35
For in truth there is no man among them that be born who hath not dealt wickedly, and among the faithful there is none who hath not done amiss.
36
For in this, O Lord, Thy righteousness and Thy goodness shall be declared, if Thou be merciful unto them that have not the confidence of good works."
37
Then answered He me and said, "Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be.
38
For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them that have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction;
39
but I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation and the reward that they shall have.
40
As I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.Œ
41
For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground and planteth many trees, and yet the thing that is sown well in his season cometh not up, neither doth all that is planted take root, even so it is of them that are sown in the world: they shall not all be saved."
42
I answered then and said, "If I have found grace, let me speak.
43
As the husbandman's seed perisheth if it come not up, and receive not Thy rain in due season, or if there come too much rain and corrupt it,
44
even so perisheth man also, who is formed with Thy hands and is called Thine own image, because Thou art like unto him, for whose sake Thou hast made all things, and likened him unto the husbandman's seed.
45
Be not wroth with us, but spare Thy people and have mercy upon Thine own inheritance; for Thou art merciful unto Thy creature."