Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 205
and look upon the light of truth, they might rightly grieve that
they all been deceived and drawn away into the precipices of
error, and might kindle the fire of salutary anger against the
ignorance that had deceived them. On this account, therefore,
He said, `I have come to send fire on the earth; and how I wish
that it were kindled! There is therefore a certain fight, which
is to be fought by us in this life; for the word of truth and
knowledge necessarily separates men from error and ignorance,
as we have often seen putrefied and dead flesh in the
body separated by the cutting knife from its connection with
the living members. Such is the effect produced by knowledge
of the truth. For it is necessary that, for the sake of salvation,
the son, for example, who has received the word of truth, be
separated from his unbelieving parents; or again, that the father
be separated from his son, or the daughter from her
mother. And in this manner the battle of knowledge and ignorance,
of truth and error, arises between believing and unbelieving
kinsmen and relations. And therefore He who has
sent us said again `I am not come to send peace on earth, but a
sword.
Chapter V: How the Fight Begins
How does it seem right for men to be
separated from their parents? I will tell you how. Because, if
they remained with them in error, they would do no good to
them, and they would themselves perish with them. It is therefore
right, and very right, that he who will be saved be separated
from him who will not. But observe this also, that this
separation does not come from those who understand aright;
for they wish to be with their relatives, to do them good, and
to teach them better things. But it is the vice peculiar to ignorance
that it will not bear to have near it the light of truth,
which confutes it; and therefore that separation originates
with them. For those who receive the knowledge of the truth,
because it is full of goodness, desire, if it be possible, to share
it with all, as given by Yahweh; yea, even with those who hate
and persecute them: for they know that ignorance is the cause