6. Yet, though I am imperfect in many things, I wish my brethren and kinsfolk to know what manner of man I am, that they may understand the desire of my soul.
7. I am not unmindful of the testimony of my Lord, who witnesseth in the psalm: Thou shalt destroy them that speak a lie. And again He saith: The mouth that lieth killeth the soul. And the same Lord saith in the Gospel: The idle word that men shall speak they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment.
8. Therefore I ought exceedingly, with fear and trembling, to dread this sentence on that day when no one will be able to absent himself, but when we shall all, without exception, render an account of even the slightest sins before the tribunal of Christ the Lord.
9. For this reason I had long since thought of writing, but even until now I hesitated, for I feared lest I should incur the censure of the tongues of men; for I have not been educated as others have, who accordingly, in an excellent manner, have imbibed both Law and Sacred Scripture alike, and have never changed their speech from childhood but rather have ever been bringing it to perfection. For my speech and word is translated into a foreign tongue, as may be easily proved from the flavour of my writing—how I have been taught and trained in language. For saith the Wise Man: By the tongue will be discerned understanding and knowledge and the doctrine of truth.
10. But of what avail is an excuse even though true, especially if it be with presumption? Since now, I, myself, in my old age, hanker after what in youth I did not acquire, because my sins prevented me from mastering what I had previously read over. But who will believe me, even if I repeat what I have already said?
