Kitap 4
206
You are not to offer sacrifices out of the hire of a woman who is a harlot The hire of public or secret harlots was given to Venus in Syria, as Lucian informs us, p. 878; and against some such vile practice of the old idolaters this law seems to have been made. for the Deity is not pleased with any thing that arises from such abuses of nature; of which sort none can be worse than this prostitution of the body. In like manner no one may take the price of the covering of a bitch, either of one that is used in hunting, or in keeping of sheep, and thence sacrifice to God.
207
Let no one blaspheme those gods which other cities esteem such; The Apostolical Constitutions, B. II. ch. 26. sect. 31, expound this law of Moses, Exodus 22. 28, Thou shalt not revile or blaspheme the gods, or magistrates, which is a much more probable exposition than this of Josephus, of heathen gillis, as here, and against Apion, B. II. ch. 3. sect. 31. What book of the law was thus publicly read, see the note on Antiq. B. X. ch. 5. sect. 5, and 1 Esd. 9:8-55. nor may any one steal what belongs to strange temples, nor take away the gifts that are dedicated to any god.
208
Let not any one of you wear a garment made of woolen and linen, for that is appointed to be for the priests alone.
