[That We Ought Not to Be Over-Curious About Those Who Live Wickedly, But to Be Intent Upon Our Own Proper Employment.]
IV. Thou shalt not be as a wanderer and gadder abroad, rambling about the streets, without just cause, to spy out such as live wickedly. But by minding thy own trade and employment, endeavour to do what is acceptable to God. And keeping in mind the oracles of Christ, meditate in the same continually. For so the Scripture says to thee: “Thou shalt meditate in His law day and night; when thou walkest in the field, and when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up, that thou mayest have understanding in all things.” 23 Josh. i. 8; Deut. vi. 7. Josh. i. 8; Deut. vi. 7. Nay, although thou beest rich, and so dost not want a trade for thy maintenance, be not one that gads about, and walks abroad at random; but either go to some that are believers, and of the same religion, and confer and discourse with them about the lively oracles of God:—
[4] Οὐκ ἔσῃ ὡς πετόμενος καὶ ἀλώμενος ἐν ταῖς ῥύμαις, ἀκαιροεπόπτης τῶν κακῶς ζώντων, ἀλλὰ τῇ τέχνῃ σου ἢ τῷ ἔργῳ σου προσέχων τὰ τῷ Θεῷ φίλα ἀναζήτει ποιεῖν, καὶ τὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ λόγια ἀναμιμνησκόμενος διηνεκῶς μελέτα. Λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή σοι, ὅτι: «Ἐν τῷ Νόμῳ αὐτοῦ μελετήσεις ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός, περιπατῶν ἐν ἀγρῷ καὶ ἐν οἴκῳ καθήμενος, καὶ κοιταζόμενος καὶ διανιστάμενος, ἵνα συνιῇς ἐν πᾶσιν.»