14 Men need a pattern for their lives; they love to follow, not to lead.
15 The man who stands upon the corners of the paths and points the way, but does not go, is just a pointer; and a block of wood can do the same.
16 The teacher treads the way; on every span of ground he leaves his footprints clearly cut, which all can see and be assured that he, their master, went that way.
17 Men comprehend the inner life by what they see and do. They come to God through ceremonies and forms.
18 And so when you would make men know that sins are washed away by purity in life, a rite symbolic may be introduced.
19 In water wash the bodies of the people who would turn away from sin and strive for purity in life.
20 This rite of cleansing is a preparation rite and they who thus are cleansed comprise the Church of Purity.
21 And you shall say, You men of Israel, hear; Reform and wash; become the sons of purity, and you shall be forgiven.
22 This rite of cleansing and this church are but symbolic of the cleansing of the soul by purity in life, and of the kingdom of the soul, which does not come with outward show, but is the church within.
23 Now, you may never point the way and tell the multitudes to do what you have never done; but you must go before and show the way.