320. Teachers of false and heretical beliefs, who persuade the common people that these are true and orthodox, although they read the Word, so that they can know from it what is false and what is true - as well as those who support false religious ideas by fallacies that lead people. astray - these can be compared with impostors and every sort of trickery. Since these actions are in essence thefts in the spiritual sense, they can be compared with impostors who coin false money, gild the coins or apply a gold colour to them, and pass them off as genuine. Or with those who know how to cut and polish crystals cunningly, and to harden them, so that they can be sold as diamonds. Or with those who take Around the towns baboons or monkeys dressed up as human beings, with veils over their faces, and mounted on horses or mules, proclaiming them noblemen of ancient stock. They are also like those who cover their natural, living faces with masks painted in colours, thus hiding their beauty. They are also like those who display selenites and mica, which glitter as if made of gold and silver, and put them up for sale as veins of valuable minerals. They can also be likened to those who use theatrical performances to lead people astray from the true Divine worship, enticing them out of churches and into play-houses. Those who support falsities of every kind, putting no value on truth, and who use their priestly office for the sake of profit or the pursuit of honours, so that they are spiritual thieves, these can be likened to thieves who carry keys that will open the doors of any house; or to leopards and eagles, who turn their sharp gaze in all directions to spy out the richest prey.