¹Where are those who gather the substance of a stranger, which was not the work of their hands nor their own wealth?

²For they took the substance of another for naught; they shall be gathered without knowing the day of death that cometh for them, and they shall leave their wealth unto a stranger.

³Like their fathers, they are a kindred of transgressors who trouble and seize other transgressors, whether by theft or robbery; and their children shall not find gladness in the substance of their fathers.

⁴Because they gathered it in trespass, it is as misty vapour, or as smoke scattered by the wind, or as withering grass, or as wax melting before a fire. Forasmuch as the glory of transgressors shall perish even so, the substance of their fathers shall profit none. As David spake, saying: "I beheld a wicked man—

⁵being honoured and renowned as a cordia or a cypress tree; but when I returned, he was no more. I sought him and found not his place." There is none whom the substance of their fathers shall profit or avail.

⁶Because they gathered wealth through trespass, it seemed unto them they would not die. Even as those who wrong their fellows shall not boast, the destruction of transgressors cometh suddenly.

⁷Ye slothful ones, consider: ye shall perish, and your substance shall perish with you. Though your silver and gold abound, they shall rust.

⁸If ye beget many children, they shall be for many graves; if ye build many houses, they shall be cast down.

⁹Whether in a house or a forest, in the wilderness or a pasture, in the vineyard or the threshingfloor—it shall not be found.

¹⁰Because ye kept not the Commandment of the LORD, He shall not deliver you or your household from tribulation. Sorrow shall come upon you from all your enemies, and ye shall not find gladness in the children born of your nature.

¹¹But from His abundance, He shall not trouble those that kept His Ordinance and Law. He giveth unto all who ask of Him, and He blesseth their children and the fruit of their land.

¹²He maketh them rulers over the peoples in their region that they might rule rather than be ruled; He giveth them His plenty in their pasture.

¹³He blesseth all they take in their hands—the fruit of the field and the cattle—and He maketh them joyful in their children.

¹⁴He diminisheth not their cattle; He delivereth them from all tribulation, weariness, sickness, and destruction—from the enemies they know not and those they know.

¹⁵He shall be their advocate in the time of Judgment and deliver them from evil and tribulation. In the first age, if a priest lived who wrought the work of the Tent, kept the Law, and dwelt in the Will of the LORD, the people would give him the tithe and the firstborn of man and beast; and the LORD would deliver them from all tribulation.

¹⁶As Moses commanded Joshua, the son of Nun, there were cities of refuge in all their land, for those who slew by mischance or by purpose, until judgment was determined—

¹⁷if a man slew a soul, he would be examined there that he might be delivered.

¹⁸He spake unto them, "Examine whether there was a former quarrel. If it were by an axe, a stone, or wood that fell from his hand unknowingly—if he saith, 'That man died by mischance'—examine and deliver him. If it were without intent, let him be delivered.

¹⁹But if he did it knowingly, he shall receive travail for his transgression, and none shall pardon him. If it were without intent, examine and deliver him that he die not."

²⁰He wrought for them that they might keep far from iniquity; Moses wrought after this manner for the children of Israel that they might not depart from the Law of the LORD.

²¹He commanded the children of Adam to walk steadfastly in the Commandment of the LORD: to abstain from the worship of idols, from eating that which is found dead, and from eating that which is strangled or slain by the sword. They were to keep far from all manner of evil that they might separate themselves from all that is unclean.

²²He commanded them not to depart from the Commandment He established after the pattern of the Tent in Heaven, that they might preserve their bodies and find a dwelling with their fathers.

²³Forasmuch as they were born of Seth and Adam, who did the Will of the LORD, those who believe in the Word of the LORD and walk in His Commandment shall be called the children of the righteous.

²⁴Forasmuch as we are the children of Adam, and forasmuch as He created us in His Image and Likeness to do good works that please the LORD, He shall not cast us off.

²⁵He shall not separate His beloved. If we do good works, we shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, where welfare is found with those that do good.

²⁶He loveth those who beseech Him with a clean heart; He heareth them in their prayer and accepteth the repentance of those that are disciplined. He giveth strength and might unto those who keep His Ordinance, His Law, and His Commandment.

²⁷Those who did His Will shall be joyful with Him in His Kingdom forever; whether they went before us or come after, they shall offer praise unto Him from this day unto all eternity.