Page:The Nestorians and their rituals, volume 2.djvu/111

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THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
83

From the Sinhadòs, and given as Can. lxxxiii. of the Canons ascribed to Clemens the disciple of the Apostles.

§ 4. "… Not only have I heard of these things by the hearing of the ear, but I myself have also read of these things and despised them. I have read the books of the Two Covenants of Almighty God, and have not ordered my goings according to what is contained therein. I have read the Law comprised in the Five books of Moses; and have not cleansed my five inward and outward senses. I have read the book of the righteous Job, that man of suffering; and have not been willing to endure the pain of the soul for my sins. I have read the book of the Judges, who judged Israel for a short space; but I have not considered that endless judgment which shall be passed upon my folly. I have read of David and Jonathan the true; but I have not resembled them in their pure attachment, and sincere friendship. I have read of the foolish Saul who hated David, but I have not cast away from me the hatred wherewith I wrongly hate my neighbour. I have read of Amnon, the incestuous, who ravished his sister; but I have not restrained myself from adroitly stealing the bread which did not belong to me. I have read the one hundred and fifty Psalms sung by David; but I have been unwilling to sing the praises of the Lord, who formed me and created me out of the dust. I have read in the books of Wisdom,[1] the Proverbs, and Leviticus;[2] but I would not receive correction from their godly words. I have read of Elijah and Elisha, prophets of the Spirit; but I have not wondered at my actions towards the living

  1. Literally "the Wisdoms," comprising most probably the following:

    The Wisdom of Solomon, a Collection, i.e. Ecclesiastes.

    The Great Wisdom of Solomon, i.e. the book of Wisdom.

    The Wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach.

  2. Mentioned separate from the Pentateuch for the sake of the rhyme in which the poem is written.

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