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The Tenth Similitude.

Concerning Penitence and Alms-giving.

I.

FTER that I had completely written this book,

the messenger who had given me over to the shepherd came to the house in which I was, and sat upon a couch, and on his right hand stood the shepherd. Then he called me and said these things unto me. "I gave over thee and thy house to this shepherd, that thou mightest be able to be protected by him." "True, Master," I said. "If, therefore, thou desire to be protected from all vexation, and from all cruelty, and to have success in every good work and word, and the whole riches of equity, walk in those commands which he gave unto thee, and thou wilt be able to be master over all wickedness. For if thou keep these commandments, all the desires and the sweetness of this world shall be in subjection unto thee, and success shall follow

thee in every lawful undertaking. Take unto thyself the gravity and modesty of this man, and tell unto all that he is in great honour with God, and is a ruler of great power, and powerful in his office. To him alone in the whole world has authority over repentance been given. Doth he seem to thee to be powerful? But ye despise the gravity and moderation which he useth towards you."

II.

I say unto him, "Ask him, Master whether from the time that he came into my house I have done anything out of order, or have offended him in anything." "I," he said, "know that thou hast done nothing out of order, and that thou art not about to do so. Now, therefore, I say these things unto thee, to the end that thou shouldest persevere. For he hath given a good opinion of thee unto me; but thou shalt say these words unto the rest, in order that they who either have repented or will repent may think the same things as thou dost ; and that he may give a good report of them unto me, and I unto the Lord." And I say, "Master, I declare unto all men the mighty works of God. But I hope that all they who love these things, and have sinned in time past, will repent when they have heard these things, and recover their life." "Remain steadfast," he said, " in this ministry and accomplish it. Whoever fulfil the commands of this man shall have life; and this man will have great honour before the

Lord. But whoever do not keep the commands of this man, fly from their life and despise this man. But he hath his honour before God. Whoever, therefore, shall despise him, and not follow his commands, deliver themselves to death, and each of them shall be guilty of his own blood. But I charge thee to obey his commandments and thou shalt have a remedy for thy former sins."

III.

"But I have sent these virgins unto thee that they may dwell with thee, for I have seen that they are friendly toward thee; therefore thou shalt have them as thine assistants, so that thou mayest be the better able to keep the commands of this man ; for it is impossible that these commands should be kept without these virgins; and I see that they are glad to be with thee. But I also will give commands unto them that they do not at all depart from thy house. But do thou purify thy house, for in a chaste house they dwell gladly, for they are pure and chaste and industrious, and have every grace before the Lord. If, therefore, they shall find thy house pure, they will remain with thee; but if the slightest impurity shall happen to be there, they will forthwith depart from thy house; for these virgins love no pollution." I say unto him, "I hope, Master, that I shall please them, so that they may always dwell willingly in my house; and even as he to whom thou hast given me over maketh no complaint about

me, so neither shall they complain about me." He said unto the shepherd, "I see the servant of God is willing to live and to keep these commandments, and that he will place the virgins in a pure habitation." When he had said these things he delivered me over again to the shepherd, and called the virgins and said unto them, "Because I see that ye dwell willingly in the house of this man, I commend him and his house unto you, that ye should not at all depart from his house." But the virgins heard these words gladly.

IV.

The angel then said unto me, "Act vigorously in this service, and proclaim to every man the mighty works of God, and thou shalt have favour in this service. Whosoever, therefore, shall walk in these commandments shall live and be happy in his life; but whosoever shall neglect them shall not live, and shall be unhappy in his life. Charge all men who are able to do good that they cease not from so doing for it is useful for them to practise good works. Now I say that every man ought to be rescued from troubles; for he who is in need and suffereth troubles in his daily life, is in great torment and want. Whosoever, therefore releaseth a soul of this kind from want, shall acquire great joy for himself; for he who is vexed by trouble of this kind, is afflicted with the same trouble as he who is in chains. For many cause death to themselves on

account of calamities of this kind, because they are not able to bear them. He who is aware of the trouble of a man of this sort, and doth not rescue him, committeth a great crime, and is guilty of his blood. Do ye, therefore, even so many as have received good from God, perform good works; lest while ye are delaying to do them the building of the tower be finished, and ye be cast out of the building; for no other tower is now built. For your sake the work of building hath been interrupted. Unless, therefore, ye make haste to act rightly, the tower will be finished, and ye will be shut out." Then, after he had thus spoken with me, he rose from the couch, and when he had taken hold of the shepherd and the virgins he departed. But he said unto me that he would send the shepherd and the virgins back to my house.-AMEN.