Moreover, as for their squeamishness about foods, and their superstition concerning the Sabbath, and their boasting about circumcision, and the pretense of their fasting and new moons—all ridiculous and unworthy of a word—I do not think you need to learn these from me.
For to accept some of the things created by God for human use as nobly created, but to reject others as useless and superfluous—how is this not unlawful?
And to boast of the mutilation of the flesh as a witness of election, as though for this reason they are specially loved by God—how is this not worthy of mockery?
And as for their watching the stars and the moon to make their observance of months and days, and dividing up the dispensations of God and the changes of the seasons according to their own impulses—some into feasts, others into mournings—who would consider this a sign of religion rather than far more of folly?
Now that the Christians rightly hold themselves aloof from the common levity and error and from the meddlesomeness and boasting of the Jews, I think you have learned sufficiently. But do not expect to be able to learn from a man the mystery of their own peculiar religion.