Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 81
render them hostile and ungrateful to their Creator. For I call
heaven and earth to witness, that if Yahweh permitted the
enemy to rage as much as he desires, all men should have perished
long ere now; but for His mercy
suffer him. But if men would turn their affection towards
Yahweh, all would doubtless be saved, even if for some faults
they might seem to be corrected for righteousness. But now
the most of men have been made enemies of Yahweh, whose
hearts the wicked one has entered, and has turned aside towards
himself the affection which Yahweh the Creator had
implanted in them, that they might have it towards Him. But of
the rest, who seemed for a time to be watchful, the enemy, appearing
in a fantasy of glory and splendor, and promising
them certain great and mighty things, has caused their mind
and heart to wander away from Yahweh; yet it is for some just
Chapter XVIII: Responsibility of Men
the wicked one, transforming himself into the brightness of
light, promises to men greater things than the Creator Himself
more unjust than this; and now listen while I tell you how unjust
it is. If your son, whom you have trained and nourished
eful
to you, and should leave you and go to another, whom perhaps
he may have seen to be richer, and should show to him
the honor which he owed to you, and, through hope of greater
profit, should deny his birth, and refuse you your paternal
how much more so is it in the case of Yahweh, who, above all
men, is worthy of honor from men; whose benefits we not only
enjoy, but by whose means and power it is that we began to
be when we were not, and whom, if we please, we shall obtain
from Him to be for ever in blessedness! In order, therefore,