The Most High does not accept the gifts of wicked men. The one who offers a sacrifice taken from what belongs to the poor is like one who sacrifices a child in the very sight of the child’s father. Riches, says Scripture, which a person gathers unjustly, will be vomited out of that person’s stomach. The angel of death will drag such a one away, to be crushed by the anger of dragons. Such a one will the tongue of a serpent slay, and the fire which cannot be extinguished will consume. And Scripture also says: ‘Woe to those who fill themselves with what does not belong to them’. And: ‘What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet suffer the loss of his own soul?’
It would take a long time to discuss or refer one by one, and to gather from the whole law all that is stated about such greed. Avarice is a deadly crime. Do not covet your neighbour’s goods.
Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, Patrick of Ireland, translation by Padraig McCarthy (alt.)
Hello, Brother Vaughn,
ReplyDeleteI could not recall what the author was referring to in the Bible. Where in the Bible does it say that "Riches, which a person gathers unjustly, will be vomited out of that person’s stomach"? Prov. 20:17 and 21:6 are relevant to the topic, but do not say that. Proverbs 23:8 speaks of someone vomiting up the morsel he's eaten, but it's not speaking of ill-gotten gain.
Oops. I forgot to sign off.
ReplyDeleteE. T. Chapman
Good to hear from you brother. I think this is probably a reference to Job 20:15, He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
ReplyDeleteAhh! Thank you.
ReplyDelete