Book V - Snyder Bible

106
how is it that you do not see that that power of yours, which
you say is superior to all, fails and lies under the very same
charges? For the very same thing may be said of it, that it is
either powerless, since it does not correct those things which
here are done amiss; or if it can and will not, it is evil; or if it
neither can nor will, then it is both impotent and imperfect.
Whence that new power of yours is not only found liable to a
similar charge, but even to a worse one, if, in addition to all
these things, it is believed to be, when it is not. For He who
created the world, His existence is manifest by His very operation
in creating the world, as you yourself also confess. But
this power which you say that you alone know affords no indication
of itself, by which we might perceive, at least, that it is,
Chapter LVI: No Elohim Above the Creator
forsake Yahweh, in whose world we live and enjoy all things
necessary for life, and follow I know not whom, from whom
we not only obtain no good, but cannot even know that he exists?
Nor truly does he exist. For whether you call him light,
and brighter than that light which we see, you borrow that
very name from the Creator of the world; or whether you say
that he is a substance above all, you derive from Him the idea
with enlargement of speech. Whether you make mention of
mind, or goodness, or life, or whatever else, you borrow the
words from Him. Since, then, you have nothing new concerning
that power you speak of, not only as regards understanding,
but even in respect of naming him, how do you introduce
a new Elohim, for whom you cannot even find a new name?
For not only is the Creator of the world called a Power, but
even the ministers of His glory, and all the heavenly host. Do
you not then think it better that we should follow our Creator
Yahweh, as a Father who trains us and endows us as He knows
how? But if, as you say, there be some Elohim more benignant
than all, it is certain that he will not be angry with us; or if he
be angry, he is evil. For if our Yahweh is angry and punishes,