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close with these words:] But this will I say for the strengthening of our faith. For the Jews will not let this pride and this glory of their nobility and blood be taken away from them, as said above. They are hardened.

Our people, however, should be on their guard against these hardened, condemned people (who accuse God of lying and proudly despise the whole world), that they be not misled. For the Jews would gladly entice us to accept their faith and do so wherever they can. For if God should be gracious toward the Jews, they first would have to do away out of their schools, out of their hearts, and out of their mouths, all such blasphemous prayers and songs, and the boasting and pride about their blood. For such prayer constantly increases God’s wrath upon them. But they will not do this, nor humble themselves, except a few individuals whom God draws especially and redeems them from their terrible destruction.

EXALT THEMSELVES

The other boast and superiority, on account of which they exalt themselves above all other people and despise them, is this: that from Abraham on down

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