The Measure of Deeds

The veil is the scourge, covering those who steal and perjure themselves with it. This sickle flies most quickly, coming upon all the earth. And by a second meaning, it flies so that it touches not only those sinning upon the earth, but also those in the air and those being punished for acting impiously everywhere.

In the middle of the house, that is, the ruling principle, the sickle destroys, similarly to the sword that split the judge of Israel who remained adulterously according to Sophronius. For in this word, that he was split in the middle, it signifies the dividing of his ruling principle.

And the angel, the one speaking, came out to the prophet, not remaining within, in order to show the iniquity and the measuring line and the talent of the lead being taken out (Zechariah 5:5-8): 'And the angel, the one speaking with me, came out and said to me: Look up with your eyes and see this one coming out. And I said: What is it? And he said: This is the measuring line coming out. And he said: This is their iniquity in all the land. And behold, a talent of lead is being taken out, and behold, a certain woman sat in the middle of the measuring line. And he said: This is iniquity; and he threw her into the middle of the measuring line and threw the stone of lead into her mouth.' The one speaking, usually an angel, came out to the prophet, not remaining within, in order to show the iniquity and the measuring line and the talent of the lead being taken out. What each of these signifies, it is good for those having understood to observe.

Therefore, the measuring line being shown to come out is the fullness of all wickedness and impiety; which did not previously exist for the Amorites and the rest of the nations, nor did it punish the named nations, suffering punishment when their sins were filled up, with no kind of iniquity being absent, according to that which was said concerning some: 'Woe to a sinful nation, a people full of iniquity' (Isaiah 5:21).

In the same manner, concerning those filled according to Sophronius with adulterous, prudent love, it is said: 'And the two elders came, full of...'

of an intention. And concerning the sorcery of Elymas, the Apostle spoke abruptly, bringing the reproaches most strikingly against him: 'O full of deceit and of all craftiness, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, do you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?' (Acts 13:10). This theory is constructed especially from what the Savior said to those Jews who were speaking: 'If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. So you testify that you are sons of those who killed the prophets; therefore, you also fulfill the measure of your fathers.' (Matthew 23:32).

For even if ten thousand had been killed in a murderous way against the prophets, there remained, in order to complete the measure of the ungodly, the audacity of him who says these things, by which they have branded him on the cross; for only then is the measure of their impiety fulfilled, when they, along with those who prophesied, judged the one prophesied to be dead. Just as there is a measure of sins for those to be punished, so also there is a measure of good works and of mindsets for those who have taken upon themselves a life of diligence and according to godliness.

And this measure is also fulfilled when no just opinion or piety is lacking. Toward these two ranks, both the good and the evil, the Savior said: 'With the measure you measure, it will be measured to you.' For to those who fulfill the measure of that which is praiseworthy, promises are being measured out which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have they risen up upon the heart of man, to be prepared by God for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). But to those who handle deceitful and fraudulent works of both words and thoughts, punishment is brought in accordance with their worth, such as to go out 'into the outer darkness' (Matthew 25:30), and to depart 'into the fire prepared for the devil and his angels' (Matthew 25:41). Realize whether the Savior spoke by both measures or only of the measure of righteous works.