Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 61 / §§189–193

Printed page 61 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §189, §190, §191, §192, §193. The opening continues §188 from the preceding page. and punishest such as deserve punishment more gently than{1} they deserve, thou wilt turn them from wickedness and lead them to repentance." (2) The king praised his reply, and asked the next one how he should behave in all his actions.{2} And he replied that if he maintained just dealings with all men, he would act in all things for his best interest,{3} considering that every thought is clear to God. " By taking the fear of God for thy starting-point, thou wilt never be disappointed." (3) To him too he gave his cordial assent, and asked another how he could keep his friends like-minded with himself. And he said, " If they see thee taking great forethought for the multitudes over whom thou rulest; and this thou wilt do by observing how God does good to the human race, in that He provides them with health and food and all else in due season."{4} (4) He expressed his approval, and asked the next, how when he held his audiences and sat in judgement, he might obtain a good report even from such as failed in their suits. And he said, " If thou art impartial in speech to all alike and never dealest arrogantly nor tyrannically with offenders. And this thou wilt do if thou beholdest the ordering of God's ways. The deserving have their petitions fulfilled, while to such as fail to obtain them the harmful nature _of their requests_ is made known through dreams or events, and God does not smite them according to their sins nor according to the greatness of His might, but uses forbearance." (5) After highly commending him, he asked his neighbour how he might be invincible in warfare. And he TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 61 {1} Text emended: MSS "as they deserve." {2} Or, inserting one word, "do everything _for the best_" (Wendland). {3} Text uncertain. Perhaps "if he kept himself just towards all, he would act well upon every occasion." {4} Cf. § 259; also Ps. c[letters abraded]v. 15, civ. 27; Acts xiv. 17, xvii. 25. TRANSCRIPTION CAUTIONS (2026, editorial) - Source abrasion in apparatus is visibly labelled in square brackets rather than filled from another edition or inferred citation.