LUX VERITAS

Library of Sacred Texts

Apocrypha · Chapter 6 of 20

2 Clement 6

Ancient Sermon

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But the Lord saith, No servant can serve two masters. If we desire to serve both God and mammon, it is unprofitable for us:

2For what advantage is it, if a man gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

3Now this age and the future are two enemies.

4The one speaketh of adultery and defilement and avarice and deceit, but the other biddeth farewell to these.

5We cannot therefore be friends of the two, but must bid farewell to the one and hold companionship with the other.

6Let us consider that it is better to hate the things which are here, because they are mean and for a short time and perishable, and to love the things which are there, for they are good and imperishable.

7For, if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; but if otherwise, then nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment, if we should disobey His commandments.

8And the scripture also saith in Ezekiel, Though Noah and Job and Daniel should rise up, they shall not deliver their children in the captivity.

9But if even such righteous men as these cannot by their righteous deeds deliver their children, with what confidence shall we, if we keep not our baptism pure and undefiled, enter into the kingdom of God? Or who shall be our advocate, unless we be found having holy and righteous works?

Words in this chapter

What these words meant in the original — and where else they appear.

About 2 Clement

An apocryphal or pseudepigraphal text — outside the canon of the Western churches, yet widely circulated among ancient Jews and Christians. English text: The Apostolic Fathers, Second Clement (1891), J. B. Lightfoot, 1891 (public domain). Portuguese and Spanish: Lux Veritas translations from this edition.

Source: The Apostolic Fathers, Second Clement (1891), J. B. Lightfoot (1891) · public domain