1 He shewed me men seated on a couch, and another man seated on a chair. And he saith to me, "Seest thou those that are seated on the couch?" "I see them, Sir," say I. "These," saith he, "are faithful, but he that sitteth on the chair is a false prophet who destroyeth the mind of the servants of God--I mean, of the doubtful-minded, not of the faithful. (HER) 2 These doubtful-minded ones then come to him as to a soothsayer and enquire of him what shall befall them. And he, the false prophet, having no power of a divine Spirit in himself, speaketh with them according to their enquiries [and according to the lusts of their wickedness], and filleth their souls as they themselves wish. (HER) 3 For being empty himself he giveth empty answers to empty enquirers; for what-ever enquiry may be made of him, he answereth according to the emptiness of the man. But he speaketh also some true words; for the devil filleth him with his own spirit, if so be he shall be able to break down some of the righteous. (HER) 4 So many therefore as are strong in the faith of the Lord, clothed with the truth, cleave not to such spirits, but hold aloof from them; but as many as are doubters and frequently change their minds, practice soothsaying like the Gentiles, and bring upon themselves greater sin by their idolatries. For he that consulteth a false prophet on any matter is an idolater and emptied of the truth, and senseless. (HER) 5 For no Spirit given of God needeth to be consulted; but, having the power of deity, speaketh all things of itself, because it is from above, even from the power of the divine Spirit. (HER) 6 But the spirit which is consulted, and speaketh according to the desires of men, is earthly and fickle, having no power; and it speaketh not at all, unless it be consulted." (HER) 7 "How then, Sir," say I, "shall a man know who of them is a prophet, and who a false prophet?" "Hear," saith he, "concerning both the prophets; and, as I shall tell thee, so shalt thou test the prophet and the false prophet. By his life test the man that hath the divine Spirit. (HER) 8 In the first place, he that hath the [divine] Spirit, which is from above, is gentle and tranquil and humble-minded, and abstaineth from all wickedness and vain desire of this present world, and holdeth himself inferior to all men, and giveth no answer to any man when enquired of, nor speaketh in solitude (for neither doth the Holy Spirit speak when a man wisheth Him to speak); but the man speaketh then when God wisheth him to speak. (HER) 9 When then the man who hath the divine Spirit cometh into an assembly of righteous men, who have faith in a divine Spirit, and intercessio… (HER)
Mandates 43:1–21
Semantically similar passages
Mandates 39:9–11
9 Therefore despise doubtful-mindedness and gain the mastery over it in everything, clothing thyself with faith which is strong and powerful. For faith promiseth all things, accomplisheth all things; but doubtful-mindedness, as having no confidence in itself, f… (HER)
Odes of Solomon 3:11–13
11 And he who has pleasure in the Living One, will become living. (ODE) 12 This is the Spirit of the Lord, which doth not lie, which teacheth the sons of men to know His ways. (ODE) 13 Be wise and understanding and vigilant. Hallelujah. (ODE)
Testament of Judah 3:45–47
45 And the prince of deceit blinded me, and I sinned as a man and as flesh, being corrupted through sins; and I learnt my own weakness while thinking myself invincible. (T12) 46 Know, therefore, my children, that two spirits wait upon man-the spirit of truth and the spiri… (T12)
Apocryphon of John 18:8–10
8 However, after being born, then, as the Spirit of life increases, and the power arrives and strengthens that soul, no one will be able to lead it astray with evil deeds. (APJ) 9 However, those on whom the false spirit descends are dragged by him, and are led astray.” (APJ) 10 I… (APJ)
Mandates 28:1–2
1 Again he saith to me; "Love truth, and let nothing but truth proceed out of thy mouth, that the Spirit which God made to dwell in this flesh, may be found true in the sight of all men; and thus shall the Lord, Who dwelleth in thee, be glorified; for the Lord… (HER) 2 … (HER)
Gospel of Philip 1:50–52
50a The impure spirits take male and female [forms]. The males are those that are intimate with the souls which dwell in a female form, and the females are those that mingle with those in a male form through disobedience. No one will be able to escape being bound… (GPH)
Testament of Issachar 1:34–36
34 He doth not desire to live a long life, but only waiteth for the will of God. (T12) 35 And the spirits of deceit have no power against him, for he looketh not on the beauty of women, lest he should pollute his mind with corruption. (T12) 36 There is no envy in his thoughts, no m… (T12)
2 Esdras 4:1–3
1 The angel who was sent to me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer, (WEB) 2 and said to me, “Your understanding has utterly failed you regarding this world. Do you think you can comprehend the way of the Most High?” (WEB) 3 Then I said, “Yes, my Lord.” He answered me, “I ha… (WEB)
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