Chapter 3

Premium narration

And all that have entered the covenant — to the effect that they shall not come into the sanctuary to kindle the altar in vain — shall close the door, of whom God said: Who is there among you that will close my doors, that ye may not kindle Mine altar in vain? They are to take heed to do, according to the precise interpretation of the law during the era of wickedness, and to separate themselves from the children of the pit.

They are to refrain from the wicked wealth which defileth, by vow and by ban, and from the wealth of the sanctuary; and from robbing the poor of His people — making widows their spoil, and murdering the fatherless.

And they are to make a separation between the unclean and the clean, and to declare the difference between the holy and the profane; and to observe the Sabbath day according unto its precise meaning; and the festivals and the day of fasting, even according unto the appointments of the men that have entered the new covenant in the land of Damascus.

And they are to set apart holy things according unto their precise interpretation; that each man may love his brother as himself; and that they may strengthen the hand of the poor, and the needy, and the stranger; and that each man may seek after the welfare of his brother.

Let no man transgress against his next of kin in the flesh; let them keep apart from harlots according unto the precept; let each man rebuke his brother according unto the commandment, and not bear a grudge from one day unto the next; and let each man keep apart from all that is unclean according unto the precept.

Concerning the Sabbath, that he keep it according unto its precise meaning: no man shall do work upon the sixth day from the time when the orb of the sun shall be at a distance of its full size from the gate, that he may not approach. He shall not work the labour of any kind. Let no man speak any vain or foolish word on the Sabbath day. Let no man lend aught unto his neighbour. Let no man take counsel concerning wealth and gain on the Sabbath.

Let no man speak of any matter of work or labour to be done on the morrow. Let no man go after his beast to pasture it outside his city, save for two thousand cubits. Let no man lift up his hand to smite it with the fist. If it be stubborn, let him not lead it forth out of his house.

Let no man take aught out of the house unto the outside, nor from the outside unto the house. Let no man fast on the Sabbath, save according unto His commandment. Let no man kindle the altar on the Sabbath, save the burnt offering of the Sabbath; for thus it is written: Save your Sabbath offerings.

And concerning the Inspector of the Camp: he shall instruct the many in the works of God; he shall make them understand His mighty marvellous works; he shall recount before them the things which were of old, even the latter generation. He shall have mercy upon them as a father upon his sons, and shall heal all their wounds, like a shepherd. He shall loose all the bonds that bind them; that there be no oppressed nor crushed in his congregation.