1 Clem. 39

Senseless and stupid and foolish and ignorant men jeer and mock at us, desiring that they themselves should be exalted in their imaginations.

1Clem 39.1

For what power hath a mortal? or what strength hath a child of earth?

1Clem 39.2

For it is written; There was no form before mine eyes; only I heard a breath and a voice.

1Clem 39.3

What then? Shall a mortal be clean in the sight of the Lord; or shall a man be unblamable for his works? seeing that He is distrustful against His servants and noteth some perversity against His angels.

1Clem 39.4

Nay, the heaven is not clean in His sight. Away then, ye that dwell in houses of clay, whereof, even of the same clay, we ourselves are made. He smote them like a moth, and from morn to even they are no more. Because they could not succor themselves, they perished.

1Clem 39.5

He breathed on them and they died, because they had no wisdom.

1Clem 39.6

But call thou, if perchance one shall obey thee, or if thou shalt see one of the holy angels. For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth him that has gone astray.

1Clem 39.7

And I have seen fools throwing out roots, but forthwith their habitation was eaten up.

1Clem 39.8

Far be their sons from safety. May they be mocked at the gates of inferiors, and there shall be none to deliver them. For the things which are prepared for them, the righteous shall eat; but they themselves shall not be delivered from evils.

1Clem 39.9