Chapter XXXIX.--There is no reason for self-conceit.
Foolish and inconsiderate men, who have neither wisdom [170] nor instruction, mock and deride us, being eager to exalt themselves in their own conceits. For what can a mortal man do? or what strength is there in one made out of the dust? For it is written, "There was no shape before mine eyes, only I heard a sound, [171] and a voice [saying], What then? Shall a man be pure before the Lord? or shall such an one be [counted] blameless in his deeds, seeing He does not confide in His servants, and has charged [172] even His angels with perversity? The heaven is not clean in His sight: how much less they that dwell in houses of clay, of which also we ourselves were made! He smote them as a moth; and from morning even until evening they endure not. Because they could furnish no assistance to themselves, they perished. He breathed upon them, and they died, because they had no wisdom. But call now, if any one will answer thee, or if thou wilt look to any of the holy angels; for wrath destroys the foolish man, and envy killeth him that is in error. I have seen the foolish taking root, but their habitation was presently consumed. Let their sons be far from safety; let them be despised [173] before the gates of those less than themselves, and there shall be none to deliver. For what was prepared for them, the righteous shall eat; and they shall not be delivered from evil." [174]
[170] Literally, "and silly and uninstructed."
[171] Literally, "a breath."
[172] Or, "has perceived."
[173] Some render, "they perished at the gates."
[174] Job iv. 16-18, Job xv. 15, Job iv. 19-21, Job v. 1-5.
Chapter XL.--Let us preserve in the Church the order appointed by God.
These things therefore being manifest to us, and since we look into the depths of the divine knowledge, it behoves us to do all things in [their proper] order, which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times. [175] He has enjoined offerings [to be presented] and service to be performed [to Him], and that not thoughtlessly or irregularly, but at the appointed times and hours. Where and by whom He desires these things to be done, He Himself has fixed by His own supreme will, in order that all things being piously done according to His good pleasure, may be acceptable unto Him. [176] Those, therefore, who present their offerings at the appointed times, are accepted and blessed; for inasmuch as they follow the laws of the Lord, they sin not. For his own peculiar services are assigned to the high priest, and their own proper place is prescribed to the priests, and their own special ministrations devolve on the Levites. The layman is bound by the laws that pertain to laymen.
[175] Some join kata kairous tetagmenous, "at stated times." to the next sentence. [1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.]
[176] Literally, "to His will." [Comp. Rom. xv. 15, 16, Greek.]
Chapter XLI.--Continuation of the same subject.
Let every one of you, brethren, give thanks to God in his own order, living in all good conscience, with becoming gravity, and not going beyond the rule of the ministry prescribed to him. Not in every place, brethren, are the daily sacrifices offered, or the peace-offerings, or the sin-offerings and the trespass-offerings, but in Jerusalem only. And even there they are not offered in any place, but only at the altar before the temple, that which is offered being first carefully examined by the high priest and the ministers already mentioned. Those, therefore, who do anything beyond that which is agreeable to His will, are punished with death. Ye see, [177] brethren, that the greater the knowledge that has been vouchsafed to us, the greater also is the danger to which we are exposed.
[177] Or, "consider." [This chapter has been cited to prove the earlier date for this Epistle. But the reference to Jerusalem may be an ideal present.]
Chapter XLII.--The order of ministers in the Church.
The apostles have preached the Gospel to us from [178] the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ [has done so] from [179] God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, [180] then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established [181] in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand. And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits [of their labours], having first proved them by the Spirit, [182] to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus saith the Scripture in a certain place, "I will appoint their bishops [183] in righteousness, and their deacons [184] in faith." [185]
[178] Or, "by the command of."
[179] Or, "by the command of."
[180] Literally, "both things were done."
[181] Or, "confirmed by."
[182] Or, "having tested them in spirit."
[183] Or, "overseers."
[184] Or, "servants."
[185] Isa. lx. 17, Sept.; but the text is here altered by Clement. The LXX. have "I will give thy rulers in peace, and thy overseers in righteousness."