XIV.  What more?  The First Month is introduced, or rather the beginning of months, whether it was so among the Hebrews from the beginning, or was made so later on this account, and became the first in consequence of the Mystery; and the tenth of the Month, for this is the most complete number, of units the first perfect unit, and the parent of perfection.  And it is kept until the fifth day, perhaps because the Victim, of Whom I am speaking, purifies the five senses, from which comes falling into sin, and around which the war rages, inasmuch as they are open to the incitements to sin.  And it was chosen, not only out of the lambs, but also out of the inferior species, which are placed on the left hand23    Matt. xxv. 33.—the kids; because He is sacrificed not only for the righteous, but also for sinners; and perhaps even more for these, inasmuch as we have greater need of His mercy.  And we need not be surprised that a lamb for a house should be required as the best course, but if that could not be, then one might be obtained by contributions (owing to poverty) for the houses of a family; because it is clearly best that each individual should suffice for his own perfecting, and should offer his own living sacrifice holy unto God Who called him, being consecrated at all times and in every respect.  But if that cannot be, then that those who are akin in virtue and of like disposition should be made use of as helpers.  For I think this provision means that we should communicate of the Sacrifice to those who are nearest, if there be need.

ΙΔʹ. Τί ἔτι; Μὴν μὲν εἰσάγεται πρῶτος, μᾶλλον δὲ, ἀρχὴ μηνῶν: εἴτε τις τοῦτο παρ' Ἑβραίοις ὢν ἀπ' ἀρχῆς, εἴτε ὕστερον ἐντεῦθεν γενόμενος, καὶ παρὰ τοῦ μυστηρίου τὸ εἶναι πρῶτος λαβών. Τῇ δεκάτῃ δὲ τοῦ μηνός: οὗτος γὰρ ἀριθμῶν πληρέστατος, ἐκ μονάδων πρώτη μονὰς τελεία, καὶ γεννητικὴ τελειότητος. Διατηρεῖται δὲ εἰς πέμπτην ἡμέραν, ἴσως ὅτι καθαρτικὸν αἰσθήσεων τὸ ἐμὸν θῦμα, ἐξ ὧν τὸ πταίειν, καὶ περὶ ἃς ὁ πόλεμος, εἰσδεχομένας τὸ κέντρον τῆς ἁμαρτίας. Ἐκλέγεται δὲ, οὐκ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀρνῶν μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῦ χείρονος εἴδους, καὶ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς χειρὸς τῶν ἐρίφων, ὅτι μὴ ὑπὲρ τῶν δικαίων μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν σφαγιάζεται: τάχα δὲ ὑπὲρ τούτων καὶ πλέον, ὅσῳ καὶ μείζονος χρῄζομεν τῆς φιλανθρωπίας. Θαυμαστὸν δὲ οὐδὲν, εἰ μάλιστα μὲν κατ' οἶκον ἕκαστον ἐπιζητεῖται τὸ πρόβατον, εἰ δὲ μὴ, καὶ κατ' οἴκους πατριῶν, διὰ πενίαν ἐρανιζόμενον: ἐπειδὴ κράτιστον, μάλιστα μὲν αὐτὸν ἕκαστον ἀρκεῖν ἑαυτῷ πρὸς τελείωσιν, καὶ θυσίαν ζῶσαν, ἁγίαν προσάγειν τῷ καλοῦντι Θεῷ, πάντοτε καὶ διὰ πάντων καθιερούμενον: εἰ δὲ μὴ, καὶ συνεργοῖς εἰς τοῦτο κεχρῆσθαι, τοῖς κατ' ἀρετὴν ὁμογενέσι καὶ ὁμοτρόποις. Τοῦτο γάρ μοι δοκεῖ βούλεσθαι, τὸ κοινωνεῖν τοῖς ἔγγιστα τοῦ θύματος, εἰ δεήσειεν.