Good to those who wait; quiet before providence
For being good toward all he requires the endurance from us. For for the soul that will seek him, the seeking is good—she who would endure undisturbed until the mercy should meet, and not removing until the Lord’s salvation should appear, unto hoping unto another. And perhaps “and he will be quiet” (Lamentations 3:25–26) means not being busybody about the judgments of providence. One must, then, even if we are ignorant, not throw off the Lord’s reins.
Greek
Klagel. Jerem. 3, 25. 26. Πρὸς πάντας γὰρ ὤν ἀγαθὸς τὴν παρ' ἡμῶν ὑπομονὴν ἀπαιτεῖ. τῇ γὰρ ψυχῇ, ἥ ζητήσει αὐτόν, ἀγαθὸν τὸ ζητεῖν, ἤτις ὑπομένοι μὴ ταραττομένη, μέχρι τὸ ἔλεος ἀπαντήσειεν, μηδὲ μεθισταμένη, μέχρι τὸ σωτήριον ἐπιφανείη κυρίου, εἰς τὸ ἐλπίζειν εἰς ἕτερον. ἴσως δὲ καὶ ἡσυχάσει λέγει μὴ πολυπραγμονοῦσα τῆς προνοίας τὰ κρίματα. δεῖ τοίνυν, κἂν ἀγνοῶμεν, μὴ ἀφηνιάσαι κυρίου.
About this text
Origen, Fragments on Lamentations.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.