1It came to pass that the disciples stepped up to Jmmanuel and asked, "Who is the greatest in spirit?"
2Jmmanuel called a child to him, placed the youth in their midst,
3and spoke, "Truly, I say to you, unless you change and become like the children, you will not become great in spirit.
4"Those who search, seek and gather insights and thirst for knowledge like this child will be great in spirit.
5"Those who search, seek and find like such a child will always reach their fullest potential within themselves.
Millstone
6"But whosoever does not heed this truth and embraces erroneous teachings, and neither searches nor finds, would be better off with a millstone hung around the neck and drowned in the deepest part of the sea.
7"Truly, there is no sense in life and no fulfilment of its meaning without searching, seeking and finding.
8"It would be better to expel those who lack understanding from the company of the true seekers and of those who search for true life, so that they do not hinder those willing to seek the truth.
9"The unreasonable ones will surely be willing to heed the laws of Creation in their lives after their expulsion.
10"Woe to the world for troubles, because trouble must come through troublemakers; but woe to those who cause troubles.
11"Don't be concerned if your hand or foot troubles you and falls off. It is better to lose a limb and grow great in spirit than to have two hands and two feet and a consciousness that remains small, or even wastes away.
12"Don't be concerned if an eye troubles you and becomes blind. It is better for you to see the laws of Creation in the power of your spirit and consciousness than to have two eyes and yet be spiritually blind in consciousness.
13"See to it that you are not one of those who is sound in body but sick and lacking in consciousness.
The Errors Of Your Neighbour
14"Search for the meaning and truth in my teachings. Since I am human like you, I, too, have had to search and perceive.
15"Since I am human like you and have gathered my knowledge, you are also capable of learning, searching, perceiving and knowing; in so doing you may grasp and observe the laws of Creation.
16"If your neighbour errs and embraces a falsified teaching, go and reveal their error in private.
17"If they listen to you, you have won your neighbour.
18"If your neighbour does not listen and continues to be enslaved by a lack of understanding, leave that person be, for they are not worthy of your teaching, once you have done everything possible.
19"It is better to let an unreasonable person walk on the path of misery than to bring confusion to one's own consciousness.
20"Truly I say to you, the heavens will collapse before an unreasonable person can be taught reason; therefore, beware of such persons.
21"Sow the seeds of wisdom on fertile soil where they can germinate,
22"because only the germinated seed will bring forth fruit:'