Suetonius

Suetonius, in full Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, (born 69 CE, probably Rome [Italy]—died after 122), Roman biographer and antiquarian whose writings in Latin include De viris illustribus (“Concerning Illustrious Men”), a collection of short biographies of celebrated Roman literary figures, and De vita Caesarum (Lives of the Caesars).

In politics, Suetonius describes Caligula as vicious, cruel, and self-absorbed throughout his life to both those of the senatorial class and his close allies alike. While this was true about others like Domitian Suetonius did display a biases sympathy to the Senatorial elite.

Moral breakdown

Suetonius could see the worst of the political corruption and authoritarian abuses of the most powerful but also wrote about Agrippina's incestuous activities with her brother Caligula during his reign (Suet. Calig. 24.1) and Nero's desire for his own mother. But seeing the subtle alterations in cultures is often more difficult to recognize as the thinking of the people changes.

The Roman family which had been the moral fabric of society. It had entwined the lives the Roman people through social bonds of virtue. But because of a growing excess of pride and greed throughout the generations the masses had been degenerating for over a century.

What was causing this decay and rot of the moral degeneration of the once great nation?

What was done and what should have been done?

Forcing the heart

"In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous." Publius Tacitus

The Lex Papia et Poppaea was introduced in Roman law in 9 AD to strengthen the social bonds of marriage. There were provisions against adultery and it even restricted the practice of celibacy in older men. They were facing population collapse for the very reasons Polybius had described in detail concerning the Roman society's devolvement^[2] from the Libera res publica free from tyranny into an indirect democracy a Socialist State establishing again despotism, chaos, and tyranny.

"Lawsuit upon lawsuit had accumulated in all the courts to an excessive degree, since those of long standing were left unsettled though the interruption of court business..."^[3]

Despite the warning of men like Tacitus that, "The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government" there were those who continued to make laws to contain the corruption found growing in the heart and mind of the people:

These feeble legislative attempts to shore up the damage done by their public feasts of legal charity were a continuation of earlier new statutes passed by Augustus Caesar in 18 BC. The Lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus 27 years earlier had already almost required every citizen to marry to fulfill their civil duty.

Lex Julia de maritandis ordinibus had also limited marriage across social class boundaries but set limitations on the rise in concubinage by prohibiting inheritance to its offspring and there by encouraged the bearing of children within legal marriage. Was Rome concerned that "strange wives" were the problem contributing the moral breakdown?

The wealth of individuals grew in Rome under the freedom of the Republic but not always at the expense of personal labor. Julius Caesar after leaving the priesthood to become a general would plunder the neighbors of Rome to enrich their own temples and fill their tables with the dainties provided by the blood of others.

"Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable." Publius Tacitus.

Julius Caesar had also passed reforms with his ‎Lex Julia de repetundis back in 59 BC when he was repeating the basic principles and moralities of the Roman character. Evidently he was missing something by relying on his legislation. Those who wanted to prosecute him for war crimes could not be heard over the clamor to eat at his public feasts.

Julius Caesar would eventually have to pass the Lex Julia municipalis 14 years later in an attempt to reduce the corruption in government institutions while at the same time the social bonds of society degenerated the masses.

What was the the critical precepts of the God and the kingdom of God were the Caesars missing? What was the distinctions between the practices of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets?

What was the gospel of John the Baptist and Jesus who was the Christ and how was it different from the world of the Caesars?

The mention of Chrestus

Suetonius might be mentioning Jesus who was the Christ when he wrote:

"Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus(similar "Christos"), he, [Emperor Claudius] expelled them from Rome." Lives of the Twelve Caesars by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus.

Chrestus

The references of Suetonius (69-122 AD) with the words Chresto and Christiani that is believed to be Christ and Christians gives some extra validity to what appears in copies of Tacitus about Christians. These accounts of the Lives of the Twelve Caesars were published around around AD 120 and can be used by people who feel a need to offer proof that Jesus existed.

Christians for the most part were considered Jews at first. The followers of Jesus who were the followers of "the way"^[4], were first called Christians in Antioch around the A.D. 40s or 50s. They claimed Jesus was proclaimed a king of the Jews^[5] as their king and often did contrary to the decrees of Caesar.^[6]

Claudius and Chresto

There are numerous translations of the early Latin text:

From The Lives of the Twelve Caesars by C. Suetonius Tranquillus

published in the Loeb Classical Library, 1914
The life of Claudius (25)
translated J. C. Rolfe,
Internet Ancient History Sourcebook, ed. Paul Halsall, 1999

"4 Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus,^[7] he expelled them from Rome. He allowed the envoys of the Germans to sit in the orchestra, led by their naïve self-confidence; for when they had been taken to the seats occupied by the common people and saw the Parthian and Armenian envoys sitting with the senate, they moved of their own accord to the same part of the theatre, protesting that their merits and rank were no whit inferior. 5 He utterly abolished the cruel and inhuman religion of the Druids among the Gauls, which under Augustus had merely been prohibited to Roman citizens; on the other hand he even attempted to transfer the Eleusinian rites from Attica to Rome, and had the temple of Venus Erycina in Sicily, which had fallen to ruin through age, restored at the expense of the treasury of the Roman people. He struck his treaties with foreign princes in the Forum, sacrificing a pig⁠ and reciting the ancient formula of the fetial priests.⁠ But these and other acts, and in fact almost the whole conduct of his reign, were dictated not so much by his own judgment as that of his wives and freedmen, since he nearly always acted in accordance with their interests and desires."(Latin)^[8]

Alternate translation"He drove out from Rome the Jews who stirred up by Chrestus continually caused unrest." From the work The Lives of the Caesars by the Roman historian Suetonius, also called the The Twelve Caesars found in (Claudius 25) translated from the Loeb Classical Library edition, specifically the translation by J.C. Rolfe.

This was in the biography of the Emperor Divus Claudius^[9], which refers to agitations in the Roman Jewish community and the expulsion of Jews from Rome by Claudius during his reign (AD 41 to AD 54), which may be the same expulsion mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles 18:2.

Nero and Christians

In Nero 16, Suetonius writes of executive orders signed by the Emperator Nero to maintain public order. He halted chariot races because there was belief the drivers were cheating which lead to riots. Also there were forms of lockdowns that affected serving of cooked foods in taverns and the distribution of public welfare(Public banquets, such as the civic feasts offered for all of the inhabitants of a city or epulum a "public feast"). Some of the food given to the poor was being sold in taverns because the poor exchanged it for drink including wine, Cannabis and opium.

Tertullian(160-240 AD) wrote of Nero being the first Emperor to murder Christians: "We read the lives of the Cæsars: At Rome Nero was the first who stained with blood the rising faith" Tertullian, Chapter XV. He depended upon the writings of Suetonius to make this comment.

From The Lives of the Twelve Caesars by C. Suetonius Tranquillus

published in the Loeb Classical Library, 1914
The life of Nero

16,2 "During his reign many abuses were severely punished and put down, and no fewer new laws were made: a limit was set to expenditures; the public banquets were confined to a distribution of food; the sale of any kind of cooked viands in the taverns was forbidden, with the exception of pulse and vegetables, whereas before every sort of dainty was exposed for sale.⁠45 Punishment was inflicted on the Christians, a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition. He put an end to the diversions of the chariot drivers, who from immunity of long standing claimed the right of ranging at large and amusing themselves by cheating and robbing the people. The pantomimic actors and their partisans were banished from the city."(Latin)^[10]

Another translation of that Latin statement by Suetonius can be produced because the Latin term "maleficus", meaning "evil-doing" or "wicked" and "afflicti suppliciis" is a Latin phrase that translates to "afflicted with punishments" or "punished with tortures". .

"Christians, a race(kind) of men afflicted with punishments, are possessed by a new and evil superstition;"

Bias of historians

Christians are mentioned in Suetonius' biography of the Emperor Nero (Nero 16) as among those persecuted by him around AD 64 which was the year of the Great Fire of Rome. In this passage Suetonius describes Christianity and its excessive religiosity using the term superstitio as do others like Tacitus and Pliny.

At first there was little distinction between Christians and Jews prior to Nerva's modification of the Fiscus Judaicus in AD 96.

What is the source and cause of their contempt, bias, and bigotry toward Christians?

If we understand that writers like Suetonius and Tacitus had a bias for the Senate who were the Consctipi Patri, Conscripted Fathers, and Christians would call no man father upon the earth because of the directive of their King.^[11]

He was also high priest which why he was to be called the Son of God instead of Caesar who was also called the Son of God. The government of Rome obtained more and more power because they offered more and more gifts, gratuities, and benefits. This would of course ruin Rome the Republic, degenerate the masses who lined up for free bread and become the foundation for a Christian conflict.

This idea that eating the free bread provided at the tables of the Imperial Cult of Rome was some how immoral was an insult to Romans just as it would be to the people dependent on the welfare State today.

Religio et superstitio

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the Younger, has been reported as saying, "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." While I have not found that quote he does makes a distinction between these two Latin words "Religio et superstitio quid differant" that are each sometimes translated as “religion”. The first is regarded as virtue and the other vice.^[12]

Pious Piety

Pious is an adjective describing a person who is deeply devoted while piety can specifically refer to devotion to one's family (filial piety). The word piety has a direct relationship to the rights of a father through the concept of that filial piety, which emphasizes duties like respect, honor, and care for parents. Judeo-Christian values include "Honor your father and mother" commandment which means to care for your father and mother and not go the the Fathers of the earth.

To Seneca, being pious meant living in harmony with universal Reason (Logos). That Logos of Christ said to call no man "Father". The Logos of Christ which is the word of God has always warned of the dainties of Rulers, the snare and trap of coveting his rewards.

"... religio denotes the pious and sound worship of the gods, whereas superstitio stands for instrumental worship as a result of unreasoning fear."^[13]

Enlightened view

" religio becomes obligation, an objective bond" according to Seneca and Cicero and later Christian authors like Lactantius and St. Augustine. But while some see the obligation as enforceable in public religion which create the bands of Civil government others see the love and charity of Christian practices establishing Social bonds between the believers and their God.

"But it was the enlightened view, the philosophic view of the rationalizing Romans which dissociated religio ‘religious scruple’, authentic worship, from superstitio, a degraded and perverted form of religion." Chapter 7: Religion and Superstition

The Ionic Greek term thrēskeíē is unknown in Attic Greek appearing in the first century B.C. a complex system of beliefs and practices can be considered religion as in the performance of a duty. The nature of that duty may differ.

There has always been a duty connected to religion and the means and method of enforcement determines the nature of that religion. The genius of Caesar was different than that of Christ and what He called the weightier matters. To do what Christ commanded the early Church to do nurtures the Social virtues that appear in true fellowship described by Paul and the apostles who considered faith with out the works was dead. Polybius points out that it is our appetite and avarice that degenerates the masses and ushers in the tyrants.

Why Persecute Christians

Seneca

“ ...[Philosophy’s] sole function is to discover the truth about things divine and things human. From her side religion never departs, nor duty, nor justice, nor any of the whole company of virtues which cling together in close-united fellowship. Philosophy has taught us to worship that which is divine, to love that which is human; she has told us that with the gods lies dominion, and among men, fellowship. This fellowship remained unspoiled for a long time, until avarice tore the community asunder and became the cause of poverty, even in the case of those whom she herself had most enriched. For men cease to possess all things the moment they desire all things for their own.” ^[14]

Superstition is a belief in the mind, an ideology, while religion is the performance of a duty and pure Religion is the performance of that duty unspotted by the men and means of the world who exercise authority.^[15]

A New cult and Cicero

A cult included the doing and performing of tasks, duties and obligations.

Cicero explained in his own words^[16], Those who recite and reread what is written about worship of gods are called religious, as discriminating from their choosing, and loving from their love(The term love means being diligent, attentive, or industrious). ^[17]

But the Imperial Cult of Rome was civil in nature and failure to participate in their public religion was punishable by their civil power and its exercising authority.^[15]

It was the same as the Corban of Herod and the Pharisees.

Suetonius New Cult

Suetonius can speak of 'Christians' as members of a new cult that was doing contrary to the Imperial Cult of Rome. Those who had become accustomed to funding their temples with the immoral practices of forcing the contributions of others and counted as strangers, so that the masses could continue to live at the expense of others had their conscience seared.^[18]

They could not see the Logos of Christ. It simply seemed to be a superstition to them. They did not see the wisdom of government by the perfect law of liberty. They did not understand the Leaven of their own system and its consequences and considered the warnings of Christ.^[19]

Public Cults

Romans, like the first Americans, in their early history, in their youth as a nation had considered taxing others for their personal benefit or gain as an immoral practice.

In the days of the Libera res publica of early Rome there was no Imperial Cult of Rome but there was social virtues and the “Summum Bonum”.

Polybius had, centuries earlier, warned Rome and us of the consequences to the masses who engage in such covetous practices. Plutarch had also warned that those benefits and dainties destroy liberty.^[20] David, Paul, all the Prophets to say nothing of Proverbs explained that such systems of social welfare would be a snare.^[21]

Jesus said such covetous^[22] systems like the Corban of Herod and the pharisees made the word of God to none effect.

Suetonius, Tacitus, FDR, and modern Christians did not or do not see that those benefits were and are not only the wages of unrighteousness but they erode the social bonds required to maintain freedom and even their liberties.^[20]

It was the system of religion fostered by the Romans that brought the seed of corruption, first to the heart and mind of the people and then to their governors, rulers and despots. They knew that religion was a way to fulfil a duty to God or gods and their fellow man but it was the means and the method that would eat away at the soul of society and sear their conscience.

The distinction was the unwillingness of some to sign up for the social welfare systems of legal charity run through the temples of Rome because because they had instituted the rule of force and covetous practices and therefore were seen as idolatry.^[23]

↑ The jus trium liberorum was a reward gained by compliance with the Lex Iulia and Papia Poppea. The privilege concerned both sexes, but impacted women more. It included exemption from various charges, such as that of guardianship, and a prior claim to magistracies
↑ "Evolve" conveys the notion of progression, moving forward: "a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state". "Devolve" conveys the notion of regression, going backwards or down: "a downward evolution to a lower state."(Merrian-Webster).
↑ THE LIVES OF THE CAESARS, Suetonius, THE DEIFIED VESPASIAN X. .
↑ Taketh away life
Genesis 3:24 "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."

Exodus 32:8 "They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 5:33 "Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess."

Proverbs 15:27 "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."

Proverbs 1:19 "So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; [which] taketh away the life of the owners thereof."

Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."

Micah 2:1 "Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2 And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.3 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time [is] evil."

Luke 12:23 "The life is more than meat, and the body [is more] than raiment."

Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Mark 12:14 "And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"

John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly."

John 10:17 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again."

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Acts 18:25 "This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John."

2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way."

2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."

1 John 3:16 "Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren."
↑ Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. : John 19:19 ¶ And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
↑ Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.
↑ Another form of Christus; see Tertullian Apology 3 (at the end). It is uncertain whether Suetonius is guilty of an error in chronology or is referring to some Jew of that name. The former seems probable because of the absence of quodam (Latin word that can mean "in a certain way" (adverb) or "a certain" (adjective)). Tacitus Ann. 15.44, uses the correct form, Christus, and states that He was executed in the reign of Tiberius.
↑ 4 Iudaeos impulsore Chresto assidue tumultuantisº Roma expulit. Germanorum legatis in orchestra sedere permisit, simplicitate eorum et fiducia commotus, quod in popularia deducti, cum animadvertissent Parthos et Armenios sedentis in senatu, ad eadem loca sponte transierant, nihilo deteriorem virtutem aut condicionem suam praedicantes. 5 Druidarum⁠38 religionem apud Gallos dirae immanitatis et tantum civibus sub Augusto interdictam penitus abolevit; contra sacra Eleusinia etiam transferre ex Attica Romam conatus est, templumque in Sicilia Veneris Erycinae vetustate conlapsum ut ex aerario pop. R. reficeretur, auctor fuit. Cum regibus foedus in Foro icit⁠39 porca caesa ac vetere fetialium praefatione adhibita. Sed et haec et cetera totumque adeo ex parte magna principatum non tam suo quam uxorum libertorumque arbitrio administravit, talis ubique plerumque, qualem esse eum aut expediret illis aut liberet.
↑ The Temple of Divus Claudius is located on the Celio hill, next to the Colosseum. Claudius did not call himself the "son of God" or "Divi filius" like many other emperors. He used filius Drusi.
↑ Multa sub eo et animadversa severe et coercita nec minus instituta: adhibitus sumptibus modus; publicae cenae ad sportulas redactae; interdictum ne quid in popinis cocti praeter legumina aut holera veniret, cum antea nullum non obsonii genus proponeretur; afflicti suppliciis Christiani, genus hominum superstitionis novae ac maleficae; vetiti quadrigariorum lusus, quibus inveterata licentia passim vagantibus fallere ac furari per iocum ius erat; pantomimorum factiones cum ipsis simul relegatae.
↑ Matthew 23:9 "And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
↑ “ON MERCY, II. xv. 4-v. 4 strictness we fall into cruelty, under the guise of mercy into pity. In the latter case a lighter risk is involved, it is true, but the error is equal in both, since in both we fall short of what is right. Consequently, just as religion does honour to the gods, while superstition wrongs them, so good men will all display mercy and gentleness, but pity they will avoid; for it is the failing of a weak nature that succumbs to the sight of others' ills. And so it is most often seen in the poorest types of persons; there are old women and wretched females who are moved by the tears of the worst criminals, who, if they could, would break open their prison. Pity regards the plight, not the cause of it; mercy is combined with reason.
I am aware that among the ill-informed the Stoic school is unpopular on the ground that it is excessively harsh and not at all likely to give good counsel to princes and kings; the criticism is made that it does not permit a wise man to be pitiful, does not permit him to pardon. Such doctrine, if stated in the abstract, is hateful; for, seemingly, no hope is left to human error, but all failures are brought to punishment. And if this is so, what kind of a theory is it that bids us unlearn the lesson of humanity, and closes the surest refuge against ill- fortune, the haven of mutual help?” Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the Younger , De Clementia On Mercy , II. iv. 4-v. 4
↑ Religio and Superstitio Reconsidered Dr. René Gothón
↑ Moral letters to Lucilius by Seneca, Letter XC. On the Part Played by Philosophy in the Progress of Man
↑ ^15.0 ^15.1 Not exercise authority
Matthew 20:25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:..."

Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."

Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."
↑ "Qui autem omnia quae ad cultum deorum pertinerent diligenter retractarent et tamquam relegerent
(But those who diligently reexamined and, as it were, reread everything that pertained to the worship of the gods),
sunt dicti religiosi ex relegendo ut elegantes ex eligendo, ex diligendo diligentes
(They are called religious from reading, as elegant(Discriminating) from choosing, loving from loving).
His enim in verbis omnibus inest vis legendi eadem quae in religioso.
(For in all these words there is the same power of reading as in religious.)
De natura deorum II, 28, 72 by Cicero.
De Natura Deorum is a philosophical dialogue by Roman Academic Skeptic philosopher Cicero written in 45 BC.
↑ ‘Those who rehandled (retractarent) diligently and so to speak relegerent all the things which relate to the worship of the gods(ad cultum deorum), were called religiosi from relegere, like elegantes from eligere and diligentes from diligere. All these words have in fact the same sense of legere as religiosus.’
↑ A conscience seared
1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Jeremiah 5:21 "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

[2 Peter 2]]:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. :

2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Ephesians 4:17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
↑ Beware of that leaven
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees... 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."
↑ ^20.0 ^20.1
Destroyers of liberty
"That the man who first ruined the Roman people twas he who first gave them treats and gratuities. But this mischief crept secretly and gradually in, and did not openly make it's appearance in Rome for a considerable time." Plutarch's Life of Coriolanus (c. 100 AD.) This would include Julius Caesar and eventually Augustus Caesar which is why Plutarch also reported, “The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations, and benefits.” This was a major theme of the Bible:

There were tables of welfare which were both snares and a traps as David and Paul stated and Peter warned would make us merchandise and curse children. Proverbs 23 told us not to not eat the "dainties" offered at those tables of Rulers and Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 we cannot eat of those tables and the table of the Lord. We are not to consent to their covetous systems of One purse or Corban which makes the word of God to none effect.

We know when the masses become accustomed to those benefits of legal charity which are the rewards of unrighteousness provided by benefactors who exercise authority and the Fathers of the earth through the covetous practices that makes men merchandise and curse children as a surety for debt.
- We should know, "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it...". Abraham Lincoln But that alteration must begin with ourselves.
↑
Table as a snare
Psalms 69:22-23 “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.”

Romans 11:9 “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:”

Proverbs 23:1 "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat."

Exodus 23:32 "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."

Exodus 34:12 "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:"

Deuteronomy 7:16 "And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee."

Judges 2:2 "And ye shall make no league [covenant] with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?"

Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

Proverbs 6:2 “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.” Swear not

Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth."

1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
- "Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?" Isaiah 40:21 is about the message of John the Baptist who was "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" Isaiah 40:3 (To avoid the "snare" of the legal charity of the welfare state which makes the word of God to none effect bringing mankind and their children back into captivity as human resources.
↑ Covet not
Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour’s."

Deuteronomy 5:21 "Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour’s."

Micah 2:2 "And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage." Property and inheritance tax.

Habakkuk 2:9 "Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! 10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. 11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. 12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!"

Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD."

Mark 7:20 "And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

Romans 7:7 "What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."

Romans 13:9 "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

1 Corinthians 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." See Not inherit the kingdom

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." See Not inherit the kingdom

2 Timothy 3:2 "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

2 Peter 2:14 "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"

Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
↑
Covetousness is idolatry
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
- For it is written that the tables of dainties provided by rulers of the world are a snare because they cause the masses to bite one another through government systems of legal charity which are covetous practices which are a form of fornication or adultery where the people are devoured as merchandise, curse children and are "entangled again in the yoke of bondage" with the aid of the false religion of the whore who rides the beast.

[1] The jus trium liberorum was a reward gained by compliance with the Lex Iulia and Papia Poppea. The privilege concerned both sexes, but impacted women more. It included exemption from various charges, such as that of guardianship, and a prior claim to magistracies

[2] "Evolve" conveys the notion of progression, moving forward: "a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state". "Devolve" conveys the notion of regression, going backwards or down: "a downward evolution to a lower state."(Merrian-Webster).

[3] THE LIVES OF THE CAESARS, Suetonius, THE DEIFIED VESPASIAN X. .

[takeaw-4] Taketh away life
Genesis 3:24 "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."

Exodus 32:8 "They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 5:33 "Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess."

Proverbs 15:27 "He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."

Proverbs 1:19 "So [are] the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; [which] taketh away the life of the owners thereof."

Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."

Micah 2:1 "Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. 2 And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.3 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time [is] evil."

Luke 12:23 "The life is more than meat, and the body [is more] than raiment."

Mark 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Mark 12:14 "And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"

John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly."

John 10:17 "Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again."

John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Acts 18:25 "This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John."

2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way."

2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."

1 John 3:16 "Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren."

[5] Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. : John 19:19 ¶ And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

[6] Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.

[7] Another form of Christus; see Tertullian Apology 3 (at the end). It is uncertain whether Suetonius is guilty of an error in chronology or is referring to some Jew of that name. The former seems probable because of the absence of quodam (Latin word that can mean "in a certain way" (adverb) or "a certain" (adjective)). Tacitus Ann. 15.44, uses the correct form, Christus, and states that He was executed in the reign of Tiberius.

[8] 4 Iudaeos impulsore Chresto assidue tumultuantisº Roma expulit. Germanorum legatis in orchestra sedere permisit, simplicitate eorum et fiducia commotus, quod in popularia deducti, cum animadvertissent Parthos et Armenios sedentis in senatu, ad eadem loca sponte transierant, nihilo deteriorem virtutem aut condicionem suam praedicantes. 5 Druidarum⁠38 religionem apud Gallos dirae immanitatis et tantum civibus sub Augusto interdictam penitus abolevit; contra sacra Eleusinia etiam transferre ex Attica Romam conatus est, templumque in Sicilia Veneris Erycinae vetustate conlapsum ut ex aerario pop. R. reficeretur, auctor fuit. Cum regibus foedus in Foro icit⁠39 porca caesa ac vetere fetialium praefatione adhibita. Sed et haec et cetera totumque adeo ex parte magna principatum non tam suo quam uxorum libertorumque arbitrio administravit, talis ubique plerumque, qualem esse eum aut expediret illis aut liberet.

[9] The Temple of Divus Claudius is located on the Celio hill, next to the Colosseum. Claudius did not call himself the "son of God" or "Divi filius" like many other emperors. He used filius Drusi.

[10] Multa sub eo et animadversa severe et coercita nec minus instituta: adhibitus sumptibus modus; publicae cenae ad sportulas redactae; interdictum ne quid in popinis cocti praeter legumina aut holera veniret, cum antea nullum non obsonii genus proponeretur; afflicti suppliciis Christiani, genus hominum superstitionis novae ac maleficae; vetiti quadrigariorum lusus, quibus inveterata licentia passim vagantibus fallere ac furari per iocum ius erat; pantomimorum factiones cum ipsis simul relegatae.

[11] Matthew 23:9 "And call no [man] your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."

[12] “ON MERCY, II. xv. 4-v. 4 strictness we fall into cruelty, under the guise of mercy into pity. In the latter case a lighter risk is involved, it is true, but the error is equal in both, since in both we fall short of what is right. Consequently, just as religion does honour to the gods, while superstition wrongs them, so good men will all display mercy and gentleness, but pity they will avoid; for it is the failing of a weak nature that succumbs to the sight of others' ills. And so it is most often seen in the poorest types of persons; there are old women and wretched females who are moved by the tears of the worst criminals, who, if they could, would break open their prison. Pity regards the plight, not the cause of it; mercy is combined with reason.
I am aware that among the ill-informed the Stoic school is unpopular on the ground that it is excessively harsh and not at all likely to give good counsel to princes and kings; the criticism is made that it does not permit a wise man to be pitiful, does not permit him to pardon. Such doctrine, if stated in the abstract, is hateful; for, seemingly, no hope is left to human error, but all failures are brought to punishment. And if this is so, what kind of a theory is it that bids us unlearn the lesson of humanity, and closes the surest refuge against ill- fortune, the haven of mutual help?” Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the Younger , De Clementia On Mercy , II. iv. 4-v. 4

[13] Religio and Superstitio Reconsidered Dr. René Gothón

[14] Moral letters to Lucilius by Seneca, Letter XC. On the Part Played by Philosophy in the Progress of Man

[exauth-15] 15.0 ^15.1 Not exercise authority
Matthew 20:25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you:..."

Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you:..."

Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye [shall] not [be] so:..."

[16] "Qui autem omnia quae ad cultum deorum pertinerent diligenter retractarent et tamquam relegerent
(But those who diligently reexamined and, as it were, reread everything that pertained to the worship of the gods),
sunt dicti religiosi ex relegendo ut elegantes ex eligendo, ex diligendo diligentes
(They are called religious from reading, as elegant(Discriminating) from choosing, loving from loving).
His enim in verbis omnibus inest vis legendi eadem quae in religioso.
(For in all these words there is the same power of reading as in religious.)
De natura deorum II, 28, 72 by Cicero.
De Natura Deorum is a philosophical dialogue by Roman Academic Skeptic philosopher Cicero written in 45 BC.

[17] ‘Those who rehandled (retractarent) diligently and so to speak relegerent all the things which relate to the worship of the gods(ad cultum deorum), were called religiosi from relegere, like elegantes from eligere and diligentes from diligere. All these words have in fact the same sense of legere as religiosus.’

[Searedc-18] A conscience seared
1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Jeremiah 5:21 "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

[2 Peter 2]]:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. :

2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Ephesians 4:17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

[bewarelev-19] Beware of that leaven
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees... 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."

[desliberty-20] 20.0 ^20.1 Destroyers of liberty
"That the man who first ruined the Roman people twas he who first gave them treats and gratuities. But this mischief crept secretly and gradually in, and did not openly make it's appearance in Rome for a considerable time." Plutarch's Life of Coriolanus (c. 100 AD.) This would include Julius Caesar and eventually Augustus Caesar which is why Plutarch also reported, “The real destroyers of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations, and benefits.” This was a major theme of the Bible:

There were tables of welfare which were both snares and a traps as David and Paul stated and Peter warned would make us merchandise and curse children. Proverbs 23 told us not to not eat the "dainties" offered at those tables of Rulers and Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 we cannot eat of those tables and the table of the Lord. We are not to consent to their covetous systems of One purse or Corban which makes the word of God to none effect.

We know when the masses become accustomed to those benefits of legal charity which are the rewards of unrighteousness provided by benefactors who exercise authority and the Fathers of the earth through the covetous practices that makes men merchandise and curse children as a surety for debt.

We should know, "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it...". Abraham Lincoln But that alteration must begin with ourselves.

[21] We should know, "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it...". Abraham Lincoln But that alteration must begin with ourselves.

[snaretrap-21] Table as a snare
Psalms 69:22-23 “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.”

Romans 11:9 “And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:”

Proverbs 23:1 "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: 2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat."

Exodus 23:32 "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee."

Exodus 34:12 "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:"

Deuteronomy 7:16 "And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee."

Judges 2:2 "And ye shall make no league [covenant] with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?"

Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

Proverbs 6:2 “Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.” Swear not

Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth."

1 Timothy 6:9 "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

"Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?" Isaiah 40:21 is about the message of John the Baptist who was "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" Isaiah 40:3 (To avoid the "snare" of the legal charity of the welfare state which makes the word of God to none effect bringing mankind and their children back into captivity as human resources.

[23] "Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?" Isaiah 40:21 is about the message of John the Baptist who was "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" Isaiah 40:3 (To avoid the "snare" of the legal charity of the welfare state which makes the word of God to none effect bringing mankind and their children back into captivity as human resources.

[covetnot-22] Covet not
Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour’s."

Deuteronomy 5:21 "Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour’s."

Micah 2:2 "And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage." Property and inheritance tax.

Habakkuk 2:9 "Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! 10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. 11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. 12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!"

Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD."

Mark 7:20 "And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

Romans 7:7 "What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."

Romans 13:9 "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

1 Corinthians 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." See Not inherit the kingdom

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." See Not inherit the kingdom

2 Timothy 3:2 "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

2 Peter 2:14 "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"

Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"

[Isidolatry-23] Covetousness is idolatry
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

For it is written that the tables of dainties provided by rulers of the world are a snare because they cause the masses to bite one another through government systems of legal charity which are covetous practices which are a form of fornication or adultery where the people are devoured as merchandise, curse children and are "entangled again in the yoke of bondage" with the aid of the false religion of the whore who rides the beast.

[26] For it is written that the tables of dainties provided by rulers of the world are a snare because they cause the masses to bite one another through government systems of legal charity which are covetous practices which are a form of fornication or adultery where the people are devoured as merchandise, curse children and are "entangled again in the yoke of bondage" with the aid of the false religion of the whore who rides the beast.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

Suetonius

Contents

Suetonius

Moral breakdown

Forcing the heart

The mention of Chrestus

Chrestus

Claudius and Chresto

Nero and Christians

Bias of historians

Religio et superstitio

Pious Piety

Enlightened view

Why Persecute Christians

Seneca

A New cult and Cicero

Suetonius New Cult

Public Cults

Navigation menu

Suetonius

Suetonius

Moral breakdown

Forcing the heart

The mention of Chrestus

Chrestus

Claudius and Chresto

Nero and Christians

Bias of historians

Religio et superstitio

Pious Piety

Enlightened view

Why Persecute Christians

Seneca

A New cult and Cicero

Suetonius New Cult

Public Cults

Navigation menu

Search