Brother In Messiah

I HAVE told thee, said he, that there are two kinds of creatures of YAHUAH, and that there is a two-fold abstinence. From some things therefore thou must abstain, and from others not.

I answered, declare to me, sir, from what I must abstain, and from what not. Hearken, said he. Keep thyself from evil, and do it not; but abstain not from good, but do it. For if thou shalt abstain from what is good, and not do it, thou shalt sin.

Abstain therefore from all evil, and thou shalt know all righteousness.

I said, What evil things are they from which I must abstain?

Hearken, said he: from adultery, from drunkenness, from riots, from excess of eating, from daintiness and dishonesty, from pride, from fraud, from lying, from detraction, from hypocrisy, from remembrance of injuries, and from all evil speaking.

For these are the works of iniquity, from which the servant of Alahim must abstain. For he that cannot keep himself from these things, cannot live unto Alahim.

– Command 8, The Second Book of Hermas, Called His Commands