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CONCERNING SACRED LAW

From the Laws of the XII. Tables

From Oldendorp; Rivalius.

LET THEM APPROACH THE GODS CHASTELY, let them bring piety, let them set aside riches. Whoever does otherwise, God himself shall be the avenger.
Cicero explains it thus: The law commands one to approach the gods chastely, namely in spirit, in which all things reside. It does not forbid bodily chastity: but they wished for this to be understood. Add what Rivalius and Oldendorp have brought to this place.
Let them set aside riches. Lest, by applying expense to sacred rites, Poverty, which is most pleasing to him referring to the divine, might be barred from his approach.
God shall be the avenger. Cicero says religion seems to be confirmed by the fear of present punishment.

LET NO ONE HAVE GODS SEPARATELY, neither new ones nor foreign ones, unless publicly recognized; let them be worshipped privately.
For unknown ceremonies bring about a confusion of religions.
Publicly recognized. Certainly, just as Athenaeus once called Rome the epitome tes oikoumenes epitome of the inhabited world, so a certain Christian writer had earlier called it the epitome tes deisidaimonias epitome of superstition.

Let them have shrines constructed by the Fathers.
Let them have groves in the fields. And seats of the Lares.
Let them have groves in the fields. We Christians now use not a grove, but temples in the country as well, due to the distance of the place. Chap. 3, Concerning Church Buildings, at the end, or repair. Oldendorp.