Chapter XXXI.--Let us see by what means we may obtain the divine blessing.

Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider what are the means ¹ of possessing it. Let us think ² over the things which have taken place from the beginning. For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith? ³ Isaac, with perfect confidence, as if knowing what was to happen, ⁴ cheerfully yielded himself as a sacrifice. ⁵ Jacob, through reason ⁶ of his brother, went forth with humility from his own land, and came to Laban and served him; and there was given to him the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel.