128 if he is defeated, he must suffer the things you have just told me about, but if he is victorious, he will receive the rewards that I have just mentioned.
129 That is why Moses long ago urged the people to choose life so that they might live.
130 But they did not believe him or the prophets who came after him, and they did not believe me when I spoke to them.
131 So the sadness over their destruction is nothing compared with the great joy over the salvation of those who believe.”
132 I answered, “Sir, I know that God Most High is spoken of as merciful because he shows mercy to those who have not entered this world.
133 He is called compassionate because he shows compassion to those who repent and obey his Law.
134 He is thought of as patient because he is patient with his own creatures who have sinned.