Two remained behind: the miserable woman, and Mercy. The Lord raised his eyes, and with a gentle look he asked her: Has no one condemned you? She replied: No one, sir. And he said: Neither will I condemn you.What is this Lord? Are you giving approval to immorality? Not at all. Take note of what follows: Go and sin no more.You see then that the Lord does indeed pass sentence, but it is sin he condemns, not people.One who approved of immorality would have said; “Neither will I condemn you. Go and live as you please; you can be sure that I will acquit you. However much you sin, I will release you from all penalty, and from the tortures of hell and the underworld.”He did not say that. He said: “Neither will I condemn you; you need have no fear of the past, but beware of what you do in the future. Neither will I condemn you: I have blotted out what you have done; now observe what I have commanded, in order to obtain what I have promised.” ■ Augustine of Hippo, Homilies on the Gospel of John, 33, 4-6. 8: CCL 36, 307-310)