Parable of the great pearl, and of the net. Ahab’s understating of the foul fishes. A good householder uses the old as well as the new. [Matthew 13: 45-52]

1. The Lord, 'The Kingdom of heaven also is like unto a merchant who searched all the lands for good pearls. [Matthew 13:45] And he found a pearl of inestimable value, inquiring of its price, and when told, he returned to his city, sold everything he had and then went and bought the big pearl [Matthew 13:46], which in turn was of thousands-fold greater value than what he paid. Have you understood this metaphor?'

2. Say the disciples, 'Yes, Lord, this too we understand; for such merchant we all are, having left everything on Your account. You, however, to us are the big, priceless pearl.'

3. Say I, 'This parable also you have understood in all truth; for thus it is with the kingdom of heaven! But hearken unto another parable!

4. The Kingdom of Heaven yet again is like unto a net that is cast into the sea for the catching of all kinds of fish [Matthew 13:47], and when the net is full, the fishermen draw it to shore, whereupon they take out the good fish, placing them in a container, but the sick and foul they throw away! [Matthew 13:48]

5. Thus it shall also be at the end of the world! The angels shall go out and separate the wicked from the righteous [Matthew 13:49] and shall cast them into the furnace of their own wicked hearts, and there shall be great wailing and gnashing of the teeth. [Matthew 13:50], which is a true darkness of the evil soul, which shall constantly be in search but not find what will gratify its evil love. And after a while I asked the disciples, who were pensive about this metaphor; have you also understood this parable?'

6. And these said, 'Yes, Lord, this parable too we have properly understood now. It resembles the one You told at the coast of Jesaira: "He who has, to him shall be given that he may have more abundantly; but he who has not, from him shall be taken also what he has."