18 “Even if, as you assume, our Law were not truly divine and we were wrong to think it is divine, even then it would be wrong for us to ruin our reputation for our godly way of life.
19 So don’t think it’s a minor sin for us to eat forbidden foods.
20 Whether we disobey the Law in a small matter or a big one, it is equally important,
21 because we are showing equal contempt for the Law itself.
22 “You look down on our way of life as though living this way were unreasonable.
23 However, our way of life teaches us self-control, so that we can have control over any pleasure or desire. It trains us to be brave, so that we willingly bear any suffering.
24 It educates us about justice, so that it is always our custom to treat everyone fairly. It educates us in the godly way of life, so that we worship with due respect the only God who really exists.