Chapter 20: Myth—Politics Doesn’t Matter

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“They not only take away thankfulness from others, but, carried away by the boasts of those who know nothing of

goodness, they even assume that they will escape the evil- hating justice of God, who always sees everything.” Additions to Esther 16:4 NRSV

“Therefore those who utter unrighteous things will not escape notice, and justice, when it punishes, will not pass them by.” Wisdom 1:8 NRSV

“If, then, it is evident that reason rules over those emotions

that hinder self-control, namely, gluttony and lust, it is also clear that it masters the emotions that hinder one from justice, such as malice, and those that stand in the way of courage, namely anger, fear, and pain.”

4 Macc. 1:3-4 NRSV

“For reason does not rule its own emotions, but those that are opposed to justice, courage, and self-control; and it is

not for the purpose of destroying them, but so that one may not give way to them.” 4 Macc. 1:6 NRSV

“Now the kinds of wisdom are rational judgment, justice,

courage, and self-control.” 4 Macc. 1:18 NRSV

“You scoff at our philosophy as though living by it were irrational, but it teaches us self-control, so that we master

all pleasures and desires, and it also trains us in courage, so that we endure any suffering willingly; it instructs us in justice, so that in all our dealings we act impartially, and it teaches us piety, so that with proper reverence we worship

the only living God.” 4 Macc. 5:22-24 NRSV

Injustice is rooted in lies and the lack of self-control. You were taught in the last chapter that God expects you to exert self-control over your sins.

That includes the sins of lies and bearing false witness, which are mortal in nature. Yet you must return to knowledge of God if you want safety.