Therefore, brothers, since we have received no small opportunity to repent, let us use the time we have to turn to God who called us, while we still have One who receives us.
For if we renounce these self-indulgent pleasures and master our soul by refusing to carry out its evil desires, we will partake of the mercy of Jesus.
And know that the day of judgment is already coming “like a burning furnace,” and “some of the heavens will melt,” while the whole earth will be like lead melting in the fire. Then the hidden and visible deeds of people will be revealed.
Almsgiving, then, is good as repentance for sin. Fasting is better than prayer, and almsgiving is better than both. Love “covers a multitude of sins,” while prayer from a good conscience rescues from death. Blessed is everyone found full of these things, for almsgiving becomes a lightening of sin.