Chapter 22
The following was commanded to the inhabitants of Shalam:
You shall not persuade any adult to come into the Father’s kingdom.
But you shall say to whoever comes your way: Come and see us, and judge, in your own way, what is best for you and for the world.
Others shall come to Shalam, inquiring for curiosity’s sake, and for the sake of relating mischievous falsehoods founded on a grain of truth.
Therefore, be guarded, saying to those: The time of word-doctrines is at an end; examine, and judge as you will.
Others will seek to convict you of self- righteousness. Therefore, if they inquire in this manner, namely: Do you say that the Faithists are immaculate (without sin, perfect, right in all things), or, do you say that all others are wrong? || Then you shall answer them, saying:
Nothing mortal is immaculate; and as to others, we are not their judges. Make your inquires to Jehovih. To do all the good we can, having faith in Jehovih, this is sufficient for us.
Some will seek to trap you on the subject of marriage, inquiring in this manner:
Do you say that celibacy is higher than marriage? Or, is marriage higher? What do you say about marriage and divorce?
To these you shall answer in this way: We are no man’s keeper; neither do we say whether celibacy or marriage is higher. We give liberty to all to serve Jehovih, on that matter, in their own way. One marriage only do we permit to any man or woman. And, though one or the other dies, yet the survivor cannot marry again. And as to those who are married, they can, at the option of either one, return to celibacy, by being publicly proclaimed in the temple of Jehovih.
And if they inquire of you regarding leadership, saying:
Who is the leader? Who is the highest? Who is the head? You shall answer them, saying: Jehovih. We have no man-leader; no man who is higher than another. We are brothers and sisters.
They will press you, inquiring: Some men can do more work; some men are stronger; some men are wiser; now, therefore, how do you grade them in order for excellence to be known and respected?
To these you shall reply, saying: All men are Jehovih’s. He designed the strong ones to carry heavier burdens than the weak; He designed the wise ones to teach the less wise. Why, then, shall we give any preference to one over another? They are not ours, but Jehovih’s. It is sufficient for us to do our own parts, with all our wisdom and strength.