1 Clement 23

1The compassionate and altogether beneficent Father has tender affections for those who fear him, and gently and kindly gives his gracious gifts to those who come to him with a single-minded heart.

2Therefore let us not be double-minded, nor let our soul be doubtful concerning his surpassing and glorious gifts.

3Let this scripture be far from us, where it says, “Wretched are the double-minded, those who doubt in their soul, who say, ‘These things we heard even in the days of our fathers, and behold, we have grown old, and none of these things has happened to us.’”

4You foolish ones, compare yourselves to a tree: take a vine. First it sheds its leaves, then a shoot appears, then a leaf, then a flower, and after these the unripe grape and then the full cluster appear. You see that in a short time the fruit of the tree comes to maturity.

5Truly, his will shall be accomplished quickly and suddenly, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, “Quickly he will come and will not delay,” and, “Suddenly the Lord will come to his temple, even the Holy One whom you expect.”