We must observe here that the pious woman had an aversion for the costly apparel, and hated it more than she loved it. Do you also beware of it, and reprove it sharply in those whom you see given to it: for it proceeds not from a humble heart. The proverb says: “Don’t put moths into the fur;” neither must we give the flesh occasion for sin, since it is, alas! evil enough without that. Gal. 5:13.
Therefore, my dear sister, do not respect persons; for the faith of Jesus does not suffer respect of persons (Deut. 1:17; Jas. 2:1); but reprove that which is evil with all kindness and humility, out of love, and show yourself in all things a pattern of good works and sobriety to all women, with piety and silence; for he that bridles not his tongue, deceives his own heart, and his religion is vain.
Hence I affectionately exhort you, while you have time now, that you will use all diligence; for it is not enough, that we confess the name of the Lord with the mouth in prison, but we must first demonstrate our confession in power; for we know that he who transgresses out of prison, sins just as much as he that sins in prison, though through weakness, while the other, sins from wantonness.
Therefore take heed to yourselves, and be always prepared; for we know not the hour. Watch therefore, and keep your garments clean, lest you walk naked, and your shame become manifest. Be always ready for conflict; for David says; “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.” Ps. 34:19,20. “He saveth the poor from the sword of the ungodly, and the needy from the hand of the mighty.” Job 5:15. Job further says: “Happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.” 5:17,18.
Paul also says, that he wants to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means (he says) I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:10,11. Hence we must mourn with him, that we may also rejoice with him. Does not Christ say: “Blessed are they that mourn and lament; for they shall be comforted; yea, the tears shall be wiped away.” Matt. 5:4. And the Lord does not forsake the widow that is oppressed, as it is written: “He hears the prayer of the distressed and oppressed, and he does not despise the prayer of the widows, if they pour it out before him with lamentation and sighing; yea, their tears ascend to heaven, and the Lord will hear them.” Sir. 35:24.
Therefore let us be resigned, and say within ourselves: O Lord, Almighty King, all things are in thy power; if it is thy will to restore unto me my husband, there is none that can resist thy will. Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all that is contained in the circuit of heaven. Thou art Lord of all things. Thou preservest us as the apple of thine eye, and hast said through the mouth of David, that we shall cast our burden upon thee; for thou wilt sustain us, and never suffer the righteous to be moved. Ps. 55:22. Then will your prayer be fulfilled, as you write me, that you cannot pray otherwise than only: Lord, thy will be done. And I wish to God for you, that this may be found in you in truth, and not as Israel cried to the Lord, when they drew near him with their mouth, and magnified him with their tongues; but their heart was not right with him, and they were not found faithful in his covenant. Is. 29:13. But they that keep his commandment, shall pray, and whatsoever they shall ask (in accordance with his will) shall be granted unto them. John 15:16.