David Given Schwarm

“But Adam did not wish to say, “I sinned,” but said rather the

contrary of this and placed the blame for the transgression upon

God Who created everything “very good,” saying to Him, “The woman

whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I

ate.” And after him she also placed the blame upon the serpent,

and they did not wish at all to repent and, falling down before

the Lord God, beg forgiveness of Him. For this, God banished them

from Paradise, as from a royal palace, to live in this world as

exiles. At that time also He decreed that a flaming sword should

be turned and should guard the entrance into Paradise. And God did

not curse Paradise, since it was the image of the future unending

life of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. If it were not for this

reason, it would have been fitting to curse it most of all, since

within it was performed the transgression of Adam. But God did not

do this, but cursed only the whole rest of the earth, which also

was corrupt and brought forth everything by itself; and this was

in order that Adam might not have any longer a life free from

exhausting labors and sweat…”