71. for whom there is nonetheless said to be hope, because he was among the chosen, who were given by Jehovah the Father to God the Messiah, as God the Messiah Himself says [John 17: 6]. [Judas] [See also WE 3159-60, continuing the explanation of Gen. 50:20.] 3161. This, too, is so common in human life that nothing could be more so, and it holds good in every particular case as it does in general, namely, that like the devil, mankind also thinks [evil] upon God the Messiah, but God has thought it into good. For the devil is permitted to intend evil, even to bring it forth, in a person, but for the purpose mentioned above [WE 3160], that this evil may be bent and thus turned into good. It sometimes happened to me that within several hours,