Against Celsus 5.31

Then, if anyone can, as in the form of a narrative, which has something true in itself but also indicates something secret, let him see also those who have kept the original language, remaining in the east and in the eastern language because they did not move "from the east"; and let him understand that these alone became the Lord's portion and his people called "Jacob," and became "Israel the lot of his inheritance"; and let these alone be governed by a ruler who did not receive those under him for punishment, as the others did. And let one who is able see, as among human beings, sins arising in the commonwealth of those assigned to the Lord as his distinct portion: at first tolerable, and such that they were not wholly deserving to be forsaken; later more numerous, but still tolerable. And understanding that this went on for a long time, with healing always applied and these people turning back at intervals, let him see them left, in proportion to their sins, to those to whom the other lands fell: at first punished to a lesser degree and paying the penalty, as though disciplined, and returning to their own land; but later let him see them handed over to harsher rulers, as the Scriptures would name them, the Assyrians and then the Babylonians. Then, as healing is applied, let him see them nonetheless increasing their sins, and for this reason scattered by the rulers of the other nations who plunder them among the other portions. And let their ruler deliberately overlook their being plundered by the rulers in the other nations, so that he too, with good reason, as though avenging himself, having received authority to draw away from the other nations whomever he can, may do so, and give them laws and show them a life by which to live, so as to lead them up to the end to which he used to lead those of the former nation who did not sin.