To be expounded in this order:

(1) Doing no evil to the neighbour is of charity.

(2) Wishing to do good to the neighbour is of charity.

(3) A man may be doing good, which he believes to be of charity, and all the while not be shunning evil; and yet every evil is contrary to charity.

(4) In proportion as a man does not wish to do evil to the neighbour, he wishes to do good to him; but not the reverse.

(5) Before the good a man does is the good of charity, evil must first be put away, because it is contrary to charity; and this is done by looking to the Lord, and by repentance.

(6) Such as the recognition of evil is, and its consequent putting away by repentance, such is the good which is of charity.

(7) Hence it follows that the "first" of charity is to look to the Lord and shun evils as sins; and that the "second" of charity is to do goods.