*God is fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts.
And so, if we feel in our hearts coldness, which is from the devil—
for then let us call upon the devil is cold Lord and He will come
and warm our hearts with perfect love not only for Him
but for our neighbor as well.*
*One must by every means strive to preserve peace of soul
and not be disturbed by offenses from others;
for this one must in every way strive to restrain anger
and by means of attentiveness to keep the mind and heart from improper feelings.
And therefore we must bear offenses from others with equanimity
and accustom ourselves to such a disposition of spirit
that these offenses seem to concern not us, but others.
Such a practice can give quietness to the human heart
and make it as a dwelling for God Himself.*
*When despondency seizes us, let us not give in to it.
Rather, fortified and protected by the light of faith,
let us with great courage say to the spirit of evil:
"What are you to us, you who are cut off from God,
a fugitive from Heaven, and a slave of evil?
You dare not do anything to us:
Christ, the Son of God, has dominion over us and over all.
Leave us, you thing of bane. We are made steadfast by the uprightness of His Cross.
Serpent, we trample on your head."*
*You cannot be too gentle, too kind.
Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other.
Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives
and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives.
All condemnation is from the devil.
Never condemn each other.
We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves.
When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp
that nothing in another can equal it.
That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others.
Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace.
Keep silent, refrain from judgement.
This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult, and outrage
and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.*
*Acquire the Spirit of Peace and thousands around you will be saved.*