Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 195
good who is so by his own intention; but he who is retained in
goodness by necessity cannot be called good, because it is not
of himself that he is so. Because, therefore, there is in every
one liberty to choose good or evil, he either acquires rewards,
or brings destruction on himself. Nay it is said, Elohim brings
to our minds whatsoever we think. What do you mean, then?
Ye blaspheme. For if He brings all our thoughts into our minds,
then it is He that suggests to us thoughts of adultery, and covetousness,
and blasphemy, and every kind of effeminacy. Cease,
I entreat of you, these blasphemies, and understand what is
the honor worthy of Elohim. And say not, as some of you are
likely to say, that Elohim needs not honor from men. Indeed,
He truly is in need of none; but you ought to know that the
honor which you bestow upon Elohim is profitable to yourselves.
For what is so execrable as for a man not to render
thanks to his Creator?
Chapter XXVI: Sixth Suggestion
But it is said: We do better who give thanks both to Himself
and to all with Him. In this you do not understand that
there is the ruin of your salvation. For it is as if a sick man
should call in for his cure at once a physician and poisoners;
since the latter could indeed injure him but not cure him; and
the true physician would refuse to mix his remedies with their
poisons, lest either the mans destruction should be ascribed
to the good, or his recovery to the injurious. But you say: Is
Elohim then indignant or envious, if, when He benefits us, our
thanks be rendered to others? Even if He be not indignant, at
all events He does not wish to be the author of error, that by
means of His work credit should be given to a vain idol. And
what is so evil and so ungrateful as to obtain a benefit from
Elohim and to render thanks to blocks of wood and stone?
Wherefore arise, and understand your salvation. For Yahweh
is in need of no one, nor does He require anything, nor is He
hurt by anything; but we are either helped or hurt in that we
are grateful or ungrateful. For what does Elohim gain from our
praises, or what does He lose by our blasphemies? Only this