made manifest what they are, because their deeds in their life were evil. For the sinners shall be burned, because they sinned and repented not but the Gentiles shall be burned, because they knew not Him that created them. Do thou, therefore, bear fruit, that in that summer thy fruit may be known; but abstain from overmuch business, and thou shalt never sin; for they who do much, sin much, being distracted about their deeds, and in no respect serving their Lord. How, then," said he, "can such an one ask and receive anything from the Lord, since he serveth not the Lord? for they who serve Him shall receive their requests, but they who serve not the Lord shall receive nothing. For if a man do but a single deed, he is able in doing it to serve the Lord. For his mind will not be corrupted, so that he should depart from the Lord; but he shall serve him, being pure of heart. If, therefore, thou shalt do these things, thou wilt be able to bear fruit unto the world to come; and whosoever shall do these things shall bear fruit.

A

The Fifth Similitude.

Concerning the Vineyard and the Faithful Servant.

I.

ND as I fasted and sat by a certain mountain,

and gave thanks unto the Lord for all the things that He had done unto me, I beheld the shepherd seated beside me, and saying, "Why hast thou come thus early?" "Because," I said, "I have a Station." "And what," he said, "is a Station ?" "I am fasting," I said, "O Master." "And what," he said, "is this fast which ye are fasting?" "I am fasting," I said, "O Master, even as I have been accustomed." "Ye know not," he said, "how to fast unto the Lord; for this useless fast which ye keep unto Him is a thing of nought." "Wherefore," said I, "O Master, sayest thou this?" "I declare unto thee," he said, "that this is not a fast which ye thus think to keep. But I will teach you what is an acceptable and full fast unto the Lord. Listen," he said: "God desireth not such a vain fast as this. For, by fasting in this way, thou shalt do

nothing in righteousness; but fast unto the Lord in such a manner as this :-Do no evil in thy life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart. Keep His commandments and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil desire come up into thine heart. If thou shalt do these things, thou shalt keep a great fast, and one acceptable unto God."

II.

"Listen to the similitude which I am about to tell unto thee relating to fasting. A certain man had a field and many slaves; and in a certain portion of his field he planted a vineyard, and, having chosen a certain servant, faithful and well-pleasing and honoured, he called him unto himself and said unto him, 'Take the vineyard that I have planted, and hedge it about until I come, and thou shalt do nothing else unto the vineyard; and keep thou this commandment of mine, and I will free thee.' Then the master of that servant departed to travel, and when he had departed, the servant took the vineyard and hedged it about; and when he had finished the hedging of the vineyard, he saw that it was full of weeds. He reasoned, therefore, thus within himself, saying, I have kept this commandment of my lord. I will now dig up this vineyard, and it will be fairer when it hath been digged; and when it hath no weeds it will bring forth more fruit, not being choked by the weeds. He, therefore, took the vineyard and

digged it; and all the weeds that were in the vineyard he plucked out, and that vineyard became very fair and flourishing when it had not weeds to choke it. And after some time the master of the servant and of the field came and entered into his vineyard; and when he saw the vineyard fairly hedged about, and, beside that, digged up, and all the weeds plucked up, and the vines flourishing, he rejoiced exceedingly at the works of his servant. Having, therefore, called unto him his beloved son, who was his heir, and his friends, who were his counsellors, he told them what things he had commanded his servant, and what things he found done, and they rejoiced with his servant at the testimony which his lord had borne unto him. And he said unto them, I promised liberty unto this servant if he should keep my commandment which I commanded him, and he hath kept my commandment, and hath added to this vineyard a fair work, and hath pleased me exceedingly. On account, therefore, of this work which he hath wrought, I wish to make him joint-heir with my son, because when he had formed a good plan, he did not neglect it, but accomplished it.' With this decision, therefore, of the master, the son and his friends were well pleased, that the servant should become joint-heir with the son. And, after a few days, the master of the house made a supper, and sent unto his servant much food from the supper. And when the servant had received the food that had been sent to him from the master, he took what was sufficient

for himself, and divided the rest among his fellowservants; but his fellow-servants, when they had received the food, rejoiced, and began to pray for him that he might find greater favour with his master, because he thus used them. All these things that had happened the master heard, and again rejoiced greatly at his deed. When, therefore, the master had called together again all his friends and his son, he announced unto them the deed which he had done, with regard to the food which he had received; but they rejoiced still more that the servant should have become joint-heir with the son."

III.

I said unto him, "O Master, I know not these parables, nor can I understand them unless thou explainest them unto me." "I will explain all things unto thee," he said, "and whatever things I shall say unto thee, I will explain unto thee. Keep the commandments of the Lord, and thou shalt be esteemed, and shalt be enrolled in the number of those who keep His commandments. But if thou do any good thing beyond the commandment of God thou wilt purchase unto thyself still greater glory, and wilt be held in higher esteem before God than thou wouldest otherwise have been. If, therefore, while keeping the commandment of God, thou add also these services, thou shalt rejoice, if thou keep them according to my commandment." say unto him, "Master, whatever thou commandest