Book V - Snyder Bible

300
Book X
Chapter I: Probation
But in the morning, after sunrise, I Clement, and Niceta and
Aquila, along with Kefa, came to the apartment in which my
father and mother were sleeping; and finding them still asleep,
we sat down before the door, when Kefa addressed us in such
terms as these: Listen to me, most beloved fellow servants: I
know that you have a great affection for your father; therefore
I am afraid that you will urge him too soon to take upon himself
the yoke of obedience, while he is not yet prepared for it;
and to this he may indeed consent, through his affection for
you. But this is not to be depended on; for what is done for the
sake of men is not worthy of approbation, and soon falls to
pieces. Therefore it seems to me, that you should permit him
to live for a year according to his own judgment; and during
that time he may travel with us, and while we are instructing
others he may hear with simplicity; and as he hears, if he has
any right purpose of acknowledging the truth, he will himself
request that he may take up the yoke of Torah observance; or
if he do not please to take it, he may remain a friend. For those
who do not take it up heartily, when they begin not to be able
to bear it, not only cast off that which they had taken up, but
by way of excuse, as it were. For their weakness, they begin to
speak evil of the way of truth and obedience, and to malign
those whom they have not been able to follow or to imitate.
Chapter II: A Difficulty
To this Niceta answered: My master Kefa, I say nothing
against your right and good counsels; but I wish to say one
thing, that thereby I may learn something that I do not know.
What if my father should die within the year during which you
recommend that he should be put off? He will go down to Geh
Hinnom helpless, and so be tormented for ever. Then said
Kefa: I embrace your kindly purpose towards your father,
and I forgive you in respect of things of which you are ignorant.
For do you suppose that, if any one is thought to have