The Creator of the world spoke thus to David from behind the veil of mystery: “Everything that exists in the world, good or evil, visible or invisible, is but a substitute, save Myself, for whom thou shalt find neither substitute nor equal. Since nothing can be substituted for Me, cease not to be with Me. I am thy soul; separate not thyself from Me; thou hast need of Me, thou art dependent upon Me. Be not heedless for a single instant of the Necessary Being. Seek not to exist apart from Me; desire not what is offered to thee, save Me.”
Thou who livest full of desires in the world! thou who art plunged day and night in the cares these desires entail, forget not that He whom thou hast acknowledged as worthy of thy worship must be thy sole aim in both worlds. The visible world sells thee its nothingness; but, for thy part, beware lest thou sell God for anything in the world. All that thou preferrest to Him is an idol that maketh thee unfaithful, and thou art equally guilty if thou preferrest thyself to Him.
Thou who livest full of desires in the world! thou who art plunged day and night in the cares these desires entail, forget not that He whom thou hast acknowledged as worthy of thy worship must be thy sole aim in both worlds. The visible world sells thee its nothingness; but, for thy part, beware lest thou sell God for anything in the world. All that thou preferrest to Him is an idol that maketh thee unfaithful, and thou art equally guilty if thou preferrest thyself to Him.