reason

¹⁸And then approach and accuse me, says the Lord. Then, if your sins are like scarlet, they shall be made white like snow; and if they are red like vermillion, they shall become white like wool.

¹⁷But within the wisdom that is from above, certainly, chastity is first, and next peacefulness, meekness, openness, consenting to what is good, a plenitude of mercy and good fruits, not judging, without falseness.

¹⁵But sanctify Christ the Lord in your hearts, being always ready to give an explanation to all who ask you the reason for that hope which is in you.

²⁸For who among you, wanting to build a tower, would not first sit down and determine the costs that are required, to see if he has the means to complete it? ²⁹Otherwise, after he will have laid the foundation and not been able to finish it, everyone who sees it may begin to mock him, ³⁰saying: ‘This man began to build what he was not able to finish.’ ³¹Or, what king, advancing to engage in war against another king, would not first sit down and consider whether he may be able, with ten thousand, to meet one who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³²If not, then while the other is still far away, sending a delegation, he would ask him for terms of peace.

⁸See to it that no one deceives you through philosophy and empty falsehoods, as found in the traditions of men, in accord with the influences of the world, and not in accord with Christ.

⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrine.

²⁵There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.

¹And know this: that in the last days perilous times will press near. ²Men will be lovers of themselves, greedy, self-exalting, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, ³without affection, without peace, false accusers, unchaste, cruel, without kindness, ⁴traitorous, reckless, self-important, loving pleasure more than God, ⁵even having the appearance of piety while rejecting its virtue. And so, avoid them.

²¹But test all things. Hold on to whatever is good.

³not so as to dominate by means of the clerical state, but so as to be formed into a flock from the heart.

²in order to know wisdom and discipline, ³to understand words of prudence, and to accept the instruction of doctrine, justice and judgment, and equity, ⁴so as to give discernment to little ones, knowledge and understanding to adolescents. ⁵By listening, the wise shall become wiser and the intelligent shall possess governments. ⁶He shall turn his soul to a parable and to its interpretation, to the words of the wise and their enigmas. ⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The foolish despise wisdom as well as doctrine.

¹⁷And so, he was disputing with the Jews in the synagogue, and with the worshipers, and in public places, throughout each day, with whomever was there.

⁹Then, too, from the day when we first heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and requesting that you be filled with the knowledge of his will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that all who believe in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.