Chapter XXX.—Let Us Do Those Things that Please God, and Flee from Those He Hates, that We May Be Blessed.

Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One,145    I. ἅγια μέρη (holy parts.) let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change,146    Some translate, “youthful lusts.” all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride.  “For God,” [saith the Scripture], “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.”147    Prov. iii. 34; James iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5.  Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God.  Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words.  For [the Scripture] saith, “He that speaketh much, shall also hear much in answer.  And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous?  Blessed148    I. omits. is he that is born of woman, who liveth but a short time:  be not given to much speaking.”149    Job xi. 2, 3.  The translation is doubtful.  Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hateth those that commend themselves.  Let testimony to our good150    I. omits. deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers.  Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to151    I. ἐδόθη (was given). those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.

ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟΝ Λ’. Ἁγίου οὖν μερὶς ὑπάρχοντες ποιήσωμεν τὰ τοῦ ἁγιασμοῦ πάντα, φεύγοντες καταλαλιάς, μιαράς τε καὶ ἀνάγνους συμπλοκάς, μέθας τε καὶ νεωτερισμοὺς καὶ βδελυκτὰς ἐπιθυμίας, μυσεράν τε μοιχείαν καὶ βδελυκτὴν ὑπερηφανίαν. «Θεὸς γάρ, φησίν, ὑπερηφάνοις ἀντιτάσσεται, ταπεινοῖς δὲ δίδωσιν χάριν.» Κολληθῶμεν οὖν ἐκείνοις, οἷς ἡ χάρις ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ δέδοται· ἐνδυσώμεθα τὴν ὁμόνοιαν ταπεινοφρονοῦντες, ἐγκρατευόμενοι, ἀπὸ παντὸς ψιθυρισμοῦ καὶ καταλαλιᾶς πόρρω ἑαυτοὺς ποιοῦντες, ἔργοις δικαιούμενοι καὶ μὴ λόγοις. Λέγει γάρ· «Ὁ τὰ πολλὰ λέγων καὶ ἀντακούσεται· ἢ ὁ εὔλαλος οἴεται εἶναι δίκαιος; Eὐλογημένος γεννητὸς γυναικὸς ὀλιγόβιος. Μὴ πολὺς ἐν ·ήμασιν γίνου.» Ὁ ἔπαινος ἡμῶν ἔστω ἐν θεῷ καὶ μὴ ἐξ αὐτῶν· αὐτεπαινετοὺς γὰρ μισεῖ ὁ θεός. Ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς ἀγαθῆς πράξεως ἡμῶν διδόσθω ὑπ' ἄλλων, καθὼς ἐδόθη τοῖς πατράσιν ἡμῶν τοῖς δικαίοις. Θράσος καὶ αὐθάδεια καὶ τόλμα τοῖς κατηραμένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ· ἐπιείκεια καὶ ταπεινοφροσύνη καὶ πραΰτης παρὰ τοῖς ηὐλογημένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ.