but what makes for holiness, shunning slander, foul and
EPISTLE TO THE CoRINTHIANS
to the ends of the earth, Thy right hand is there; if I should lie down in the abyss, Thy Spirit is there. 4 Whither, then, can a man depart, or whither run away, from Him who embraces the universe?
29. Let us, then, approach Him in holiness of soul, raising pure and unsullied hands to Him, loving our forbearing and compassionate Father, who has made us His chosen portion.
2 For thus the Scripture says: *° When the Most High was dividing the nations and dispersing the sons of Adam, He fixed the bounds of the nations according to the number of God's angels; but Jacob, His People, became the portion of the Lord, and Israel His apportioned inheritance.
3 And in another passage it says: ** Behold, the Lord made His own a people from among the nations, just as a man reserves to himself the first fruits of his threshing floor; and from that nation shall come forth the Holy of Holies.
30. Since, then, we are a holy portion, let us do nothing but what makes for holiness, shunning slander, foul and sinful embraces, drunkenness and revolutionary desires and abominable passions, detestable adultery, and abominable pride. 2 For God, it is said,** resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
3 Let us therefore associate with those on whom divine grace has been bestowed; let us with humble minds put on the livery of concord, be self-restrained, keep ourselves free from all backbiting and slanderous talk; and let us seek justification by actions, and not just words. 4 For it is said: *° He who speaks much is bound to hear much in return; or does the idle talker imagine he is always right?
5 Blessed is the woman-born that is short-lived. Do not become a wordy babbler. 6 Let our praise rest with God,** and not spring from ourselves; for God hates those that praise themselves.
7 Let the testimony to our good conduct be