1I said: 'Lord, I do not know these parables, nor can I understand them, unless you explain them to me.'
2'I will explain everything to you,' said he, 'and whatever I speak with you, I will show you. Keep the commandments of the Lord and you will be acceptable to God and will be written in the number of those who keep His commandments.'
3'But if you do any good thing beyond the commandment of God, you will gain for yourself a more excellent glory and will be more honored before God than you would be. If, therefore, while keeping the commandments of God, you add these services also, you will rejoice, if you keep them according to my order.'
4I said to him: 'Lord, whatever you order me, I will keep it; for I know that you are with me.' 'I will be with you,' said he, 'because you have such zeal in doing good; yes, and I will be with all,' said he, 'who have such zeal.'
5'This fast,' said he, 'while you keep the commandments of the Lord, is very good. Thus, the fast you must observe is this: first, keep yourself from every evil word and from every evil desire, and clean your heart from all vanities of this world.'
6'If you keep these things, this fast will be perfect for you. And so you shall do: having fulfilled what is written, on the day you fast, you shall taste nothing but bread and water; and calculating the value of the dishes you would eat on that day, you shall give the money to a widow, an orphan or a needy person, and thus you shall humble yourself, so that he who received from your humiliation may satisfy his soul and pray for you to the Lord.'
7'If, therefore, you fulfill your fast as I ordered you, your sacrifice will be acceptable before God, and this fast will be written; and the service thus rendered is good and joyful and acceptable to the Lord.'
8'These things you shall observe, you and your children and all your house; and observing them, you shall be blessed; yes, and all who hear and observe them will be blessed, and whatever they ask of the Lord, they will receive.'