First Epistle to the Corinthians
Chapter 39: There is No Reason for Self-Pride
Foolish and inconsiderate men, who have neither wisdom nor instruction, mock and ridicule us, eager to exalt themselves in their own conceits. For what can a mortal man do? Or what strength is there in one made from dust? For it is written, "There was no shape before my eyes, only I heard a sound, and a voice saying, What then? Shall a man be pure before the Lord? Or shall such a one be counted blameless in his deeds, seeing He does not trust His servants and has charged even His angels with perversity? The heaven is not clean in His sight: how much less those who dwell in houses of clay, of which we ourselves were made! He struck them as a moth; and from morning to evening they do not endure. Because they could provide no assistance to themselves, they perished. He breathed upon them, and they died, because they had no wisdom. But call now, if anyone will answer you, or if you will look to any of the holy angels; for wrath destroys the foolish man, and envy kills him that is in error. I have seen the foolish taking root, but their dwelling was quickly consumed. Let their sons be far from safety; let them be despised at the gates of those less than themselves, and there shall be none to rescue. For what was prepared for them, the righteous shall eat; and they shall not be delivered from evil."