Book V - Snyder Bible

116
an unclean spirit, and therefore needs the purification of mikvah,
that the unclean spirit may go out of him, which has made
its abode in the inmost affections of his spirit, and what is
worse, gives no indication that it lurks within, for fear it
Chapter LXXII: The Remedy
the bodies of
men, that they may fulfill their own desires by their service,
and, inclining the motions of their spirits to those things which
they themselves desire, may compel them to obey their own
lusts, that they may become wholly vessels of demons, one of
whom is this Simon, who is seized with such disease, and cannot
now be healed, because he is sick in his will and purpose.
Nor does the demon dwell in him against his will; and therefore,
if any one would drive it out of him, since it is inseparable
from himself, and, so to speak, has now become his very
spirit, he should seem rather to kill him, and to incur the guilt
of manslaughter. Let no one of you therefore be saddened at
being separated from eating with us, for every one ought to
observe that it is for just so long a time as he pleases. For he
who wishes soon to be immersed is separated but for a little
time, but he for a longer time who wishes to be immersed later.
Every one therefore has it in his own power to demand a
shorter or a longer time for his repentance; and therefore it
lies with you, when you wish it, to come to our table; and not
with us, who are not permitted to take food with any one who
has not been immersed. It is rather you, therefore, who hinder
us from eating with you, if you interpose delays in the way of
and having blessed, he took food. And afterwards, when he
had given thanks to Yahweh, he went into the house and went
to bed; and we all did the like, for it was now night.