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1We ought, then, to enquire earnestly into the things which now are, and to seek out those which are able to save us. Let us then utterly flee from all the works of lawlessness, lest the works of lawlessness overcome us, and let us hate the error of this present time, that we may be loved in that which is to come. 2Let us give no freedom to our souls to have power to walk with sinners and wicked men, lest we be made like to them. 3The final stumbling block is at hand of which it was written, as Enoch says, “For to this end the Lord has cut short the times and the days, that his beloved should make haste and come to his inheritance.” 4And the Prophet also says thus: “Ten kingdoms shall reign upon the earth and there shall rise up after them a little king, who shall subdue three of the kings under one.” 5Daniel says likewise concerning the same: “And I beheld the fourth Beast, wicked and powerful and fiercer than all the beasts of the sea, and that ten horns sprang from it, and out of them a little excrescent horn, and that it subdued under one three of the great horns.” 6You ought then to understand. And this also I ask you, as being one of yourselves, and especially as loving you all above my own life; take heed to yourselves now, and be not made like the unto some, heaping up your sins and saying that the covenant is both theirs and ours.
7It is ours: but in this way did they finally lose it when Moses had just received it, for the Scripture says: “And Moses was in the mount fasting forty days and forty nights, and he received the covenant from the Lord, tables of stone written with the finger of the hand of the Lord.” 8But they turned to idols and lost it. For thus saith the Lord: “Moses, Moses, go down quickly, for thy people, whom thou broughtest forth out of the land of Egypt, have broken the Law.” And Moses understood and cast the two tables out of his hands, and their covenant was broken, in order that the covenant of Jesus the Beloved should be sealed in our hearts in hope of his faith. 9(And though I wish to write much, I hasten to write in devotion to you, not as a teacher, but as it becomes one who loves to leave out nothing of that which we have.) Wherefore let us pay heed in the last days, for the whole time of our life and faith will profit us nothing, unless we resist, as becomes the sons of God in this present evil time, against the offences which are to come, that the Black One may have no opportunity of entry.a
10Let us flee from all vanity, let us utterly hate the deeds of the path of wickedness. Do not by retiring apart live alone as if you were already made righteous, but come together and seek out the common good. 11For the Scripture says: “Woe to them who are prudent for themselves and understanding in their own sight.” Let us be spiritual, let us be a temple consecrated to God, so far as in us lies let us exercise ourselves in the fear of God, and let us strive to keep his commandments in order that we may rejoice in his ordinances. 12The Lord will “judge” the world “without respect of persons.” Each will receive according to his deeds. If he be good his righteousness will lead him, if he be evil the reward of iniquity is before him. 13Let us never rest as though we were ‘called’ and slumber in our sins, lest the wicked ruler gain power over us and thrust us out from the Kingdom of the Lord.b 14And consider this also, my brethren, when you see that after such great signs and wonders were wrought in Israel they were even then finally abandoned; let us take heed lest as it was written we be found “many called but few chosen.”