Chapter 70

¹ Man, therefore, must not resist the will of God. For whether we live, we live to the Lord; or whether we die, we die to the Lord; whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

² He delivered Jonah from the belly of the sea-monster, since he willed it.

³ He delivered Peter also from the hand of Herod, leading him out of the prison, since he willed that this man too should still live; in due time he took him to himself when he had been crucified for the Name, when he himself willed it.

⁴ He delivered Paul from many dangers, since he willed it; he took him to himself when he had been beheaded after a time, this man too when he willed it.

⁵ He allowed Stephen to be stoned by the Jews. But when he had endured, he crowned him.

⁶ How were you going to bear testimony as a martyr today, if those men had not first borne testimony and been counted blessed?

⁷ You have, then, in the Old Testament many who bore testimony as martyrs and many also who were delivered, so that it might be shown that there is one and the same God, both of old and now, having authority to do with his servants whatever he wills.

⁸ But let us come also to the King of glory himself and speak concerning the Son of God. Was God not able to deliver his Christ, that he might not be handed over to the Jews? Yes, he was able; but he allowed him to suffer, so that we might live through the death of his cross. And for this reason the Lord, knowing the will of God, said: “Father, not my will, but yours be done.”