The Instructor 1.10.91

This, then, is what David said in prophecy: “As we have heard, so we have seen.” The third part of counsel is drawn from the future, by which he bids us guard against what will come; as it is said: “Those who have fallen into sins will be cast into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” and the like. From this it is plain that the Lord, going through every kind of treatment, calls humanity to salvation. By consolation he soothes sins, lessening desire and at the same time giving hope of salvation. For he says through Ezekiel: “If you turn back with your whole heart and say, Father, I will hear you as a holy people.” And again he says: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” and what follows, which the Lord speaks in his own person. Most clearly he calls to goodness through Solomon, saying: “Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the mortal who has found understanding.” For the good is found by the one who seeks, and is wont to be seen by the one who finds. And through Jeremiah he explains understanding, saying, “Blessed are we, Israel, for what pleases God is known to us”: known through the Word, through whom we are blessed and understanding. For understanding is said to be knowledge through the same prophet, who says, “Hear, O Israel, the commandments of life; give ear to learn understanding.” And through Moses he also promises a gift, out of his love for humankind, to those who hasten to salvation: “And I will bring you into the good land, which the Lord swore to your fathers”; and besides, he says through Isaiah, “And I will bring you to the holy mountain and make you glad.”