Chapter II.—An exhortation to virtue.
“Wherefore, girding up your
loins,”344344
“serve the Lord in fear”345345
and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and
error of the multitude, and “believed in Him who raised up our Lord
Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory,”346346
and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things347347 in heaven
and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of
the living and the dead.348348 His blood will God
require of those who do not believe in Him.349349
But He who raised
Him up from the dead will raise350350
up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love
what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness,
love of money, evil speaking, false witness; “not rendering evil
for evil, or railing for railing,”351351 or blow
for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said
in His teaching: “Judge not, that ye be not judged;352352 forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto
you;353353 be
merciful, that ye may obtain mercy;354354 with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again;”355355 and once
more, “Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”356356