1 From where are battles, and from where are fights among you? Is it not from this: from your pleasures making war among your members?2 You desire, and you have not. You murder and strive and are not able to succeed. You fight and battle. You do not have for reason that you do not request.3 You request and do not receive for reason that you request evil, in order that you may be consumed in your pleasures!4 Adulterers! Do you not know that the love of Society is hatred for Yahweh? He therefore who would desire to be a friend of Society establishes himself as an enemy of Yahweh!5 Or do you suppose that vainly the Scripture says: "With envy yearns the spirit which dwells in us"?6 But more greatly He gives favor, on which account it says: "Yahweh opposes the arrogant, but He gives favor to the humble."7 Therefore subject yourselves to Yahweh, but stand against the False Accuser and he shall flee from you.8 Draw near to Yahweh and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners! And purify your hearts, double-minded!9 Endure hardship and lament and weep! Your laughter must turn into grief and joy into sorrow!10 Humble yourself before the Prince and He shall exalt you.11 Do not slander one another, brethren. He slandering a brother or condemning his brother slanders the law and condemns the law. Now if you condemn the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.12 There is one Lawgiver and Judge, He who is able to save and to destroy! Now who are you who is judging him near to you?13 Come on, those now saying "Today or tomorrow we shall go into this here city and we shall spend a year there and trade and make profit",14 those who do not know what condition your life is in tomorrow! For you are as vapor appearing for a short time, and then disappearing.15 Instead of which you are to say "If the Prince desires and we shall live, then we shall do this or that."16 But now you boast in your pretenses. Any such reason to boast as this is wicked!17 Therefore he knowing to do good and not doing it, for him it is error.