Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 71
Chapter II: Curtailment of Sleep
Kefa; for one custom is superseded by another. For when I
was at sea, I was at first distressed, and all my system was disordered,
so that I felt as if I had been beaten, and could not
bear the tossing and tumult of the sea; but after a few days,
when I had got accustomed to it, I began to bear it tolerably, so
that I was glad to take food immediately in the morning along
with the sailors, whereas before it was not my custom to eat
anything before the seventh hour. Now, therefore, simply from
the custom which I then acquired, hunger reminds me about
that time at which I used to eat with the sailors; which, however,
I hope to get rid of, when once another custom shall have
been formed. I believe, therefore, that you also have acquired
the habit of wakefulness, as you state; and you have wished at
a fitting time to explain this to us, that we also may not grudge
to throw off and dispense with some portion of our sleep, that
we may be able to take in the precepts of the living doctrine.
For when the food is digested, and the mind is under the influence
of the silence of night, those things which are seasonably
Chapter III: Need of Caution
Then Kefa, being pleased to hear that I understood the
purport of his preface, that he had delivered it for our advantage,
and commending me, doubtless for the purpose of encouraging
and stimulating me, began to deliver the following
nable and necessary to
have some discussion relating to those things that are near at
hand; that is, concerning Simon. For I should wish to know of
what character and of what conduct he is. Wherefore, if any
one of you has any knowledge of him, let him not fail to inform
me; for it is of consequence to know these things beforehand.
For if we have it in charge that when we enter into a city we
should first learn who in it is worthy that we may eat with
him, how much more is it proper for us to ascertain who or
what sort of man he is to whom the words of immortality are