Satan seeks to sift the saints
so stay away from sin,
lest he enslave you with restraints
that subdue from within.
Of God above, what is your view?
It matters not what you exhort.
But what does Yahweh think of you?
The latter’s of far more import!
Trade your transgressions and all of your weapons,
sell your possessions for treasure in heaven –
give every penny to the poor –
for you’ll not want them anymore!
Build treasure inexhaustible,
that will not feed a moth in full,
that no thief can doff or pull,
and leads not to loss or lull.
For the pleasures of…
A mime acting in Montreal
stopped performing to take nature’s call,
but the patrons protested
and he got arrested
although he had built his own stall.
Just as the bugle’s made for breathing,
the backs of fools are made for beatings -
but he who heeds legal proceedings
and pleads for pity won’t be bleeding!
It is easy to be sorry
for what you have said,
but far harder to forgive the
culprit in your bed.
Live right and you’ll have much to eat,
but the wicked go away hungry.
Your lips invite folly, that whore,
and pay her to stay –
but when wisdom raps thy door,
you send her away.
Better your temper in control
than a whole empire,
for an ember smoldering
will set a soul on fire.
Woe if you cause a man of cloth
to overflow with woe and wroth!
Better to boil as a broth,
or be a sweater sewn for moths.
