1 [ 52 ]: 3 For as in the winter the trees, having shed their leaves, are alike, and are not
distinguishable, which are withered, and which alive, so also in this world neither the just nor the
sinners are distinguishable, but they are all alike."
Parable 4
1 [ 53 ]: 1 He showed me many trees again, some of them sprouting, and others withered, and he
saith to me; "Seest thou," saith he, "these trees?" "I see them, Sir," say I, "some of them
sprouting, and others withered."
1 [ 53 ]: 2 "These trees," saith he, "that are sprouting are the righteous, who shall dwell in the world
to come; for the world to come is summer to the righteous, but winter to the sinners. When then
the mercy of the Lord shall shine forth, then they that serve God shall be made manifest; yea, and
all men shall be made manifest.
1 [ 53 ]: 3 For as in summer the fruits of each several tree are made manifest, and are recognized of
what sort they are, so also the fruits of the righteous shall be manifest, and all [even the very
smallest] shall be known to be flourishing in that world.
1 [ 53 ]: 4 But the Gentiles and the sinners, just as thou sawest the trees which were withered, even
such shall they be found, withered and unfruitful in that world, and shall be burnt up as fuel, and
shall be manifest, because their practice in their life hath been evil. For the sinners shall be
burned, because they sinned and repented not; and the Gentiles shall be burned, because they
knew not Him that created them.
1 [ 53 ]: 5 Do thou therefore bear fruit, that in that summer thy fruit may be known. But abstain
from overmuch business, and thou shalt never fill into any sin. For they that busy themselves
overmuch, sin much also, being distracted about their business, and in no wise serving their own
Lord.
1 [ 53 ]: 6 How then," saith he, "can such a man ask anything of the Lord and receive it, seeing that
he serveth not the Lord? [For] they that serve Him, these shall receive their petitions, but they
that serve not the Lord, these shall receive nothing.
1 [ 53 ]: 7 But if any one work one single action, he is able also to serve the Lord; for his mind shall
not be corrupted from (following) the Lord, but he shall serve Him, because he keepeth his mind
pure.
1 [ 53 ]: 8 If therefore thou doest these things, thou shalt be able to bear fruit unto the world to
come; yea, and whosoever shall do these things, shall bear fruit."
Parable 5
1 [ 54 ]: 1 As I was fasting and seated on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all
that He had done unto me, I see the shepherd seated by me and saying; "Why hast thou come
hither in the early morn?" "Because, Sir," say I, "I am keeping a station."
1 [ 54 ]: 2 "What," saith he, "is a station?" "I am fasting, Sir," say I. "And what," saith he, "is this
fast [that ye are fasting]?" "As I was accustomed, Sir," say I, "so I fast."
1 [ 54 ]: 3 "Ye know not," saith he, "how to fast unto the Lord, neither is this a fast, this
unprofitable fast which ye make unto Him." "wherefore, Sir," say I, "sayest thou this?" "I tell
thee," saith he, "that this is not a fast, wherein ye think to fast; but I will teach thee what is a
complete fast and acceptable to the Lord. Listen," saith he;
1 [ 54 ]: 4 "God desireth not such a vain fast; for by so fasting unto God thou shalt do nothing for
righteousness. But fast thou [unto God] such a fast as this;
ron
(Ron)
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