Testament of Isaac

Testament of Isaac, Gaselee1927 Bohairic translation, printedpage 66

66 THE TESTAMENT OF ISAAC sacrifice (0vata) : and strive earnestly (-a1Tov8a(w1) to keep watch upon thyself, for here is the Spirit (1TvcVµ,a) of the Lord, so that thou shouldst not vex Him : for the work of a priest is no small work. It beseemeth every one among the priests to-day, and unto the lattermost generation (yt:vrn), and unto the end of the world (1<oaµ,os), not to be filled with wine, not to be filled with bread, not to be filled with water, not to speak of the happenings (avVTVxia) of this world («oaµ,os), nor listen to them that speak [of them] : but (dAAa) they should lead all their life in-(f. r7rb)-stant unto prayer and watching and ascetic practice (aa,c11ais), until the Lord cometh to seek them in peace (Elp71vr;). Every man that is upon the earth, whether (t:ht:) monk (µ,ovaxos) or (t:ln) priest, it beseemeth them to love the well-chosen withdrawing of themselves (civaxwp71ais) after a little time, and that they should renounce (a1Tornaat:a0at) the world (1<oaµ.os) and its evil cares, and remain in the holy angelic (dyyt:.\i«os) service in purity, and become purified before the Lord and His angels (ayyt:.\os), because of their holy sacrifices (0vaLa) and their angelic (ayyt:.\i«os) service, which is the type (nmos-) that they shall perform in the heavens. And the angels (ayyt:.\os) shall be their companions because of their perfect faith and their purity, and great is their honour before God. Simply (a1TAws), whether (du) he be small or (elTe) great, it is sinlessness that the Lord seeketh from him : but (Se) as for the wicked that commit sin, it behoveth them to re-(f. r72a)- pent (-µ,eTavoeiv) before God. Thou shalt not sin