He said, “In the first commandment I commanded you to keep faith, fear, and self-control.” “Yes, Sir,” I said. “But now,” he said, “I want to show you their powers as well, so that you may understand what power and working each of them has. For their workings are twofold: they concern what is righteous and what is unrighteous. Therefore trust what is righteous, but do not trust what is unrighteous. Righteousness has a straight way, but unrighteousness a crooked one. Walk, then, on the straight and level way, and leave the crooked one alone. For the crooked way has no beaten paths, but only pathless places and many stumbling blocks. It is rough and thorny and therefore harmful to those who walk on it. But those who walk on the straight way walk smoothly and without stumbling, for it is neither rough nor thorny. You see, then, that it is more beneficial to walk on this way.” “Sir,” I said, “I am pleased to walk on this way.” “You will walk on it,” he said, “and everyone who turns to the Lord with his whole heart will walk on it.”
“Listen now,” he said, “about faith. There are two angels with a person, one of righteousness and one of wickedness.” I said, “How then, Sir, will I know their workings, since both angels dwell with me?” “Listen,” he said, “and understand them. The angel of righteousness is tender, modest, gentle, and peaceful. When he rises in your heart, he immediately speaks with you about righteousness, purity, Reverence, contentment, every righteous deed, and every glorious virtue. When all these things rise in your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. These, then, are the works of the angel of righteousness. Trust him and his works. Now look also at the works of the angel of wickedness. First of all, he is quick-tempered, bitter, and foolish, and his works are evil, destroying the servants of God. When he rises in your heart, recognize him from his works.” “How, Sir,” I said, “am I to recognize him? I do not know.” “Listen,” he said. “When some quick temper or bitterness comes upon you, know that he is in you. Then come the desire for many undertakings, extravagance in many foods and drinks, many drinking bouts, various unnecessary foods, desires for women, greed, great pride, arrogance, and whatever things are akin and similar to these. When these things rise in your heart, know that the angel of wickedness is in you. Therefore, once you recognize his works, keep away from him and put no trust in him, because his works are evil and unsuitable for the servants of God. You now have the workings of both angels. Understand them and trust the angel of righteousness. Keep away from the angel of wickedness, because his teaching is evil in every matter. For even if a man is faithful, if the thought of this angel rises in his heart, that man or woman must commit some sin. And if, on the other hand, a man or woman is exceedingly wicked and the works of the angel of righteousness rise in that person’s heart, that person must necessarily do something good. You see, then,” he said, “that it is good to follow the angel of righteousness and renounce the angel of wickedness. This commandment explains the things concerning faith, so that you may trust the works of the angel of righteousness and, by doing them, live to God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are harsh; by not doing them, therefore, you will live to God.”