My children, do not in any wise let pride rule over you in your words or thoughts, as Tobit admonishes his son (Tob. 4:13); for the Lord rejects such as are proud in their hearts, but he has exalted the humble. Hence David says: “I thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast humbled me; for before I was humbled I went astray.” Ps. 119:67. Therefore, my children, never exalt yourselves in your hearts, but condescend to men of low estate; for pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall; for they become so proud, that they reject the word of the Lord, and live according to the desires of their hearts; therefore the Lord shall also not regard them. Rom. 12:16; Prov. 16:18; Hos. 4:6.
My children, heed the instruction of your father, and forget it not. Refrain your tongue from backbiting, and beware of lying; for the mouth that lieth slayeth the soul. Wis. 1:11. For liars have no part in the new Jerusalem; but their part is in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev. 21:8. And the backbiter causes much contention and discord, and also stirs up strife and envy, and separates friends. Prov. 16:28. Hence Solomon says: “Where no wood is there the fire goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth 26:20. Hence he further writes: Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee; as also Moses writes: Let there be no backbiter or slanderer among you. 4:24; Lev. 19:16. Therefore, my children, beware of backbiting, and wherever you are at home, keep your lips sealed, and tell not out of the house what is done in it; keep still about all in regard to which silence is expedient, then men will love you. Always be faithful to people, and beware of stealing, for it is a great sin; and thieves have no part in the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10), nor is a thief trusted or loved by any one; but wherever he goes, his hands are watched. Thus, my children, always content yourselves honorably in the fear of God, and beware of all sin and transgression; and do not envy one another, for through envy Cain slew his brother, and the patriarchs sold their brother Joseph; for envy breaks all friendship, causes a man to forget all benefits, and is bent only upon doing harm. The envious man rejoices not when he sees his brother or sister, but turns his face the other way; nor is he grieved at his brother’s misfortune, but is pleased when the latter meets with adversity. Hence James truly says: If ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.... For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Jas. 3:14,16. Therefore, my children, do not envy one another, nor any one else; but love one another out of a pure heart, as brothers and sisters ought to; not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother (1 John 3:12); but as Christ left an example, who gave his life for us.
Hence you must also so love one another, not in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18); that you may be brothers and sisters, not only according to the flesh, but also according to the faith of the Son of God; for he says: by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another. John 13:35. Hence John writes: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7,8. Hence he would have, that children should love one another with true, unfeigned brotherly love, with a pure heart, as being born not of natural seed, which is corruptible, but of incorruptible seed, namely, by the word of God, which abideth forever. 1 Pet. 1:22,23.