Demonstrations

² And when I saw that he was blaspheming and speaking much against the Way (the Christian religion), my mind was disturbed, and I understood that he would not admit the interpretation of the words that he quoted to me. Then I also questioned him on sayings from the Law and from the Prophets, and said to him:— Do you trust that even when you are dispersed God is with you? And he professed to me, “God is with us, because that God said unto Israel:— Even in the lands of their enemies, I yet did not forsake them, nor did I make void My covenant with them.” In answer I said to him:— “Right good is this that I have heard from you, that God is with you.

Against your words will I also speak unto you. For I said the Prophet said unto Israel, as from the mouth of God:— If you shall pass through the sea, I will be with you, and the rivers shall not overflow you; and if you shall walk upon fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not search you; because the Lord your God is with you. Thus there is not one righteous and good and wise man out of all your people, who could pass through the sea and live and not be drowned; or (through) the river without its overflowing him; or who could walk over fire and see whether he would not be scorched and whether the flame would not burn him.

And if you shall bring to me an explanation, I will not be persuaded by you, just as you also do not accept from me the interpretation of the words as to which you have questioned me.”