sophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. There be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. CHAP. XXV. DUTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN. If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. The parents ought to lay up for the children. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up, and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes, and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. Withhold not correction from the child. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight. unto thy soul. Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. A son honoureth his father. Honour thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father. Hearken to thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction but he that hateth reproof shall die. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father, or his mother. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and .saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! CHAP. XXVI. ENVY. THE spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. The works of the flesh are strife, envyings. yo have bitter envying and strife in you If hearts, glory not: for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. Let not thine heart envy sinners. Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy ? CHAP. XXVII. EQUALITY. GOD hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth. Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? :: The rich and the poor meet together the Lord is. the maker of them all. He fashioneth their hearts alike. The Almighty accepteth not the persons of princes nor regardeth the rich more than the poor for they are all the work of his hands. There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. We also are men of like passions with you. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and the wicked. All unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. The memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. CHAP XXVIII. EVIL-SPEAKING, PUT them in mind to speak evil of no man. thee far from a false matter. Keep A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. He that uttereth a slander is a fool. Keep not company with a railer. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? He that backbiteth not with his tongue. I fear lest there be backbitings, whisperings. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets. Where there is no talebearer the strife ceaseth. |