The Adjuration

​Jacob, therefore, having read the letter, summoned the elders, and having read it to them, said: “Necessarily and fittingly our Peter reminded us to be secure concerning the truth, so that we should not share the books of his preachings sent to us with anyone at random, but only with someone who is good and pious, who also chooses to teach and is circumcised, faithful. And these not all at once, so that if in the first ones he is found to be unprincipled, the second ones may not be trusted to him. Therefore, let him be tested for not less than six years; and only then, according to the custom of Moses, having led him to a river or spring, which is living water, where the regeneration of the righteous takes place, not to make him swear—since it is not lawful—but to command him to stand by the water and to testify solemnly, just as we ourselves, being commanded at our regeneration, did for the sake of not sinning.”

​And let him say: “I take as witnesses heaven, earth, and water, in which all things are contained, and in addition to all these, also the air that permeates through all things, without which I do not breathe, that I will always be obedient to the one who gives me the books of the preachings, and these very books of mine, whichever he may give to me, I will by no means share with anyone in any manner, neither by writing them, nor by giving what has been written, nor by delivering them to one who writes, neither myself, nor through another, nor by any other method, deceit, or device, nor by guarding them carelessly, nor by adding or adulterating anything, nor by sharing them with another in any other manner or design whatsoever. Except if I test someone to be worthy, as I myself was judged, or even after testing him more, yet not less than six years; then to a pious and good man, who takes upon himself to teach, as I received them I will hand them over, and doing this in accordance with the mind of the bishop.”

​Otherwise, not even if he be a child or a brother or a friend, or in any other way related to me by birth, if indeed he be unworthy, will I share it, for the sake of not giving it to him, since it is not proper. I will neither fear plot, nor be flattered by gifts. But even if it should ever seem to me that the books of preachings given to me are not true, not even so will I hand them down, but I will return them. And when journeying, I will carry with me those which I happen to possess. But if I do not wish to carry them about with me, I will not let them remain in my house, but I will deposit them with my bishop, who has the same faith and proceeds from the same principles. And if it should happen that I fall ill and suspect death, if I am childless, I will do likewise. But even if I die having a child who is unworthy or not yet capable, I will do likewise. For I will deposit them with my bishop, so that if the child, on coming of age, happens to be worthy of the faith, he may return it to the child as a paternal trust, according to the terms of the protestation.

​And that I will do so, again for the second time I call to witness heaven, earth, and water, in which all things are contained, and in addition to all these, also the air that permeates through all things, without which I do not breathe, that I will always be obedient to the one who gives me the books of the preachings, and I will keep all things according to what I have solemnly testified, and even if anything more. To me, therefore, keeping the covenant, may there be a portion with the holy ones; but to me, acting contrary to what I have agreed, may the universe be hostile, and the ether that permeates through all things, and the God who is over all, than whom no one is better, than whom no one is greater. But even if I should come to the conception of another God, I now swear also by him that I will not do otherwise, whether he exists or whether he does not exist. And in addition to all these, if I lie, may I be accursed living and dead, and may I be punished with eternal punishment.” And after this, let him partake of bread and salt with the one handing them over.

​When Jacob said these things, the elders grew pale, being in great distress. Jacob, therefore, perceiving that they were exceedingly afraid, said: “Hear me, brethren and fellow-servants. If we provide the books to all at random, and they are adulterated by some daring men or distorted by interpretations, as you have already heard that some have done, it will remain for those who truly seek the truth to be always in error. Therefore, it is better that they be kept with us, and to share them with all the aforementioned security with those who wish to live and to save others. But if anyone, after making such a solemn protestation, shall do otherwise, he will justly fall under eternal punishment. For by what reason, having become the cause of the destruction of others, shall he not himself perish?” The elders, therefore, being pleased with the opinion of Jacob, said: “Blessed is He who, as one foreseeing all things, beautifully established you as bishop for us.” And when they said these things, we arose and prayed to the Father and God of all; to whom be glory forever. Amen.