The Book of Melchisedec I

The First Sermon of Repentance

1And in time and through exceeding faith Melchisedec received a vision of the Lord in the hills east of Salem, and had heard the voice of Jehovah concerning the covenant of righteousness, he returned unto the city with a heart filled with both sorrow and determination, for he had seen the corruption of the people and knew that the Lord required him to call them unto repentance.

2And as he entered the city he beheld again the markets and the streets thereof, and the people moving to and fro in their business and trade, and he perceived that many were diligent in their labors, yet their hearts were not set upon the covenant of God but upon the increase of their riches.

3And Melchisedec went unto the gates of the city, which was the place where the elders judged matters and where merchants and travelers gathered continually, and there he stood among the people that his voice might be heard by many.

4And when the multitude had assembled, Melchisedec lifted up his voice and began to speak with boldness, not as one who sought the favor of men but as one who had received a commandment from the Lord.

5And he cried aloud saying:

6Hearken unto me, ye inhabitants of Salem, and give ear unto the words which Jehovah, the God of our fathers, hath placed within my heart.

7For behold, this city prospereth in trade and in abundance, and the markets thereof are filled with goods from many lands.

8Nevertheless the covenant of righteousness which was given unto our fathers hath grown weak among you.

9For I have seen judges who love silver more than justice, and who incline their ears unto those who bring gifts rather than unto the cries of the poor.

10And I have seen merchants who rejoice in the increase of their wealth while the humble laborers of the city struggle to obtain bread for their families.

11And I have seen priests who teach the traditions of men and the philosophies of the nations, yet they neglect the commandments of the Most High and forget the covenant which was delivered unto our fathers from the beginning.

12Therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of heaven and earth, who created the world and who established the covenant with Adam and with Noah and with the patriarchs after them:

13Repent, O inhabitants of Salem, and return unto the covenant of righteousness which your fathers once honored.

14For the Lord requireth not the pride of the wealthy nor the authority of the mighty, but he requireth broken hearts and humble spirits among his people.

15Defend the poor and the needy among you, and judge with righteousness in your courts.

16Let not the stranger be oppressed within your gates, neither let the widow cry unto the Lord because of your neglect.

17For if ye will remember the covenant and walk in mercy and truth before the Lord, then Jehovah shall establish peace within your walls.

18And the abundance of the land shall be sufficient for all the people.

19And there shall be none among you who hunger, neither shall any man be cast aside because of poverty.

20And your children shall grow up in safety, and the generations to come shall rejoice in the righteousness of this city.

21But if ye harden your hearts and refuse the word of the Lord, then the pride of this city shall become its downfall.

22And the kingdoms round about you shall rise up in jealousy and contention.

23And the riches which ye trust in shall not deliver you in the day of trouble.

24For pride goeth before destruction, and the fall of nations followeth the rejection of the covenant of God.

25And when Melchisedec had spoken these words the people were astonished.

26For never before had a prince of the royal house spoken unto them with such boldness concerning their sins.

27And many marveled that the son of the king would rebuke the pride of the rulers and the corruption of the priests.

28And some among the people mocked him, saying that he was young and knew not the affairs of kings nor the burdens of ruling a city.

29And others said that his words were dangerous, for they feared the anger of those who held power within the courts of Salem.

30Nevertheless there were many whose hearts were pricked when they heard his words.

31And they began to remember the teachings of the ancient records concerning the covenant of God.

32And they pondered in their hearts whether the Lord had indeed raised up Melchisedec to call the city unto repentance.

33And thus the word of the Lord began to spread among the people of Salem.