Chapter 63 The third part of the old list and the new list six

O my brothers, the firstborn is always sacrificed.Now we are the firstborn sons! We all bleed on invisible altars; we are all roasted to ancient idols. Our best are still young: this draws the index finger of the old.Our flesh is tender, our skins are but lambs' skins: how could we not attract the covetousness of the ancient idolaters! The old idolater, who still dwells in our own hearts, roasts our best for his feast.Alas, my brothers, how can the firstborn not be sacrificed! But so will our peers; and I love those who do not wish to preserve themselves, and I love with all my heart those who descend and perish: for they go beyond.