Teachings of Silvanus

Silvanus exhorts his son to lay aside the works of the flesh, to take up the warfare of the spirit, and to receive the wisdom that cometh from above.

1My son, lay aside the worry of the flesh, and the cares of childishness. Take unto thyself the manhood of reason. Be a man of understanding; be a man of right action; be a man who walketh in the way of the Lord.

2Open thou the door, that thou mayest know the One who is. Knock upon thyself, that the Word may open unto thee. For he that ruleth over himself is a king greater than any earthly king. Bring thou into thy gate, even thy mind, the Logos; and reign over the city of thy soul.

3There are three races within thee. The first is the body, which is of the earth, and seeketh only the things of the earth. The second is the soul, which is between, and is drawn now to the body, and now to the spirit. The third is the spirit, which is from God, and seeketh only the things of God.

4Take heed: subdue the body unto the soul; subdue the soul unto the spirit; subdue the spirit unto Christ. So shalt thou stand in order; so shalt thou be at peace; so shalt thou bear fruit unto God.

5Reject not the discipline of the Father. Whom He loveth, He chasteneth. The afflictions of the present time are nothing compared with the glory which shall be revealed. Endure thou as a good soldier of Christ; for he that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved.

6Walk thou in the way of Christ. He is the door; He is the way; He is the truth; He is the life. None cometh unto the Father but by Him.

7Live, therefore, with Christ; and Christ shall live in thee. Take heed: Christ is the wisdom of God; Christ is the power of God; Christ is the image of the invisible Father.

8He came down from above; He took upon Himself flesh; He walked among us; He died upon the cross; He rose on the third day; He ascended unto the Father. He hath sent forth the Spirit; He hath gathered His Church; He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.

9He is greater than all the angels. He is greater than all the prophets. He is greater than Moses. He is greater than the law. For the law was given by Moses; but grace and truth came by Jesus the Christ.

10Be not, therefore, deceived by them that say there is no resurrection of the body. There is. Christ Himself rose in His own body; and we shall rise in our own bodies, glorified, like unto His glorious body. Be not deceived by them that say the body is evil; for the body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Be not deceived by them that despise the laws of the Father; for whosoever loveth the Father shall keep His commandments.

11Honour thy father and thy mother. Love thy neighbour as thyself. Be patient. Be kind. Be longsuffering. Forgive as thou hast been forgiven. Give as thou hast received. Bless as thou hast been blessed.

12Flee from drunkenness, from fornication, from idleness, from the love of money, from the lust of the eyes, from the pride of life. These are the works of the flesh; they shall consume thee, if thou cleave unto them.

13Pursue rather temperance, chastity, diligence, generosity, humility, contentment, the fear of the Lord. These are the works of the spirit; they shall make thee strong; they shall lead thee unto life.

14Be a friend of wisdom. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; she shall preserve thee in the day of trouble. Take her with thee everywhere; consult her in every matter. She shall lead thee in the way of righteousness; she shall keep thy feet from stumbling.

15And know thou this: the highest wisdom is Christ. He that hath Christ hath wisdom; and he that hath wisdom shall not lack any good thing.

16Pray without ceasing. Read the holy scriptures. Meditate upon them by night. Speak them to thy children. Sing them in thine heart. Walk in them all the days of thy life.

17Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit. Both now and for ever and ever. Amen.