Miscellanies 6.14.110

For instance, Solomon, calling the one who knows wise, says this about those who marvel at the dignity of his dwelling place: “For they will see the end of the wise man and will not understand what the Lord planned for him and for what he kept him safe.” And of his glory they will say: “This was the one whom we once held in derision and as a byword of reproach, we fools; we counted his life madness and his end without honor. How was he numbered among the sons of God, and his lot is among the saints?” Not only the believer, then, but also the Gentile is judged most justly. For since God, being foreknowing, knew that he would not believe, he nevertheless, so that he might receive the perfection possible to him, gave him philosophy, but before faith; and he gave the sun, the moon, and the stars for worship, “which God made for the nations,” says the law, so that they might not become entirely godless and so perish utterly. But those who have been ungrateful even regarding this commandment, devoting themselves to carved images, are judged unless they repent: some because, though able, they did not wish to believe God; others because, though willing, they did not take pains to become believers.