Chapter 34

34. The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and false, and dreams lift up fools, for whoso regards dreams is like him that catches at a shadow, and follows after the wind, and the vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the face of a man to the face of a man. Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? And from that thing which is false what can be true? Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vanity, and the heart fancies, as a woman's heart in travail, for unless they are sent from the most High in your visitation, set not your heart upon them. The law was not made for them that sleep, and the law is a great trouble, and all their travail is a great trouble. The most High commanded to love our neighbour, and all their travail is a great trouble, for the law is a great trouble, and all their travail is a great trouble. Travel and experience make a man of much understanding, and he that has been in many things will know many things, and he that has no experience knows little, for he that is tried shall find understanding, and he that has experience shall be filled with wisdom. When I traveled, I saw many things, and I understand more than I can express, for I was often in danger, and was delivered by the Lord, and he that fears the Lord shall not fear, for he is with him to deliver him out of all trouble. The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live, for their hope is in him that saves them, and whoso fears the Lord shall not be afraid, for he is with him to deliver him out of all trouble, and he will not be forsaken, and he will not be put to shame. Whoso offers a sacrifice of unrighteousness, his offering is mocked, and the gifts of the ungodly are not accepted, for the most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked, neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices. Whoso brings an offering of the goods of the poor, does as one that kills the son before his father's eyes, for the bread of the needy is their life, and he that defrauds him thereof is a man of blood. He that takes away his neighbour's living, slays him, and he that defrauds the laborer of his hire is a man of blood, and when one builds, and another pulls down, what profit have they then but labor? When one prays, and another curses, whose voice will the Lord hear? He that washes himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what avails his washing? So is it with a man that fasts for his sins, and goes again, and does the same, for who will hear his prayer, or what does his humbling profit him?