Of his own accord he brought us into being through the message of truth, so that we might be a kind of first-fruits among his creatures.

For if a finely dressed man with a gold ring comes into a meeting, and a poor man in shabby clothes comes in also,

But you humiliate the poor. Are not the rich your oppressors? Is it not they who drag you into court?

If we put bridles into horses' mouths to make them obey us, we can guide their whole bodies.

Be miserable, grieve, and weep aloud! Turn your laughter into grief and your happiness into gloom.

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to such and such a town, to stay a year and go into business and make money,"

your gold and silver are rusted, and their rust will testify against you and eat into your very flesh, for you have stored up fire for the last days.