Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 215
Master, that I suffer these
things unreasonably; but there is a certain cause and reason of
this affection of mine towards you. For I have you alone as the
object of all my affections, instead of father and mother, and
brethren; but above all this, is the fact that you alone are the
cause of my salvation and knowledge of the truth. And also
this I do not count of least moment, that my youthful age is
subject to the snares of lusts; and I am afraid to be without
you, by whose sole presence all effeminacy, however irrational
it be, is put to shame; although I trust, by the mercy of Elohim,
that even my mind, from what it has conceived through
your instruction, shall be unable to receive aught else into its
thoughts. Besides, I remember your saying at Caesarea, If any
one wishes to accompany me without violating dutifulness, let
him accompany me. And by this you meant that he should not
make any one sad, to whom he ought according to Yahwehs
appointment to cleave; for example, that he should not leave a
faithful wife, or parents, or the like. Now from these I am entirely
free, and so I am fit for following you; and I wish you
would grant me that I might perform to you the service of a
Chapter VI: Kefa Simplicity of Life
Then Kefa
very necessity must make you my servant? For who else can
spread my sheets, and arrange my beautiful coverlets? Who
will be at hand to keep my rings, and prepare my robes, which
I must be constantly changing? Who shall superintend my
cooks, and provide various and choice meats to be prepared
by most complicated and various art; and all those things
which are procured at enormous expense, and are brought
together for men of delicate upbringing, yea rather, for their
appetite, as for some enormous beast? But maybe, although
you live with me, you do not know my manner of life. I live on
bread alone, with olives, and seldom even with pot-herbs; and