soul_body Chapter 1

THE DISCOURSE WHICH THE HOLY PATRIARCH, APA ATHANASIUS, ARCHBISHOP OF RAKOTE, PRONOUNCED CONCERNING THE SOUL AND THE BODY.

Now the word which hath been sent from heaven hath no ill-will (or, grudging) therein, and it is ready to cleanse that which is in the soul, provided that ye yourselves be prepared for the strength of the word, which, however, hath also need of him that listeneth.

For it is like the rain from heaven, which doth not produce fruit without the earth, neither doth the earth make things to grow without the rain from heaven.

The meaning of which is, that the disciple gaineth no advantage without a master to teach him, neither doth the master without a pupil to listen to him.

The Logos giveth the speech ; let obedience (or, listening) of those who hearken to it make it perfect.

For behold the Logos giveth its strength, (provided that) ye yourselves are without ill-will (or, grudging), and that ye first of all purify yourselves from every restraining influence and (from) ill-will (or, envy), and from unbelief, which are the enemies of righteousness.

Now envy warreth against love, and unbelief against belief, even as bitterness warreth against sweetness, and darkness against light, and that which is evil against that which is good; and death warreth against life, and falsehood against truth.