how thinkest thou? would he not give all his goods,
though he were wealthy, provided that he might live,
if they would permit him this Nevertheless, he could not
live for ever, though they then released him,
but he would only have a few years' delay.
It is then a great consideration to him who careth for himself,
to purchase for himself that eternal life, of which we speak.
Now thinkest thou, and sayest, ' How may I purchase the, eternal life?'
I say to thee, give thyself to God,
so that thou mayest love the things which God loveth,
and detest those things which God detesteth.
God abhorreth lies, and loveth truth.
Be thou no liar, neither treacherous,
but be true and ever faithful;
because the faithless are [good] for no lord to have,
nor likewise does God care for the unfaithful.
It would be very tedious for us here now to tell you
all God's commands, but do ye one thing:
let each one take heed that he spend not his life uselessly,
but let him learn God's commands from wise teachers,
and keep the same as he best may.
If he in any wise sin against God's will, let him make amends for it earnestly,
then shall he be God's man, and God shall give him for his reward
that eternal life, concerning which we before spake.
Now every man is baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and
he may not be again baptized, that the invocation of the Holy
Trinity be not contemned; but true contrition, and penance with
