Book V - Snyder Bible

194
Chapter XXIV: Fourth Suggestion
But to these things the serpent answers us with another
mouth, and says: If Yahweh did not wish these things to be,
then they should not be. I am not telling you how it is that
many contrary things are permitted to be in this world for the
probation of every ones mind. But this is what is suitable to
be said in the meantime: If, according to you, everything that
was to be worshipped ought not to have been, there would
have been almost nothing in this world. For what is there that
you have left without worshipping it? The sun, the moon, the
stars, the water, the earth, mountains, trees, stones, men;
there is no one of these that ye have not worshipped. According
to your saying, therefore, none of these ought to have been
made by Elohim, that you might not have anything that you
could worship! Yea, He ought not even to have made men
themselves to be the worshippers! But this is the very thing
which that serpent which lurks within you desires, for he
spares none of you! He would have no one of you escape from
destruction! But it shall not be so. For I tell you, that not that
which is worshipped is at fault, but he who worships. For with
Yahweh is righteous judgment; and He judges in one way the
sufferer and in another way the doer of wrong.
Chapter XXV: Fifth Suggestion
But you say: Then those who adore what ought not to be
adored should be immediately destroyed by Elohim, to prevent
others doing the like. But are you wiser than Elohim, that
you should offer Him counsel? He knows what to do. For with
all who are placed in ignorance He exercises patience, because
He is merciful and gracious; and He foresees that many of the
wicked become righteous, and that even some of those who
worship impure statues and polluted images have been converted
to Elohim, and forsaking their sins and doing good
works, attain to salvation. But it is said: We ought never to
have come even to the thought of doing these things. You do
not know what freedom of will is, and you forget that he is