Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 265
Chapter XLVII: Chastisements on the Righteous and the
Wicked
common chastisement, like things befall the good and the
ment of the
righteous turns to their advantage, that, being afflicted in the
present life, they may become more purified to the future, in
which perpetual rest is prepared for them, and that at the
same time even the evil may somewhat profit from their chastisement
by turning to righteousness, or else that the just sentence
of the future judgment may be passed upon them; since
in the same chastisements the righteous give thanks to Yahweh,
while the unrighteous blaspheme. Therefore, since the
opinion of things is divided into two parts, that some things
are done by order and others against order, it ought, from
those things which are done according to order, to be believed
that there is a providence; but with respect to those things
which are done against order, we should look for their causes
from those who have learned them by prophetic teaching. For
those who have become acquainted with prophetic discourse
know when and for what reason blight, hail, and pestilence
and similar things, have occurred in every generation, and for
what sins these have been sent as a punishment; whence
causes of sadness, lamentations, and griefs have befallen the
human race; whence also trembling sickness has ensued, and
that this has been from the beginning the punishment for
murder.
Chapter XLVIII: Chastisements for Sins.
evils, but they took their rise from the rebellion of men; and
thence, with the constant increase of iniquities, the number of
evils has also increased. But for this reason Yahweh has decreed
a judgment with respect to all men, because the present
life was not such that every one could be dealt with according
to his deserving. Those things, therefore, which were well and
orderly appointed from the beginning, when no causes of evil