Chapter 23

The all-merciful and beneficent Father has compassion on those that fear him, and kindly and lovingly bestows his favours on those that draw near to him with a simple mind.

Wherefore let us not be double-minded, nor let our soul be fanciful concerning his excellent and glorious gifts.

Let this Scripture be far from us in which he says Wretched are the double-minded, who doubt in their soul and say We have heard these things even in the days of our fathers, and behold we have grown old, and none of these things has happened to us.

Oh, foolish men, compare yourself to a tree: take a vine, first it sheds its leaves, then there comes a bud, then a leaf, then a flower, and after this the unripe grape, then the full bunch. See how in a little time the fruit of the tree comes to ripeness.

Truly his will shall be quickly and suddenly accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness that he shall come quickly and shall not tarry; and the Lord shall suddenly come to his temple, and the Holy One for whom ye look.