your hands to receive, but drawing them in as to giving. If you have ought passing through your hands, you will give a ransom for your sins. You must not hesitate to give, neither should you murmur when giving; for you should know who is the good paymaster of your reward. You must not turn away from the one who is in want, but should make your brother partaker in all things, and must not say that anything is your own. For if you are fellow-partakers in those things that are imperishable, how much rather in the things which are perishable?

You must not withhold your hand from your son or from your daughter, but from their youth you must teach them the fear of God. You must not command your bond servant or your handmaid in your bitterness, who trusts in the same God as yourself, lest haply they should cease to fear the God who is over both of you; for He comes, not to call men with respect of persons, but He comes to those whom the Spirit has prepared. But you, servants, shall be subject to your masters, as to a type of God, in shame and fear.

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