1 Clement 20-22

(20.1) At His direction, the heavens are shaken, being subject to Him in peace.

(20.2) Day and night finish the course appointed by Him, not impeding one another.

(20.3) According to His direction, sun and moon, and the dancing groups of stars roll on through their appointed courses in harmony, without any deviation.

(20.4) According to His will, the fruitful earth, at the appropriate time, raises up abundant food for people and animals, for all living beings upon it, neither dissenting nor changing anything decreed by Him.

(20.5) The unsearchable abyss and the indescribable lower regions are bound by the same laws.

(20.6) The hollow of the boundless sea, brought according to His creative work into its gathering places, never goes beyond its limiting barriers, but rather does as He commanded.

(20.7) For He said, “You will come to here, and your waves will be broken in you.”

(20.8) The ocean, limitless to people, and the worlds beyond it, are regulated by the same decrees of the Master.

(20.9) The seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter give way to one another in peace.

(20.10) The stations of the wind perform their service at the appropriate times without disturbance, and the perennial springs, having been created for enjoyment and health, without fail present their breasts for the life of people. The smallest of living things have their relations in harmony and peace.

(20.11) All these things the great Creator and Master of all has ordered in peace and harmony, to be doing good to all, and immeasurably for us, who have fled to His compassion, through our Lord Jesus Christ,

(20.12) to Whom be glory and majesty to the ages of ages, Amen.

(21.1) Beloved, see to it that His many good works may not become judgments to us, if we don’t conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of Him. Let us in harmony do good and pleasing things before Him.

(21.2) For it says somewhere, “The Spirit of the Lord is a lamp searching the hidden parts of the belly.”

(21.3) Let us note how near He is, and that neither our thoughts nor the decisions we make escape His notice.

(21.4) Therefore it is right for us not to abandon His will.

(21.5) Rather than God, let us reject those unwise and mindless people, arrogant and boasting in the pretension of their words.

(21.6) Let us revere the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose blood was given because of us; let us respect those who lead before us; let us esteem our elders; let us instruct our young men in training of the fear of God; let us lead our women (wives) to what is good.

(21.7) Let them (the women/wives) demonstrate the love-worthy habit of purity; let them display their pure intention for gentleness; let them make plain the gentleness of their language through silence; let them show their love not in partiality, but rather equally to all who fear God in a holy manner.

(21.8) Let our children partake of training in Christ; let them learn how humble-mindedness prevails with God, how pure love prevails with God, how the fear of Him is good and great, and saves all those who in a holy manner conduct themselves in it with a pure mind.

(21.9) For He is the Examiner of thoughts and desires, Whose breath is in us, and when He wills, He will take it away.

(22.1) So, the faith which is in Christ confirms all these things. For He, through the Holy Spirit, invites us thus: “Come, children. Hear me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

(22.2) “Who is the person who wants life, loves to see good days?

(22.3) “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

(22.4) “Turn away from evil, and do good.

(22.5) “Seek peace, and pursue it.

(22.6) “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous ones, and His ear is toward their prayer. And the face of the Lord is against those doing evil, rooting out the memory of them from the earth.

(22.7) “The righteous one cried out, and the Lord heard him, and He delivered him out of all his troubles.

(22.8) “Many are the torments of the sinful, but mercy will surround those who are hoping in the Lord.”