Letter 419

To the same person. If we unhesitatingly carry out the spiritual work, and soberly attend to the service of the rule's observance that we owe, it is plain that God, caring for us far more, rouses most pious souls to minister to us in all things needful. But if we are slothful, and neglect the duties that fall to the spiritual matter, how do we count ourselves worthy to be cared for?

Ἐὰν ἡμεῖς ἀόκνως ἐκτελῶμεν τὸ πνευματικὸν ἔργον, καὶ φροντίζωμεν νηφόντως τὴν κεχρεωστη- μένην ἡμῖν τοῦ κανόνος τοῦ ποιεῖν ὑπηρεσίαν, δῆλον ὅτι πολλῷ πλέον ὁ Θεὸς φροντίδων ἡμῶν διεγείρει ψυχὰς εὐσεβεστάτας πρὸς τὸ πάντα τὰ πρὸς τὰς χρείας διακονῆσαι ἡμῖν. Ἐὰν δὲ ἡμεῖς ὀκνῶμεν, καὶ ἀμελῶμεν τῶν ἐπιβαλλόντων τῷ πνευματικῷ πράγματι, πῶς ἀξιοῦμεν φροντίζεσθαι;