And who told you that the gods might not help us even with things that are in our own power? Try it yourself and pray — you will soon find out. One person prays to sleep with someone. You should pray that you won't lust after her. Another prays to get rid of someone. You should pray for patience to bear with him, so you won't need to get rid of him. Another prays not to lose his child. You should pray that you won't fear losing him. Make all your prayers like this, and see what happens.
And as for the Gods, who hath told thee, that they may not help us up even in those things that they have put in our own power? whether it be so or no, thou shalt soon perceive, if thou wilt but try thyself and pray. One prayeth that he may compass his desire, to lie with such or such a one, pray thou that thou mayst not lust to lie with her. Another how he may be rid of such a one; pray thou that thou mayst so patiently bear with him, as that thou have no such need to be rid of him. Another, that he may not lose his child. Pray thou that thou mayst not fear to lose him. To this end and purpose, let all thy prayer be, and see what will be the event.