Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 327
tures themselves; and therefore it behooves you to learn the
meaning of the Scriptures from him who keeps it according to
the truth handed down to him from his fathers, so that he can
authoritatively declare what he has rightly received. But when
one has received an entire and firm rule of truth from the
Scriptures, it will not be improper if he contribute to the establishment
of true doctrine anything from common education
and from liberal studies, which, it may be, he has attached
himself to in his boyhood; yet so that, when he has learned the
truth, he renounce falsehood and pretence.
Chapter XLIII: A Word of Exhortation
And when he had said this, he looked to our father, and
said: You therefore, old man, if indeed you care for your spirit
safety, that when you desire to be separated from the
body, it may, in consequence of what may be a short conversion,
find eternal rest, ask about whatever you please, and
seek counsel, that you may be able to cast off any doubt that
remains in you. For even to young men the time of life is uncertain;
but to old men it is not even uncertain, for there is no
doubt that there is but little time remaining to them. And
therefore both young and old ought to be very earnest about
their conversion and repentance, and to be taken up with the
adornment of their spirits for the future with the worthiest
ornaments, such as the doctrines of truth, the grace of chastity,
the splendor of righteousness, the fairness of obedience,
and all other things with which it becomes a reasonable mind
to be adorned. Then, besides, they should break off from unseemly
and unbelieving companions, and keep company with
the faithful, and frequent those assemblies in which subjects
are handled relating to chastity, righteousness and obedience;
to pray to Yahweh always heartily, and to ask of Him those
things which ought to be asked of Elohim; to give thanks to
Him; to repent truly of their past doings; in some measure also,
if possible, by deeds of mercy towards the poor, to help
their repentance. For by these means pardon will be more easily
bestowed, and mercy will be sooner shown to the merciful.