“If a person does not do what he can, uniting himself to the prayers of the saints, neither does he derive any benefit if the saints pray for him. If they abstain and intercede for him but he abandons himself to dissoluteness and pleasure, what good is their prayer for him? The word is thus fulfilled, "If one builds an…”
Venerable Barsanuphius and John the Prophet, 6th c. — BOOK OF LETTERS 616
Original
23When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?
Modern
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In context
21The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.
22He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
— Sirach 34:23 —
24When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?
25He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?