Commentarius in Isaiam prophetam OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS CYRIL, ARCHBISHOP

 in Jerusalem, having set up altars, he commanded them to worship handmade things, and to serve the host of heaven and indeed he even passed his own c

 the incurable calamities, he was not ignorant that in every way and by all means those to whom the word was addressed would be whetted to anger. There

 in heaven, the spiritual ones, clearly and likewise many on earth, some carnal, others spiritual. But to all these fathers, both above and below, hon

 approaching him, and might deliver from death and sin. But Israel did not understand him, although he said clearly: 6Truly, truly, I say to you, he w

 it, sometimes by the Babylonians, sometimes by the neighboring nations, was about to be burned down by the hands of the Romans on account of their imp

 passions bring down to dishonor, and they destroy every fortress of the mind that is in us, so that the wretched soul is, in a way, consumed, and all

 ordained, and submitting its neck to the master's ordinances, it brings forth the fruits of piety towards him. Even if he has been called a son or dau

 of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom give ear to the law of God, you people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me, says

 he says hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom, give ear to the law of God, you people of Gomorrah. Become sober, he says, for a little while

 is considered worthy of mention, but rather now it even comes to be hated. And so the most wise Solomon says, 6Slowly bring your foot to your friend,

 And He does not exclude from the gift that has been set forth through Christ those under all of heaven. 6For all have turned aside, together they hav

 of the soul and not only in the eyes of men, but especially in the eyes of the God who knows and oversees all things. For sometimes they pretend to b

 being disciplined, but not yet completely revealing what the beautiful is. But the need neither to be angry with one's brother at all, nor to have des

 living a select and most beloved by God life, in every way and altogether they arrive at life. But those who are conquered by pleasures leading to evi

 his wife, and going away from him she becomes another man's, shall she not openly return to him again? will not that woman be defiled by madness? and

 to the Jews, that is, the word from the Scribes and Pharisees, who, like vintners, were willing to mix wine with water that is, they made their exege

 we will find it to be true. For by introductions to righteousness and virtue and irreproachable knowledge of God, the mind of those being instructed i

 the things from wrath will happen, but He will deem the believers worthy of care and sparing, and clearly teaches to bestow on the genuine the grace o

 and the divine disciples were sons of the then-Synagogue. That they have become fathers of those who have believed, hear Paul saying, 6For in Christ

 their own gods, then scarcely understanding what was said by God through the voice of the prophet: 6And where are your gods, which you made for yours

 of Judea and concerning Jerusalem. And it seems somehow to have a certain intermediate and not very clear rendering of the vision, to say concerning

 raising their brow in wisdom, they deify creation, and attach reverence to the elements of the world. For they have a base mind, and groveling specula

 For vision and prophecy were sealed after the Savior's cross. And no longer is the law and word of God with them. And so the divine Paul, almost havin

 to completely unlearn war, and to refuse battle with one another. For since Christ, who is peace, has reigned over the nations, all dissension and str

 and of the new transgressions of Israel, convicting them of being ungodly, and looking much to what is harsh, and going unbridled, towards 70.77 anyth

 having been brought up in the customs of idolatry, they unlawfully brought them into their homes, they have become fathers of foreign children, who we

 they worshipped what their fingers had made. And man has bowed down, and a man has been brought low, and I will not forgive them.9 He again accuses th

 to hide themselves, and to occupy inaccessible places, as every hand of theirs was powerless for resistance against those who were coming. Therefore,

 And certainly also to the acorn-bearing trees of Bashan, that is, the oaks in Bashanitis this is a region in Judea, which is now called Basanaia, the

 from whom are all things, and we for him. And one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.6 9In that day a man will cast o

 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.6 Therefore, we must shun the beginnings of t

 having a reputation, but in no way nourishing them to intellectual well-being. And Paul will testify, writing: 6For to this day, whenever Moses is re

 having offended, and for this reason rightly deprived of all understanding, I mean, that which is in the holy Scriptures? 9And likewise, he says, he w

 as a wise master builder I have laid a foundation but another builds on it. But let each one take care how he builds. For no one can lay another foun

 For from time to time in Jerusalem those from the tribe of Judah were both splendid and distinguished, and boasting in wealth, and very well crowned w

 And one might say upon them: For not unjustly are nets spread for the winged. For they themselves who take part in murder treasure up evils for themse

 {1DISCOURSE 3}1 9My people, your exactors glean you, and your extortioners rule over you.9

 that is, they lay hands, also upon those who are still left. Very well indeed, and fittingly for them, he says they are not guides, not teachers, nor

 therefore as saints, and he blesses them also as having already become friends of God, and as having ascended to the summit of all virtue. Then, havin

 The vineyard, therefore, is set on fire, being profited neither by the life of those allotted to lead, nor indeed being instructed by the legal teachi

 with haughty neck, and with winks of the eyes,6 and so on. But they were exalted not according to virtue, but as in a carnal and most earthly mindset

 For the present, we will speak about unseemly and wicked women. But it must be known that through the voice of Ezekiel, God speaks to the Synagogue of

 of a purple-bordered tunic and of delicate garments. And he adds to these things, that And your most beautiful son, whom you love, will fall by the s

 they would have been worthy of all praise. For they say that the seven women are the seven spirits and that the one man is Christ. Then, having given

 and at times reveals the coming superfluous cavils of some, and not permitting some to rise up in any way against the judgments of God, he usefully ma

 therefore the word, even if someone should say that these things were said about the time of his sojourn or even if one wished it to be about Christ

 horn signifies nothing other to us than this very thing. But to some it seems that as in a horn is to be understood as in the power of God. For Is

 indolent and in addition to this, shamelessness towards 70.140 the law. For when it was possible for them very easily to go the glorious and reputable

 but when they have behaved outrageously towards Christ. For it is not, it is not possible to say, that is, to point out a time, in which Israel was wi

 lawlessness. And yet how could a vine bear thorns? Therefore he lied, just as I said a moment ago. For from where it was fitting for the fruits of rig

 of the Lord of Sabaoth have entered.6 For the all-holy and evil-hating nature receives very readily the cries of those who are taken advantage of. Th

 to love, and to rejoice in luxury, and in unceasing revelries and drunkenness, and to be defiled by the evils that come from the love of the flesh an

 some will be captives and will serve their enemies, and there will be such a multitude of dead throughout the whole land, having perished by famine an

 in judgment, and in righteousness, having punished with a right and holy vote the boastful people, the disobedient and pleasure-loving. Therefore we m

 for what is profitable. But there was no way capable of pushing away the worthlessness of the Jews. For having turned aside to greed and luxury, and a

 salvation for them. Therefore, woe is fitting for those who have thought thus. For they have become impious and foolish judges against themselves. For

 For sometimes they will put forward the pretense of not knowing, perhaps, the will of their master but others, although they knew it very precisely,

 they have rejected the law of the Lord of Sabaoth, and they have provoked the oracle of the Holy One of Israel, that is, of Christ He was roused, it

 toils, both sleepless and most ready for action, and trained in tactics, and riding on tireless horses, and rushing like a storm, and equal to lions,

 When he had grown strong, it says, his heart was lifted up to his destruction. And he acted wickedly against the Lord his God and he entered into the

 Christ, the glory of God filled the house in Jerusalem. But when they denied his kingdom, and fell into impiety of ways. For this reason they heard th

 they did not receive him who arrived from heaven in human form, and was proclaimed through the law and the prophets, but rather even killed the author

 The blessed prophet is also seen to have suffered something of this sort, for this reason he says: 6Woe is me, for I am pierced to the heart.6 And n

 our Lord Jesus Christ Himself 6For the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.6 But even if He was seen as a man according to us, by economy, yet

 6Behold, I am here,6 he says, 6send me.6 Therefore, whenever the divine coal touches us, we shall be clean of our trespasses, and eager and youthf

 of destruction, neither lending a sharp ear to the things said by Christ, nor indeed opening the eye of their own mind. For if they had done this, the

 of the remnants being further desolated, of the captured being sent into captivity, when also the sufferings of the Maccabees happened to occur. God o

 Pekah the son of Remaliah, and Rezin king of Aram, that is, of Syria. And they came as if to lay it waste, but they did not take the city. But Ahaz, f

 preparing for each one the way of salvation. And this we can see is so from the facts themselves. For Ahaz became an idolatrous man, abominable and pr

 must prevail, with whomever he might happen to choose, who will overturn the things decreed? And to his divine judgments, who is able to resist? There

 I will ask, nor will I tempt the Lord.9 He tries in every way to move Ahaz, who held the throne of the kingdom in Jerusalem and who had strayed far to

 he shall eat before he knows or chooses evil, to choose the good. For before the child knows good and evil, he refuses evil, to choose the good. And

 He was holy as God from the womb and before it, or rather, even before every age, not having slipped from His own advantages because of His humanity

 God, the like of which have not yet occurred, that is, have come upon you from that time, from when Ephraim removed, that is, separated himself from J

 no one warding off the strange passions within us, that is, defending and having the strength to save. For if God wishes to do harm, who is able to he

 slain upon the earth. From two sheep and one heifer, he says, there will be so much milk that it will be sufficient for all who are left behind to hav

 expulsion. For running up to the high and impassable parts of the mountains, they make the difficult terrain their weapon, and a remedy for cowardice

 Would a word suffice to be able to make clear what is beyond mind and reason? But that reed alone is sufficient for such powerful narratives, which ar

 we are in these things through him. But it is necessary to note, that he commanded Uriah and Zechariah to be his witnesses, for making a swift distrib

 Damascus, and the power of Syria. Because even the worshipers of idols have all their hope of salvation in them But that Christ despoiled Satan, havi

 to enemies. For this reason he says: 6Because this people did not want the water of Siloam that goes quietly, but want to have Rezin, and the son of

 they will inherit glory. And these things the prophet says to the multitudes of the Greeks, as from the person of the holy apostles and evangelists: B

 to act insolently against the enemies knowing well that He will be to them both a weapon, and a tower of strength, and they will easily prevail over

 round about, and I will be for glory in the midst of her.6 But since they have stumbled by treating Christ with insolence, they continue in the world

 in every way and entirely, according to the ways of each, fittingly and justly he will either bestow praise or, that is, he will bring judgment. And t

 able to enlighten, and to deliver from every evil and it completely turns them away from their ancient customs, and their former madness. For it is t

 a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord and from the east to the west, they will run about seeking th

 Isaiah saying: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness ha

 And truly, it is in a way an imitation and shadow of death. But upon those who were sick with those things a light has shone, that is, after the one f

 has saved them by the hand of Gideon, who conquered the Midianites, and freed Israel from the necessity and rod hanging over them. Thus, therefore, th

 of their robes and garments with exchange, that is, with addition. to send away and to cast off, or rather he says they wished to be consumed even by

 for a little while, because of yielding his own flesh, by the grace of God to taste death for all, receives health, that is, the return to life, and t

 6The Lord sent death upon Jacob, and it came upon Israel.6 It must be known that both the Hebrew edition, and other interpreters, have put word in

 came upon Israel.”6 But Samaria has been burned, in which Israel dwelt, that is, the ten tribes, and it has utterly perished. And it was, I think, wis

 has run his own kingdom, the Jews have warred against Lysias the general, and have been victorious. Indeed, learning these things, Antiochus died from

 Acting with unholy insolence, they arrived at such a point of impiety, and of unholiness of ways, as to hand him over to the cross, and to deny the Ho

 the tail to the head. But since he called them prophets, we will not reckon them to be holy and true. For he added that they teach lawless things. But

 of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the

 They shall be burned as dry grass, and as the thickets of the forests. For flames always rage somehow, when they fall upon easily flammable material

 Still a high hand. Woe to those who write wickedness. For writing, they write wickedness turning aside the judgment of the poor, and seizing the judg

 pleasing to the decrees from him. 9For all these things his anger has not turned away, but still his hand is high. Woe to the Assyrians, the rod of my

 I have set the boundaries of the kingdom, and I have taken Damascus and Samaria, which were not helped at all by the gods in them thus I will also se

 I will do it, and by the wisdom of understanding, I will remove the boundaries of nations, and I will plunder their strength and I will shake inhabit

 a rod or a piece of wood. For tell me, he says, O most senseless of all, will an axe be glorified without the one who chops with it? For an axe that i

 God, that is, will show what is dedicated to him and chosen in burning fire through the fire kindled against the Assyrians. And in these things he ca

 that those from Israel should make their defense to the offended all-powerful God, and by their recourse to what is better, avert His wrath? For they

 he makes the declaration of what is useful, barely revealing through riddle and shadow what leads to benefit. But our saving and evangelical word is b

 not by the shots of bows, not by strength of hands, not by using military experiences, but they will prevail rather by the hand of God, striking and c

 conquered, but rather by divine commands and by the hand of an angel and the paradox. For in order that he might appear knowing all things, and holdi

 In the completed book the discourse was about both the Assyrians, and of the one who administered the power of the Persians, who campaigned against Ju

 law in letters, is therefore completely abolished, the mind of believers being refashioned, as I said, to better things and a spiritual way of life. F

 he makes the prediction. For it was said in later times to the blessed David by God who rules over all: 6Of the fruit of your loins I will set upon y

 I considered the works, and I was amazed.6 Therefore, it is called a Rod for the reasons we have just stated. And again, a Flower for in him human n

 is conceived in many ways, but it also works in this way. And so the most wise Paul, enumerating for us the forms of different gifts: 6All these thin

 have we done? But then, he says, I will say to them: Amen, I say to you, I never knew you.6 What then does the impartial judge do in addition to thes

 will lay a hand upon and they shall not do evil, nor shall they be able to destroy anyone on my holy mountain because the whole world was filled wit

 and to fathers and to little children, and in addition to this also to young men, assimilating, I think, the measure of each one's mind, that is, of u

 is. And one might see that this is also true. For where at all or among whom is Christ not named? or what race of men has not submitted to him? For ev

 a remnant of the people, which if it be left from the Assyrians, and from Egypt, and Babylonia and Ethiopia, and from the Elamites, and from the risin

 their own, both Israel and Judah, that is, those in Samaria, and those in Jerusalem then, having been freed from captivity, they returned again to th

 they denied the Holy and Just One then indeed, then having trampled upon death, and having been raised from the dead, he commanded his holy disciples

 of truth. For in it they preached the Gospel of Christ, both Mark the blessed evangelist, and others after him at various times on the one hand, comi

 they were brought forth from the slavery of Egypt. But having become ministers of the divine proclamations, and genuine stewards of the evangelical de

 For of old, falling down before woods and stones, and offering sacrifices to senseless statues, they besought to be saved through them. But since they

 His power and authority. He saved without remembering evils He cast down the invincible tyranny of the devil and of the demons He redeemed the decei

 He will prepare, and will release from the bonds of misery, and will also deliver those who formerly conquered into the hands of enemies. For it was s

 For the everlasting covenant will not be forgotten.6 And again: 6Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I am taking vengeance upon the king of Babylo

 from afar from the edge of the foundation of heaven the Lord, and his warriors to destroy the whole inhabited world.9 As the Medes were already shouti

 a face to be blackened, so as to seem to be nothing other than soot and the remains of withered ashes. 9For behold, the day of the Lord, incurable, co

 and receiving in their mind the divine and ineffable power and glory, they raise their voices on high, and invent extraordinary magnitudes for their n

 sharpening the mind of the listeners to what is needful to understand, and spiritually the things that happened historically, concerning both Babylon

 to endure the lot of the burned Sodom and Gomorrah and it will also be uninhabited and so to be fled from also by its neighbors, as a nation from af

 they have completed their time in captivity, it is likely of course that no small multitude of the natives has been added to them. The proselyte, it s

 of a reversal of fortune, and finally to feel pain, and to come to pity at the multitude of things that have happened to them, that is, also to lament

 the native forest was torn down.6 Therefore let the word be of the Jews as from the trees of Lebanon rejoicing and saying to the Babylonian and those

 Reasonably as having barely learned by suffering them the things which, had they known, they should have chosen to think more moderately. Therefore,

 70.377 cities. And what else besides these, He did not release those under affliction? But since some of the copies have: Those led away, if someone s

 you have destroyed, and you have killed my people, you shall not remain for all time.9 The most grievous of impieties are both hard to wash away, and

 the divine Daniel, indicating, said that his kingdom had been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. They say, therefore, that the race of Nebu

 their yoke and their glory will be taken away from their shoulders.9 The blessed Isaiah indeed prophesies in the reign of Uzziah, and Jotham, and Aha

 The God of all things wished to remold the hardened Israel, who had been neglectful of the divine laws, into the necessity of thinking better things,

 sufficient.6 Therefore, O foreigners, he says, since just as you say and think, when Ahaz died, the yoke of him that struck you was broken, that is,

 of the serpent, saying that the offspring of asps will come forth. But since they danced upon the divine glory, the prophet necessarily shows us in th

 five thousand. When, therefore, those from the north burn the cities of the foreigners, and lay waste the neighbor of Judea, that of the Samaritans, t

 to their idols and Israel was initiated to Baal-phegor, and the Lord was angry in wrath with Israel.”6 For since Israel was terrible and hard to meet

 seeing the phalanxes of the enemy, and perceiving the slaughter that was just about to happen. Wail therefore for Heshbon has cried out, and has spok

 of you. They armed themselves with the Babylonians, and were devastating the land of the Moabites for they also followed, although perhaps they were

 perhaps mocking her, the wretches, but rather God who is over all and indeed they were saying that the hand that saves them has grown weak, and for t

 a remnant of those who have suffered? Or who is able to raise up, when God is casting down? 9And a throne shall be set up with mercy, and one shall si

 For the soothsayers, speaking falsely, promised that you would be stronger than the attack of war, and that you would easily conquer your opponents, a

 The prophetic word creates for us a persona, weeping over the misfortunes of the Moabites, and perhaps with Jazer having been plundered more than the

 false prophets, and wonder-mongers, and those who have grown far too bold in the evils of sorcery. For they perhaps thought they could get the better

 having wholly leaped away from the love for God and having been brought to a forgetting of the law given to them through the all-wise Moses. Sometime

 to capture it, he made an ally of Rezin the king of the Syrians and of Damascus. For thus said the blessed pro-phet Isaiah himself: And it came to pas

 the Assyrians making war, and in addition to this again, that it will not utterly and completely go to destruction, but that there will be a small rem

 on account of the cause, and they have perished, and have been given to their enemies. It is best, therefore, to be on guard and with all one's streng

 The successions have run on as children of children. The word now teaches something of this kind, giving a riddle about grain and ears of corn. For si

 he calls them this, on account of many nations being pursued by them. And the pursuers run at the back of those fleeing in every way and by all means.

 At times the people of Israel, having heedlessly practiced abandoning God the savior of all, fell into polytheistic error and having utterly neglecte

 the Herakleion), is distant to the west by about eighty stades in number. Since it was the custom for those who inhabit the aforementioned city to sai

 and having placed it in the earthenware vessel, and having sealed it, they would lower it into the sea, having performed certain rites over it and as

 having dried up the collection of waters, He showed the wet ground to be traversable by horse for them. This, I think, is what the prophet means in sa

 For when they see the clusters blossoming forth from the vine, and already having the appearance of unripe grapes, they shear away the superfluous ten

 where the name of the Lord Sabaoth should be invoked. And by this he signifies the Church, the great and spiritual mountain for there is nothing lowl

 coming on clouds, and has placed these things in succession. And Ezekiel likewise saw, he says, a firmament, with the Seraphim beneath and on a thron

 of the divine and evangelical proclamation, and of the respect for their parents, these men, having been neglectful, have thought hostile and hateful

 wickedly. But there will be no benefit for them, he says, from divination nor indeed will they find those who were considered to be gods able to help

 For their teachings are like splinters of meager speech but entirely unprofitable, and filling one with cold theorems. For beer is cold ........ ....

 For these nations, whom you are dispossessing, will listen to omens and divinations. But not so has the Lord your God given to you 6A prophet from y

 He will cast upon them. And in these things, the hand of the Lord of Sabaoth is defined as the all-powerful will of God, bringing the nation of the Eg

 first receive the saving proclamation and these are five, of which we say the first is now that of the Rhinocolurites. They also speak in the Canaani

 to name, and they say that this is the holy Gospel. But let the prudent man again glorify what seems to be best and well. 9Because they will cry out t

 spiritual rather, as I said, and well-pleasing on account of being blameless. 9And the Lord will strike the Egyptians with a great plague, and he will

 the Egyptians will serve the Assyrians, not with the latter imposing a yoke of slavery, but being bound by the bonds of love, and making their interac

 a senseless dove, and not having a heart she called upon Egypt, and they went to the Assyrians.6 And indeed also through the prophet Isaiah himself:

 to them be glory. And the inhabitants of this island will say: Behold, we were trusting to flee to them for help, and they were not able to be saved f

 And at times with a prophetic spirit he proclaims beforehand what will happen in due season and sometimes he also introduces the person of the Babylo

 For this very reason my soul has stood in fear for I have come to be in dread of the last things. These, then, would be the voices of the Assyrians.

 a rider of a camel. And what this is, the lament of the Assyrians will teach clearly. For it said: Against me are the Elamites, and the ambassadors of

 I have stood, he says, continually by day, and through the whole night and behold, he himself comes, a rider of a pair of horses. Who then is he? The

 in the city of Kadesh, from part of your borders: We will pass through your land we will not pass through fields, nor through vineyards nor will we

 in vain the watchman kept awake.6 For it was necessary rather to seek help from above and from God, and not indeed rather to trust in stones. For thu

 of those who chose to worship. Then, subjecting them to bitter persecutions, they sometimes inflict 70.501 unbearable labors upon them. And likewise a

 knowing how to achieve in the most severe calamities what leads to benefit, and what was to be for them the cause of favor from above. For it was nece

 the voice of the prophet all but weeping and lamenting over the misfortunes of the race. And by the fact that he begs off those who have the strength

 your gates, so that those wishing to drive through are severely constricted and having rushed in, they will search every 70.509 splendid house, and t

 one might see that the people of Israel had suffered. For having been in fear of every evil, and seeing the danger from the cruelty of the Assyrians h

 he was exceedingly arrogant, and harsh towards those who offended him, and leaping upon acts of greed, and overcome by shameful gains, and a lover of

 righteousness slept in her, but now murderers?6 Your silver is worthless your innkeepers mix the wine with water your rulers are disobedient, compa

 we have just now rendered. For those who seem to be established in the security of their prosperity, for this is what it is to be established: to seem

 Ships of Carthage. It is clear that Tyre is to wail because she was destroyed, and they no longer come from the land of the Kittim. Some say that the

 For when war has been announced, and is expected to come against a country or a city, everyone who is in their prime prepares for battle, and practice

 for nothing at all any longer, although she had been very powerful at sea, that is, having become most mighty against every island and city lying by t

 And it endured a desolation of equal duration to the captivity of those from Israel. For they had completed seventy years among the Chaldeans, having

 destroys the inhabited world, and will make it desolate, and will uncover its face, and will scatter those dwelling in it.9 I have already said that J

 has placed in them. 9And the people shall be as the priest, and the servant as the Lord, and the handmaid as her mistress the buyer shall be as the s

 for its inhabitants have ceased. And again the prophet seems, since along with the other cities or lands he also demanded justice for that of the Jews

 the harms from the war have been justly brought upon them and those who once lived in luxury have unexpectedly fallen into calamities. The vine has m

 a man clothed in a long robe, and having a girdle, and six men coming after him and of each, he says, the ax was in his hand, and he said: 6Go into

 His great mercy, and not being justified through the shadow in the law.6 For the law justifies us least of all, but the grace through holy baptism wi

 the land will be laid waste. The earth has swayed and all the earth will be shaken like a fruit-watcher's hut, like one who is drunk and carousing, an

 of heaven, but indeed also to the kings of the earth, that is, to those who have held sway by avarice over what is under heaven, and it is clear that

 But when those who have seized dominion under heaven through greed are shut up both into a fortress and into a prison, and the wall has been melted do

 those in them But we think rather that each of the evil and opposing powers, and above all others, Satan, has been named a city, and a strong one at

 Emmanuel, who became the breath of wronged men. For they have breathed again [free] from enemies, and have been delivered from impious men, to whom th

 a tear from every face. He has taken away the reproach of the people from all the earth. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken these things.9 Very time

 of faith the grievous and unbearable sin. And we have found rest in another way also, having been delivered from the terrors, I say, concerning the ne

 they will sing, he says, to the creator of all things and Lord, Savior and Redeemer, the one through whom are all things, and in whom are all things,

 the feet of the meek, and the steps of the humble will tread upon them.9 On matters exceedingly marveled at, it is the custom for the holy prophets to

 and to men every kingdom loves righteousness. Therefore, the way of the Lord is judgment. And again he brings in, rejoicing greatly, those who will wa

 truth. I think it is necessary to say this also: Christ has become for us righteousness from the Father, and besides this, He is also truth. Learn, th

 being consumed, the wretched ones, that is, continue to be so by envy. Something of this sort is also written in the songs concerning those of the blo

 angelic. But outside of you, he says, such men would not partake of life, that is, of the life-giving grace. And again, outside of you, those who are

 sometimes relaxes them towards contempt, and, so to speak, they do not even perceive their sins, having slipped into this state of mind from too much

 but they see death still prevailing even after this over those on earth, as if someone were saying: What is the benefit to us of the divine proclamati

 to those who have killed the saints. For the Lord brings wrath from the Holy One upon those who dwell upon the earth. This is similar to that: 6For t

 as if having come to be in mist and darkness for not enduring Christ saying, 6While you have the light, walk in the light, so that the darkness does

 and very rightly I have rejected her. Not another, then, to become an enemy to himself, he says, and to reject again another, but rather Jerusalem her

 the world of his fruit. For the divine disciples were born from the blood of Jacob, who was also renamed Israel. But since from east to west, and to a

 speaking with boldness, and convicting Israel that it had warred against holy ones and it made it a practice, that is, using a spirit that was, as it

 to have as cohabitants those who know how to direct them to everything that is praiseworthy. Therefore he was not in need of good shepherds, but it wi

 to Christ saying: 6While you have the light, walk in the light, lest darkness overtake you.6 But I say it is necessary to marvel at the economy of t

 in the person of our Savior of all, Christ, who is discoursing and speaking to the holy apostles, that is, to all those who from time to time minister

 of glory on the top of the fat mountain, those who are drunk without wine.9 Having first declared that they will be called through faith to a knowledg

 Ephraim.9 70.616 In what way the terrible things will happen to them, and that they will pay the penalty for their impiety towards Christ, having fall

 to my people who have been left. For the Lord of hosts himself will crown those who have believed with hope and glory, and with hope, clearly, of the

 And he is astonished, as it were, not because the most ignorant multitude of the common herd alone appears to have suffered this, but because, in addi

 and do not listen to me, a sword will devour you. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken these things.”6 Therefore, it virtually points out that unruly

 there came from heaven a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind.6 Then he says: 6There appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting

 being mistreated, and enduring the plots of the godless. Therefore the oracle of the Lord became for them affliction upon affliction, and not only thi

 Yet a little while, and the, ‘a very, very little while.’ But the insolent and arrogant, although it was necessary to correct their past faults with s

 each one according to the things done in the body, whether good or bad.6 We expect, therefore, that the judgment will be, and that we will be shown m

 the style. And I think it necessary to tell the things from history. For in this way what is being shown will become clear to those who love learning.

 70.640 binding, as if for punishment, those who were weak, and had been convicted of being guilty of transgressions, one would not doubt. Whence I thi

 that they are perhaps also pious, pretending to be of those in types, but scorning as it were the beauty of the truth. For this reason they also perse

 the only-begotten Word of God, having proposed a perfected and abbreviated matter, that is, justification by faith. You therefore, he says, O Israel,

 the things that happened to the more ancient ones as in shadows are of true things. Therefore the present Jerusalem was once called Jebus. The blessed

 all her wealth, and all her strength I will take and this you will understand both perceptibly and spiritually. For their earthly wealth has been emp

 of his return. So let it be, he says, the wealth of all the nations, as many as have campaigned against Mount Zion. But when or how these things came

 the divinely-inspired Scripture is one book. For the whole is one and has been spoken by the one Holy Spirit but in what way has it been sealed? For

 the God of all defines certain things, he immediately brings forward the causes of the matter, and makes clear the accusations of those who have suffe

 of... have become partakers. Therefore, Lebanon, he says, will be transformed like Mount Carmel, and Mount Carmel will be reckoned as a forest, that i

 more unholily, they made those who reproved them in the gates a stumbling block. For the holy prophets, conveying the words from above and from God, a

 writing down the truth for him as the substance of the charge. For the Savior of all called himself the Son of God the Father, and showing the shadow

 with the feet of those warring, the experience of those who have already arrived will confirm. For whom have they not conquered? whom have they not ov

 this.9 The divine Jesus, that is, the son of Nave, bequeathed the land of the promise to those of the blood of Israel. They say that the tribe of Juda

 they see: Do not speak to us, speak other things to us, and announce to us another delusion, and turn us away from this way, and take away from us the

 Light, he says, will be those who pursue you, that is, winged and swift, and so terrible and fearful in your eyes, and to this point of cowardice will

 and water, not sensible and material, but rather divine and spiritual. For it is called a river of peace, and a torrent of delight, and we say this as

 to the seed of your land, and the bread of the produce of your land will be abundance and rich. And your cattle will be fed on that day in a fat and s

 the ones yoked under 9And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every lofty hill, flowing water in that day, when many shall perish, and w

 some with our minds paralyzed, and our intellect inactive and weakened for the works of righteousness. But we have not remained in these things. For t

 the burning wrath with glory, and the oracle of his lips an oracle full of anger. For Cyrus, son of Cambyses, with God urging him on and rousing him t

 the hope of 70.693 assistance, their affairs having undergone almost a change, and a reversal to the complete opposite, with lyre and flutes, that is,

 be set at nought, and he will rise up against the houses of evil men, and against their vain hope. An Egyptian man and not God, flesh of horses, and t

 to make the attack upon the shepherds. Thus, it says, the Lord will descend to make war against Mount Zion, that is, Jerusalem, against its mountains.

 of a sojourn, the human race was terrified concerning these things, and some have worshipped creation, and to the elements of the world they have assi

 he will be hidden, as from rushing water. Again, it is the custom in the sacred Writings to compare the assault of temptations to rushing water, or to

 of teachers. But these too will cease, he says, and all their speech will be about Christ. That they will not endure the ancient teachers, he has indi

 chose to submit the neck of their own mind to the divine decrees. O women, therefore, he says, O daughters, hear my words in hope, that is, not withou

 to the Savior and God of all 6You brought a vine, he says, out of Egypt, you cast out the nations, and planted it.6 Then he adds, saying Why have

 and judgment. For we have been justified in him, with sin being abolished and Satan being destroyed by a just and right judgment. What then will Chris

 nation for the ox is a clean animal according to the Law and it was offered up as a fragrant aroma to God. But the donkey is unclean. And so, having

 peoples were astonished, and the phrase, they were astonished, is instead of, they were amazed, he says. And they have suffered amazement. In what way

 angels will be sent asking for peace, bitterly weeping, begging for peace. For their ways will be made desolate, the fear of the nations has ceased, a

 The synagogue of the Jews has become thorn-bearing. 6For I waited, he says, to make grapes, but it made thorns.6 But these things will happen to the

 does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons. Therefore they have been rejected, and very rightly so, having no share in the

 is given, Christ, from God the Father, and indeed also faithful water, that of holy baptism, clearly making faithful and steadfast those who are deeme

 and the meaning in them is difficult to behold. But I will speak as is possible. For where, he says, is he who numbers the gathered people, small and

 He Himself through the voice of a prophet concerning His own worshippers: 6Behold, I will turn toward them like a river of peace, and like a torrent

 for, although they had obtained the ability to walk upright from the tutelage in the law, they have been given 70.740 as spoil to Satan. But those fro

 we await Him.6 Therefore, that the heaven will be rolled up, and that the stars will fall, would signify the renewal of this universe. That creation

 multitude, but indeed also of the notables among them, a very great and pitiful fall will occur, he hints enigmatically, saying, that the stout ones,

 of wild beasts. But when they become depopulated and deprived of their inhabitants, then the land will be found like some wasteland, full of thorns, a

 one must also [hear] the blessed David singing about them, that 6The voice of the Lord strengthens the hinds, and will lay bare the thickets.6 For t

 the eyes of the blind will be opened. For those who once worshipped the creation rather than the Creator, will make that very creation, which once led

 the straight and pure path that leads to a holy life. And that, having become free from the rapacity of the devil, they will live such a glorious life

 to entice the common people. 9And there went out to him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Somnas the scribe, and Joah the so

 wishing to ravage Judea we did not come up against it without the Lord. 9And Eliakim, and Somnas the scribe, and Joah said to him: Speak to your serv

 to be judged.9 Rabshakeh is again barbarous in his opinion, and is heavy with his words against God, and is greatly proud that the Assyrians have take

 the elders of the priests clothed in sackcloth to Isaiah son of Amoz the prophet, and they said to him: Thus says Hezekiah: Today is a day of afflicti

 lem into the hands of the king of the Assyrians. Or have you not heard what the kings of the Assyrians have done, they have destroyed all the land? Di

 of stone-working, and being the artistic creations of craftsmen For this reason they have perished along with their own worshipers. But You, save us,

 The land of the Jews is understood in this way: high, because God was its defender, yet thick, because those in it were seen to be beyond number. But

 he calls going out and coming in, the way into anything whatsoever 70.777 of things to be done. For nothing at all escapes the mind that knows all. An

 it will happen, he says, when the Almighty has been moved to zeal. But if one applies against Sennacherib the saying, 6Eat this year what you have so

 he says those who killed him are for when a divine decree was brought against some, those who suffered this would be in danger in every way and entir

 The God of all things cuts away the harm of the sicknesses in us with measured displeasures, so that we may not be condemned with the world, according

 When he was sick, and arose from his sickness.}1 9I said in the height of my days, I will go to the gates of Hades I will leave behind the remaining

 of my salvation, and I will not cease blessing you with a psaltery all the days of my life.9 The things spoken through the voice of the psalmist would

 That Hezekiah was weakened, I say, but then inclined back to run up again to strength, astounded the Babylonian, but certainly that was the truly grea

 of those who had been diligent. When the prophet therefore asked what they had seen, and the king said that nothing remained unseen by them, he says t

 Therefore, having made mention of the final capt- ivity, when the Babylonians, having come [or, having] with all that was in the treas- uries of the k

 and not punished in proportion to the things done by him. 6For the Lord is truly compassionate and merciful, long-suffering, and of great mercy, and

 as a man, according to the economy, showed himself equal in strength, and equal in work, and equal in glory to God the Father, upholding all things by

 God And now, Lord, look upon their threats, clearly meaning those of the Jews, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness. Lift

 And it seems to me that it is opportune to use the words of Paul and say: 6O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchabl

 still worshipping creation rather than the Creator, making arguments, and leading them away from the ancient, ancestral, and inherited error, and tran

 from the beauty of the created things, their Creator is analogously perceived, at least by those who are of a sound mind. For it is possible for the w

 he makes the condemnation most just. For though it was possible for them even from creation itself to know the creator and artificer of all things, th

 Have you heard? An eternal God, the God who made the ends of the earth, will not hunger, nor will he grow weary, nor is there any searching out of his

 yet to those who know that by stumbling against him they will fall into terrible and inescapable punishments, he gives for their aid to be grieved hen

 9Be renewed to me, O islands. For the rulers will exchange their strength let them draw near, and speak together, then let them announce judgment.9 T

 But all these things were accomplished through Christ 6For He became for us from God the Father righteousness and redemption, and sanctification.6

 by all means to suffer those things which it was fitting to be brought upon them by him for having destroyed the land. Therefore, the enemies having b

 the idol was completed from parts joined together, and to have for its coming into being, and indeed, permanence in standing, and security in nails t

 and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon, and I passed by, and behold, he was not and I sought him, and his place was not found.6 For many of those

 and very rightly. For the cause of the highest gladness for them was the conversion of those who had gone astray, and the restoration to the better of

 was a worker for him, but the Holy One of Israel has shown. 9Your judgment draws near, says God your counsels have drawn near, says the king of Jacob

 of a bright and choice, that is, of another material but all these things are from the earth. But I think one must marvel at the worshippers of idols

 9I will give a beginning to Zion, and I will summon Jerusalem to the way. For from the nations, behold, there is no one, and from their idols, there w

 Father in him. For He said: 6This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.6 But that He is anointed according to his humanity, and is said to h

 accustomed to speaking in the Holy Spirit. And the paradox is this, that Christ Himself was reviled, as neither sent from God, nor truly being holy, a

 has introduced himself as the bringer to completion of wonderful things, He says he will not bestow his glory upon lifeless idols, nor indeed to any o

 he scattered the darkness of diabolical 70.860 deception that had come upon those on earth he freed from bonds those who were caught in inescapable c

 that is, human life, according to what is sung in the Psalms: 6This sea, great and wide there are creeping things, of which there is no number, livi

 and they weave odes to the falsely-named gods, but they rather glorify the God who enlightened them, and drew them into the net of truth. That is, tho

 of those who worship him, of whom we say that the most holy 70.868 Paul was one and elect, who indeed also says: 6Who shall separate us from the love

 the sweet and charming quality of fine speech. Therefore, they would reasonably be compared to rivers and marshes, that is, to thickets, or rather gro

 God brings promises to completion, and does not abandon them, that is, is with them always, according to, 6Behold, I am with you all the days, until

 Or are they their rulers? For the multitude under their hand have been blinded, having fallen into this through the indolence of their guides. For the

 Son of man, are the things which each one does in his secret chamber a small thing to the house of Israel?6 See, then, how each of them, having in hi

 of them, nor did they take it to heart.9 He seems to name both Jacob and Israel very emphatically in these words. And what we might understand the pow

 God, the holy one, Israel, who saves you.9 And now it is necessary to marvel at the merciful God. For being good by nature, and the Creator of all, ev

 Do not fear, because I am with you.9 The meaning of the things set forth is quite hard to reach, but I will make the narration as possible with God gu

 That is, the only-begotten Word of God, having become man, in order that He might drive together Greeks and Jews, who through many and various slips h

 you, what is the will of God, the good, and perfect, and acceptable.6 For we were renewed in Christ, having returned through sanctification to the an

 a fountain, and in him are all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, according to what is written. But if anyone is found to have knowledge of

 witnesses, and I am a witness, says the Lord God, that [or, yet] from the beginning, and there is no one who can rescue from my hands. I will do it, a

 the message was for them, he necessarily shows the incomparable glory of his own power, and indeed the excess of his strength, saying: Thus says the L

 and by irresistible nods achieving whatever I wish. I am the one who appointed Israel your king. This must be understood in two ways for either it sa

 travails with flame. But if someone should say, Since they pursued Israel by the private will 70.905 of the ruler of the land of the Egyptians, how is

 these ministers of the evangelical and apostolic decrees, of whom the divine David also makes mention, saying: 6The rivers have lifted up their voice

 For what is wholly unacceptable and offered in vain, how could it be for my glory? But you have not served in your sacrifices. For he who practices so

 I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me 6 and again, that 6I will declare my iniquity, and I will be sorry for my sin.6 I therefore, He sa

 you have acted impiously against me, says the Lord Almighty. The rulers, therefore, he says, have defiled my holy things. For they have dared to erect

 having leaped away from love for him. For it is among absurdities that the highest honors should be offered by us to our parents according to the fles

 and the intelligible creation is enriched with an increase in every good thing whatsoever, and as it were leaps up, going toward spiritual growth. And

 they have been delivered from oppression, as he worked wonders, and manifested the greatness of the power and pre-eminence inherent in him. For what o

 He rose up against the wickedness of those who were oppressing them, for things were accomplished by changes of the elements [perhaps: changes]. For t

 They have a mouth, and will not speak eyes, and will not see ears, and do not hear.6 And to these he adds: 6May those who make them become like th

 shaming them as having been led astray, and opening the eye for those entangled in evil, and persuading them to look at the truth itself, which if the

 must be. For the accusations are of a clear carelessness. So that Israel might become better than himself, though convicted of very many accusations,

 he says, but remember rather. For behold, I have blotted out your iniquities like a cloud. And in these words he says I have blotted out instead of

 those who are ambassadors for Christ. 6For their sound went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.6 And he commanded th

 beyond all, and mind, and reason, who stretched out this immense heaven, and made firm the earth? As the Psalmist 70.944 says: 6He established the ea

 to submit one's neck to his laws, and so to run towards salvation and life. Therefore, the words from them are full of all truth but the things of th

 to the abyss: You will be made desolate. For in these things he called the multitude of the Babylonians, greater than number, an abyss and its rivers

 the arduous things, let us make clear. For he names Cyrus anointed, and not as one of the saints, to whom the name would apply, but improperly, as t

 But evils, that is, things that cause suffering, or productive of all suffering, to the cruel and savage ones who had been brought against Israel. For

 he says, heaven from above, that is, those who inhabit the city above, and who have the brilliant and admirable dwelling place, both angels and archan

 of us, and to deem those on earth worthy of so great a sparing love, as to give His own soul as a ransom or rather, even to endure to take the form o

 with seeds, and be seen as fruitful. Therefore, having once been wild and, as it were, uncultivated, the hearts of all of us, using the law of Moses a

 In these words, a rendering of a higher meaning is seen to have been made. And the sense of the verses is as follows: For if the clay, he says, ever r

 night. You have prepared the sun and the moon.6 Therefore each of these traverses its appointed course with an orderly motion and in measured interva

 men of high stature shall cross over to you, and shall be your slaves, and they shall follow behind you bound in manacles, and they shall worship you,

 evidently ministers of His wills. For this is what the name of servitude signifies when applied to God. They will follow behind you bound in handcuffs

 ships when they are in danger, and save them from the waves, offering them a waveless bay 70.976 so the Churches of Christ, lie as it were in the ver

 and announcing truth.9 Having proclaimed beforehand the arrival of our Savior of all, Christ, and having marked out the season of salvation, in which

 but the formation of the truth is in the law, and the mystery of Christ is hidden in the shadows. For Moses wrote about him. Therefore, in speaking of

 demons, both unholily plundering the glory of divinity, and binding it upon their own heads, the all-daring ones were zealous to establish the worksho

 is, that which in Christ through faith was graciously given to those throughout all under heaven, and his words, that is, the evangelical and saving p

 you might have ten thousand tutors in the Lord, but not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus through the Gospel I begot you.6 And we find in many places

 excessively, and wherever that which they wished to carry 70.992 might become heavy, there they would somehow even push together, pretending not to be

 knowing how to come to an end, but is always the same and unchanging, and until you grow old, I will be the same. For old age does not come upon me as

 Groan repent, you who have gone astray. Return in your heart, and remember the former things from of old, that I am God, and there is none besides me

 of Babylon against Jerusalem, and he will take its king, and its rulers, and will lead them to him in Babylon. And he will take from the seed of the 7

 having promised them redemption from captivity, he then remembers and clearly narrates, in what way she was captured and has been plundered, and as if

 to fall into the hand of enemies, for he would pity them as having paid punishments equal to their sins against him, or rather even punished beyond th

 to be unshakable dominions. Then these things happening to you, he says, you did not deign to take into your mind, nor did you receive into memory the

 destruction upon you, and you will not know it a pit, and you will fall into it. And misery will come upon you, and you will not be able to be cleans

 and the sitting might signify rest. These will be a help to you for if you should choose, it says, to rest upon the false words of magicians, and upo

 of nobility, that which is in character, I say, and in manners, he makes mention for the shame of those who have turned away. For they were, they were

 surpasses measure, so also is He incomparably philanthropic. For observe how, although He knew Israel to be hard, having a proud and unbroken neck, so

 I know them, that is, through the false prophets and false speakers. For you neither knew them nor understood them, nor indeed from the beginning did

 they kindled reverence, he initiates them again. For as the blessed Paul said: For when for the time 70.1024 you ought to be teachers, you have need

 his.9 He does not permit them again to be carried away to untrue suspicions. For it was indeed very likely, since they had an untutored mind, and one

 having pitched his tent in Jerusalem.6 Therefore, when you understand, he says, that it was not through falsely named gods, but rather through me tha

 your children. But since you have acted insolently toward God, and have offended not moderately, having lapsed into every sort of transgression, you w

 He who was of old, is also now, able to use equal power and rivaling wonders, and having unchangeable strength, he cries out and issues, as it were, a

 For the Word is indeed God, of equal glory, and enthroned with God the Father, co-existing and co-eternal. And the names before the incarnation that a

 man. For he says that he is under the shelter of his right hand, so that he might indicate that the unassailable and invincible quality of his own nat

 Having thus received a glorious and exceptional honor, they have become faithless, and insolent apostates, and terrible and arrogant herds of dishonor

 being made known, prepared heaven and earth, and the things yet lower, to fall down to him. 9And now thus says the Lord, who formed me from the womb t

 For the divine prophets also urged them to go eagerly toward this. Isaiah, for instance, says, Let us make peace with him, let us who are coming make

 may drive away the hordes of demons of the unbearable covetousness against us, so that he may remove deadly sin from our midst, so that he may abolish

 That is, let him be considered holy, or rather, let him be confessed. This would be fitting for God, and for him alone properly and specifically. For

 to establish the earth, and to inherit a desolate inheritance, saying to those in bonds: Come forth and to those in darkness, Be revealed. And in all

 He established a covenant, that is, the evangelical and saving proclamation, and He settled the earth that was clearly in turmoil, and not in a good s

 For he will lead them through fountains of waters, and he will make every mountain into a road, and every path a pasture for them. And by fountains in

 he has called. For Christ, having shone upon them, has had mercy on all if it is true, they have been rescued from the hand of the devil, and from th

 is the head. 9Behold, on my hands I have painted your walls, and you are before me continually, and you shall quickly be built by those by whom you we

 evangelists, appointed for this by God, and having an unceasing mind with him. For their names were written in heaven, and they are placed also in the

 for, he says, and look at them all. Behold, they have been gathered to you. But that the promise might be shown to be faithful, he confirms what was s

 you have become [rich] in children she has nourished your peoples for you, and you who were formerly left alone, have become unexpectedly rich, and y

 adorned, they would add to their own practices also the need to honor the chosen, and whosoever would believe in Christ, these they will count in the

 using ineffable and God-befitting means, our Lord Jesus Christ entered into the house of the strong man, that is, he has arrived in this world in the

 A monad running upward but as for what came to the plotters' purpose, they are both dead and have perished. Therefore the judgment upon them, that is

 For was it, he says, that like a man pressed by a lack of money, and having fallen among creditors, I sold to other masters those who were my servants

 redemption of all under heaven. But the unbelieving and ignorant approached him as a common man, so that they even assaulted him and said: 6For a goo

 For to those who are still infants, as it were, in the rank of milk, they offer well the word of simple catechesis, but to those who have attained to

 to be able to run through, and very easily, both the tyranny of sin, and the plots of diabolical malice. But they disobeyed, but I do not disobey. For

 of him.6 Therefore, since he says that he, being innocent and just, endured the plots from the Synagogue of the Jews, he necessarily addresses those

 to apply a poultice, nor oil, nor bandages. Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire, strangers devour your country in your presence, a

 to them. Therefore, to you, he says, I offer admonitions, to those walking in darkness and who unwisely do not accept the light from me.6 You have tr

 prophets, and having stoned those who were sent, and having strengthened their own flame adding to their former crimes their drunken outrages against

 at times he tries to assure the believers, who are a multitude greater than number, brought from the circumcision and the so-called uncircumcision, th

 filling a garden, which indeed he calls the paradise of God. For of old the law of Moses commanded to sacrifice oxen, and to slay sheep, and to offer

 For I say to you, that not one jot or one tittle shall pass away from the law, until all things be accomplished.6 But the law in letters was given th

 the multitude, entangled in unbreakable bonds, of sin, I say, and subjected to the greed of the all-wicked and primevally-evil dragon, was captive, an

 to gather knowledge from the divinely-inspired Scripture, and from the magnificence and order of created things. So Paul laughs at the wise men among

 concerning every righteous and wise man, that 6The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be tripped up.6 A salutary thing, therefo

 were broken off, that you might be grafted in, do not boast against the branches.6 For you do not support the root, but the root supports you. For ju

 having led them through, He will certainly abolish also the surge of the present life, and He will show the vain and unmixed turmoil of the affairs in

 You were not afraid to despise me, who am, and having scorned the one calling you to life, you were afraid of a mortal man, and of a son of man, who l

 choosing to contend for piety. And this, I think, is what is enigmatically sung through the Psalmist's lyre: 6He commanded the storm, and it became a

 God, but this man we do not know where he is from.6 But those of old, he says, who denied and slipped into this impiety, taking my words on their ton

 things are against you, and who will grieve with you? A fall and a crushing, famine and a sword who will comfort you? Your sons, who are in distress,

 calamities, and bringing those who are captured to the utmost evil, and making drunk those who have suffered, but not from wine, as he says. For the L

 delivering from judgment, and dragging out from the bonds of death, I mean Christ. And of this Paul is a witness, 70.1141 having written thus: 6But i

 Thus, where the bitterness of the judgment is great, there is a consolation equal to the misfortunes, or rather, much more abundant than the faint thi

 thoughts of carnal impurity sit within. Therefore it is necessary for us, who have been called into spiritual intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ, and

 and they were led by force to the Assyrians. And now why are you here? Thus says the Lord: Because my people were taken for nothing, you marvel and wa

 in that day, that I myself am he that speaks: I am present as a season upon the mountains, as the feet of one preaching a message of peace, as one pr

 our peace, who took away the sin that lay between, and prepared us to enter into friendship with the Father, and united us through himself for throug

 the called, at least to be able to perform the good very well, and to hold fast to the love for Christ, and to make a right and blameless confession o

 they have held back their hands, they have been consumed by the war with the Romans, so that very few of those saved were left, and the holy city was

 to declare their heads guilty. Therefore, go out and touch not the unclean thing, that is, be cut off from communion with them, so as not to even want

 to those on earth, that we might be enriched by his poverty, that believing in him we might wash away the defilements of sin, since the law through Mo

 to snatch the prediction, and to gather life-giving knowledge, and to store it in their own hearts, from the opposite, they leap upon the mystagogues,

 Come now, let us consider again, as we can. For it has been acknowledged that we have also announced, that is, we have made the prediction complete, t

 for he reckoned Jesus to be, and his face was dishonored, that is, by the sending of spittle, and by Pilate's soldiers striking him, and saying: 6Pro

 of us, and he was weakened on account of our iniquities. Then he also gives other reasons, through which it is possible to see that for the sake of ou

 that is, for us to have the life-giving bread, but also seed for the sower. For those who are leaders of the peoples, and knowledgeable in sacred dogm

 By mountains in these passages he perhaps means the powers above and in heaven, which indeed have also been appointed by God for the assistance of t

 9Thus says the Lord: Keep judgment, and do justice. For my salvation is about to 70.1240 come, and my mercy to be revealed.9

 of toils or of zealous works. But it was necessary rather to be idle from this, as the divine law commanded, yet while being idle they offered the cus

 and will call them a holy people. But if someone is a eunuch, he says, that is, childless or barren, let him not say to himself, I am a dry tree, th

 having an unshaken mind, and so keeping His Sabbaths, so as not to profane them, of Christ, that is. For Jews keep the Sabbath according to the law, k

 For they were taken, not having their genuine nature unshaken, nor indeed their noble sentiment entirely blameless, but rather scattered and dispersed

 He makes his arguments about them clear. For the dogs that follow the flocks, always circling around, are stronger than sleep and slumber. For if any

 counseling, and acting. For thus they fell also into the crimes of deicide, and each one turned otherwise to his own way. For they were lovers of plea

 to these things, which will pour down upon their own head the unquenchable flame. For these things the Savior himself also accused them, saying throug

 to gods. This God himself said somewhere through one of the holy prophets, showing the cruelty of those accustomed to do such things: 6Sacrifice men

 of genuineness toward God, but injecting as it were the seeds of impiety, and persuading them to bear fruit for Satan, the crimes of drunken insolence

 everywhere, and for the mind within them to have no support or stability. And we happen to suffer this also in the excesses of pleasures. For the mind

 but indeed through the things themselves, of what sort is that which was said about them as in the manner of an example: 6And I waited for it to prod

 True is the promise for everyone who holds fast to God, and considers nothing better than complete love for him, and also excels in all good works t

 they turn to doxology. We shall now find the prophet having experienced something of this kind for he did not simply say, Thus says the Lord, but he

 the servants. But they even so boasted against him, although they said to one another: 6This is the heir.6 Therefore, for this sin I grieved him, he

 to the house of Jacob their iniquities.9 Having finished the discourses concerning the calling of those from Israel, he comes to another kind of admon

 boasting of deeds of valor, but not even clothed with the radiance that comes from virtues, but because of mere abstinence from food alone and indeed

 completely neglecting good things, and having accomplished none of the best deeds of valor then practicing unprofitable and useless fasting, as if it

 those accustomed to doing the same things. And the broken, he says, send away in release, that is, those who endure crushing, or toil, or from the bon

 and the influx of 70.1289 better things. For when someone is freed from sicknesses of the soul, he will certainly bear as fruit the desire and readine

 pursuing recompense. And somewhere the divine Habakkuk also said: 6Judgment has come before me, and the judge accepts [a bribe].6 Therefore the name

 has worked a blameless knowledge, and we say that these have been filled, and have come to satiety of the delight from above and from God but Israel

 from God. For somewhere the divine David sings and says: 6You will send forth your Spirit, and they will be created, and you will renew the face of t

 You will apply such a saying also to each of the holy mystagogues. For they have become builders of fences, securing with admonitions to virtue the so

 the wrathful is not comely.6 Therefore, God wants those who observe the sabbath spiritually, and holily, and delicately, to be gentle and possessing

 between God, and those of the blood of Israel he brings forth, saying: 6For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with sins. And your l

 breaking the eggs of asps. For having crushed them, they will find nothing else, except a basilisk in it and this is the most difficult offspring of

 to those who have chosen to do them aright. But the Jews are outside of all spiritual skill, and as it were, the ability to know at all how to accompl

 of her cubs, to wail dreadfully, and to be filled with unmixed madness, to roam the mountains and glens, and to leap uncontrollably upon those it meet

 And they confess, that We have spoken unjust things, and have been disobedient, we conceived, and we meditated from our heart unjust words. For they h

 

 the human race to be saved, that is, and before all others those from Israel, who have believed, to be in participation of the Holy Spirit, through wh

 Your Son, I will glorify you.6 Therefore the glory of God the Father appeared among us, then, having separated Israel from all other nations, as one

 m and Ephah. All shall come from Sheba, bearing gold and frankincense, and they shall bring precious stones, and shall proclaim the salvation of the L

 ce to those who are far off, and to those who are near.6 And he writes to those from the Gentiles: 6Remember you Gentiles, who are called the uncir

 the land in the more southern regions of the Jews, but indeed the parts towards the north, and the sea, and the cities, and the lands lying upon it, t

 borders. ¹For in Christ Jesus there is neither slave nor free, barbarian, Scythian, Greek and Jew, but Christ is all, and in all. For the two peoples

 

 Of another race, indeed, because not from the blood of Israel according to the flesh, but wise master builders, according to the divine Paul, and know

 to be led to the light of the true knowledge of God: and God and the Father leads all to the knowledge of the Son, through whom, and in whom, and with

 to mind the things of the flesh, but rather rushing on high, and minding the things that are above, and as it were departing from the earth, and while

 if it was necessary for her to be punished by the just decree of God, so it is fitting for her when she has returned to be pitied. I will make you, t

 ...wood, hay, stones, stubble.6 This being so, we say this, that the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees, that is, the instruction of the unbelievi

 And there shall be, he says, no devastation within your borders.6 By devastation he means greed, especially against those in a subordinate and weak p

 through him to the knowledge of the Father, and for this he has become both a door, and a gate, and a way. For he said that 6 I am the door, and the

 Saying that the time of the consummation is being revealed through the fact that the light of the sun, or that of the moon, no longer shines, but is r

 as though in every way extending to them a reward for their fairness, and weighing out the honor fitting for each. Therefore, rejoicing in this very t

 written. These would be those from the nations, who being rich in faith toward him, have gained the divine and heavenly treasure, that is, the evangel

 

 of his tyranny, 6And having cast him down to hell with chains of darkness,6 according to what is written, 6delivered them to be reserved for judgme

 both hoping and proclaiming. 6 And an ointment of gladness was given to them instead of mourning, and a garment of glory, instead of a spirit of fain

 those once desolate: that is to say, perhaps this: For, being straitened, he says, by the multitude in the churches, although they were once bare and

 he calls it my teaching, and the best pasture: but those who were confusing all things, and muddying it by not teaching the people under their hand co

 the countries and cities by his decree, mystagogues and teachers, and they come hither rejoicing in Christ, and having an intelligible joy, as a certa

 

 j, which we have done upon the earth.”6 Therefore, the saints must be compared to a bridegroom and a bride, on account of their strength, and in addit

 of me will be kindled as a lamp. Both righteousness and salvation Christ appeared and became to those upon the earth, for he justifies, and saves, bei

 You will be called forsaken, and your land will not be called desolate: for you will be called my delight, and your land, inhabited.9 70.1372 He teach

 hymned by us: Your youth will be renewed like an eagle's, indeed they have dwelt in her, leading her by the hand as a nurse, exhorting her as a moth

 something similar also through another prophet: 6What shall I do to you, Ephraim? What shall I do to you, Judah? I will set you as Admah, and as Zebo

 

 it must be, he said, that is, that the word of faith which we preach should be lifted up and become most known, or perhaps also the symbol of the savi

 authority, and to be able to heal every disease, and every infirmity among the people. Indeed, he declared that the faith of the thief crucified with

 In Greek, Edom means 6fiery,6 or 6earthly:6 and Bosor, either 6of flesh,6 or 6fleshly.6 Who then, he says, is this from the earth, that is

 who, having grown great, then rejoice as if they have conquered? By no means, he says. And yet, though I had no one to stand by me, I trod them down i

 his virtues, that is, the mighty works that happened at various times for the redemption of Israel. 6Therefore,6 he says, 6the Lord will be a good

 

 is it? That is, they forgot, and they did not seek him, that is, by remembering and loving him. Where is he who brought up Moses with his right hand?

 

 people of your inheritance, that we might inherit some small part of your holy mountain. We have become as from the beginning, when you did not rule u

 the name of the Lord among the adversaries. From your face the nations will be troubled, when you do glorious things. Trembling from you will seize th

 men, and we have all become as unclean ones, and all our righteousness as the rag of a menstruating woman: and we have fallen away like leaves because

 

 Therefore, be not exceedingly angry with us.6 They are not ignorant that they have stumbled, but rather they confess that they have shown themselves

 to easily put a stop to the insolence, then letting this go, and allowing the terrible things to proceed to their end, he would surely be manifest as

 a most lawless life, a cause of both judgment and destruction for them. This again the Savior is found saying to them: 6 Truly I say to you, if you d

 

 a blessing is in it: thus will I do for the sake of him who serves me. For this reason I will not destroy them all. And I will bring forth the seed ou

 aqa/. 6For eye,6 he says, 6has not seen, and ear has not heard, and it has not entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for

 it has not been without penalty for those of the blood of Israel to disobey Christ, for they are given over to slaughter, the remnant having been save

 partakers: for He cleanses from sins, and puts away what causes grief, and does not allow the fear of punishment to prevail over our thoughts. For we

 

 

 they struck the heads of the poor with their fists, and they turned aside the way of the humble.6 I will rejoice, therefore, he says, over my people,

 for righteousness to everyone who believes.6 And he said again: We are Jews by nature, and not sinners from the Gentiles: but knowing that a man is

 they shall be of the lot to be given and fitting for their spiritual fruitfulness: for, he says, their life will be according to the days of the tree

 

 of life: that therefore He rather lays claim to worship in spirit, and He deems that which is in shadows and types as completely worthy of no account,

 

 

 

 

 of the Songs, that Your breasts are better than wine. But first of all to those accepting the faith in our God Jesus Christ food suitable for infant

 n flocks he bestowed the comfort from the sacred streams, that is, the evangelical and saving proclamation, through which they have gained peace with

 I know their.9 Having sufficiently exhorted those in the new Zion, that is, in the Church, and having promised them the most lasting consolation, and

 of things has been made, although it is necessary to worship the one God by nature and in truth. 9 I am coming to gather all the nations, and the tong

 

 

 

and water, not sensible and material, but rather divine and spiritual. For it is called a river of peace, and a torrent of delight, and we say this as the blessed David sings and says to God the Father concerning those justified in faith: that "6With you is the fountain of life, and you will give them to drink of the torrent of your delight."6 Christ, therefore, is the life-giving bread and water; but he is found with sweat, and with labor. For indeed, the great and excellent good things would not become attainable to those who recline and live in luxury, but if to those who are accustomed to regard as nothing the sweats and labors for this very thing he so sought to learn the mystery of Christ. And the divine David singing and saying: "6If I go up on the couch of my bed, if I give sleep to my eyes, and slumber to my eyelids, and rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the God of Jacob. Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah, we found it in the fields of the wood."6 For Emmanuel was born in Bethlehem, which is Ephrathah. The God of all therefore promises to those from Israel returning to him to give bread of affliction, and scant water, that is, he will grant the life in Christ and the knowledge concerning him, which anyone might gather and lock away in the treasuries of his own mind, not reclining into luxuries, not having a dissolute conduct of life, nor indeed walking the wide and spacious road, but rather entering through the narrow gate that leads to life. Therefore, he says, if you should take this bread, then you will also be secure, not easily led into error, nor readily carried away by the words of those who deceive. For you will see them, and you will hear their words. 70.681 For formerly, being unable to discern the things from them, he was placed on a level with those who do not see at all, nor indeed hear the words of those accustomed to deceive; but having taken the bread you will surely see them, and you will understand very well what sort of character they have; how they simply differ, and say: This is the way, let us walk in it, whether to the right, or to the left; for there was no distinction of the one who is naturally unjust and of the one who is not so, but, as it were, the words of all carried one away unreflectingly to anything whatsoever. 9And you will remove the idols covered with silver, and covered with gold; you will make them fine, and winnow them as the water of a menstruous woman, and you will cast them out as dung.9 It would be fitting, I think, for this also to be accomplished, for both those called from the nations through faith to the knowledge of truth, and also for those of the blood of Israel. It does no harm to apply the saying also to those who come from Hellenic error, "The Lord will give you bread of affliction and scant water; and those who lead you astray will no longer come near you." The wretched Jews had wicked teachers, I mean the Scribes and Pharisees, who wished to carry them off to anything whatsoever that seemed good to them, leading them away from the commandment of Moses, and persuading them to heed the teachings and commandments of men. And besides these things, Israel was condemned as having gone into such madness as to choose to worship lifeless idols. But the children of the Hellenes had unholy teachers, who, having a sensual and demonic wisdom, proclaimed to the world a countless crowd of demons, and to worship the creation, rather than the creator. So then, having received the bread of life and the life-giving water, both these and those were freed from their ancient teachers, or rather from those who led them astray, and having condemned the deceit they took away the idols. For they have been justified through faith, having all but said farewell to Satan and the unclean spirits, and loathing and fleeing those formerly considered high among them, I mean the falsely-named gods, as something utterly hated and ending in extreme impurity. For what could be more abominable than dung and the water of a menstruous woman? 9Then there will be rain for the

καὶ ὕδωρ, οὐκ αἰσθητόν τε καὶ ἔνυλον, θεῖον δὲ μᾶλλον καὶ νοητόν. Κεχρη- μάτικε γοῦν ποταμὸς εἰρήνης, καὶ χείμαῤῥος τρυφῆς, καὶ τοῦτό φαμεν ψάλλοντος, καὶ λέγοντος τοῦ μακαρίου ∆αβὶδ ὡς πρὸς Θεὸν καὶ Πατέρα περὶ τῶν ἐν πίστει δεδικαιωμένων· ὅτι "6Παρὰ σοὶ πηγὴ ζωῆς, καὶ τὸν χειμάῤῥουν τῆς τρυφῆς σου ποτιεῖς αὐτούς."6 Ἄρτος οὖν ἄρα καὶ ὕδωρ τὸ ζωοποιὸν ὁ Χριστός· εὑρίσκεται δὲ σὺν ἱδρῶτι, καὶ πόνῳ. Τὰ γάρ τοι μεγάλα, καὶ ἐξαίρετα τῶν ἀγαθῶν, οὐ τοῖς ἀναπίπτουσι, καὶ τρυ- φῶσιν ἁλώσιμα γένοιτ' ἂν, ἀλλ' εἰ τοῖς εἰωθόσι παρ' οὐδὲν ἡγεῖσθαι τοὺς ἐπ' αὐτοῦ δὴ τούτῳ καὶ ἱδρῶτας καὶ πόνους οὕτως ἐζήτει τὸ Χριστοῦ μυστήριον ἀνα- μαθεῖν. Καὶ ὁ θεσπέσιος ∆αβὶδ ψάλλων τε καὶ λέγων· "6Εἰ ἀναβήσομαι ἐπὶ κλίνης στρωμνῆς μου, εἰ δώσω ὕπνον τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς μου, καὶ τοῖς βλεφάροις μου νυσταγμὸν, καὶ ἀνάπαυσιν τοῖς κροτάφοις μου ἕως οὗ εὕρω τόπον τῷ Κυρίῳ σκήνωμα τῷ Θεῷ Ἰακώβ. Ἰδοὺ ἠκούσαμεν αὐτὴν ἐν Ἐφραθᾷ, εὕρομεν αὐτὴν ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις τοῦ δρυμοῦ."6 Γεγέννηται γὰρ ἐν Βηθ- λεὲμ ὁ Ἐμμανουὴλ, ἥτις ἐστὶν Ἐφραθά. Ἐπαγγέλλεται τοίνυν ὁ τῶν ὅλων Θεὸς τοῖς ἐξ Ἰσραὴλ ἐπι- στρέφουσι πρὸς αὐτὸν ἄρτον διδόναι θλίψεως, καὶ ὕδωρ στενὸν, τοῦτ' ἔστι, ζωὴν τὴν ἐν Χριστῷ χαριεῖ- σθαι καὶ γνῶσιν τὴν περὶ αὐτοῦ, ἣν ἅν τις συλλέξαιτο, καὶ τοῖς τῆς ἑαυτοῦ διανοίας ἐναποκλείσειε θησαυ- ροῖς, οὐκ ἀναπίπτων εἰς τρυφὰς, οὐκ ἐξίτηλον ἔχων τοῦ βίου τὴν ἀγωγὴν, οὔτε μὴν τὴν πλατεῖαν καὶ εὐ- ρύχωρον βαδίζων ὁδὸν, εἰσερχόμενος δὲ μᾶλλον διὰ τῆς στενῆς πύλης τῆς ἀποφερούσης εἰς ζωήν. Τοῦτον οὖν ἄρα, φησὶν, εἰ λάβοις τὸν ἄρτον, τότε γενήσῃ καὶ ἀσφαλὴς, οὐκ εὔκολος εἰς παραφορὰν, οὐδὲ τοῖς τῶν πλανώντων λόγοις ἑτοίμως συναρπαζόμενος. Ὄψει γὰρ αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀκούσῃ τῶν λόγων αὐτῶν. Πάλαι 70.681 μὲν γὰρ ἀπό γε τοῦ δύνασθαι μὴ διακρίνειν τὰ παρ' αὐτῶν, ὁ ἐν ἴσῳ τεθεὶς τοῖς μηδὲ ὁρῶσιν ὅλως, μήτε μὴν ἀκούουσι τῶν λόγων τῶν εἰωθότων πλανᾷν· λαβὼν δὲ τὸν ἄρτον ὄψει δὴ πάντως αὐτοὺς, καὶ τίνες ἄρα τὴν ἕξιν εὖ μάλα συνήσεις· οἷα διαφέροντες ἁπλῶς, καὶ λέγοντες· Αὕτη ἡ ὁδὸς, πορευθῶμεν ἐν αὐτῇ, εἴτε δεξιὰ, εἴτε ἀριστερά· οὐ γὰρ ἦν διάκρισις τοῦ πεφυ- κότος ἀδικεῖν. καὶ τοῦ μὴ τοιούτου, ἀλλ' οἷον ἀπερισκέπτως πρὸς πᾶν ὁτιοῦν ἀπεκόμιζον τῶν ἁπάντων οἱ λόγοι. 9Καὶ ἐξαρεῖς τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ περιηργυρωμένα, καὶ περικεχρυσωμένα· λεπτὰ ποιήσεις, καὶ λικμήσεις ὡς ὕδωρ ἀποκαθημένης, καὶ ὡς κόπρον ὤσεις αὐτά.9 Πρέποι ἂν, οἶμαι, καὶ τοῦτο κατορθοῦν, ἑλέσθαι τοῖς τε ἐξ ἐθνῶν κεκλημένοις διὰ τῆς πίστεως εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας, καὶ μὴν καὶ αὐτοῖς τοῖς ἐξ αἵ- ματος Ἰσραήλ. Λυπεῖ δὲ οὐδὲν ἁρμόσαι λέγειν καὶ τοῖς ἐξ Ἑλληνικῆς ἰοῦσι πλάνης, τὸ, ∆ώσει ὑμῖν Κύ- ριος ἄρτον θλίψεως καὶ ὕδωρ στενόν· καὶ οὐκ ἔτι μὴ ἐγγίσωσί σοι οἱ πλανῶντές σε. Οἱ μὲν τάλανες Ἰου- δαῖοι πονηροὺς ἐσχήκασι τοὺς καθηγητὰς, Γραμμα- τέας δὴ λέγω, καὶ Φαρισαίους, οἳ πρὸς πᾶν ὁτιοῦν τῶν δοκούντων αὐτοῖς ἀποκομίζειν ἤθελον, ἐξιστάντες μὲν τῆς Μωσέως ἐντολῆς, ἀναπείθοντες δὲ προσέχειν διδασκαλίαις καὶ ἐντάλμασιν ἀνθρώπων. Κατεγινώ- σκετο δὲ πρὸς τούτοις ὁ Ἰσραὴλ, ὡς ἐκβεβηκὼς εἰς τοῦτο φρενοβλαβείας, ὡς καὶ ἀψύχοις εἰδώλοις ἑλέ- σθαι προσκυνεῖν. Ἑλλήνων δὲ παῖδες ἀνοσίους ἐσχή- κασι διδασκάλους, οἳ ψυχικὴν καὶ δαιμονιώδη ἔχοντες σοφίαν, ἀναρίθμητον τῷ βίῳ δαιμονίων ὄχλον ἐκήρυ- ξαν, καὶ προσκυνεῖν τῇ κτίσει, παρὰ τὸν κτίσαντα. Λαβόντες δὴ οὖν τὸν ἄρτον τῆς ζωῆς καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ζωοποιὸν, οὗτοί τε κἀκεῖνοι τῶν ἀρχαίων ἀπηλλάττοντο διδασκάλων, μᾶλλον δὲ τῶν πλανώντων αὐτοὺς, κατ- εγνωκότες δὲ τῆς ἀπάτης περιεῖλον τὰ εἴδωλα. ∆εδι- καίωνται γὰρ διὰ πίστεως, μονονουχὶ καὶ ἐῤῥῶσθαι φράσαντες τῷ Σατανᾷ καὶ τοῖς ἀκαθάρτοις πνεύμασι, καὶ τοὺς πάλαι παρ' αὐτοῖς νομισθέντας εἶναι ὑψη- λοὺς, τοὺς ψευδωνύμους λέγω θεοὺς, καταμυσαττόμε- νοί τε καὶ φεύγοντες, ὡς ἂν καί τι τῶν ἄγαν ἐστυγη- μένων καὶ εἰς ἐσχάτην τελευτώντων ἀκαθαρσίαν. Κό- πρου γὰρ καὶ ὕδατος ἀποκαθημένης, τί ἂν γένοιτο βδελυρώτερον; 9Τότε ἔσται ὑετὸς τῷ