have explored the depths of the divine knowledge, ** we are
EpistLE TO THE CoRINTHIANS
into the world, where He had prepared His benefits before our birth. 4 Since, then, we owe all these blessings to Him, we are obliged to thank Him in every way. To Him be the glory forever and evermore. Amen.'
39. Witless, unintelligent, foolish, and uninstructed persons mock and sneer at us because they have an overweening opinion of themselves. 2 Really—what can a mortal do? Or, what strength is there in an earth-born creature? 3 For the Scripture says: *** There was no shape before my eyes; but only a breath and sound I heard. 4 How could it be otherwise? Can a mortal be pure in the. sight of the Lord, or a man blameless in his actions, when He does not trust His servants and has noted some perversity in His angels?
5 Heaven is not pure in His sight—and we should be!—we who are dwelling in houses of clay, the same clay of which we ourselves are made! They are crushed as one crushes a moth, and they last not from morn to eventide. Unable to help themselves, they perished. 6 He breathed on them, and they died because of their lack of wisdom. 7 Raise your voice in appeal, and see if anyone will answer you, if one of His holy angels you will behold! For haughtiness destroys the witless man, and passion slays the wayward one. 8 I have seen it—uprooted is the fool, and his abode is suddenly consumed. 9 Beyond the reach of help his children are and insulted at the gates of lesser men, and there is no one to deliver them. What they have hoarded up the good shall eat, while they themselves shall not be rescued from calamity.
40. Since, therefore, this is evident to all of us, and we have explored the depths of the divine knowledge, ** we are obliged to carry out in fullest detail what the Master has commanded us to do at stated times.
2 He has ordered the