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45
Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten
the victory.
46
I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have
given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning.
47
For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to
look for punishment?
48
O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen
alone, but we all that come of thee.
49
For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done
the works that bring death?
50
And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are
made vain?
51
And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety, whereas we have lived
wickedly?
52
And that the glory of the most High is kept to defend themwhich have led a wary life, whereas
we have walked in the most wicked ways of all?
53
And that there should be shewed a paradise, whose fruit endureth for ever, wherein is security
and medicine, since we shall not enter into it?
54
(For we have walked in unpleasant places.)
55
And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas
our faces shall be blacker than darkness?
56
For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should begin to suffer
for it after death.
57
Then answered he me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born
upon the earth shall fight;
58
That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall
receive the thing that I say.
59
For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee
life, that thou mayest live.
60
Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no nor me which have
spoken unto them,
61
That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that
are persuaded to salvation.
62
I answered then, and said, I know, Lord, that the most High is called merciful, in that he hath
mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world,
63
And upon those also that turn to his law;
64
And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that have sinned, as his creatures;
65
And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give where it needeth;
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KJV Bible