livery from Sodom, while the whole surrounding country was
EpisTLe 'To THE CorINTHIANS
blessings promised by God. For He said to him: ** 3 Quit your country, your kith and kin, and your father's house, and go to the country which I will point out to you; and I will make you the father of a mighty nation, and bless and exalt you, and you shall be blessed; and I will bless those that bless you, and curse those that curse you; and through you all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed. 4 And again, when he separated from Lot, God said to him: * Lift your eyes, and from the place where you now are look toward the North and the South and the East and the West; for all the land which you see I will give to you and your posterity to hold forevermore. 5 And I will make your posterity as numerous as the dust of the earth: if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your posterity also can be numbered. 5 And again it is said: *® God led Abraham out and said to him: " Look up at heaven and count the stars if you can count them: so numerous shall your posterity be!" Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as justice. 7 Because of his faith and hospitality, a son was granted him in old age; and through obedience he offered him as a sacrifice to God on one of the mountains He had pointed out to him.*'
11. Hospitality and piety were the reason for Lot's delivery from Sodom, while the whole surrounding country was chastized by means of fire and brimstone.** 'Thus the Master made it clear that He does not abandon such as hope in Him, but those of a refractory disposition He gives over to chastisement and torture.
2 For example, his wife, who was of a refractory nature and not in complete harmony with him, joined him in going forth, yet she was made a permanent memorial: she was turned into a pillar of salt to this day. It was to be made known to all that the double-minded and