Clement therefore exhorts them to do everything
orderly in the Church, as the only way to please God.
FOOLISH and unwise men, who
have neither prudence, nor
learning, may mock and deride
us; being willing to set up
themselves in their own conceits.
2 But what can a mortal man
do? Or what strength is there in
him that is made out of the dust?
3 For it is written, there was no
shape before mine eyes; only I
heard a sound and a voice.
4 For what? Shall man be pure
before the Lord? Shall he be
blameless in his works?
5 Behold, he trusteth not in
his servants; and his angels he
chargeth with folly.
6 Yes, the heaven is not clean
in his sight, how much less they
that dwell in houses of clay; of
which also we ourselves were
made?
7 He smote them as a moth:
and from morning even unto the
evening they endure not. Because
they were not able to help
themselves, they perished;
he breathed upon them and they
died, because they had no wisdom.
8 Call now if there be any that
will answer thee; and to which of
the angels wilt thou look?
9 For wrath killeth the foolish
man, and envy slayeth him that is
in error.
10 I have seen the foolish taking
root, but lo, their habitation was
presently consumed.
11 Their children were far from
safety, they perished at the gates
of those who were lesser than
themselves: and there was no man
to help them.
12 For what was prepared for
them, the righteous did eat; and
they shall not be delivered from
evil.
13 Seeing then these things are
manifest unto us, it will behove
us to take care that looking into
the depths of the divine knowledge,
we do all things in order,
whatsoever our Lord has commanded
us to do.
14 And particularly that we
perform our offerings and service to
God, at their appointed seasons
for these he has commanded to be
done, not rashly and disorderly,
but at certain determinate times
and hours.
15 And therefore he has ordained
by his supreme will and authority,
both where, and by what persons,
they are to be performed; that
so all things being piously done
unto all well-pleasing, they
may be acceptable unto him.
16 They therefore who make
their offerings at the appointed
seasons, are happy and accepted;
because through obeying the
commandments of the Lord,
they are free from sin.
17 And the same care must be
had of the persons that minister
unto him.
18 For the chief-priest has his
proper services; and to the priest
their proper place is appointed;
and to the Levites appertain their
proper ministries; and the layman
is confined within the bounds of
what is commanded to laymen.
19 Let every one of you therefore,
brethren, bless God in his proper
station, with a good conscience,
and with all gravity, not exceeding
the rule of his service that is
appointed to him.
20 The daily sacrifices are not
offered everywhere; nor the peace-
offerings, nor the sacrifices
appointed for sins and transgressions;
but only at Jerusalem: nor in any
place there, but only at the altar
before the temple; that which is
offered being first diligently
examined by the high-priest and
the other minister we before
mentioned.
21 They therefore who do any
thing which is not agreeable to his
will, are punished with death.
22 Consider, brethren, that by
how much the better knowledge
God has vouchsafed unto us, by so
much the greater danger are we
exposed to.