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FOR indeed by the Lord's command tithes were consecrated to the service
of the Levites, but oblations and firstfruits for the priests. But this
was the law of the firstfruits; viz., that the fiftieth part of fruits or
animals should be given for the service of the temple and the priests: and
this proportion some who were faithlessly indifferent diminished, while
those who were very religious increased it, so that the one gave only the
sixtieth part, and the other gave the fortieth part of their fruits; For
the righteous, for whom the law is not enacted, are thus shown to be not
under the law, as they try not only to fulfil but even to exceed the
righteousness of the law, and their devotion is greater than the legal
requirement, as it goes beyond the observance of precepts and adds to what
is due of its own free will.
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