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 Josiah
572
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.
”
573
An apostle of Christ was called the
zealot.
574
But why do I speak of an
apostle? The Lord Himself said: “The zeal of thine
house hath eaten Me up.”
575
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.
572
2 [4] Kings
xxiii. 21
ff.
573
Ps. lxix.
[lxviii.] 9
.
574
S.
Luke vi. 15
.
575
S.
John ii. 17
. St. John, however, only
says: “The disciples remembered that it was
written.”