Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

THE PRECEPTS OF ALEXANDER. 3 I I
"this punishment by fire?" And they spake [again],
saying, "We have taken to ourselves the food of
"thy days, O good master." And Alexander said
unto them, "The affliction of sorrow hath laid
"hold upon me, together with anxious care, which
"nothing can deliver me from except the gracious
"remission and forgiveness of sins, for repentance
"hath the supreme power in this world. And how
"many are those who go continually to their place!
"Is not their joy according to their place?"
And again' the disciples said unto Alexander,
"What^ can deliver us from these punishments,
"and from the [p. i8l] pains of this path?" And
he said unto them, "Fulfil the commandment ofxhe pre-
"God Almighty, be mindful of the poor since God
"Almighty hath made you rich; and satisfy the
"hungry with food since He hath satisfied^ you;
"give drink to the thirsty since He hath given
"you to drink in abundance; clothe the naked
"since He hath given you apparel; heal the sick
"since He hath healed you; encourage the timid
"since He hath put fear into you, and fulfil the
"number of your lonely souls." The disciples
said unto him, "If we do these things will it be
"profitable for us?" Alexander said [unto them],
"Yea, if ye begin [to do them now], and all that
"ye do is good, ye shall not perish like that
"And although He will chastise and enter into judg-
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Alexander.