Chapter VI.—Do not accept Judaism. But if any one preach the Jewish law442 unto you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. But if either of such persons do not speak concerning Jesus Christ, they are in my judgment but as monuments and sepulchres of the dead, upon which are written 83 only the names of men. Flee therefore the wicked devices and snares of the prince of this world, lest at any time being conquered443 by his artifices,444 ye grow weak in your love. But be ye all joined together445 with an undivided heart. And I thank my God that I have a good conscience in respect to you, and that no one has it in his power to boast, either privately or publicly, that I have burdened446 any one either in much or in little. And I wish for all among whom I have spoken, that they may not possess that for a testimony against them. If any one preaches the one God of the law and the prophets, but denies Christ to be the Son of God, he is a liar, even as also is his father the devil,447 and is a Jew falsely so called, being possessed of448 mere carnal circumcision. If any one confesses Christ Jesus the Lord, but denies the God of the law and of the prophets, saying that the Father of Christ is not the Maker of heaven and earth, he has not continued in the truth any more than his father the devil,449 and is a disciple of Simon Magus, not of the Holy Spirit. If any one says there is one God, and also confesses Christ Jesus, but thinks the Lord to be a mere man, and not the only-begotten450 God, and Wisdom, and the Word of God, and deems Him to consist merely of a soul and body, such an one is a serpent, that preaches deceit and error for the destruction of men. And such a man is poor in understanding, even as by name he is an Ebionite.451 If any one confesses the truths mentioned,452 but calls lawful wedlock, and the procreation of children, destruction and pollution, or deems certain kinds of food abomin- able, such an one has the apostate dragon dwelling within him. If any one confesses the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and praises the creation, but calls the incarnation merely an appearance, and is ashamed of the passion, such an one has denied the faith, not 442 Literally, “Judaism.” 443 Literally, “oppressed.” 444 Or, “will.” 445 Some render, “come together into the same place.” 446 Apparently by attempting to impose the yoke of Judaism. 447 Comp. John viii 44. 448 Literally, “beneath.” 449 Comp. John viii 44. 450 Comp. the reading sanctioned by the ancient authorities, John i. 18. 451 From a Hebrew word meaning “poor.” 452 Or, “these things.” Chapter VI.—Do not accept Judaism. 217 Chapter VI.—Do not accept Judaism.