Chapter 31

1O bishops, first of all beware of the divisions of the ungodly and unbelieving. Turn aside from the way of the impure and keep far from them, for whoever draws near to them shall burn in consuming fire. Therefore, do not turn your hearts toward them, nor separate from one another while plotting to obtain a position of authority. If anyone draws near to them and does their works, he shall find eternal condemnation.

2Dathan and Abiram were moved by jealousy against Moses, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them. Likewise, fire devoured the five thousand sons of Korah who were moved by jealousy against Aaron. Miriam, the sister of Moses, when she spoke reproachfully, was put outside the camp for seven days, for she said, “How greatly Moses has transgressed, and he has married a foreign woman.” Furthermore, Uzziah king of Judah usurped the duty of the priesthood and offered incense, which it was not lawful for him to do. But Eleazar the priest and the eighty priests who were with him rebuked him. He refused to listen to their words, and leprosy appeared on his face because the Lord was angry with him.

3If kings meet with condemnation when they transgress, how much more will others who transgress against the priests. The priestly office is greater than the kingly office: priests minister to souls, while kings have power over the body by the sword. Those who transgress against priests shall receive a greater condemnation than those who transgress against kings. Nevertheless, no one can escape the condemnation attached to either.

4Again it is said that Absalom [text missing], and that the sons of Korah, Dathan, and the others who transgressed against the priesthood did not save themselves from condemnation. They rose against David over the kingdom, while the others strove with Moses in their desire to become rulers, and Absalom considered his father an unjust judge. Again, it is said concerning Dathan and Abiram: “They answered and said to Moses, ‘Is it not enough that you have brought us out of the land of Egypt, from a land flowing with milk and honey, and have plucked out the eyes of these men and become ruler over us?’” Then many gathered and joined together against him.

5Likewise, the sons of Korah said, “Has the Lord spoken only to Moses and to Aaron the high priest? Is there no one holy among the children of Israel except Aaron alone?” Concerning this matter, some said to Moses, “Who made you a prince and ruler over us?” Then they rose against Moses, the man of God and the faithful one who had wrought all these signs, performed all these wonders, and brought many plagues upon the Egyptians.

6He divided the water and made the sea stand like a wall on one side and on the other, and he brought the people through it as one walking on dry ground. Pharaoh and all his hosts were overwhelmed in the sea. He split the rock and caused water to flow for them. He gave them manna from heaven and made flesh rain upon them like dust. He led them with a cloud by day and with a light of fire throughout the night. Moreover, at the mouth of God the Father Almighty, he gave them the law and the two tablets of stone upon which the ten words were written by the finger of God. He spoke with God face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Concerning him it is said, “There shall not arise a prophet like Moses.”

7Against this man rose the sons of Korah and the sons of Reuben, and they stoned him with stones as he prayed. He said, “Do not regard their offering.” The earth swallowed them up, and then the glory of God appeared. Some were devoured by fire. Likewise, the earth swallowed those who unjustly sought power; together with their tents and all their possessions, they went down alive into Sheol.

8You ought to keep far from those who blaspheme the name of God, for remaining with the ungodly and unbelieving removes one far from God. These are those who contend with him, and because of their evil deeds the earth is defiled. As Jeremiah the prophet says, “This wicked people is far from the living God.” Again it is said, “I have left my inheritance and my house, and I have turned my face from them.” Again it is said, “I have neither dug nor pruned nor cleansed my vineyard, but thorns and thistles shall spring up within it. I will command the clouds to rain no rain upon it,” and it shall become a desert.

9The Lord “has left this people like the tabernacle of a tent in the midst of a vineyard, like the guardian of a hut, and like a ruined city.” The Holy Spirit has removed the spirit of prophecy from them, but has filled this Church with spiritual grace like the river of Egypt in the days of rain. He has exalted it like a house on the summit of a fruitful mountain: “a fat and fruitful mountain, a mountain in which God has been pleased to dwell and in which he shall remain forever.” Again, Jeremiah the prophet says, “The throne of the Most High and Exalted is the holy place prepared for us.” Moreover, Isaiah says, “In those days the mountain of the Lord shall appear upon the high hilltops, and the house of God upon the summit of the mountains; and it shall be exalted far above the hills.”

10Therefore God has forsaken the people of Judah, made their temple a desert, torn the veil, and taken the Holy Spirit from them, just as it is written: “Behold, your house is left to you desolate.” But to you Christians the grace of the Holy Spirit has been given, as it is written by Joel the prophet: “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your young men shall see a vision, and your old men shall dream a dream.” God has removed from the Jews the power of wisdom and knowledge and has given it to you.

11Therefore the devil was moved to envy against the Holy Church of God and brought upon you fear and trembling, affliction and trouble, and every kind of reproach and division at the hands of the ungodly. Satan moved the Jewish people to kill Christ, but you hated them and despised the evil of their deeds. Therefore he has brought temptation and hatred upon you, just as he did upon righteous Job and as he contended with Joshua son of Josedech.

12Satan also often desired to sift us like wheat and sought to weaken our faith. But our Lord and Master cursed and rebuked him, saying, “The Lord who has saved Israel put you to shame.” For he had said earlier, while we were assembled together, “I have prayed for you to the Father, that your faith may not fail.”

13Formerly divisions and wicked enemies arose in the midst of the congregation of the Jews: the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and the Pharisees, who say, “When a man is born, all the sin that he shall commit is written concerning him, together with what he shall be.” These, then, do not believe in the work of God concerning us. Again, they say that the dead shall be raised in one hour. Yet these do not believe in the resurrection.

14Some taste no food unless every day they baptize beds, pots, dishes, cups, and seats—that is, wash and cleanse them with water. Others are called Ebionites. They think and say that the Son of God is merely a man and was born by the will of the flesh from the union of Joseph and Mary, although they were pure from any such thing. These, then, are those who from the beginning have observed the law of their fathers.