Book V - Snyder Bible

136
the future for disobedient deeds, or enjoy rewards for piety
me incredulous, because many well-doers perish miserably,
and again many evil-
Chapter XLI: Cavils of Simon
ery thing which draws you into incredulity
affords to us a certain conviction that there shall be a
judgment. For since it is certain that Yahweh is just, it is a necessary
consequence that there is another world, in which
every one receiving according to his deserts shall prove the
justice of Yahweh. But if all men were now receiving according
to their deserts, we should truly seem to be deceivers when
we say that there is a judgment to come; and therefore the
very fact that in the present life a return is not made to every
one according to his deeds affords to those who know that
Yahweh is just an indubitable proof that there shall be a judg-
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immortal, and therefore you cavil, knowing that if it be proved
to be mortal, the whole profession of that obedience which
you are attempting to propagate will be plucked up by the
roots. And therefore, indeed, I commend your prudence, while
I do not approve your persuasiveness; for you persuade many
to embrace your obedience, and to submit to the restraint of
pleasure in hope of future good things; to whom it occurs that
they lose the enjoyment of things present, and are deceived
with hopes of things future. For as soon as they die, their spirit