Unit 7 rem early

Not only the angels, but also in the future time are under the Creator of the angels. For example, one does not drive away folly by dishonoring the fool, but by teaching him what disgrace folly brings upon itself; for indeed, confrontation directed at the person makes the sinner even more shameless. Of the words of God, some are written for the life of sons, others for the service of attendants. If one is courageous in impieties, then one is also courageous in virtues; and if the courageous person in impieties falsely accuses the poor, the courageous person in virtues encourages the poor. Therefore, everyone who comforts the poor in impieties, conspiring against them, slanders them before God—that is, opposes them with accusations—so that they may perish together with him. The lavish rain does not only destroy the fruits, but also lays waste the face of the earth, which bears the fruits; yet there is also a gentle rain, which makes the face of the earth healthy and nurtures and causes to grow the fruits within it. Thus, the lavish rain, by destroying the fruits, kills people, while the gentle rain, through the fruits, brings forth life. There is also a law that is lawless, and a law that is just. The lawless law destroys those who obey it; but the just law not only grants longevity of days, but also becomes a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven for those who submit to it, because it belongs to God. And everyone who loves God loves his law and keeps its precepts; and everyone who keeps the law attains divine possession and knowledge of God. But if those who love the law build walls for themselves, now the wall signifies insensibility and the knowledge of God.

These things alone by nature guard the rational nature. If wealth is the wickedness of the godless, and wise men shall destroy it, it is clear that the righteous and the wise destroy wickedness, through spiritual instruction leading the impure toward virtue. The law does not abhor anyone’s prayer, but the One who gave the law, God, regards the one who turns away his ear and causes the law not to hear as abhorrent. And Paul says: Foreseeing the future, Scripture instead says, “The One who gave Scripture foreknew the future.” The things sown in his heart by the evil one, if he does not declare them to the Lord God or to a God-loving person, will not prosper in the victory over the evil one; but the one who declares them shall be beloved by God and His angels. And James says: Confess your sins to one another, that you may be healed. And the Psalmist says: I will declare my iniquity before me to the Lord, and You forgave the wickedness of my heart. The revenues of the evil king are wickedness and false doctrines; for these things draw near to him those who are ruled by him. Moreover, those who obey the evil one falsely accuse God, because they are subject not to God but to His enemy, the devil. Since God hates the devil because of his evil works, He again, through His own works, exposes humanity to God. And the one who hates to wrong his own soul shall live the long time of the endless age. A man here, a murderer of the devil, he says:

He who becomes surety for injustice guarantees the presence of Satan. When one promises to Satan to deliver the fruits of iniquity—know that a lawless nation is the doctrine of demons, to which the educated son does not submit; by "son" he means the intellect. The one who suspends the mind from slipping into the wickedness of the evil nation, as if placing a savage collar upon it, prepares to receive an incorruptible world from the hand of the Lord as a private treasure for his soul. The one who cleanses himself from passions and labors to keep God’s commandments shall be filled with the bread of life—wisdom and divine knowledge. But the one who wastes leisure in neglecting God’s commandments shall be filled with poverty. Now the merciful, in the age to come, shall be shown mercy by God and become angels; they shall rule over the scoffers and the wealthy impious. Such a dignity the Lord also promised to give His disciples: to seat them on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. A throne is where the mind sits, full of spiritual knowledge, gathering those who have strayed from piety. To judge here means to teach. As also, "Open your mouth with God’s word, and judge all things soundly," means "teach." Moreover, know this: the merciful who overcomes the scoffer shall not himself become a scoffer, but will make the scoffer more merciful. If the impious cease to be impious, they shall become just; for the present destruction is the abolition of impiety.