Book V - Snyder Bible

190
ance lest he thereby be made guilty, from this very fact is
judged as if he knew and had knowledge. For he knew what it
was that he was unwilling to hear; and the cunning obtained
by the artifice of the serpent will avail him nothing for an
excuse, for he will have to do with Him to whom the heart is
open. But that you may know that ignorance of itself brings
destruction, I assure you that when the spirit departs from the
body, if it leave it in ignorance of Him by whom it was created,
and from whom in this world it obtained all things that were
necessary for its uses, it is driven forth from the light of His
kingdom as ungrateful and unfaithful.
Chapter XIX: His Second Suggestion
Again, the wicked serpent suggests another opinion to
men, which many of you are in the habit of bringing forward,
that there is, as we say, one Elohim, who is Master of all; but
these also, they say, are Elohim. For as there is one Caesar, and
he has under him many judgesfor example, prefects, consuls,
tribunes, and other officersin like manner we think,
that while there is one Elohim greater than all, yet still that
these Elohim are ordained in this world, after the likeness of
those officers of whom we have spoken, subject indeed to that
greater Elohim, yet ruling us and the things that are in this
world. In answer to this, I shall show you how, in those very
things which you propose for deception, you are confuted by
the reasons of truth. You say that Elohim occupies the place of
Caesar, and that those who are called Elohim represent His
judges and officers. Hold then, as you have adduced it, by the
example of Caesar; and know that, as one of Caesars judges or
administrators, as prefects, proconsuls, generals, or tribunes,
may lawfully take the name of Caesaror else both he who
should take it and those who should confer it should be destroyed
togetherso also in this case you ought to observe,
that if any one give the name of Elohim to any but Yahweh
Himself, and he accept it, they shall partake one and the same
destruction, by a much more terrible fate than the servants of
Caesar. For he who offends against Caesar shall undergo tem-