And Trypho said: We have heard you propound this before, and we have given it our attention; for it is, to speak truly, worthy of attention. And it does not seem to me as it does to most—to say that 'it seemed good to Him'; for that is always an excuse for those who are unable to give an answer to the question at issue.
And I said: Since I make my demonstrations and discourses from both the Scriptures and from facts, do not delay nor hesitate to believe me, an uncircumcised man. Only a short time of opportunity for joining is left to you; if Christ should first come, you will repent in vain, you will weep in vain; for He will not hearken to you. 'Break up for yourselves fresh ground,' Jeremiah cried to the people, 'and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and circumcise the foreskin of your heart.'
So do not sow among thorns and in unploughed ground, from which you have no fruit. Know Christ, and behold, there is good fallow ground, good and fertile in your hearts. For behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will visit all who are circumcised in their foreskin: upon Egypt, and upon Judah, and upon Edom, and upon the sons of Moab; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in their hearts.
You see that God does not desire this circumcision which was given for a sign; for it was of no use to the Egyptians, nor to the sons of Moab, nor to the sons of Edom. But even if one be a Scythian or a Persian, yet has the knowledge of God and of His Christ, and keeps the eternal precepts of righteousness, he is circumcised with the good and profitable circumcision, and is a friend of God, and over his gifts and offerings God rejoices.
And I will also set before you, friends, the very words of God, when He spoke to the people through Malachi, one of the twelve prophets. They are these: I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord, and I will not accept your sacrifices from your hands; for from the rising of the sun to its setting My name is glorified among the nations, and in every place a sacrifice is offered to My name, even a pure sacrifice; for My name is honoured among the nations, says the Lord, but you profane it.