may we be counted worthy of that day of trembling, so that we may not rise to eternal shame, but to eternal life; which may we all be granted to attain, by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father is glory, together with the holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. B
COMMENTARY OF THE BLESSED THEODORET, BISHOP OF CYRUS, ON THE TWELVE PROPHETS
PROŒMIUM
Perhaps some will think that we are doing something superfluous and unnecessary by venturing to interpret the prophets, seeing that certain others have already exhausted this labor. But those who value divine doctrine highly, and who have been perfectly and thoroughly instructed in the holy Scriptures, will not only not be angry with us, nor, like those querulous accusers, will they condemn our undertaking, but they will even applaud it, as is fitting, and even if they find nothing noble in our books, they will adorn them with praises. For a prompt and enthusiastic mind is quite enough among fair judges to garner praise. For thus our Saviour and Lord, in the holy Gospels, extolled that widow who gave two mites, bestowing praise by reason of the condition of her mind, C not by the quantity of the gift. And in the Law, when he had commanded the wealthy to bring gold and silver and precious stones for the construction of the tabernacle, he did not deprive the poor of this blessing, but ordered some to bring skins, others hair; and those who were unable to offer even these contributed their labor and their strength instead, spinning the hair and weaving it. Furthermore, we know that not only was the great Moses D