The Book of Steps

...calculation, until the time when Jerusalem was overthrown and lost its grace; [showing] with what diligence the righteous preserved the blessing flowing from them, until it was transferred to the nations through Jesus. Indeed, the investigation of words is very helpful for learning and understanding; but it is more excellent for us to fear God in the purity of our hearts, the Giver of words, who wrote and proposed to us—through great labor and much fear, through the narrow gate and the cramped path—that those who fear God must enter.

2. First, it is necessary for us, most dear one, to fear the judgment of God, and the words and precepts of the Vivifier, who says: Every idle word that men have spoken, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment original: "Matth. XII, 36". Again it is written: By your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned original: "Matth. XII, 37". It is also written: The mouth of men brings them down original: "Eccles. x, 12". And in another place it is written: The mouth of the fool prepares a snare for him original: "Prov. XVIII, 7". Remember also the words of the Teacher of the nations who says: We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil original: "II Cor. v, 10". He further says: With fear and trembling, work out your salvation...

...and he added other blessings; and how the righteous were guarding the blessings, that they might flow and come in them, until the time when [Jerusalem] was destroyed and grace left it, and it passed to the nations. Indeed, the investigation of words is good for learning and understanding, but more so, in the purity of our hearts, we must fear God, the Giver of words, who wrote and placed before us that, with great labor and much fear, and through the narrow gate and the cramped path, it is right that those who fear Him should pass.

It is fitting for us first, my beloved, to fear the judgment of God, and to keep the words and precepts of the Vivifier, who says: For every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment. And again it is written: By your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned. And again it is written: The mouth of men brings them down. And in another place it is written: The mouth of the fool is a snare to him. And remember that the Teacher of the nations says that we are all destined to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may be repaid for what he has done in his body, whether good or evil. And again he says: With fear and trembling, work out your salvation.