TESTIMONIES AGAINST THE JEWS. 137
not His precepts. Do justiceallthe days of thy life,and
do not walk in the way of unrighteousness; becauseif thou
act truly,therewillbe respectof thy works. Give alms of
thy substance,and turn not thy face from any poor man.
So shallitcome to pass that the faceof God shallnot be
turned away from thee. Even as thou hast,my son,so do :
if thou hastabundant substance,give the more alms there
from; if thou hast little,communicate even of that little.
And do not fear when thou givest alms: thou layestup
for thyselfa good reward againstthe day of need ; because
alms deliverethfrom death,and does not sufferto go into
darkness. Alms isa good officeforallwho do itin the sight
of the most high God." 1 On thissame subjectin Solomon
in Proverbs: " He that hath pityon the poor lendeth unto
the Lord."* Also in the same place: " He that givcth to
the poor shallnever want ; but he who turns away his eye
shallbe in much penury."3 Also in the same place: " Sins
are purged away by alms-givingand faith."4 Again, in the
same place: " If thineenemy hunger, feed him ; and if he
thirst,givehim todrink: forby doing thisthou shaltscatter
livecoalsupon hishead."5 Again, in the same place: " As
water extinguishesfire,so alms-givingextinguishessin."6
In the same in Proverbs: " Say not,Go away, and return,
to-morrow I willgive; when you can do good immediately.
For thou knowest not what may happen on thecoming day."7
Also in the same place: " He who stoppethhis earsthathe
may not hear the weak, shallhimself callupon God, and
there shallbe none to hear him."8 Also in the same place:
" He who has hisconversationwithoutreproachin righteous
ness, leavesblessedchildren."9 In the same in Ecclesias-
ticus: " My son,ifthou hast,do good by thyself,and present
worthy offeringsto God ; remember that death delayeth
not."10 Also in the same place: " Shut up alms in the heart
of the poor,and thiswillentreatforthee from allevil."11
i Tob.iv.5-11.
* Prov.xvi.6.
i Prov.iii.28.
10Ecclua.xiv.11.
2 Prov.xix.17.
5 Prov.xxv.21.
9 Prov.xxi.13.
11Ecclus.xxix.12.
3 Prov.xxviii.27.
6 Ecclus.iii.30.
0Prov.xx.7.