Dialogue with Trypho

Because of this cleansing of repentance and knowledge of God, which has been established due to the sins of God's people, as Isaiah declares, we have believed and testify that this very baptism he spoke of is the only thing that can purify those who have repented; and this is the water of life. But the cisterns you have made for yourselves are broken and useless. What is the purpose of that baptism which only cleanses the flesh and body? Cleanse the soul from wrath, covetousness, envy, and hatred; and behold, the body will be pure. This is the symbolic meaning of unleavened bread—that you do not do the old deeds of wicked leaven. But you have understood everything in a physical sense, thinking it is piety to do such things, while your souls are filled with deceit and every kind of wickedness. Therefore, after the seven days of eating unleavened bread, God commanded them to mix in new leaven, meaning the performance of new works, not the imitation of old, evil deeds. Because this is what the new Lawgiver demands, I will again reference the words I have quoted, and others which have been overlooked. They are given by Isaiah in this way: 'Listen to me, and your soul shall live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David. Look, I have made Him a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the nations. Nations that do not know you shall call upon you; and peoples who do not know you shall run to you, because of your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you. Seek God; and call on Him while He is near you. Let the wicked abandon his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and he will receive mercy, because He will generously pardon your sins. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways; as far as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. As the snow or rain falls from heaven and does not return without watering the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, and providing seed for the sower and bread for food, so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth: it will not return void but will accomplish what I desire, and fulfill My purpose. You will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the cypress, and instead of briers will grow the myrtle. And the Lord's renown will be for an everlasting sign, and He will not fail!'

Some of these words written by the prophets, O Trypho," I said, "refer to the first coming of Christ, when He was portrayed as humble, obscure, and mortal; but others refer to His second coming, when He will appear in glory above the clouds, and your nation will see and recognize Him whom they pierced, as foretold by Hosea, one of the twelve prophets, and Daniel.