¹ Let us continue speaking about the end, dearest brothers, for the end of our journey, as we have said, is our homeland. But since some possess a homeland here and will not have the end of their journey as a homeland there, instead, they will pass from one path to another—that is, from punishment to punishment, tormented by their own conscience and never finding rest—their journey’s end is not a homeland but torment; it is not rest but perpetual unrest. However, the end of the just is eternal life, rest, perpetual peace, the heavenly homeland, blessed eternity, and infinite joy.

² Thus, the end of human life is different for each person. Although the path of human life is slippery due to frailty, unstable due to changeability, and uncertain due to its fleeting nature, it is nevertheless different according to each one’s efforts and progress. But here, a similar fate befalls different lives, and the unpredictable course of the journey makes this evident: for all are born, grow, decline, fall ill, suffer tribulation, and die in the same way. Yet when they reach the end, they are distinguished—those who were worn down by the same journey are separated by a different destiny.

³ For there, a true test and a thorough examination will reveal the reality of the misery that all travelers share on this path, which all mortals tread upon the earth. As the Apostle says, “Each one’s work will be tested by fire”. Consider the order of human misery: from the earth, upon the earth, into the earth, from the earth into fire, from fire into judgment, and from judgment either into hell or into life. For you were created from the earth, you walk upon the earth, you will return to the earth, you will rise from the earth, you will be tested by fire, you will await judgment, and after these things, you will either suffer eternal punishment or inherit the kingdom.

⁴ As the Apostle also says, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad”. The Lord Himself also proclaims in the Gospel: “The Son of Man will come in His glory, and then He will repay each one according to his deeds”.

⁵ Tremble, I beseech you, at the weight of these words! With fear and trembling, let us always reflect with a vigilant heart on that dreadful coming of divine judgment. Before that terrifying tribunal of Christ the Judge, “each one’s work will be tested by fire,” and each one will receive according to what he has done in his body, whether good or evil. There, the Son of Man will come and “repay each one according to his deeds”.

⁶ This is indeed a most terrifying sentence, brothers, for He did not say that He will repay according to His mercy, but “according to their deeds”. Here He is merciful, but there He will be a just judge. Therefore, we must greatly fear, dearly beloved, we who read and hear these things, when we recognize from God’s own preaching that each one will be repaid according to his deeds. What could be harsher to hear? What hope remains for humanity? Who can be justified through fire and not need the Judge’s mercy, since we dwell in a body of sin?

⁷ I ask, who among the human race, bearing flesh, would not fear these words? For it is proclaimed that we all must appear before the tribunal of Christ, where our works will be tested by fire. With sorrow for the lost, I must say: Why does clay receive understanding? Why was sense given to dust? We, who were created from the earth, stand upon it for a little while, only to soon return to it. And that same earth, by God’s command, will give us back and cast us forth again. At last, we will be tested by fire, so that, as if by a certain process, fire may dissolve the earth and clay, and, if there is any gold or silver or other precious things from the earth, it may reveal them in their purified form.

⁸ To disregard these truths is the attitude of the spiritually dead and the hopeless. Indeed, for anyone, even to hear these things once should be enough for caution. Therefore, let us understand that nothing is more useful to us than to examine ourselves daily as we reflect on the uncertain nature of this life. Let us keep an account of our words and thoughts, and, shuddering at human frailty, let us continually meditate on the end of this journey—our life—despising all the pleasures of this world.

⁹ We see life, but we also perceive it as a fleeting and deceptive shadow. Let us not be deceived, then, by this false and treacherous life, which is brief, temporary, perishable, fragile, bitter, and sorrowful. Instead, let us always think of the true and eternal life, which will receive the righteous as immortal after death. Consider the contrast of destinies: there is life before death and life after death. The just possess both; the wicked sinner has one unhappily and loses the other, which is blessed. After a brief life, he goes from death to death, into destruction.

¹⁰ May the goodness of our merciful God deliver us from such a fate, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.