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14. Behold, I answer to him who asks, "What was God doing
before He made heaven and earth?" I answer not, as a certain person
is reported to have done facetiously (avoiding the pressure of the
question), "He was preparing hell," saith he, "for those who pry
into mysteries." It is one thing to perceive, another to laugh, -
these things I answer not. For more willingly would I have
answered, "I know not what I know not," than that I should make
him a laughing-stock who asketh deep things, and gain praise as one
who answereth false things. But I say that Thou, our God, art the
Creator of every creature; and if by the term "heaven and earth"
every creature is understood, I boldly say, "That before God made
heaven and earth, He made not anything. For if He did, what did
He make unless the creature?" And would that I knew whatever I
desire to know to my advantage, as I know that no creature was made
before any creature was made.
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