Book V - Snyder Bible

302
to occupy the place of one who has anything to learn; for if he
see this, he will rather be offended. For he is convinced that
you fully know all things, as indeed you do. How then will it
be, if he see you pretending ignorance? This, as I have said,
will rather hurt him, being ignorant of your design. But if we
brothers, while we converse among ourselves, are in any
doubt, let a fitting solution be given by you to our inquiry. For
if he see even you hesitating and doubting, then truly he will
think that no one has knowledge of the truth.
Chapter IV: Free Inquiry
To this Kefa answered: Let us not concern ourselves about
this; and if indeed it is fitting that he enter the gate of life,
Yahweh will afford a fitting opportunity; and there shall be a
beginning from Elohim, and not from man. And therefore, as I
have said, let him journey with us, and hear our discussions;
but because I saw you in haste, therefore I said that opportunity
must be sought; and when Elohim shall give it, do you
comply with my advice in what I shall say. While we were
thus talking, a boy came to tell us that our father was now
awake; and when we were intending to go in to him, he himself
came to us, and saluting us with a kiss, after we had sat
down again, he said: Is it permitted to one to ask a question, if
he wishes it; or is silence enforced, after the manner of the
Pythagoreans? Then said Kefa: We do not compel those who
come to us either to keep silence continually, or to ask questions;
but we leave them free to do as they will knowing that
he who is anxious about his salvation, if he feels pain in any
part of his being, does not suffer it to be silent. But he who
neglects his salvation, no advantage is conferred upon him if
he is compelled to ask, excepting this only, that he may seem
to be earnest and diligent. Wherefore, if you need an answer
to your question, ask on.
Chapter V: Good and Evil
Then the old man said: There is a saying very prevalent
among the Greek philosophers to the effect that there is in re-