Epistle to Diognetus

When you have read and carefully listened to these things, you will know what God gives to those who rightly love Him. You are made to be a paradise of delight, presenting within yourselves a tree bearing all kinds of produce and flourishing well, adorned with various fruits. For in this place, the tree of knowledge and the tree of life have been planted; but it is not the tree of knowledge that destroys—it is disobedience that is destructive.

Furthermore, the words written about how God from the beginning planted the tree of life in the midst of paradise are not without significance, revealing through knowledge the way to life. When those who were first formed did not use this knowledge properly, they were stripped naked through the fraud of the Serpent. For neither can life exist without knowledge, nor is knowledge secure without life.

Therefore, both were planted close together. The Apostle, understanding the significance of this connection and criticizing that knowledge which, without true doctrine, is allowed to influence life, declares, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” For anyone who thinks they know anything without true knowledge, and such knowledge that is supported by life, knows nothing but is deceived by the Serpent, as they do not love life.

But whoever combines knowledge with fear and seeks after life, plants in hope, looking for fruit. Let your heart be your wisdom, and let your life be true knowledge inwardly received. Bearing this tree and showing its fruit, you shall always gather those things which are desired by God, which the Serpent cannot reach, and to which deception does not come close. Then Eve is not corrupted but is trusted as a virgin; salvation is manifested, the Apostles are filled with understanding, the Passover of the Lord advances, the choirs are gathered together and arranged in proper order, and the Word rejoices in teaching the saints, by whom the Father is glorified: to whom be glory forever.

Amen.