Chapter XXX.

The ending of the book brings an exhortation to avoid ill-will, and to seek prudence, faith, and the other virtues.

152. My sons, avoid wicked men, guard against the envious. There is this difference between a wicked and an envious man: the wicked man is delighted at his own good fortune, but the envious is tortured at the thought of another’s. The former loves evil, the latter hates good. So he is almost more bearable who desires good for himself alone, than he who desires evil for all.

153. My sons, think before you act, and when you have thought long then do what you consider right. When the opportunity of a praiseworthy death is given let it be seized at once. Glory that is put off flies away and is not easily laid hold of again.

154. Love faith. For by his devotion and faith Josiah545    2 [4] Kings xxiii. 21 ff. won great love for himself from his enemies. For he celebrated the Lord’s passover when he was eighteen years old, as no one had done it before him. As then in zeal he was superior to those who went before him, so do ye, my sons, show zeal for God. Let zeal for God search you through, and devour you, so that each one of you may say: “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. ”546    Ps. lxix. [lxviii.] 9. An apostle of Christ was called the zealot.547    S. Luke vi. 15. But why do I speak of an apostle? The Lord Himself said: “The zeal of thine house hath eaten Me up.”548    S. John ii. 17. St. John, however, only says: “The disciples remembered that it was written.” Let it then be real zeal for God, not mean earthy zeal, for that causes jealousy.

155. Let there be peace among you, which passeth all understanding. Love one another. Nothing is sweeter than charity, nothing more blessed than peace. Ye yourselves know that I have ever loved you and do now love you above all others. As the children of one father ye have become united under the bond of brotherly affection.

156. Whatsoever is good, that hold fast; and the God of peace and love be with you in the Lord Jesus, to Whom be honour and glory, dominion and might, together with the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

CAPUT XXX.

Libri conclusio per exhortationem ad fugiendos invidos, atque ad prudentiam, fidem aliasque virtutes prosequendas.

152. Filii, fugite improbos, cavete invidos. Inter improbum et invidum hoc interest: improbus suo delectatur bono, invidus torquetur alieno: ille diligit mala, hic bona odit; ut prope tolerabilior sit, qui sibi vult bene, quam qui male omnibus.

133. Filii, ante factum cogitate: et cum diutius 0144C cogitaveritis, tunc facite quod probatis. Laudabilis 0145A mortis cum occasio datur, rapienda est illico. Dilata gloria fugit, nec facile comprehenditur.

108 154. Fidem diligite, quoniam per fidem et devotionem Josias magnum sibi ab adversariis amorem acquisivit; quoniam celebravit pascha Domini, cum esset annorum decem et octo, quemadmodum nemo ante eum (IV Reg. XXIII, 21 seq.). Zelo itaque ut vicit superiores, ita et vos, filii, zelum Dei sumite. Exquirat vos Dei zelus et devoret; ut unusquisque vestrum dicat: Exquisivit me zelus domus tuae (Psal. LXVIII, 10). Apostolus Christi zelotes dictus est (Luc. VI, 15). Quid de Apostolo dico? Ipse Dominus ait: 0146A Zelus domus tuae comedit me (Joan. II, 17). Sit ergo Dei zelus, non iste humanus quem invidia generat.

155. Sit inter vos pax, quae superat omnem sensum. Amate vos invicem. Nihil charitate dulcius, nihil pace gratius. Et vos ipsi scitis quod prae caeteris vos semper dilexi et diligo: quasi unius patris filii coaluistis in affectum germanitatis.

156. Quae bona sunt tenete, et Deus pacis et dilectionis erit vobiscum in Domino Jesu: cui est honor, gloria, magnificentia, potestas, cum Spiritu sancto in saecula saeculorum. Amen.