First of all, slander no one, nor listen gladly to one who slanders; otherwise you, the hearer, will also be guilty of the sin of the slanderer, if you believe the slander you hear; for by believing it you too will hold something against your brother. So in this way you will be guilty of the sin of the slanderer.
Slander is wicked; it is a restless demon, never at peace, but always dwelling in dissensions. Keep away from it, then, and you shall always have prosperity with all.
Put on reverence, in which there is no evil stumbling-block, but all things are smooth and cheerful. Work the good, and from your labors which God gives you give to all who are in need, simply, not hesitating to whom you should give or to whom you should not give. Give to all; for God wishes gifts to be given to all out of his own bounties.
Those who receive, then, shall give account to God why they received and for what; for those who receive being in distress shall not be judged, but those who receive in pretense shall pay the penalty.
He, then, who gives is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord the ministry to fulfill, he fulfilled it simply, making no distinction to whom he should give or not give. This ministry, then, simply fulfilled, became glorious before God. He, then, who thus simply ministers to God shall live.
Keep this commandment, then, as I have spoken it to you, so that your repentance and that of your household may be found to be in simplicity, and your guilelessness pure and undefiled.