For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to those who are saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by its wisdom did not know God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe; for the Jews demand signs and the Greeks seek wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Likewise in the same place: Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone among you thinks himself wise, let him become a fool to this world, that he may be wise; for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: He catches the wise in their own craftiness. Likewise in the same place: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. THAT ONE MUST BE OBEDIENT TO PARENTS. Paul the apostle, to the Ephesians: Children, be obedient to your parents, for this is just. Honour your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and you may be long-lived upon the earth. THAT FATHERS, TOO, OUGHT NOT TO BE HARSH TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN. Paul the apostle, to the Ephesians:
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord. THAT SERVANTS, WHEN THEY HAVE BELIEVED, OUGHT TO SERVE THEIR FLESHLY MASTERS THE MORE. Paul, to the Ephesians: Servants, obey your fleshly masters with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ, not serving to the eye as though pleasing men, but as servants of Christ. LIKEWISE THAT MASTERS OUGHT TO BE MORE GENTLE. Paul the apostle, to the Ephesians: And you, masters, do the same toward them, forbearing threats, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him. THAT APPROVED WIDOWS ARE TO BE HONOURED. Paul the apostle, to Timothy, first epistle:
Honour widows who are truly widows. But she who lives in pleasures is dead while living. Likewise in the same place: But refuse the younger widows; for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they wish to marry, having condemnation, because they have rejected their first faith. THAT EACH ONE OUGHT ALL THE MORE TO HAVE CARE FOR HIS OWN, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE FAITHFUL. Paul the apostle, to Timothy, first epistle: But if anyone has no care for his own, and especially for those of his household, he denies the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Likewise in Isaiah: If you see one naked, clothe him, and do not despise those of the household of your own seed. Of which household it is said in the Gospel: If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! THAT AN ELDER IS NOT TO BE RASHLY ACCUSED.
Paul the apostle, to Timothy, first epistle: Do not receive an accusation against an elder. THAT ONE WHO SINS PUBLICLY IS TO BE PUBLICLY REBUKED. Paul the apostle, to Timothy, first epistle: Reprove him who sins in the presence of all, that the rest may have fear. THAT ONE MUST NOT CONVERSE WITH HERETICS. Paul the apostle, to Titus: A heretical man, after a first correction, avoid, knowing that such a one is perverse and sins and is condemned by his own self. Likewise John the apostle: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would surely have remained with us. Likewise to Timothy, second epistle: Their word spreads like a cancer. THAT THE INNOCENT MAY ASK CONFIDENTLY AND OBTAIN. John the apostle:
If our heart does not reproach us, we have confidence toward God, and whatever we ask we shall receive from him. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Likewise in Psalm 23: Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that is innocent of hands and pure of heart. THAT THE DEVIL HAS NO POWER AGAINST MAN UNLESS GOD HAS PERMITTED IT. In the Gospel according to John, Jesus said: You would have no power against me, unless it had been given you from above. Likewise in Third Kingdoms: And the Lord stirred up Satan against Solomon himself. Likewise in Job, God first gave permission, and so it was allowed to the devil. Likewise in the Gospel the Lord first gives permission, saying to Judas: What you do, do quickly.
Likewise in Solomon, in the Proverbs: The heart of the king is in the hand of God. THAT THE HIRELING'S WAGES ARE TO BE PAID PROMPTLY. In Leviticus: The wages of your hireling shall not remain with you until the morning. THAT ONE MUST NOT PRACTISE AUGURY. In Deuteronomy: You shall not use omens, nor practise augury. THAT ONE MUST NOT WEAR A LOCK OF HAIR. In Leviticus: You shall not make a tuft from the hair of your head. THAT ONE MUST NOT PLUCK THE BEARD. In Leviticus: You shall not mar the shape of your beard. THAT ONE MUST RISE WHEN A BISHOP OR PRESBYTER COMES. In Leviticus: You shall rise up before the face of the aged, and shall honour the person of the presbyter. THAT SCHISM IS NOT TO BE MADE, EVEN IF HE WHO DEPARTS REMAINS IN ONE FAITH AND IN THE SAME TRADITION. In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: He who splits wood shall be endangered thereby, if the iron-head flies off. Likewise in Exodus:
It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not carry the flesh out of the house. Likewise in Psalm 132: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. Likewise Paul the apostle, to the Corinthians, first epistle: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you, but that you be perfected in the same mind and in the same judgment. Likewise in Psalm 67: God, who makes those of one mind to dwell in a house. THAT THE FAITHFUL OUGHT TO BE SIMPLE TOGETHER WITH PRUDENCE. In the Gospel according to Matthew: Be prudent as serpents and simple as doves. Likewise in the same place:
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its savour, with what shall it be salted? It is good for nothing, except to be cast out and trodden underfoot by men. THAT ONE MUST NOT DEFRAUD A BROTHER. Paul the apostle, to the Thessalonians, first epistle: That no one defraud his brother in business, because the Lord is the avenger of all these things. THAT THE END OF THE WORLD COMES SUDDENLY. Paul the apostle, to the Thessalonians, first epistle: The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. When they shall say, Peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them. Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles: No one can know the time or the seasons which the Father has placed in his own power. THAT A WIFE MUST NOT DEPART FROM HER HUSBAND, OR, IF SHE HAS DEPARTED, MUST REMAIN UNMARRIED. Paul the apostle, to the Corinthians, first epistle:
To those who are married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not depart from her husband; but if she has departed, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband, and that the husband not put away his wife. THAT EACH ONE IS TEMPTED ONLY AS FAR AS HE CAN BEAR. Paul the apostle, to the Corinthians, first epistle: No temptation will seize you but such as is human; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to endure. THAT NOT EVERYTHING WHICH IS LAWFUL IS TO BE DONE. Paul the apostle, to the Corinthians, first epistle: All things are lawful, but not all are expedient; all things are lawful, but not all build up. A PROPHECY THAT THERE WOULD BE HERESIES. Paul the apostle:
There must also be heresies, that those who are approved may be made manifest among you. THAT THE EUCHARIST IS TO BE RECEIVED WITH FEAR AND HONOUR. In Leviticus: Whatever soul shall eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of salvation which belongs to the Lord, while his uncleanness is upon him, that soul shall perish from his people. Likewise to the Corinthians, first epistle: Whoever shall eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. THAT ONE MUST LIVE WITH THE GOOD, BUT AVOID THE EVIL. In Solomon, in the Proverbs: Do not bring the ungodly into the dwelling of the just. Likewise in Ecclesiasticus: Let just men be your table-companions. Likewise in the same place: A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality. Likewise in the same place:
Keep far from the man who has power to kill [and you shall not suspect any fear]. Likewise in the same place: Happy is he who finds a true friend, and who declares righteousness to an ear that hears. Likewise in the same place: Hedge your ears about with thorns, and do not listen to a wicked tongue. Likewise in Psalm 17: With the holy you shall be holy, and with the innocent man you shall be innocent, and with the perverse you shall be perverted. Likewise Paul the apostle, to the Corinthians, first epistle: Evil conversations corrupt good morals. THAT ONE MUST WORK BY DEEDS, NOT BY WORDS. In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: Do not be hasty in your tongue, and useless and slack in your works. Likewise the apostle, to the Corinthians, first epistle: The kingdom of God is not in word but in power. Likewise to the Romans:
It is not the hearers of the law who are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Likewise in the Gospel according to John: He who does and so teaches shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Likewise according to Matthew: Everyone who hears my words and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon the rock; the rain came down, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded upon the rock. And everyone who hears my words and does not do them, I will liken him to a foolish man who will build his house upon the sand; the rain came down, the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.
THAT ONE MUST HASTEN TO FAITH AND TO ATTAINING IT. In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: Do not delay to turn to the Lord, and do not put it off from day to day; for his wrath comes suddenly. THAT A CATECHUMEN OUGHT NO LONGER TO SIN. Paul the apostle, to the Romans: Let us do evil that good may come—whose condemnation is just. THAT JUDGMENT WILL BE ACCORDING TO THE TIMES, WHETHER OF EQUITY BEFORE THE LAW, OR OF THE LAW AFTER MOSES. Paul the apostle, to the Romans: As many as have sinned wickedly shall wickedly perish; and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law. THAT THE GRACE OF GOD OUGHT TO BE GIVEN FREELY. In the Acts of the Apostles: Your money be with you unto perdition, because you have thought that the grace of God could be possessed by money. Likewise in the Gospel:
Freely you have received, freely give. Likewise in the same place: You have made my Father's house a house of merchandise [and you have made the house of prayer a den of robbers]. Likewise in Isaiah: You who thirst, go to the water; and as many as have no money, go, buy and drink without money. Likewise in the Apocalypse: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end; I will give to him who thirsts of the fountain of living water freely. He who overcomes shall possess these things and their inheritance, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS FREQUENTLY APPEARED IN FIRE. In Exodus: And Mount Sinai smoked entirely, because God had descended upon it in fire. Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles:
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound, as if a violent blast were borne along, and it filled the whole place where they were sitting; and there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire, which also settled upon each one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Likewise in the sacrifices, whatever God accepted, fire came down from heaven to consume the sacrifices. Likewise in Exodus: In a flame of fire the angel of the Lord appeared from the bush. THAT ALL GOOD MEN OUGHT WILLINGLY TO HEAR CORRECTION. In the Proverbs of Solomon: He who corrects the ungodly will be hated by him; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. THAT ONE MUST REFRAIN FROM MUCH SPEAKING. In the Proverbs of Solomon: In much speaking you will not escape sin; but sparing your lips you will be wise.
THAT ONE MUST NOT LIE. In the Proverbs of Solomon: Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. THAT THOSE WHO OFFEND IN HOUSEHOLD SERVICE ARE TO BE OFTEN CORRECTED. In the Proverbs of Solomon: He who spares his rod hates his son. Likewise in the same place: Do not cease to correct the little one. THAT WHEN AN INJURY IS RECEIVED, PATIENCE IS TO BE MAINTAINED, AND VENGEANCE LEFT TO GOD. In the Proverbs of Solomon: Do not say, I will avenge myself on my enemy, but wait for the Lord, that he may be a help to you. [Likewise elsewhere: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.] Likewise in Zephaniah: Wait for me, says the Lord, in the day of my resurrection, for a testimony; for my judgment is unto the gatherings of the nations, that I may receive the kings and pour out my wrath upon them. THAT ONE MUST NOT DISPARAGE.
In Solomon, in the Proverbs: Do not love to disparage, lest you be rooted out. Likewise in Psalm 49: Sitting, you spoke against your brother, and against your mother's son you laid a stumbling-block. Likewise Paul the apostle, to the Romans: I myself could wish to be accursed from Christ for my brethren. Likewise to the Colossians: Speak evil of no one, nor be quarrelsome. THAT ONE MUST NOT LIE IN WAIT FOR ONE'S NEIGHBOUR. In Solomon, in the Proverbs: He who digs a pit for his neighbour will himself fall into it. THAT THE SICK ARE TO BE VISITED. In Solomon, in Ecclesiasticus: Do not be slow to visit the sick; for by these things you will be strengthened in love. Likewise in the Gospel: I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. THAT WHISPERERS ARE ACCURSED.
In Ecclesiasticus: The whisperer and the double-tongued is accursed, for he has disturbed many who were at peace. THAT THE SACRIFICES OF THE WICKED ARE NOT ACCEPTED. In Ecclesiasticus: The Most High does not approve the gifts of the wicked. THAT THOSE WHO HAVE HAD MORE POWER IN THE WORLD WILL BE JUDGED MORE SEVERELY. In Ecclesiasticus: The harshest judgment shall be upon those who rule; for to the lowly mercy is granted, but the mighty shall mightily suffer torments. Likewise in Psalm 2: And now, you kings, understand; be instructed, you who judge the earth. THAT THE WIDOW AND ORPHANS OUGHT TO BE PROTECTED. In Solomon: Be merciful to orphans as a father, and as a husband to their mother; and you shall be as a son of the Most High, if you are obedient. Likewise in Exodus: You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.
But if you afflict them, and they cry out and call to me, I will hear their cry, and I will be angry in my soul, and I will slay you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children orphans. Likewise in Isaiah: Judge for the orphan and do justice for the widow; and come, let us reason together, says the Lord. Likewise in Job: I delivered the needy from the hand of the mighty, and I helped the orphan who had no helper; the mouth of the widow blessed me. Likewise in Psalm 67: The Father of orphans and the Judge of widows. THAT WHILE ONE IS YET IN THE FLESH, HE OUGHT TO MAKE CONFESSION. In Psalm 6: But among the dead, who shall confess to you? Likewise in Psalm 29: Shall the dust make confession to you? Likewise elsewhere, that confession is to be made:
I desire the repentance of the sinner rather than his death. Likewise in Jeremiah: Thus says the Lord: Shall he who falls not rise again, or he who turns away not return? THAT FLATTERY IS PERNICIOUS. In Isaiah: Those who call you happy lead you into error and confound the path of your feet. THAT HE IS MORE LOVED BY GOD TO WHOM MORE SINS ARE FORGIVEN IN BAPTISM. In the Gospel according to Luke: He to whom [more is forgiven loves more, and he to whom] little is forgiven loves little. THAT THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE DEVIL IS STRONG, AND THEREFORE WE OUGHT TO STAND FIRMLY THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO CONQUER. Paul the apostle, to the Ephesians:
Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and princes of this world and of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. For this reason put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, that when you have accomplished all things, you may stand, having girded your loins with truth, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod in the preparation of the gospel of peace, in all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may extinguish all the burning darts of the evil one, and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. CONCERNING ANTICHRIST, THAT HE WILL COME IN A MAN. In Isaiah: This is the man who rouses the earth, who shakes kings, who makes the whole circle of the earth a desert.
THAT THE YOKE OF THE LAW WAS HEAVY, WHICH HAS BEEN CAST OFF FROM US, AND THAT THE YOKE OF THE LORD IS LIGHT, WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN UP BY US. In Psalm 2: Why did the nations rage, and the peoples meditate vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ: Let us break their bonds and cast off from us their yoke. Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is good and my burden is light. Likewise in the Acts of the Apostles:
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden beyond these things which are necessary: that you abstain from idolatries and blood and fornication; and whatever you do not wish to be done to you, do not do to others. THAT ONE MUST PERSEVERE IN PRAYERS. Paul, to the Colossians: Continue in prayer, watching in it. Likewise in Psalm 1: But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he will meditate day and night.