it does not accord with human nature; but
if you in this manner suffer unjustly and do not strike back again,
but let the matter go, it shall come to pass as hereafter follows:

V. 12. _The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are
open to their cry, but the face of the Lord is against those that do
evil._ If you do not revenge yourself and do not repay evil with
evil, there is the Lord in heaven above who cannot tolerate wrong,
wherefore he that does not strike back must have his right. These He
beholds; their prayer reaches His ear; He is our protector and will
not forget us, while if we cannot escape from His eyes, we should
comfort ourselves with the thought:--that is, this should induce a
christian man to endure all injustice with patience, and not return
evil. If I properly reflect, I see that the soul which does me wrong
must burn forever in hell-fire. Therefore a christian heart should
speak on this wise: Dear Father, since this man falls so sadly under
Thy wrath and so miserably throws himself into hell-fire, I pray that
Thou wouldest forgive him, and do to him even as Thou hast done
toward me since Thou hast rescued me from condemnation. But how comes
this? Thus: while He graciously looks down upon the righteous, He
also looks angrily at the wicked, wrinkles His brow and turns it in
indignation upon them; when we know then that He looks upon us
graciously and upon them with disfavor, we ought to suffer ourselves
to pity and mourn for them, and pray for them. Furthermore, St. Peter
says:

V. 13-16. _And who is he that will harm you, if ye follow after that
which is good. Blessed are ye if ye suffer for righteousness' sake,
and be not afraid for their terror, neither be troubled, but sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts. But be ready always to give an answer to
every man who asks the reason of the hope that is in you, with
meekness and fear, and have a good conscience, so that they who speak
of you as evil-doers may be put to shame, that they have falsely
accused your good conduct in Christ._

If we follow after that which is good,--that is, do not reward evil
with evil, but are heartily kind and courteous, etc., then there is
none that can injure us. For though our honor, life and property
should be taken away, we are still uninjured. Hence we have a
blessing that is incomparable,--one that none can take from us. Those
who persecute us have nothing but prosperity on earth, but
thereaft