Since, therefore, the days are evil, and the adversary hath the authority, we ought to take heed to ourselves and seek out the ordinances of the Lord.
For the helpers of our faith are fear and patience, and they that fight on our side are long-suffering and continence.
While these, therefore, remain pure in things relating to the Lord, wisdom and understanding, science and knowledge, rejoice together with them.
For God hath made known unto us through all the prophets, that he desireth neither sacrifices nor whole burnt offerings, nor oblations; for he saith in a certain place,
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices? saith the Lord. I am full of the whole burnt offerings of rams; I desire not the fat of lambs, nor the blood of bulls and goats, nor need ye come to be seen of me. For who hath required these things at your hands? Ye shall not add thereto to tread my court. If ye bring the fine flour, it is vain; incense is an abomination unto me; your new moons and sabbaths I cannot endure; your fastings and holidays and feasts my soul hateth.
These things, therefore, he hath made of none effect, that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, being free from the yoke of necessity, might have an offering not made with hands.
Again, he saith unto them, Did I command your fathers, when ye came out of the land of Egypt, offer unto me whole burnt offerings and sacrifices? --
did I not rather command them this? -- Let each of you bear no malice against his neighbour in his heart, and love not a false oath.
We ought to perceive, since we are not void of understanding the meaning of the goodness of God our Father, because he telleth us, wishing to seek us who are wandering even as sheep, how we ought to approach him.
He therefore speaketh unto us in this wise: The sacrifice unto God is a broken heart; a smell of sweet savour unto the Lord is a heart that glorifieth him that made it. We ought, therefore, brethren, to examine accurately concerning our salvation, lest the evil one, making an entrance among us, should draw us away from our life.