THE BOOK OF
THE
from Pseudepigrapha Website
Translation from the Syriac by R. H. Charles
The Apocrypha and
Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament in English |
1—4. Announcement of the coming Destruction of
Jerusalem to Baruch
1 1 And it came to pass in the twenty-fifth year of
Jeconiah, king of Judah, that the word of the Lord came to Baruch, the son of
Neriah, and said to him: 2 ’Have you seen all that this people are doing to Me,
that the evils which these two tribes which remained have done are greater than
(those of) the ten tribes which were carried away captive? 3 For the former
tribes were forced by their kings to commit sin, but these two of themselves
have been forcing and compelling their kings to commit sin. 4 For this reason,
behold I bring evil upon this city, and upon its inhabitants, and it shall be
removed from before Me for a time, and I will scatter this people among the
Gentiles that they may do good to the Gentiles. And My people shall be
chastened, and the time shall come when they will seek for the prosperity of
their times.
2 1 For I have said these things to you that you may bid
Jeremiah, and all those that are like you, to retire from this
city.
2 For your works are to this city as a
firm pillar,
And your prayers as a strong wall.’
3 1 And
I said: ’O LORD, my Lord, have I come into the world for this purpose that I
might see the evils of my mother? Not (so) my Lord. 2 If I have found grace in
Your sight, first take my spirit that I may go to my fathers and not behold the
destruction of my mother. For two things vehemently constrain me: for I cannot
resist you, and my soul, moreover, cannot behold the evils of my mother. 4 But
one thing I will say in Your presence, O Lord. 5 What, therefore, will there be
after these things? for if you destroy Your city, and deliver up Your land to
those that hate us, how shall the name of Israel be again remembered? 6 Or how
shall one speak of Your praises? or to whom shall that which is in Your law be
explained? Or shall the world return to its nature of aforetime), and the age
revert to primeval silence? And shall the multitude of souls be taken away, and
the nature of man not again be named? And where is all that which you did say
regarding us?’
4 1 And
the Lord said unto me:
’This
city shall be delivered up for a time,
And
the people shall be chastened during a time,
And
the world will not be given over to oblivion.
4:2-7. The heavenly
Jerusalem
2 [Dost you think that this is that
city of which I said: "On the palms of My hands have I graven you"? 3 This
building now built in your midst is not that which is revealed with Me, that
which prepared beforehand here from the time when I took counsel to make
Paradise, and showed Adam before he sinned, but when he transgressed the
commandment it was removed from him, as also Paradise. 4 And after these things
I showed it to My servant Abraham by night among the portions of the victims. 5
And again also I showed it to Moses on Mount Sinai when I showed to the likeness
of the tabernacle and all its vessels. 6 And now, behold, it is preserved with
Me, as Paradise. 7 Go, therefore, and do as I command
you.’]
5. Baruch’s Complaint and God’s
Reassurance
5
1 And I answered and
said:
’So
then I am destined to grieve for Zion,
For
your enemies will come to this place and pollute Your
sanctuary,
And
lead your inheritance into captivity,
And
make themselves masters of those whom you have loved,
And
they will depart again to the place of their idols,
And
will boast before them:
And what will you do for Your great name?’
2 And the Lord said
unto me:
’My
name and My glory are unto all eternity;
And
My judgment shall maintain its right in its own time.
3 And you shall see with your
eyes
That
the enemy will not overthrow Zion,
Nor
shall they burn Jerusalem,
But
be the ministers of the Judge for the time.
4 But do you go and do whatsoever I have said unto you
5 And I went
and took Jeremiah, and Adu, and Seriah, and Jabish, and Gedaliah, and all the
honorable men of the people, and I led them to the valley of Kidron, and I
narrated to them all that had been said to me. 6 And they lifted up their voice,
and they all wept. 7 And we sat there and fasted until the
evening.
6—8. Invasion of the Chaldeans and their Entrance
into the City after the Sacred Vessels were hidden and the City’s Walls
overthrown by angels
6 1 And
it came to pass on the morrow that, lo! the army of the Chaldees surrounded the
city, and at the time of the evening, I, Baruch, left the people, and I went
forth and stood by the oak. 2 And I was grieving over Zion, and lamenting over
the captivity which had come upon the people. 3 And lo! suddenly a strong spirit
raised me, and bore me aloft over the wall of Jerusalem. 4 And I beheld, and lo!
four angels standing at the four corners of the city, each of them holding a
torch of fire in his hands. 5 And another angel began to descend from heaven.
and said unto them: ’Hold your lamps, and do not light them till I tell you. 6
For I am first sent to speak a word to the earth, and to place in it what the
Lord the Most High has commanded me.’ 7 And I saw him descend into the Holy of
Holies, and take from there the veil, and holy ark, and the mercy-seat, and the
two tables, and the holy raiment of the priests, and the altar of incense, and
the forty-eight precious stones, wherewith the priest was adorned and all the
holy vessels of the tabernacle. 8 And he spoke to the earth with a loud
voice:
’Earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the mighty
God,
And
receive what I commit to you,
And
guard them until the last times,
So
that, when you are ordered, you may restore them,
So
that strangers may not get possession of them.
9 For the
time comes when Jerusalem also will be delivered for a time,
Until it is said, that it is again restored for
ever.’
10
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them
up.
7 1 And
after these things I heard that angel saying unto those angels who held the
lamps: ’Destroy, therefore, and overthrow its wall to its foundations, lest the
enemy should boast and say:
" We
have overthrown the wall of Zion,
And we have burnt the place of the mighty God."’
2 And they have
seized the place where I had been standing before.
8 1 Now
the angels did as he had commanded them, and when they had broken up the corners
of the walls, a voice was heard from the interior of the temple, after the wall
had fall saying:
2 ’Enter, you
enemies,
And
come, you adversaries;
For he who kept the house has forsaken (it).’
3 And I,
Baruch, departed. 4 And it came to pass after these things that the army of the
Chaldees entered and seized the house, and all that was around it. And they led
the people away captive and slew some of them, and bound Zedekiah the king, and
sent him to the king of Babylon.
9—12. First Fast of seven Days: Baruch to remain amid
the Ruins of Jerusalem and Jeremiah to accompany the Exiles to Babylon. Baruch’s
Dirge over Jerusalem
9 1 And
I, Baruch, came, and Jeremiah, whose heart was found pure from sins, who had not
been captured in the seizure of the City. 2 And we rent our garments, we wept,
and mourned, and fasted seven days.
10 1 And it came to pass after seven days, that the word
of God carne to me, and said unto me: 2 ’Tell Jeremiah to go and support the
captivity of the people unto Babylon. But do you remain here amid the desolation
of Zion, and I will show to you after these days ’what will befall at the end of
days.’ And I said to Jeremiah as the Lord commanded me. And he, indeed, departed
with the people, but I, Baruch, returned and sat before the gates of the temple,
and I lamented with the following lamentation over Zion and
said:
6 ’Blessed is he who was not
born,
Or he, who having
been born, has died.
7 But as for us who live, woe
unto us,
Because we see
the afflictions of Zion,
And what has
befallen Jerusalem.
8 I will call the Sirens from
the sea,
And you Lilin,
come you from the desert,
And you Shedim
and dragons from the forests:
Awake and gird up
your loins unto mourning,
And take up with
me the dirges,
And make
lamentation with me.
9
Ye husbandmen, sow not again;
And, O earth,
wherefore give you your harvest
fruits?
Keep within you
the sweets of your sustenance.
10 And thou,
vine, why further do you give your wine;
For an offering
will not again be made from there in Zion,
Nor will
first-fruits again be offered.
11 And do ye, O heavens,
’withhold your dew,
And
open not the treasuries of rain:
12
And do thou, O sun withhold the light of your rays.
And
do thou, O moon, extinguish the multitude of your light;
For
why should light rise again
Where
the light of Zion is darkened?
13 And you, you
bridegrooms, enter not in,
And
let not the brides adorn themselves with garlands;
And,
you women, pray not that you may bear.
14 For the barren shall
above all rejoice,
And
those who have no sons shall be glad,
And
those who have sons shall have anguish.
15 For why should they
bear in pain,
Only
to bury in grief?
16 Or why, again, should
mankind have sons?
Or
why should the seed of their kind again be named,
Where
this mother is desolate,
And
her sons are led into captivity?
17 From this time forward
speak not of beauty,
And
discourse not of gracefulness.
18 Moreover, you priests)
take you the keys of the sanctuary,
And
cast them into the height of heaven,
And
give them to the Lord and say:
"Guard Your house Thyself,
For
lo! we are found false stewards."
19 And you, you virgins;
who weave fine linen
And
silk with gold of Ophir,
Take
with haste all (these) things
And
cast (them) into the fire,
That
it may bear them to Him who made them,
And
the flame send them to Him who created them,
Lest the enemy get possession of them.’
11 1
Moreover, I, Baruch, say this against you,
Babylon:
’If
you had prospered,
And
Zion had dwelt in her glory,
Yet
the grief to us had been great
That
you should be equal to Zion.
2 But now,
lo! the grief is infinite,
And
the lamentation measureless,
For
lo! you are prospered
And
Zion desolate.
3 Who will be
judge regarding these things?
Or to
whom shall we complain regarding that which has befallen
us?
O
Lord, how have you borne (it)?
4 Our fathers went
to rest without grief,
And
lo! the righteous sleep in the earth in tranquility;
5 For they
knew not this anguish,
Nor
yet had they heard of that which had befallen us.
6 Would that you
had ears, O earth,
And
that you had a heart, O dust:
That
you might go and announce in Sheol,
And
say to the dead:
7 "Blessed
are you more than we who live."’
|
OXYRHYNCHUS GREEK FRAGMENT, from Grenfell and
Hunt’s
Oxyrhynchus Papyri,
vol. iii. 3-7, 1903.
Verso. |
12 1 But I will say this as I
think.
And I will speak against you, O land, which alt
prospering.
2 The noonday does not always
burn.
Nor do the rays of the sun constantly give light.
3 Do not expect Land hope] that you will always he
prosperous and rejoicing.
And be not greatly up lifted and
boastful.
4 For assuredly in its own season shall the
(divine) wrath awake against you.
Which now in long-suffering is held in as it were
by reins. |
(2-5) 12 1 But I
will say this as 1 think,
And speak against you, the land that is
prospering.
2 Not
always does the noonday burn,
Nor do the rays of the
sun constantly give
light.
(6-8) 3 And
do not you expect to
rejoice,
Nor condemn greatly.
(8-10) 4 For assuredly in its season shall the
(divine) wrath be awakened against you,
Which is now restrained by long-suffering as it
were by a rein. |
12:5—13.
Second Fast. Revelation as
to the coming judgment on the Heathen.
5 And when I had said these things, I fasted seven
days.
13 1 And it came to pass after
these things, that I, Baruch, was standing upon Mount Zion, and lo! a
voice came from the height and said unto me: 2 ’Stand upon your feet,
Baruch, and hear the word of the mighty God.’ |
(10-16) 5 And having said these things I fasted
seven days.
13 1 And it came to pass after these things that I,
Baruch, was standing upon Mount Zion, and lo a voice came forth from the
height and said unto me:
2 ’Stand upon your feet, Baruch, and hear
the word of the mighty God.’ |
3 Because you have been astonished at what has befallen
Zion, you shall therefore be assuredly preserved to the consummation of the
times, that you may be for a testimony. 4 So that, if ever those prosperous
cities say: 5 ’Why hath the mighty God brought upon us this retribution?’ Say
you to them, you and those like you who shall have seen this evil: ’(This is the
evil) and retribution which is coming upon you and upon your people in its
(destined) time that the nations may be thoroughly smitten. 6 And then they
shall be in anguish. 7 And if they say at that time:
8 For how long? you
will say to them:
"Ye
who have drunk the strained wine,
Drink
you also of its dregs,
The
judgment of the Lofty One
Who has no respect of persons."’
9 On this
account he had aforetime no mercy on His own sons,
But
afflicted them as His enemies, because they sinned,
10 Then therefore were
they chastened
That
they might be sanctified.
|
OXYRHYNCHUS GREEK FRAGMENT
Recto |
11 But now, you
peoples and nations, you are guilty
Because you have always trodden down the earth,
And used the creation unrighteously.
12 For I have
always benefited you.
And you have always been ungrateful for the
beneficence. |
(19-20) 11 (Ye) peoples and . .
.
(Ye) have
trodden down the earth
And
misused the created things
in it.
(21-22) 12 For you were always being
benefited
But you
were always ungrateful. |
14—19. The Righteousness of the Righteous has
profited neither them nor their City; God’s Judgments are incomprehensible; the
World was made for the Righteous, yet they pass and the World remains (14).
Answer—Man knows God’s Judgments and has sinned willingly. This World is a
Weariness to the Righteous but the next is theirs (15), to be won through
Character whether a Man’s Time here be long or short (16—17). Final Weal
or Woe—the supreme Question (18—19).
|
OXYRHYNCHUS GREEK FRAGMENT
Recto |
14 1 And I answered and said:
’Lo! you have shown me
the method of the times, and that which shall be after these things,
and you have said unto me, that the retribution, which has been spoken
of by you, shall come upon the nations. 2 And now I know that those who
have sinned are many, and they have lived in prosperity,’ and departed
from the world, but the few nations will be left in those times, to whom
those words shall he said which you did say. 3 For what advantage is there
in this, or what (evil), worse than what’ we have seen befall us, are we
to expect to see? |
(23-25) 14 1 And I
answered and said: ’Behold, you have shown me the methods of the times,
and that which shall be.
(25-27) And you have said unto me that the
retribution which was spoken of by you shall be endured by the
nations.
(27-32) 2 And now I know that those who have
sinned are many, and they have lived . . . , and departed from the world,
but that few nations will be left in those times to whom . . . the words
(which) you did say.
(32-33) 3 And what advantage (is there) in this or
what worse than (these?) |
4 But again I will speak in Your presence: 5 What have
they profited who had knowledge before you and have not walked in vanity as the
rest of the nations, and have not said to the dead: "Give us life," but always
feared you, and have not left Your ways? 6 And lo! they have been carried off,
nor on their account have you had mercy on Zion. 7 And if others did evil, it
was due to Zion that on account of the works of those who wrought good works she
should be forgiven, and should not be overwhelmed on account of the works of
those who wrought unrighteousness. 8 But who, O LORD, my Lord, will comprehend
Your judgment,
Or
who will search out the profoundness of Your way?
Or
who will think out the weight of Your path?
9 Or who will be
able to think out Your incomprehensible counsel?
Or
who of those that are born has ever found
The beginning or end of Your wisdom
10 For we have all been
made like a breath. 11 For as the breath ascends involuntarily, and again dies,
so it is with the nature of men, who depart not according to their own will, and
know not what will befall them in the end. 12 For the righteous justly hope for
the end, and without fear depart from this habitation, because they have with
you a store of works preserved in treasuries. 13 On this account also these
without fear leave this world, and trusting with joy they hope to receive the
world which you have promised them. 14 But as for us—woe to us, who also are now
shamefully entreated, and at that time look forward (only) to evils. 15 But you
know accurately what you have done by means of Your servants; for we are not
able to understand that which is good as you art, our Creator. 16 But again I
will speak in Your presence, O LORD, my Lord. 17 When of old there was no world
with its inhabitants, you did devise and speak with a word, and forthwith the
works of creation stood before you. 18 And you did say that you wouldst make for
Your world man as the administrator of Your works, that it might be known that
he was by no means made on account of the world, but the world on account of
him. 19 And now I see that as for the world which was made on account of us, lo!
it abides; but we, on account of whom it was made, depart.’
15 1 And the Lord answered and said unto me:
’You are
rightly astonished regarding the departure of man, but you have not
judged well regarding the evils which befall those who sin. 2 And as regards
what you have said, that the righteous are carried off and the impious are
prospered, 3 And as regards what you have said: "Man knows not Your judgment
"—On this account hear, and I will speak to you, and hearken, and I will cause
you to hear My words. 5 Man would not rightly have understood My judgment,
unless he had accepted the law, and I had instructed him in understanding. 6 But
now, because he transgressed wittingly, yea, just on this ground that he knows
(about it), he shall be tormented.
7 And as regards what you did say touching the
righteous, that on account of them has this world come, so also again shall
that, which is to come, come on their account. 8 For this world is to them a
strife and a labor with much trouble; and that accordingly which is to come, a
crown with great glory.’
16 1
And I answered and said: ’0 LORD, my Lord, lo! the years of this time are few
and evil, and who is able in his little time to acquire that which is
measureless?’
17 1
And the Lord answered and said unto me: ’With the Most High account is not taken
of time nor of a few years. 2 For what did it profit Adam that he lived nine
hundred and thirty years and transgressed that which he was commanded? Therefore
the multitude of time that he lived did not profit him, but brought death and
cut off the years of those who were born from him. wherein did Moses suffer loss
in that he lived only one hundred and twenty years, and, inasmuch he was subject
to Him who formed him, brought the law to the seed of Jacob, and lighted a lamp
for the nation of Israel?’
18 1
And I answered and said: ’He that lighted has taken from the light, and there
are but few that have imitated him. But those many whom he has lighted have
taken from the darkness of Adam and have not rejoiced in the light of the lamp.’
19 And
He answered and said unto me: ’Wherefore at that time he appointed for them a
covenant and said:
"Behold I have placed before you life and death,"
And
he called heaven and earth to witness against them.
2 For he knew
that his time was but short,
But
that heaven and earth endure always.
3 But after
his death they sinned and transgressed,
Though they knew that they had the law reproving (them),
And
the light in which nothing could err,
Also
the spheres which testify, and Me.
4 Now regarding everything that is, it is I that
judge, but do not you take counsel in your soul regarding these things, nor
afflict thyself because of those which have been. 5 For now it is the
consummation of time that should be considered, whether of business, or of
prosperity, or of shame and not the beginning thereof. 6 Because if a man be
prospered in his beginnings and shamefully entreated in his old age, he forgets
all the prosperity that he had. 7 And again, if a man is shamefully entreated in
his beginnings, and at his end is prospered, he remembers not again his evil
entreatment. 8 And again hearken: though each one were prospered all that
time—all the time from the day on which death was decreed against those who
transgress—and in his end was destroyed, in vain would have been everything.’
20. Zion has been taken away to
hasten the Advent of the Judgment
20 1
’Therefore, behold! the days come,
And
the times shall hasten more than the former,
And
the seasons shall speed on more than those that are past,
And
the years shall pass more quickly than the present
(years).
2 Therefore have I now taken
away Zion,
That
I may the more speedily visit the world in its season.
3 Now
therefore hold fast in your heart everything that I command you,
And seal it in
the recesses of your mind.
4 And
then I will show you the judgment of My might,
And My ways which are unsearchable.
5 Go therefore and sanctify thyself seven days, and eat
no bread, nor drink water, nor speak to anyone. 6 And afterwards come to that place and
I will reveal Myself to you, and speak true things with you, and I will give you
commandment regarding the method of the times; for they are coming and tarry
not.’
21:1-11. Fast of seven Days: Baruch’s Prayer: God’s
Answer
The Prayer of Baruch the Son of
Neriah.
21 1 And I went there and sat in the valley of Kidron in a
cave of the earth, and I sanctified my soul there, and I ate no bread, yet I was
not hungry, and I drank no water, yet I thirsted not, and I was there till the
seventh day, as He had commanded me. 2 And afterwards I came to that place where
He had spoken with me. 3 And it came to pass at sunset that my soul took much
thought, and I began to speak in the presence of the Mighty One, and said: 4 ’O
you that have made the earth, hear me, that have fixed the firmament by the
word, and have made firm the height of the heaven by the spirit, that have
called from the beginning of the world that which did not yet exist, and they
obey you. 5 you that have commanded the air by Your nod, and have seen those
things which are to be as those things which you are doing. 6 you that rule with
great thought the hosts that stand before you: also the countless holy beings,
which you did make from the beginning, of flame and fire, which stand around
Your throne you rule with indignation. 7 To you only does this belong that you
should do forthwith whatsoever you do wish. 8 Who causes the drops of rain to
rain by number upon the earth, and alone knows the consummation of the times
before they come; have respect unto my prayer. For 9 you alone are able to
sustain all who are, and those who have passed away, and those who are to be,
those who sin, and those who are to righteous [as living (and) being past
finding out]. For you alone do live immortal and past finding out, and know the
number of mankind. And if in time many have sinned, yet others not a few have
been righteous.
21:12-18. Baruch’s Depreciation of this
Life.
12 you know where you preserve
the end of those who have sinned, or the consummation of those who have been
righteous. 2 For if there were this life only, which belongs to all men, nothing
could be more bitter than this.
14 For of what profit is
strength that turns to sickness,
Or
fullness of food that turns to famine,
Or
beauty that turns to ugliness.
15 For the nature of man is
always changeable. 16 For what we
were formerly now we no longer are and what we now are we shall not afterwards
remain. 16 For if a consummation had not been prepared for all, in vain would
have been their beginning. But regarding everything that comes from you do you
inform me, and regarding everything about which I ask you, do you enlighten
me.
21:19-25. Baruch prays to
God to hasten the Judgment and fulfill His Promise
19 How long will that which is
corruptible remain, and how long will the time of mortals be prospered, and
until what time will those who transgress in the world be polluted with much
wickedness? 20 Command therefore in mercy and accomplish all that you saidst you
wouldst bring, that Your might may be made known to those who think that Your
long-suffering is weakness. 21 And show to those who know not, that everything
that has befallen us and our city until now has been according to the
long-suffering of Your power, because on account of Your name you have called us
a beloved people. 22 Bring to an end therefore henceforth mortality. 23 And
reprove accordingly the angel of death, and let Your glory appear, and let the
might of Your beauty be known, and let Sheol be sealed so that from this time
forward it may not receive the dead, and let the treasuries of souls restore
those which are enclosed in them. 24 For there have been many years like those
that are desolate from the days of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and of all those
who are like them, who sleep in the earth, on whose account you did say that you
had created the world. 25 And now quickly show Your glory, and do not defer what
has been promised by you.’ 26 And (when) I had completed the words of this
prayer I was greatly weakened.
22—23. God’s Reply to Baruch’s Prayer. He will
fulfill His Promise: Time needed for its Accomplishment: Things must be judged in the Light of
their Consummation (22). Till all Souls are born the End cannot come
(23).
22
1 And it came to pass after these things that lo! the heavens were opened, and I
saw, and power was given to me, and a voice was beard from on high, and it said
unto me: 2 Baruch, Baruch, why are you troubled? 3 He who travels by a road but
does not complete it, or who departs by sea but does not arrive at the port, can
he be comforted? 4 Or he who promises to give a present to another, but does not
fulfill it, is it not robbery? 5 Or he who sows the earth, but does not reap its
fruit in its season, does he not lose everything? 6 Or he who plants a plant
unless it grows till the time suitable to it, does he who planted it expect to
receive fruit from it? 7 Or a woman who has conceived, if she bring forth
untimely, does she not assuredly slay her infant? 8 Or he who builds a house, if
he does not roof it and complete it, can it be called a house? Tell Me that
first.’
23 1 And I answered and said: Not so, O LORD, my Lord.’ 2
And He answered and said unto me: ’Why therefore are you troubled about that
which you know not, and why are you ill at ease about things in which you are
ignorant? 3 For as you have not forgotten the people who now are and those who
have passed away, so I remember those who are appointed to come. 4 Because when
Adam sinned and death was decreed against those who should be born, then the
multitude of those who should be born was numbered, and for that number a place
was prepared where the living might dwell and the dead might be guarded. Before
therefore the number aforesaid is fulfilled, the creature will not live again
[for My spirit is the creator of life], and Sheol will receive the dead. 6 And
again it is given to you to hear what things are to come after these times. 7
For truly My redemption has drawn nigh, and is not far distant as
aforetime.
24. The coming Judgment
24 1
’For behold! the days come and the books shall be
opened in which are written the sins of all those who have sinned, and again
also the treasuries in which the righteousness of all those who have been
righteous in creation is gathered. 2 For it shall come to pass at that time that
you shall see—and the many that are with you—the long-suffering of the Most
High, which has been throughout all generations, who has been long-suffering
towards all who are born, (alike) those who sin and (those who) are righteous.’
3 And I answered and said: ’But, behold! O Lord, no one knows the number of
those things which have passed nor yet of those things which are to come. 4 For
I know indeed that which has befallen us, but what will happen to our enemies I
know not, and when you will visit Your works.’
25—26. Sign of the coming
Judgment
25 1 And He answered and said unto me:
’You too shall be
preserved till that time till that sign which the Most High will work for the
inhabitants of the earth in the end of days. 2 This therefore shall be the sign.
3 When a stupor shall seize the inhabitants of the earth, and they shall fall
into many tribulations, and again when they shall fall into great torments. And
it will come to pass when they say in their thoughts by reason of their much
tribulation: "The Mighty ’One doth no longer remember the earth"—yes, it will
come to pass when they abandon hope, that the time will then awake.’
26 1 And I answered and said:
’Will that tribulation which is to be continue a long time, and will that
necessity embrace many years?’
26-30. The Twelve Woes that are to Come upon the
Earth: The Messiah and the temporary Messianic Kingdom
27 1 And He answered and said unto me:
’Into twelve parts
is that time divided, and each one of them is reserved for that which is
appointed for it. 2 In the first part there shall be the beginning of
commotions. 3 And in the second part (there shall be) slayings of the great
ones. 4 And in the third part the fall of many by death. 5 And in the fourth
part the sending of the sword. 6 And in the fifth part famine and the
withholding of rain. 7 And in the sixth part earthquakes and terrors. 8
[Wanting.] 9 And in the eighth part a multitude of specters and attacks of the
Shedim. 10 And in the ninth part the fall of fire. 11 And in the tenth part
rapine and much oppression. 12 And in the eleventh part wickedness and
unchastity. 13 And in the twelfth part confusion from the mingling together of
all those things aforesaid. 14 For these parts of that time are reserved, and
shall be mingled one with another and minister one to another. 15 For some shall
leave out some of their own, and receive (in its stead) from others, and some
complete their own and that of others, so that those may not
understand who are upon the earth in those days that this is the consummation of
the times.
28 1 Nevertheless, whoever understands shall then be wise.
2 For the measure and reckoning of that time are two parts a week of seven
weeks.’ 3 And I answered and said: ’It is good for a man to come and behold, but
it is better that he should not come lest he fall. 4 [But I will say this also:
5 Will he who is incorruptible despise those things which are corruptible, and
whatever befalls in the case of those things which are corruptible, so that he
might look only to those things which are not corruptible?] 6 But if; O Lord,
those things shall assuredly come to pass which you have foretold to me, so do
you show this also unto me if indeed I have found grace in Your sight. 7 Is it
in one place or in one of the parts of the earth that those things are come to
pass, or will the whole earth experience (them) ?’
29 1 And He answered and said unto me:
’Whatever will then
befall (will befall) the whole earth; therefore all who live will experience
(them). 2 For at that time I will protect only those who are found in those
self-same days in this land. 3 And it shall come to pass when all is
accomplished that was to come to pass in those parts, that the Messiah shall
then begin to be revealed. 4 And Behemoth shall be revealed from his place and
Leviathan shall ascend from the sea, those two great monsters which I created on
the fifth day of creation, and shall have kept until that time; and then they
shall be for food for all that are left. 5 The earth also shall yield its fruit
ten-thousandfold and on each (?) vine there shall be a thousand branches, and
each branch shall produce a thousand clusters, and each cluster produce a
thousand grapes, and each grape produce a cor of wine. 6 And those who have
hungered shall rejoice: moreover, also, they shall behold marvels every day. 7
For winds shall go forth from before Me to bring every morning the fragrance of
aromatic fruits, and at the close of the day clouds distilling the dew of
health. 8 And it shall come to pass at that self-same time that the treasury of
manna shall again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years,
because these are they who have come to the consummation of
time.
30 1 And it shall come to pass after these things, when
the time of the advent of the Messiah is fulfilled, that He shall return in
glory.
30:2-5. The Resurrection
2 Then all who have fallen asleep in hope of Him
shall rise again. And it shall come to pass at that time that the treasuries
will be opened in which is preserved the number of the souls of the righteous,
and they shall come forth, and a multitude of souls shall be seen together in
one assemblage of one thought, and the first shall rejoice and the last shall
not be grieved. 3 For they know that the time has come of which it is said, that
it is the consummation of the times. 4 But the souls of the wicked, when they
behold all these things, shall then waste away the more. 5 For they shall know
that their torment has come and their perdition has arrived.’
31—33. Baruch exhorts the People to prepare
themselves for worse Evils
31 1 And it came to pass after these things: that I went
to the people and said unto them: ’Assemble unto me all your elders and I will
speak words unto them.’ 2 And they all assembled in the valley of the Kidron. 3
And I answered and said unto them:
Hear, O Israel, and I will speak to
you,
And
give ear, O seed of Jacob, and I will instruct you.
4 Forget not
Zion,
But
hold in remembrance the anguish of Jerusalem.
5 For lo! the
days come,
When
everything that is shall become the prey of corruption
And
be as though it had not been.
32 1
’But as for you, if you prepare your hearts, so as to
sow in them the fruits of the law, it shall protect you in that time in which
the Mighty One is to shake the whole creation. 2 [Because after a little time
the building of Zion will be shaken in order that it may be built again. But
that building will not remain, but will again after a time be rooted out, and
will remain desolate until the time. 4 And afterwards it must be renewed in
glory, and perfected for evermore.] 5 Therefore we should not be distressed so
much over the evil which has now come as over that which is still to be. 6 For
there will be a greater trial than these two tribulations when the Mighty One
will renew His creation. 7 And now do not draw near to me for a few days, nor
seek me till I come to you.’ 8 And it came to pass when I had spoken to them all
these words, that I, Baruch, went my way, and when the people saw me setting
out, they lifted up their voice and lamented and said : 9 To where are you
departing from us, Baruch, and are you forsaking us as a father who forsakes his
orphan children, and departs from them?
33 1
’Are these the commands which your companion, Jeremiah the prophet, commanded
you, and said unto you: "Look to this people till I go and make ready the rest
of the brethren in Babylon against whom has gone forth the sentence that they
should be led into captivity"? And now if you also forsake us, it were good for
us all to die before you, and then that you should withdraw from us.’
34—35. Lament of Baruch
34 And I answered and said unto the people:
’Far be it
from me to forsake you or to withdraw from you, but I will only go unto the Holy
of Holies to inquire of the Mighty One concerning you and concerning Zion, if in
some respect I should receive more illumination: and after these things I will
return to you.
35 1 And I, Baruch, went to the holy place, and sat down
upon the ruins and wept, and said:
2 ’O that
mine eyes were springs,
And
mine eyelids a fount of tears.
3 For how
shall I lament for Zion,
And
how shall I mourn for Jerusalem?
4
Because in that place where I am now prostrate,
Of
old the high priest offered holy sacrifices,
And
placed thereon an incense of fragrant odors.
5 But
now our glorying has been made into dust,
And the desire of our soul into sand.’
36—37. The Vision of the Forest, the Vine, the
Fountain and the Cedar
36
1 And when I had said these things I fell asleep there, and I saw a vision in
the night. 2 And lo! a forest of trees planted on the plain, and lofty and
rugged rocky mountains surrounded it, and that forest occupied much space. 3 And
lo! over against it arose a vine, and from under it there went forth a fountain
peacefully. 4 Now that fountain came to the forest and was (stirred) into great
waves, and those waves submerged that forest, and suddenly they rooted out the
greater part of that forest, and overthrew all the mountains which were round
about it. 5 And the height of the forest began to be made low, and the top of
the mountains was made low and that fountain prevailed greatly, so that it left
nothing of that great forest save one cedar only. 6 Also when it had cast it
down and had destroyed and rooted out the greater part of that forest, so that
nothing was left of it, nor could its place be recognized, then that vine began
to come with the fountain in peace and great tranquility, and it came to a place
which was not far from that cedar, and they brought the cedar which had been
cast down to it. 7 And I beheld and lo! that vine opened its mouth and spoke and
said to that cedar: Art you not that cedar which was left of the forest of
wickedness, and by whose means wickedness persisted, and was wrought all those
years, and goodness never. 8 And you kept conquering that which was not yours,
and to that which was your you did never show compassion, and you did keep
extending your power over those who were far from you, and those who drew near
you, you did hold fast in the toils of your wickedness, and you did uplift
thyself always as one that could not be rooted out! 9 But now your time has sped
and your hour is come. 10 Do you also therefore depart, O cedar, after the
forest, which departed before you, and become dust with it, and let your ashes
be mingled together. 11 And now recline in anguish and rest in torment till your
last time come, in which you will come again, and be tormented still more.’
37 And after these things I saw that cedar burning, and
the vine growing, itself and all around it, the plain full of unfading flowers.
And I indeed awoke and arose.
38—40. Interpretation of the
Vision
38 1 And I prayed and said:
’O LORD, my Lord, you do always enlighten those who are led by understanding. 2
Your law is life, and Your wisdom is right guidance. 3 Make known to me
therefore the interpretation of this vision. 4 For you know that my soul hath
always walked in Your law, and from my (earliest) days I departed not from Your
wisdom.’
39 1 And He answered and said unto me:
’Baruch, this is
the interpretation of the vision which you have seen. 2 As you have seen the
great forest which lofty and rugged mountains surrounded, this is the word. 3
Behold! the days come, and this kingdom will be destroyed which once destroyed
Zion, and it will be subjected to that which comes after it. 4 Moreover, that
also again after a time will be destroyed, and another, a third, will arise, and
that also will have dominion for its time, and will be destroyed. 5 And after
these things a fourth kingdom will arise, whose power will be harsh and evil far
beyond those which were before it, and it will rule many times as the forests on
the plain, and it will hold fast for times, and will exalt itself more than the
cedars of Lebanon. 6 And by it the truth will be hidden, and all those who are
polluted with iniquity will flee to it, as evil beasts flee and creep into the
forest. 7 And it will come to pass when the time of its consummation that it
should fall has approached, then the principate of My Messiah will be revealed,
which is like the fountain and the vine, and when it is revealed it will root
out the multitude of its host. 8 And as touching that which you have seen, the
lofty cedar, which was left of that forest, and the fact, that the vine spoke
those words with it which you did hear, this is the word.
40
1 The last leader of that time will be left alive, when the multitude of his
hosts will be put to the sword, and he will be bound, and they will take him up
to Mount Zion, and My Messiah will convict him of all his impieties, and will
gather and set before him all the works of his hosts. 2 And afterwards he will
put him to death, and protect the rest of My people which shall be found in the
place which I have chosen. 3 And his principate will stand for ever, until the
world of corruption is at an end, and until the times aforesaid are fulfilled. 4
This is your vision, and this is its interpretation.’
41—42. The Destiny of the Apostates and of the
Proselytes
41 1 And I answered and said:
’For whom and for how many shall these things be? or who will be worthy to live
at that time? 2 For I will speak before you everything that I think, and I will
ask of you regarding those things which I meditate. 3 For lo! I see many of Your
people who have withdrawn from Your covenant, and cast from them the yoke of
Your law. 4 But others again I have seen who have forsaken their vanity, and
fled for refuge beneath Your wings. 5 What therefore will be to them? or how
will the last time receive them? 6 Or perhaps the time of these will assuredly
be weighed, and as the beam inclines will they be judged accordingly?’
42 1 And He answered and said unto me: ’These things also will I show unto you. 2 As for what you did say—"To whom will these things be, and how many (will they be)? "—to those who have believed there shall be the good which was spoken of aforetime, and to those who despise there shall be the contrary of these things. 3 And as for what you did say regarding those who have drawn near and those who have withdrawn this in the word. 4 As for those who were before subject, and afterwards withdrew and mingled themselves with the seed of mingled peoples, the time of these was the former, and was accounted as something exalted. 5 And as for those who before knew not but afterwards knew life, and mingled (only) with the seed of the people which had separated itself, the time of these (is) the latter, and is accounted as something exalted. 6 And time shall succeed to time and season to season, and one shall receive from another, and then with a view to the consummation shall everything be compared according to the measure of the times and the hours of the seasons. 7 For corruption shall take those that belong to it, and life those that belong to it. 8 And the dust shall be called, and there shall be said to it: "Give back that which is not yours, and raise up all that you have kept until its time".’
43. Baruch told
of his Death and bidden to give his last Commands to the
People
43 1 But, do
thou, Baruch, direct your heart to that which has been said to you,
And
understand those things which have been shown to you;
For
there are many eternal consolations for you.
2 For you
shall depart from this place,
And
you shall pass from the regions which are now seen by you,
And
you shall forget whatever is corruptible,
And
shall not again recall those things which happen among
mortals.
3 Go therefore and command your people, and come to
this place, and afterwards fast seven days, and then I will come to you and
speak with you.’
44:1-8; 45—46.
Baruch tells the Elders of his
impending Death, but encourages them to expect the Consolation of
Zion
44 1 And I, Baruch, went from thence, and came to my
people, and I called my first-born son and [the Gedaliahs] my friends, and seven
of the elders of the people, and I said unto them:
Behold, I go unto my fathers
According to the way of all the
earth.
3 But
withdraw you not from the way of the law,
But
guard and admonish the people which remain,
Lest
they withdraw from the commandments of the Mighty One.
4 For
you see that He whom we serve is just,
And
our Creator is no respecter of persons.
5 And
see you what hath befallen Zion,
And
what hath happened to Jerusalem.
6 For
the judgment of the Mighty One shall (thereby) be made known,
And
His ways, which, though past finding out, are right.
7 For
if you endure and persevere in His fear,
And
do not forget His law,
The
times shall change over you for good.
And
you shall see the consolation of Zion.
8, 9 Because whatever is now is
nothing,
But
that which shall be is very great.
For
everything that is corruptible shall pass away,
And
everything that dies shall depart,
And
all the present time shall be forgotten,
Nor
shall there be any remembrance of the present time, which is defiled with evils.
10 For that which runs now
runs unto vanity,
And
that which prospers shall quickly fall and be humiliated.
11 For that which is
to be shall be the object of desire,
And
for that which comes afterwards shall we hope;
For
it is a time that passes not away,
12 And the hour
comes which abides for ever.
And
the new world (comes) which does not turn to corruption those who depart to its
blessedness,
And
has no mercy on those who depart to torment,
And
leads not to perdition those who live in it.
13 For these are
they who shall inherit that time which has been spoken of,
And theirs is the inheritance of the promised time.
14 These are they
who have acquired for themselves treasures of wisdom,
And with them are found stores of understanding,
And from mercy have they not withdrawn,
And the truth of the law I have they preserved.
15 For to them shall
be given the world to come,
But the dwelling of the rest who are many shall be
in the fire.’
45 2
’Do you therefore so far as you are able instruct the people, for that labor is
ours. For if you teach them, you will quicken them.’
46 1 And my son and the elders of the people answered and
said unto me:
’Has
the Mighty One humiliated us to such a degree
As
to take you from us quickly?
2 And
truly we shall be in darkness,
And
there shall be no light to the people who are left,
3 For
where again shall we seek the law,
Or who will distinguish for us between death and
life?’
4 And I said
unto them: ’The throne of the Mighty One I cannot resist;
Nevertheless, there shall not be wanting to Israel a
wise man
Nor
a son of the law to the race of Jacob.
5 But
only prepare you your hearts, that you may obey the law,
And
be subject to those who in fear are wise and understanding;
And
prepare your souls that you may not depart from them.
6 For
if you do these things, Good tidings shall come unto you.
[Which I before told you of;
nor shall you fall into the torment, of which I testified to you before.’ 7 But
with regard to the word that I was to be taken I did not make (it) known to them
or to my son.]
47 1 And when I had gone forth and dismissed them, I went
there and said unto them: ’Behold! I go to Hebron: for thither the Mighty One
hath sent me.’ 2 And I came to that place where the word had been spoken unto
me, and I sat there, and fasted seven days.
48:1-47. PRAYER OF BARUCH
48 1 And it came to pass after the seventh day, that I
prayed before the Mighty One and said
2 ’O my
Lord, you summon the advent of the times,
And
they stand before you;
You
cause the power of the ages to pass away,
And
they do not resist you;
You arrange the method of the seasons,
And
they obey you.
3 You
alone know the duration of the generations,
And
you reveal not Your mysteries to many.
4 You
make known the multitude of the fire,
And
you weigh the lightness of the wind.
5 You
explore the limit of the heights,
And
you scrutinize the depths of the darkness.
6 You
care for the number which pass away that they may be preserved, And you prepare
an abode for those that are to be.
7 You
remember the beginning which you have made,
And
the destruction that is to be You forget not.
8 With
nods of fear and indignation You command the flames,
And
they change into spirits,
And
with a word you quicken that which was not,
And
with mighty power you hold that which has not yet come.
9 You
instruct created things in the understanding of you,
And
you make wise the spheres so as to minister in their
orders.
10 Armies
innumerable stand before you
And
minister in their orders quietly at Your nod.
11 Hear Your servant
And
give ear to my petition.
12 For in a little
time are we born,
And in a little time do we return.
13 But with you
hours are as a time,
And days as generations.
14 Be not therefore
wroth with man; for he is nothing
15 And take not
account of our works; For what are we?
For
lo! by Your gift do we come into the world,
And we depart not of our own will.
16 For we said not
to our parents, "Beget us,
Nor
did we send to Sheol and say, "Receive us."
17 What therefore is
our strength that we should bear Your wrath,
Or
what are we that we should endure Your judgment?
18 Protect us in
Your compassions,
And in Your mercy help us.
19 Behold the little
ones that are subject unto you,
And save all that draw near unto you:
And destroy not the hope of our people,
And cut not short the times of our aid.
20 For this is the
nation which you have chosen,
And these are the people, to whom you find no
equal.
21 But I will speak
now before you,
And I will say as my heart thinks.
22 In you do we trust, for
lo! Your law is with us,
And
we know that we shall not fall so long as we keep Your
statutes.
23 [To all time are
we blessed at all events in this that we have not mingled with the
Gentiles.]
24 For we are all
one celebrated people,
Who
have received one law from One:
And
the law which is amongst us will aid us,
And the surpassing wisdom which is in us will help
us.’
25 And when I had prayed and
said these things, I was greatly weakened. 26 And He answered and said unto
me:
’You
have prayed simply, O Baruch,
And
all your words have been heard.
27 But My judgment
exacts its own
And
My law exacts its rights.
28 For from your
words I will answer you,
And
from your prayer I will speak to you.
29 For this is as follows: he
that is corrupted is not at all; he has both wrought iniquity so far as lie
could do anything, and has not remembered My goodness, nor accepted My
long-suffering. 30 Therefore you shall surely be taken up, as I before told you.
31 For that time shall arise which brings affliction; for it shall come and pass
by with quick vehemence, and it shall be turbulent coming in the heat of
indignation. 32 And it shall come to pass in those days that all the inhabitants
of the earth shall be moved one against another, because they know not that My
judgment has drawn nigh.
33 For there shall
not be found many wise at that time,
And the intelligent shall be but a few:
Moreover, even those who know shall most of all be
silent.
34 And there shall
be many rumors and tidings not a few,
And the doing of phantasms shall be manifest,
And promises not a few be recounted,
Some of them (shall prove) idle,
And some of them shall be confirmed.
35 And honor shall
be turned into shame,
And strength humiliated into contempt,
And
probity destroyed,
And
beauty shall become ugliness.
36 And many shall say to
many at that time:
"Where hath the multitude of intelligence hidden itself,
And
whither hath the multitude of wisdom removed itself?"
37 And whilst they are
meditating these things,
Then
envy shall arise in those who had not thought aught of themselves
(?)
And
passion shall seize him that is peaceful,
And
many shall be stirred up in anger to injure many,
And
they shall rouse up armies in order to shed blood,
And
in the end they shall perish together with them.
38 And it shall come to
pass at the self-same time,
That
a change of times shall manifestly appeal to every man,
Because in all those times they polluted
themselves
And
they practiced oppression,
And
walked every man in his own works,
And
remembered not the law of the Mighty One.
39 Therefore a fire
shall consume their thoughts,
And
in flame shall the meditations of their reins be tried;
For
the Judge shall come and will not tarry.
40 Because each of
the inhabitants of the earth knew when he was transgressing.
But
My Law they knew not by reason of their pride.
41 But many shall then
assuredly weep,
Yea, over the living more than over the dead.’
42 And I answered and
said:
’O
Adam, what have you done to all those who are born from you?
And
what will be said to the first Eve who hearkened to the
serpent?
43 For all this multitude
are going to corruption,
Nor
is there any numbering of those whom the fire devours.
44 But again I will speak in Your presence. 45 You,
O LORD, my Lord, know what is in Your creature. 46 For you did of old command
the dust to produce Adam, and you know the number of those who are born from
him, and how far they have sinned before you, who have existed and not confessed
you as their Creator. 47 And as regards all these their end shall convict them,
and Your law which they have transgressed shall requite them on Your day.’
48:48-50. Fragment of an Address of Baruch to the
People
48 [’But now let us
dismiss the wicked and inquire about the righteous.
49 And I will recount
their blessedness
And
not be silent in celebrating their glory, which is reserved for
them.
50 For assuredly as in a
little time in this transitory world in which you live, you have endured much
labor,
So
in that world to which there is no end, you shall receive great
light.’]
49—52. The Nature of the Resurrection Body: the final
Destinies of the Righteous
and the Wicked
49 1
’Nevertheless, I Will again ask from you, O Mighty
One, yea, I will ask made all things.
2 "In what
shape will those live who live in Your day?
Or
how will the splendor of those who (are) after that time continue?
3 Will they
then resume this form of the present,
And
put on these entrammelling members,
Which are now involved in evils,
And
in which evils are consummated,
Or
will you perchance change these things which have been in the
world
As
also the world?"
50 1 And He answered and said unto me:
’Hear, Baruch, this word,
And
write in the remembrance of your heart all that you shall learn.
2 For the
earth shall then assuredly restore the dead,
[Which it now receives, in order to preserve
them].
It shall make no change in their form,
But
as it has received, so shall it restore them,
And
as I delivered them unto it, so also shall it raise them.
3 For then it will be necessary
to show the living that the dead have come to life again, and that those who had
departed have returned (again). 4 And it shall come to pass, when they have
severally recognized those whom they now know, then judgment shall grow strong,
and those things which before were spoken of shall come.
51 1 And it shall come to pass, when that appointed day
has gone by, that then shall the aspect of those who are condemned be afterwards
changed, and the glory of those who are justified. 2 For the aspect of those who
now act wickedly shall become worse than it is, as they shall suffer torment. 3
Also (as for) the glory of those who have now been justified in My law, who have
had understanding in their life, and who have planted in their heart the root of
wisdom, then their splendor shall be glorified in changes, and the form of their
face shall be turned into the light of their beauty, that they may be able to
acquire and receive the world which does not die, which is then promised to
them. 4 For over this above all shall those who come then lament, that they
rejected My law, and stopped their ears that they might not hear wisdom or
receive understanding. 5 When therefore they see those, over whom they are now
exalted, (but) who shall then be exalted and glorified more than they, they
shall respectively be transformed, the latter into the splendor of angels, and
the former shall yet more waste away in wonder at the visions and in the
beholding of the forms. 6 For they shall first behold and afterwards depart to
be tormented.
7 But those who have been saved by
their works,
And to whom the law has been now a
hope,
And understanding an
expectation,
And wisdom a
confidence,
Shall wonders appear in their time.
8 For
they shall behold the world which is now invisible to them,
And they shall behold the time which is now hidden from
them:
9 And
time shall no longer age them.
10 For in the
heights of that world shall they dwell,
And they shall be made like unto the angels,
And be made equal to the stars,
And they shall be changed into every form they
desire,
From beauty into loveliness,
And from light into the splendor of glory.
11 For there shall be spread before them the extents of
Paradise, and there shall be shown to them the beauty of the majesty of the
living creatures which are beneath the throne, and all the armies of the angels,
who are now held fast by My word, lest they should appear, and] are held fast by
a command, that they may stand in their places till their advent comes. 12
Moreover, there shall then be excellency in the righteous surpassing that in the
angels. 13 For the first shall receive the last, those whom they were expecting,
and the last those of whom they used to hear that they had passed away.
14 For they have been
delivered from this world of tribulation,
And laid down the burthen of anguish.
15 For what then have men
lost their life,
And for what have those who were on the earth exchanged their
soul?
16 For then they
chose (not) for themselves this time,
Which, beyond the reach of anguish, could not pass
away:
But they chose for themselves that time,
Whose issues are full of lamentations and evils,
And they denied the world which ages not those who come to
it,
And they rejected the time of glory,
So that they shall not come to the honor of which I told
you before.’
52 1 And I answered and said
’How
can we forget those for whom woe is then reserved?
2 And why
therefore do we again mourn for those who die?
Or why do we weep for those who depart to Sheol?
3 Let
lamentations be reserved for the beginning of that coming torment,
And let tears be laid up for the advent of the destruction of that
time.
4 [But even
in the face of these things will I speak.
5 And as for
the righteous, what will they do now?
6 Rejoice you
in the suffering which you now suffer:
For why do you look for the decline of your
enemies?
7 Make
ready your soul for that which is reserved for you,
And prepare your souls for the reward which is laid up for you.’]
53—54. THE MESSIAH APOCALYPSE
53. The Vision of the Cloud with black and white
Waters
53 1 And when I had said these things I fell asleep there,
and I saw a vision, and lo! a cloud was ascending from a very great sea, and I
kept gazing upon it) and lo! it was full of waters white and black, and there
were many colors in those self-same waters, and as it were the likeness of great
lightning was seen at its summit. 2 And I saw the cloud passing swiftly in quick
courses, and it covered all the earth. 3 And it came to pass after these things
that that cloud began to pour upon the earth the waters that were in it. 4 And I
saw that there was not one and the same likeness in the waters which
descended from it. 5 For in the first beginning they were black and many (Or a
time, and afterwards I saw that the waters became bright, but they were not
many, and after these things again I saw black (waters), and after these things
again bright, and again black and again bright. 6 Now this was done twelve
times, but the black were always more numerous than the bright. 7 And it came to
pass at the end of the cloud, that lo! it rained black waters, and they were
darker than had been all those waters that were before, and fire was mingled
with them, and where those waters descended, they wrought devastation and
destruction. 8 And after these things I saw how that lightning which I had seen
on the summit of the cloud, seized hold of it and hurled it to the earth. 9 Now
that lightning shone exceedingly, so as to illuminate the whole earth, and it
healed those regions where the last waters had descended and wrought
devastation. 10 And it took hold of the whole earth, and had dominion over it.
11 And I saw after these things, and lo! twelve rivers were ascending from the
sea, and they began to surround that lightning and to become subject to it. 12
And by reason of my fear I awoke.
54—55. Baruch’s Prayer for an Interpretation of the Vision: Ramiel’s advent
for
this Purpose
54 1 And I besought the Mighty One, and
said:
’You
alone, O Lord, know of aforetime the deep things of the world,
And
the things which befall in their times You bring about by Your word, And against
the works of the inhabitants of the earth you do hasten the beginnings of the
times,
And
the end of the seasons you alone know.
2 (You) for
whom nothing is too hard,
But
who do everything easily by a nod:
3 (You) to
whom the depths come as the heights,
And
whose word the beginnings of the ages serve:
4 (You) who
reveal to those who fear you what is prepared for them,
That
thenceforth they may be comforted.
5 You
show great acts to those who know not;
You
break up the enclosure of those who are ignorant,
And
lightest up what is dark,
And
reveal what is hidden to the pure,
[Who
in faith have submitted themselves to you and Your law.]
6 You have
shown to Your servant this vision;
Reveal to me also its
interpretation.
7 For I know
that as regards those things wherein I besought you, I have received a response,
And
as regards what I besought, you did reveal to me with what voice I should praise
you,
And
from what members I should cause praises and hallelujahs to ascend to
you.
8 For if my
members were mouths,
And
the hairs of my head voices,
Even
so I could not give you the reward of praise,
Nor
laud you as is befitting,
Nor
could I recount Your praise,
Nor
tell the glory of Your beauty.
9 For what am
I amongst men,
Or
why am I reckoned amongst those who are more excellent than I,
That
I have heard all these marvelous things from the Most High,
And
numberless promises from Him who created me?
10 Blessed be my mother
among those that bear,
And
praised among women be she that bare me.
11 For I will not be
silent in praising the Mighty One,
And
with the voice of praise I will recount His marvelous
deeds.
12 For who doeth
like unto Your marvelous deeds, O God,
Or
who comprehend Your deep thought of life.
13 For with Your
counsel you do govern all the creatures which Your right hand has created
And
you have established every fountain of light beside you,
And
the treasures of wisdom beneath Your throne have you
prepared.
14 And justly do they
perish who have not loved Your law,
And
the torment of judgment shall await those who have not submitted themselves to
Your power.
15 For though Adam
first sinned
And
brought untimely death upon all,
Yet
of those who were born from him
Each
one of them has prepared for his own soul torment to come,
And
again each one of them has chosen for himself glories to
come.
16 [For assuredly he
who believeth will receive reward.
17 But now, as for
you, you wicked that now are, turn you to destruction, because you shall
speedily be visited, in that formerly you rejected the understanding of the Most
High.
18 For His works
have not taught you,
Nor
has the skill of His creation which is at all times persuaded
you.]
19 Adam is therefore not
the cause, save only of his own soul,
But
each of us has been the Adam of his own soul.
20 But do You, O Lord,
expound to me regarding those things which you have revealed to me,
And
inform me regarding that which I besought you.
21 For at the consummation
of the world vengeance shall be taken upon those who have done wickedness
according to their wickedness,
And
you will glorify the faithful according to their
faithfulness.
22 For those who are
amongst your own you rule,
And those who sin you blot out from amongst your
own.’
55 1 And it came to pass when I had finished speaking the
words of this prayer, that I sat there under a tree, that I might rest in the
shade of the branches. 2 And I wondered and was astonished, and pondered in my
thoughts regarding the multitude of goodness which sinners who are upon the
earth have rejected, and regarding the great torment which they have despised,
though they knew that they should be tormented because of the sin they had
committed. And when I was pondering on these things and the like, lo! the angel
Ramiel who presides over true visions was sent to me, and he said unto
me:
4 ’Why does
your heart trouble you, Baruch,
and
why does your thought disturb you?
5 For if
owing to the report which you have only heard of judgment you are so moved,
What
(wilt you be) when you shall see it manifestly with your
eyes?
6 And if with
the expectation wherewith you do expect the day of the Mighty One you are so
overcome,
What
(wilt you be) when you shall come to its advent?
7 And, if at
the word of the announcement of the torment of those who have done foolishly you
are so wholly distraught,
How
much more when the event will reveal marvelous things?
8 And if you
have heard tidings of the good and evil things which are then coming and are
grieved,
What (wilt you be) when you shall behold what the
majesty will reveal, Which shall convict these and cause those to rejoice.’
56—74. Interpretation of the Vision. The black and
bright Waters symbolize the World’s History from Adam to the Advent of the
Messiah.
56 1
’Nevertheless, because you have besought the Most
High to reveal to you the interpretation of the vision which you have seen, I
have been sent to tell you. 2 And the Mighty One hath assuredly made known to
you the methods of the times that have passed, and of those that are destined to
pass in His world from the beginning of its creation even unto its consummation,
of those things which (are) deceit and of those which (are) in truth. 3 For as
you did see a great cloud which ascended from the sea, and went and covered the
earth, this is the duration of the world (= αιων) which the Mighty One made when
he took counsel to make the world. 4 And it came to pass when the word had gone
forth from His presence, that the duration of the world had come into being in a
small degree, and was established according to the multitude of the intelligence
of Him who sent it. 5 And as you did previously see on the summit of the cloud
black waters which descended previously on the earth, this is the transgression
wherewith Adam the first man transgressed.
6 For [since]
when he transgressed
Untimely death came into being,
Grief was named
And
anguish was prepared,
And
pain was created,
And
trouble consummated,
And
disease began to be established,
And
Sheol kept demanding that it should be renewed in blood,
And
the begetting of children was brought about,
And
the passion of parents produced,
And
the greatness of humanity was humiliated,
And
goodness languished.
7 What therefore can be blacker
or darker than these things? 8 This is the beginning of the black waters which
you have seen. 9 And from these black (waters) again were black derived, and the
darkness of darkness was produced. 10 For he became a danger to his own soul:
even to the angels 11 For, moreover, at that time when he was created, they
enjoyed liberty. 12 And became he a danger some of them descended, and mingled
with the women. 13 And then those who did so were tormented in chains. 14 But
the rest of the multitude of the angels, of which there is (no) number,
restrained themselves. 15 And those who dwelt on the earth perished together
(with them) through the waters of the deluge. 16 These are the black first
waters.
57 1 And after these (waters) you did see bright waters:
this is the fount of Abraham, also his generations and advent of his son, and of
his son’s son, and of those like them. 2 Because at that time the unwritten law
was named amongst them,
And
the works of the commandments were then fulfilled,
And
belief in the coming judgment was then generated,
And
hope of the world that was to be renewed was then built
up,
And
the promise of the life that should come hereafter was implanted.
3 These
are the bright waters, which you have seen.
58 1
’And the black third waters which you have seen,
these are the mingling of all sins, which the nations afterwards wrought after
the death of those righteous men, and the wickedness of the land of Egypt,
wherein they did wickedly in the service wherewith they made their sons to
serve. 2 Nevertheless, these also perished at last.
59 1
’And the bright fourth waters which you have seen are
the advent of Moses and Aaron and Miriam and Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb and
of all those like them. 2 For at that time the lamp of the eternal law shone on
all those who sat in darkness, which announced to them that believe the promise
of their reward, and to them that deny, the torment of fire which is reserved
for them. 3 But also the heavens at that time were shaken from their place, and
those who were under the throne of the Mighty One were perturbed, when He was
taking Moses unto Himself. 4 For He showed him many admonitions together with
the principles of the law and the consummation of the times, as also to you, and
likewise the pattern of Zion and its measures, in the pattern of which the
sanctuary of the present time was to be made. 5 But then also He showed to him
the measures of the fire, also the depths of the abyss, and the weight of the
winds, and the number of the drops of rain: 6 And the suppression of anger, and
the multitude of long-suffering, and the truth of judgment: 7 And the root of
wisdom, and the riches of understanding, and the fount of knowledge: 8 And the
height of the air, and the greatness of Paradise, and the consummation of the
ages, and the beginning of the day of judgment: 9 And the number of the
offerings, and the earths which have not yet come: 10 And the mouth of Gehenna,
and the station of vengeance, and the place of faith, and the region of hope:
And the likeness of future torment, and the multitude of innumerable angels, and
the flaming hosts, and the splendor of the lightnings, and the voice of the
thunders, and the orders of the chiefs of the angels, and the treasuries of
light, and the changes of the times, and the investigations of the law. 12 These
are the bright fourth waters which you have seen.
60 1 And the black fifth waters which you have seen
raining are the works which the Amorites wrought, and the spells of their
incantations which they wrought, and the wickedness of their mysteries, and the
mingling of their pollution. 2 But even Israel was then polluted by sins in the
days of the judges, though they saw many signs which were from Him who made
them.
61 1 And the bright sixth waters which thru did see, this
is the time in which David and Solomon were born.
2 And there
was at that time the building of Zion,
And
the dedication of the sanctuary,
And the shedding of much blood of the nations that sinned then,
And
many offerings which were offered then in the dedication of the
sanctuary.
3 And
peace and tranquility existed at that time,
4 And wisdom
was heard in the assembly:
And the riches of understanding were magnified in the congregations,
5 And the
holy festivals were fulfilled in blessedness and in much
joy.
6 And the
judgment of the rulers was then seen to be without guile,
And
the righteousness of the precepts of the Mighty One was accomplished with truth.
7 And the
land [which] was then beloved by the Lord,
And
because its inhabitants sinned not, it was glorified beyond all lands, And the
city Zion ruled then over all lands and regions.
8 These are
the bright waters which you have seen.
62 1 And the black seventh waters which you have seen,
this is the perversion (brought about) by the counsel of Jeroboam, who took
counsel to make two calves of gold: 2 And all the iniquities which kings who
were after him iniquitously wrought. 3 And the curse of Jezebel and the worship
of idols which Israel practiced at that time. 4 And the withholding of rain, and
the famines which occurred until women eat the fruit of their wombs. 5 And the
time of their captivity which came upon the nine tribes and a half, because they
were in many sins. 6 And Shalmanezzar king of Assyria came and led them away
captive. 7 But regarding the Gentiles it were tedious to tell how they always
wrought impiety and wickedness, and never wrought righteousness. 8 These are the
black seventh waters which you have seen.
63 1
’And the bright eighth waters which you have seen,
this is the rectitude and uprightness of Hezekiah king of Judah and the grace
(of God) which came upon him. 2 For when Sennacherib was stirred up in order
that he might perish, and his wrath troubled him in order that he might thereby
perish, for the multitude also of the nations which were with him. 3 When,
moreover, Hezekiah the king heard those things which the king of Assyria was
devising, (i.e.) to come and seize him and destroy his people, the two and a
half tribes which remained: nay, more he wished to overthrow Zion also: then
Hezekiah trusted in his works, and had hope in his righteousness, and spoke with
the Mighty One and said: 4 "Behold, for lo! Sennacherib is prepared to destroy
us, and he will be boastful and uplifted when he has destroyed Zion."
5 And the
Mighty One heard him, for Hezekiah was wise,
And
He had respect unto his prayer, because he was righteous.
6 And thereupon the Mighty One
commanded Ramiel His angel who speaks with you. 7 And I went forth and destroyed
their multitude, the number of whose chiefs only was a hundred and eighty-five
thousand, and each one of them had an equal number (at his command). 8 And at
that time I burned their bodies within, but their raiment and arms I preserved
outwardly, in order that the still more wonderful deeds of the Mighty One might
appear, and that thereby His name might be spoken of throughout the whole earth.
9 And Zion was saved and Jerusalem delivered: Israel also was freed from
tribulation. 10 And all those who were in the holy land rejoiced, and the name of the Mighty One
was glorified so that it was spoken of 11 These are the bright waters which you
have seen.
64 1
’And the black ninth waters which you have seen, this
is all the wickedness which was in the days of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah. 2
For he wrought much impiety, and he slew the righteous, and he wrested judgment,
and he shed the blood of the innocent, and wedded women he violently polluted,
and he overturned the altars, and destroyed their offerings, and drove forth
their priests lest they should minister in the sanctuary. 3 And he made an image
with five faces: four of them looked to the four winds, and the fifth on the
summit of the image as ah adversary of the zeal of the Mighty One. 4 And then
wrath went forth from the presence of the Mighty One to the intent that Zion
should be rooted out, as also it befell in your days. But also against the two
tribes and a half went forth a decree that they should also be led away captive,
as you have now seen. 5 And to such a degree did the impiety of Manasseh
increase, that it removed the praise of the Most High from the sanctuary. 7 On
this account Manasseh was at that time named ’the impious," and finally his
abode was in the fire. 8 For though his prayer was heard with the Most High,
finally, when he was cast into the brazen horse and the brazen horse was melted,
it served as a sign unto him for the hour. 9 For he had not lived perfectly, for
he was not worthy—but that thenceforward he might know by whom finally he should
be tormented. 10 For he who is able to benefit is also able to
torment.
65 1
’Thus, moreover, did Manasseh act impiously, and
thought that in his time the Mighty One would not inquire into these things. 2
These are the black ninth waters which you have seen.
66 1
’And the bright tenth waters which you have seen:
this is the purity of the generations of Josiah king of Judah, who was the only
one at the time who submitted himself to the Mighty One with all his heart and
with all his soul. 2 And he cleansed the land from idols, and hallowed all the
vessels which had been polluted, and restored the offerings to the altar, and
raised the horn of the holy, and exalted the righteous, and honored all that
were wise in understanding, and brought back the priests to their ministry, and
destroyed and removed the magicians and enchanters and necromancers from the
land. 3 And not only did he slay the impious that were living, but they also
took from the sepulchers the bones of the dead and burned them with fire. 4 [And
the festivals and the Sabbaths he established in their sanctity], and their
polluted ones he burnt in the fire, and the lying prophets which deceived the
people, these also he burnt in the fire, and the people who listened to them
when they were living, he cast them into the brook Kidron, and heaped stones
upon them. 5 And he was zealous with zeal for the Mighty One with all his soul,
and he alone was firm in the law at that time, so that he left none that was
uncircumcised, or that wrought impiety in all the land, all the days of his
life. 6 Therefore he shall receive an eternal reward, and he shall be glorified
with the Mighty One beyond many at a later time. 7 For on his account and on
account of those who are like him were the honorable glories, of which you were
told before, created and prepared. These arc the bright waters which you have
seen.
67 1
’And the black eleventh waters which you have seen:
this is the calamity which is now befalling "Zion.
2 Do you
think that there is no anguish to the angels in the presence of the Mighty One,
That
Zion was so delivered up,
And
that lo! the Gentiles boast in their hearts,
And
assemble before their idols and say,
"She is trodden down who oftentimes trod down,
And
she has been reduced to servitude who reduced (others)"?
3 Dost you
think that in these things the Most High rejoices,
Or
that His name is glorified?
4 [But
how will it serve towards His righteous judgment?]
5 Yet
after these things shall the dispersed among the Gentiles be taken hold of by
tribulation,
And
in shame shall they dwell in every place.
6 Because so
far as Zion is delivered up
And
Jerusalem laid waste,
Shall idols prosper in the cities of the Gentiles,
And
the vapor of the smoke of the incense of the righteousness which is by the law
is extinguished in Zion,
And
in the region of Zion in every place lo! there is the smoke of
impiety.
7 But the
king of Babylon will arise who has now destroyed Zion,
And
he will boast over the people,
And
he will speak great things in his heart in the presence of the Most
High.
8 But
he also shall fall at last. These are the black waters.
68 1
’And the bright twelfth waters which you have seen:
this is the word. For after these things time will come when your people shall
fall into distress, so that they shall all run the risk of perishing together. 3
Nevertheless, they will be saved, and their enemies will fall in their presence.
4 And they will have in (due) time much joy. 5 And at that time after a little
interval Zion will again be rebuilt, and its offerings will again be restored,
and the priests will return to their ministry, and also the Gentiles will come
to glorify it. 6 Nevertheless, not fully as in the beginning. 7 But it will come
to pass after these things that there will be the fall of many nations. 8 These
are the bright waters which you have seen.
69 1
’For the last waters which you have seen which were
darker than all that were before them, those which were after the twelfth
number, which were collected together, belong to the whole world. 2 For the Most
High made division from the beginning, because He alone knows what will befall.
3 For as to the enormities and the impieties which should be wrought before Him,
He foresaw six kinds of them. 4 And of the good works of the righteous which
should be accomplished before Him, He foresaw six kinds of them, beyond those
which He should work at the consummation of the age. 5 On his account there were
not black waters with black, nor bright with bright; for it is the
consummation.
70 1
’Hear therefore the interpretation of the last black
waters which are to come [after the black]: this the word. 2 Behold! the days
come, and it shall be when the time of the age has ripened,
And
the harvest of its evil and good seeds has come,
That
the Mighty One will bring upon the earth and its inhabitants and upon its rulers
Perturbation of spirit and stupor of
heart.
3 And they
shall hate one another,
And
provoke one another to fight,
And
the mean shall rule over the honorable,
And
those of low degree shall be extolled above the famous.
4 And the
many shall be delivered into the hands of the few,
And
those who were nothing shall rule over the strong,
And
the poor shall have abundance beyond the rich,
And
the impious shall exalt themselves above the heroic.
5 And the
wise shall be silent,
And
the foolish shall speak,
Neither shall the thought of men be then
confirmed,
Nor
the counsel of the mighty,
Nor
shall the hope of those who hope be confirmed.
6 And when
those things which were predicted have come to pass,
Then
shall confusion fall upon all men,
And
some of them shall fall in battle,
And some of them shall perish in anguish
7 And some of them shall be destroyed by their own. Then the Most High peoples whom He has prepared before
And
they shall come and make war with the leaders that shall then be
left.
8 And it
shall come to pass that whoever gets safe out of the war shall die in the
earthquake,
And
whoever gets safe out of the earthquake shall be burned by the
fire,
And
whoever gets safe out of the fire shall be destroyed by
famine.
9 [And it shall come to pass
that whoever of the victors and the vanquished gets safe out of and escapes all
these things aforesaid will be delivered into the hands of My servant Messiah.]
10 For all the earth shall devour its inhabitants.
71 1
’And the holy land shall have mercy on its own, And
it shall protect its inhabitants at that time. 2 This is the vision which you
have seen, and this is the interpretation. 3 For I have come to tell you these
things, because your prayer has been heard with the Most High.
72
’Hear now also regarding the bright lightning which is
to come at the consummation after these black (waters): this is the word. 2
After the signs have come, of which you were told before, when the nations
become turbulent, and the time of My Messiah is come, he shall both summon all
the nations, and some of them he shall spare, and some of them he shall slay. 3
These things therefore shall come upon the nations which are to be spared by
Him. 4 Every nation, which knows not Israel and has not trodden down the seed of
Jacob, shall indeed be spared. 5 And this because some out of every nation shall
be subjected to your people. 6 But all those who have ruled over you, or have
known you, shall be given up to the sword.
73 1
’And it
shall come to pass, when He has brought low everything that is in the world,
And
has sat down in peace for the age on the throne of His kingdom,
That
joy shall then be revealed,
And
rest shall appear.
2 And then
healing shall descend in dew,
And
disease shall withdraw,
And
anxiety and anguish and lamentation pass from amongst men,
And
gladness proceed through the whole earth.
3 And no one
shall again die untimely,
Nor
shall any adversity suddenly befall.
4 And
judgments, and abusive talk, and contentions, and revenges,
And
blood, and passions, and envy, and hatred,
And
whatsoever things are like these shall go into condemnation when they are
removed.
5 For
it is these very things which have filled this world with evils,
And
on account of these the life of man has been greatly
troubled.
6 And wild
beasts shall come from the forest and minister unto men
And
asps and dragons shall come forth from their holes to submit themselves to a
little child.
7 And
women shall no longer then have pain when they bear,
Nor
shall they suffer torment when they yield the fruit of the
womb.
74 1
’And it
shall come to pass in those days that the reapers shall not grow
weary,
Nor
those that build be toil-worn;
For
the works shall of themselves speedily advance
Together with those who do them in much tranquility.
2 For that
time is the consummation of that which is corruptible,
And
the beginning of that which is not corruptible.
3 Therefore
those things which were predicted shall belong to it:
Therefore it is far away from evils, and near to those
things which die not.
4 This is the
bright lightning which came after the last dark waters.’
75. Baruch’s Hymn on the Unsearchableness of God’s
Ways and on His Mercies through
which the Faithful shall attain to a blessed
Consummation
75 1 And
I answered and said:
’Who
can understand, O Lord, Your goodness?
For
it is incomprehensible.
2 Or who can
search into your compassions,
Which are infinite?
3 Or who can
comprehend Your intelligence?
4 Or
who is able to recount the thoughts of Your mind?
5 Or who of
those who are born can hope to come to those things,
Unless he is one to whom you are merciful and
gracious?
6 Because, if
assuredly you did not have compassion on man,
Those who are under Your right hand,
They
could not come to those things,
But
those who are in the numbers named can be called.
7 But if,
indeed, we who exist know wherefore we have come,
And
submit ourselves to Him who brought us out of Egypt,
We
shall come again and remember those things which have passed,
And
shall rejoice regarding that which has been.
8 But if now
we know not wherefore we have come,
And
recognize not the principate of Him who brought us up out of Egypt, We shall
come again and seek after those things which have been now,
And be grieved with pain because of those things
which have befallen.’
76. Baruch bidden to instruct the People for forty
days and then to hold himself ready for his Assumption on the Advent of the
Messiah
76 1 And He answered and said unto me: [’Inasmuch
as the revelation of this vision has been interpreted to you as you requested],
hear the word of the Most High that you may know what is to befall you after
these things. 2 For you shall surely depart from this earth, nevertheless not
unto death, but you shall be preserved unto the consummation of the times. 3 Go
up therefore to the top of that mountain, and there shall pass before you all
the regions of that land, and the figure of the inhabited world, and the top(s)
of the mountains, and the depth(s) of the valleys, and the depths of the seas,
and the number of the rivers, that you may see what you are leaving, and whither
you are going. 4 Now this shall befall after forty days. Go now therefore during
these days and instruct the people so far as you are able, that they may learn
so as not to die at the last time, but may learn in order that they may live at
the last times.’
77. Baruch’s Admonition to the People and his writing
of two Letters—one to the nine and a half tribes in Assyria and the other to the
two and a half in Babylon
77 1 And I, Baruch, went there and came to the people, and
assembled them together from the greatest to the least, and said unto them: 2
’Hear, you children of Israel, behold how many you are who remain of the twelve
tribes of Israel. 3 For to you and to your fathers the Lord gave a law more
excellent than to all peoples. 4 And because your brethren transgressed the
commandments of the Most High,
He
brought vengeance upon you and upon them,
And
He spared not the former,
And
the latter also He gave into captivity:
And
He left not a residue of them,
5 But behold!
you are here with me.
6 If,
therefore, you direct your ways aright,
Ye
also shall not depart as your brethren departed,
But
they shall come to you.
7 For He is
merciful whom you worship,
And
He is gracious in whom you hope,
And
He is true, so that He shall do good and not evil.
8 Have you
not seen here what has befallen Zion?
9 Or do you
perchance think that the place had sinned,
And
that on this account it was overthrown?
Or
that the land had wrought foolishness,
And
that therefore it was delivered up?
10 And know you not that
on account of you who did sin,
That
which sinned not was overthrown,
And,
on account of those who wrought wickedly,
That which wrought not foolishness was delivered up
to (its) enemies?’
11 And the whole people
answered and said unto me: ’So far as we can recall the good things which the
Mighty One has done unto us, we do recall them; and those things which we do not
remember He in His mercy knows. 12 Nevertheless, do this for us your people:
write also to our brethren in Babylon an epistle of doctrine and a scroll of
hope, that you may confirm them also before you do depart from
us.
13 For the shepherds of
Israel have perished,
And
the lamps which gave light are extinguished,
And
the fountains have withheld their stream whence we used to
drink.
14 And we are left in the
darkness,
And
amid the trees of the forest,
And the thirst of the wilderness.’
15 And I answered
and said unto them
’Shepherds and lamps and fountains come from the
law:
And
though we depart, yet the law abides.
16 If therefore you have
respect to the law,
And
are intent upon wisdom,
A
lamp will not be wanting,
And
a shepherd will not fail,
And
a fountain will not dry up.
17 Nevertheless, as you said
unto me, I will write also unto your brethren in Babylon, and I will send by
means of men, and I will write in like manner to the nine tribes and a half, and
send by means of a bird.’ 18 And it came to pass on the one and twentieth day in
the eighth month that I, Baruch, came and sat down under the oak under the
shadow of the branches, and no man was with me, but I was alone. 19 And I wrote
these two epistles: one I sent by an eagle to the nine and a half tribes; and
the other I sent to those that were at Babylon by means of three men. 20 And I
called the eagle and spoke these words unto it: 21 ’The Most High hath made you
that you should be higher than all birds. 22 And now go and tarry not in (any)
place, nor enter a nest, nor settle upon any tree, till you have passed over the
breadth of the many waters of the river Euphrates, and have gone to the people
that dwell there, and cast down to them this epistle. 23 Remember, moreover,
that, at the time of the deluge, Noah received from a dove the fruit of the
olive, when he sent it forth from the ark. 24 Yea, also the ravens ministered to
Elijah, bearing him food, as they had been commanded. 25 Solomon also, in the
time of his kingdom, whithersoever he wished to send or seek for anything,
commanded a bird (to go thither), and it obeyed him as he commanded it. 26 And
now let it not weary you, and turn not to the right hand nor the left, but fly
and go by a direct way, that you may preserve the command of the Mighty One,
according as I said unto you.’
78—86. THE EPISTLE OF BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH WHICH
HE
WROTE TO THE NINE AND A HALF
TRIBES
78 1 These are the words of that epistle which Baruch the
son of Neriah sent to the nine and a half tribes, which were across the river
Euphrates, in which these things were written.
2 Thus says Baruch the son of
Neriah to the brethren carried into captivity: ’Mercy and peace.’ I bear in
mind, my brethren, the love of Him who created us, who loved us from of old, and
never hated us, but above all educated us. 3 And truly I know that behold all we
the twelve tribes are bound by one bond, inasmuch as we are born from one
father. 4 Wherefore I have been the more careful to leave you the words of this
epistle before I die, that you may be comforted regarding the evils which have
come upon you, and that you may be grieved also regarding the evil that has
befallen your brethren; and again, also, that you may justify His judgment which
5 He has decreed against you that you should be carried away captive—for what
you have suffered is disproportioned to what you have done—in order that, at the
last times, you may be found worthy of your fathers. 6 Therefore, if you
consider that ye have now suffered those things for your good, that you may not
finally be condemned and tormented, then you will receive eternal hope; if above
all you destroy from your heart vain error, on account of which you departed
hence. 7 For if you so do these things, He will continually remember you, He who
always promised on our behalf to those who were more excellent than we, that He
will never forget or forsake us, but with much mercy will gather together again
those who were dispersed.
79 1 Now, my brethren, learn first what befell Zion: how
that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against us. 2 For we have sinned
against Him who made us, and we have not kept the commandments which he
commanded us, yet he hath not chastened us as we deserved. 3 For what befell you
we also suffer in a preeminent degree, for it befell us
also.
80 1 And now, my brethren, I make known unto you that when
the enemy had surrounded the city, the angels of the Most High were sent, and
they overthrew the fortifications of the strong wall, and they destroyed the
firm iron corners, which could not be rooted out. 2 Nevertheless, they hid all
the vessels of the sanctuary, lest the enemy should get possession of them. 3
And when they had done these things, they delivered thereupon to the enemy the
overthrown wall, and the plundered house, and the burnt temple, and the people
who were overcome because they were delivered up, lest the enemy should boast
and say: ’Thus by force have we been able to lay waste even the house of the
Most High in war.’ Your brethren also have they bound and led away to Babylon,
and have caused them to dwell there. 5 But we have been left here, being very
few. 6 This is the tribulation about which I wrote to you. 7 For assuredly I
know that (the consolation of) the inhabitants of Zion consoles you : so far as
you knew that it was prospered (your consolation) was greater than the
tribulation which you endured in having to depart from it.
81 1 But regarding consolation, hear the word. 2 For I was
mourning regarding Zion, and I prayed for mercy from the Most High, and I
said:
3 ’How long
will these things endure for us?
And will these evils come upon us always?’
4 And the
Mighty One did according to the multitude of His mercies,
And
the Most High according to the greatness of His
compassion,
And
He revealed unto me the word, that I might receive
consolation,
And
He showed me visions that I should not again endure
anguish,
And
He made known to me the mystery of the times.
And
the advent of the hours he showed me.
82 1 Therefore, my brethren, I have written to you, that
you may comfort yourselves regarding the multitude of your tribulations. 2 For
know you that our Maker will assuredly avenge us on all our enemies, according
to all that they have done to us, also that the consummation which the Most High
will make is very nigh, and His mercy that is coming, and the consummation of
His judgment, is by no means far off.
3 For lo! we
see now the multitude of the prosperity of the Gentiles,
Though they act impiously,
But
they shall be like a vapor:
4 And we
behold the multitude of their power,
Though they do wickedly,
But
they shall be made like unto a drop:
5 And
we see the firmness of their might.
Though they resist the Mighty One every hour,
But
they shall be accounted as spittle.
6 And we
consider the glory of their greatness,
Though they do not keep the statutes of the Most High,
But
as smoke shall they pass away.
7 And
we meditate on the beauty of their gracefulness,
Though they have to do with pollutions,
But
as grass that withers shall they fade away.
8 And we
consider the strength of their cruelty,
Though they remember not the end (thereof),
But
as a wave that passes shall they be broken.
9 And
we remark the boastfulness of their might,
Though they deny the beneficence of God, who gave (it)
to them,
But
they shall pass away as a passing cloud.
83 1 [For the
Most High will assuredly hasten His times,
And
He will assuredly bring on His hours.
2 And He will
assuredly judge those who are in His world,
And
will visit in truth all things by means of all their hidden
works.
3 And He will
assuredly examine the secret thoughts,
And
that which is laid up in the secret chambers of all the members of mail. And
will make (them) manifest in the presence of all with
reproof.
4 Let none therefore of these
present things ascend into your hearts, but above all let us be expectant,
because that which is promised to us shall come. 5 And let us not now look unto
the delights of the Gentiles in the present, but let us remember what has been
promised to us in the end. 6 For the ends of the times and of the seasons and
whatsoever is with them shall assuredly pass by together. 7 The consummation,
moreover, of the age shall then show the great might of its ruler, when all
things come to judgment. 8 Do you therefore prepare your hearts for that which
before you believed, lest you come to be in bondage in both worlds, so that you
be led away captive here and be tormented there. 9 For that which exists now or
which has passed away, or which is to come, in all these things, neither is the
evil fully evil, nor again the good fully good.
10 For all healthinesses
of this time are turning into diseases,
11 And all might of
this time is turning into weakness,
And
all the force of this time is turning into impotence,
12 And every energy of
youth is turning into old age and consummation.
And
every beauty of gracefulness of this time is turning faded and
hateful,
13 And every proud
dominion of the present is turning into humiliation and
shame,
14 And every praise of the
glory of this time is turning into the shame of silence,
And
every vain splendor and insolence of this time is turning into voiceless ruin.
15 And every delight and
joy of this time is turning to worms and corruption,
16 And every clamor of the
pride of this time is turning into dust and stillness.
17 And every possession of
riches of this time is being turned into Sheol alone,
18 And all the rapine of
passion of this time is turning into involuntary death,
And
every passion of the lusts of this time is turning into a judgment of
torment.
19 And every artifice and
craftiness of this time is turning into a proof of the
truth,
20 And every sweetness of
unguents of this time is turning into judgment and
condemnation,
21 And every love of lying is turning to contumely through truth
22 [Since therefore all these
things are done now, does anyone think that they will not be avenged? But the
consummation of all things will come to the truth.]
84 Behold! I have therefore made known unto you (these
things) whilst I live: for I have said (it) that you should learn the things
that are excellent; for the Mighty One hath commanded me to instruct you: and I
will set before you some of the commandments of His judgment before I die. 2
Remember that formerly Moses assuredly called heaven and earth to witness
against you and said: ’If you transgress the law you shall be dispersed, but if
you keep it you shall be kept.’ 3 And other things also he used to say unto you
when you the twelve tribes were together in the desert. 4 And after his death
you cast them away from you: on this account there came upon you what had been
predicted. 5 And now Moses used to tell you before they befell you, and lo! they
have befallen you: for you have forsaken the law. 6 Lo! I also say unto you
after you have suffered, that if you obey those things which have been said unto
you, you will receive from the Mighty One whatever has been laid up and reserved
for you. 7 Moreover, let this epistle be for a testimony between me and you,
that you may remember the commandments of the Mighty One, and that also there
may be to me a defense in the presence of Him who sent me. 8 And remember you
the law and Zion, and the holy land and your brethren, and the covenant of your
fathers, and forget not the festivals and the Sabbaths. And deliver this epistle
and the traditions of the law to your sons after you, as also your fathers
delivered (them) to you. 10 And at all times make request perseveringly and pray
diligently with your whole heart that the Mighty One may be reconciled to you,
and that He may not reckon the multitude of your sins, but remember the
rectitude of your fathers. 11 For if He judge us not according to the multitude
of His mercies, woe unto all us who are born.
85 1 [Know,
moreover, that
In former times and in the generations of old our fathers had helpers,
Righteous men and holy prophets:
2 No more, we
were in our own land
[And
they helped us when we sinned],
finish