Clement of Alexandria · a new plain-English translation from the original language
How then does man give these things? Because it is on account of that One's honor and goodwill and kinship that the Lord gives: "for I will give not only to friends, but even to the friends of friends." And who is this friend of God? Do not you yourself judge who is worthy and who unworthy; for it is possible for you to err in your judgment. Since the matter stands in the ambiguity of our ignorance, it is better to do good even to the unworthy for the sake of the worthy, than, by being on guard against those less good, to fail to meet even the earnest. For from sparing and pretending to test who will reasonably obtain help or not, it is possible for you to neglect even some who are dear to God, whose penalty is eternal fiery punishment; but from giving forth to all in turn who are in need, it is altogether necessary to find also some among those able to be saved by God. "Do not judge," therefore, "that you may not be judged; with the measure you measure, with that it will be measured back to you also; a good measure, pressed down and shaken together and overflowing, will be given back to you." Open your inmost heart to all the disciples of God who are enrolled. Do not look upon the body with disdain, do not be carelessly disposed toward age, nor, if someone appears poor or ill-clad or ill-favored or weak, be vexed in soul at this and turn away. This is a form thrown about us from without, on the pretext of our passage into the world, so that we might be able to enter into this common schoolhouse; but within dwells hidden the Father, and his Son who died for us and rose again with us.
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