d Cp. ch. 5. & 6. 36, 37. 21 e See ch. 4. ƒ Deut. 4. 1 h ch. 4. 34 & 5. 44. i Cp. Deut. j 2 Kin. 17. 13, 25. * Cp. ch. 6. 28. Rev. 14. Rev. 22. 12. 13. Cp. Matt. 56. 12. 14. z Rev. 19. 20 & 20. 10, 14, [38]. b ver. 53. ch. 4. 7 & 6. 2. e Cp. ver. [36]. and vain things, they can never receive revealed upon the seat of judgement 5, and compassion shall pass away, and "Cp. Luke 13. 12 & Mark 4. 25 & Luke 8. 18. m See ch. 4. 52. " Cp. Rev. 21.2. * Cp. ch. 6. 25. 1 According to some authorities, have not suffered. 5 The Syriac adds and the end shall come. 60. 19, 20 23 & 22. 5. [104] & ch. 6. 33 & 8. 62 & 10. 38, 59 & 12. 9, 36 & 13. 56. ƒ Ps. 1. 1, 2 & 119. 2. 28 & 8. 17 & Neh. 1. 6 & Rom. 10. 1. h See ob. 8. 35. [45] And I answered, I said even then, O Lord, and I say now: Blessed are they that be now alive and keep the statutes ordained of thee. [46] But as touching them for whom my prayer Cp. ch. 5. was made, what shall I say? hfor who is there of them that be alive that hath not sinned, and who of the sons of men that hath not transgressed thy covenant? [47] And now I see, that the world to come shall bring delight to few, but i Cp. ch. 8. 1 torments unto many. [48] For an evil heart hath grown up in us, which hath led us astray from these statutes, and hath brought us into corruption and into the ways of death, hath shewed us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life; and that, not a few only, but well nigh all that have been created. [49] And he answered me, and said, hath not made one world, but two. ..... is no judge... and none that hath understanding The passage from verse [36] to verse [105], formerly miss- MSS. have place. speak. 10 Or, storm 8 Lat. Gehenna. 9 So the chief Oriental versions. The Latin has shalt thou & 9. 15. ¿Cp.ver. [92] & ch. 3. 20 -22 & 4. 30, 31. k See ch. 8.1. 1 ch. 8. 2 & 10. 9. ” Cp. ch. 8. 2. " See ch. 4. 38. • ch. 8. 39. ungodly abound, hear the answer thereunto. [sa] If thou have choice stones exceeding few, wilt thou set for thee over against them according to their number things of lead and clay? [53] And I said, Lord, how shall this be? [54] And he said unto me, Not only this, but ask the earth, and she shall tell thee; intreat her, and she shall declare unto thee. [55] For thou shalt say unto her, m Thou bringest forth gold and silver and brass, and iron also and lead and clay: [56] but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, lead than iron, and clay than lead. [57] Judge thou therefore which things are precious and to be desired, whatso is abundant or what is rare. [58] And I said, "O Lord that bearest rule, that which is plentiful is of less worth, for that which is more rare is more precious. [59] And he answered me, and said, 1Weigh within thyself the things that thou hast thought, for he that hath what is hard to get rejoiceth over him that hath what is plentiful. [60] So also is the judgement which I have promised: for I will rejoice over the few PCp. Jer. 13. that shall be saved, inasmuch as P these are they that have made my glory now to prevail, and of whom my name is now named. [61] And I will not grieve over the multitude of them that perish; for these are they that are now like unto vapour, and are become as flame and smoke; they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are quenched. 11. 4 Cp. ver. 61 & ch. 8. 39. 4. 3. [62] And I answered and said, O thou earth, wherefore hast thou brought forth, if the mind is made out of dust, Cp. Eccles. like as all other created things? [63] For it were better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made therefrom. [64] But now the mind groweth with us, and by reason of this we are tormented, because we perish and know it. [65] Let the race of men lament and the beasts of the field be glad; let all that are born lament, but let the fourfooted beasts and the cattle rejoice. [66] For it is far better with them than with us; for they look not for judgement, neither do they know of torments or of salvation promised unto them after death. [67] For what doth it profit us, that we shall be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment? [68] For all that are born are 1defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with offences: [69] and C. ver. 47.8 if after death we were not to come into judgement, peradventure it had been better for us. [70] And he answered me, and said, When the Most High made the world, The Latin is here corrupt. 20. 23 40. -24. and Adam and all them that came of him, he first prepared the judgement Cp. Matt. and the things that pertain unto the judgement. [7] And now understand from thine own words, ufor thou hast said that the mind groweth with us. [72] They therefore that dwell upon the earth shall be tormented for this reason, that having understanding they have See ver. 21 wrought iniquity, and receiving commandments have not kept them, and having obtained a law they dealt unfaithfully with that which they received. [73] What then will they have to say in the judgement, or how will they answer in the last times? [74] w For how great Cp. Rom. a time hath the Most High been longsuffering with them that inhabit the world, and not for their sakes, but because of the times which he hath foreordained! 2.4 & 2 Pet. 3. 9. [75] And I answered and said, If I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, shew this also unto thy servant, whether after death, even now when every one of us giveth up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come, in Cp. Isai. which thou shalt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented forthwith. 65. 17 & Matt. 19. 28 & Acts 3. 21 & Rev. 21. 1, 5. Matt. 6. 20. Luke 12.33. * Eccles. 12. 7. a Cp. ver. [91]. [76] And he answered me, and said, I will shew thee this also; but join not thyself with them that are scorners, nor number thyself with them that are tormented. [77] For thou hast va treasure Tobit 4. 9. of good works laid up with the Most High, but it shall not be shewed thee until the last times. [78] For concerning death the teaching is: When the determinate sentence hath gone forth from the Most High that a man should die, as the spirit leaveth the body to return again to him who gave it, ait adoreth the glory of the Most High first of all. [79] And if it be one of those that have been scorners and have not kept the way of the Most High, and that have despised his law, and that hate them that fear 2 God, [80] these spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall wander ver. [101]. and be in torments forthwith, ever grievCp. ver. [85], [95]. ing and sad, in seven ways. [81] The first way, because they have despised the law of the Most High. [82] The second way, because they cannot now make a good returning that they may live. [83] The third way, d they shall see the reward laid up for them that Cp. Wishave believed the covenants of the Most High. [84] The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. [85] The fifth way, they shall see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness. [86] The sixth way, they shall see how forthwith some of them shall pass into torment. [87] The seventh way, which is more grievous than all 3 The passage is corrupt. See ch. 4. 11. 91 Cor. 15. 30. James 4.12. i Cp. ver. [78]. Cp. ver. [48]. * Cp. Rev. 14. 10. Matt. 10. 32. Rev. 3. 5. m1 Tim. 6. 20. the aforesaid ways, because they shall pine away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they have sinned whilst living, and before whom they shall be judged in the last times. [88] Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from the corruptible vessel. [89] In the time that they dwelt therein they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of Isai. 33. 22. the lawgiver perfectly. [90] Wherefore this is the teaching concerning them: [91] First of all they shall see with great joy the glory of him who taketh them up, for they shall have rest in seven orders. [92] The first order, because they have striven with great labour to overcome the evil thought which was fashioned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. [93] The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaiteth them. [94] The third order, they see the witness which Luke 12. 8. he that fashioned them beareth concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law m which was given them in trust. [95] The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered n in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaiteth them in the last days. [96] The fifth order, they rejoice, seeing how they have now escaped from o that which is corruptible, and how they &1 Cor. 15. shall inherit that which is to come, while they see moreover the straitness and the painfulness from which they have been delivered, and the large room which they shall receive with joy and immortality. [97] The sixth order, when it is ? Dan. 12. 3. shewed unto them how their face shall shine as the sun, and how "they shall be made like unto the light of the stars, being henceforth incorruptible. [98] The seventh order, which is greater than all the aforesaid orders, because they shall rejoice with confidence, and because they shall be bold without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom in their lifetime they served, and from Rev. 22. 12. whom they shall receive their reward in glory. [99] This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is an nounced unto them, and aforesaid are the ways of torture which they that would not give heed shall suffer from henceforth. [100] And I answered and said, Shall time therefore be given unto the souls after they are separated from 2 Tim. 1. 14. " ver. 32 (mg.). ch. 4. 35. Cp. ver. [80], [85], [101]. Cp. Rom. 7.24 53, 54. P Cp. Rom. 8. 18. Matt. 13. 43. r ver. 55. $ 1 John 3. 2. Rev. 22. 4. "See ch. 4. 44. the bodies, that they may see that whereof thou hast spoken unto me? [101] And he said, Their freedom shall be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things whereof thou hast been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered together win their habita-"ver. [80]. tions. [102] And I answered and said, [85], [95]. Cp. ver. "If I have found favour in thy sight, shew further unto me thy servant whether in the day of judgement the just will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to intreat the Most High for them, [103] whether fathers for children, or children for parents, or brethren for brethren, or kinsfolk for their next of kin, or friends for them that are most dear. [104] And he answered me, and said, Since thou hast found favour in my sight, wI will shew thee this also: The day of judgement is a day of decision, and displayeth unto all the Cp. Joel 3. seal of truth; even as now a father sendeth not his son, or a son his father, or a master his slave, or a friend him that is most dear, that in his stead he may be sick, or sleep, or eat, or be healed: [105] y so never shall any one pray for another 5in that day, neither shall one lay a burden on another, forver. 45. then shall all bear every one his own righteousness or unrighteousness. w See ver. [44]. 14. Ezek. 18. 20. Cp. Rom. 2. 6 & Gal. 6. 5, 7, 8. 18. 23-32. b See Ex. 32. 11-13. c See Josh. 7.6-9. & 12, 23 & 15. 11. e 2 Sam. 24. 17. 36 [106] And I answered and said, How do we now find that first a Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and See Gen. Moses for the fathers that sinned in the wilderness: 37 [107] and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of 6 Achar: 38 [108] and d Samuel in the days of Saul; d1 Sam. 7.9 and David for the plague: and Solomon for them that should worship in the sanctuary: 39 [109] and 9 Elijah for those that received rain; and for the dead, See 1 Kin. that he might live: 40 [110] and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib: and many for many? 41 [11] If therefore now, when corruption is grown up, and unrighteousness increased, the righteous have prayed for the ungodly, wherefore shall it not be so then also? 42 [112] He answered me, and said, This present world is not the end; the full glory abideth not therein: therefore have they who were able prayed for the weak. 43 [13] But the day of judgement shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is passed away, 44 [114] intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, but righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up. 45 [115] Then shall no man be able to have mercy on him that is cast in judgement, nor to thrust down him that hath gotten the victory. 46 [116] I answered then and said, This 4 The 1 The Latin is here corrupt 2. So the Oriental versions. 3. The Latin has a bold day. Latin has understand. 5 So the Syriac. The Latin omits in that day... another. 6 That is, Achan. See Josh, 7. 1. 7 So the Syriac and other versions. The Latin omits in the days of Saul. 8 Omitted in the Latin. " ch. 6. 53, 54 & 10. 14. • ch. 3. 5. P Cp. ver. Ps. 130. 3 & 143. 2. is my first and last saying, "that it had them which are to come; 67 [137] (for if been better that the earth had not he multiplied not his mercies, d the world & Lam. 3. 22. o given thee Adam: or else, when it would not continue with them that dwell had given him, to have restrained him therein;) 68 [138] and one that forgiveth, from sinning. 47 [117]p For what profit for if he did not forgive of his goodis it for all that are in this present time ness, that they which have committed to live in heaviness, and after death to iniquities might be eased of them, the look for punishment? 48 [118] 0 thou ten thousandth part of men would not Adam, what hast thou done? for though remain living; 69 [139] and a judge, for Ps. 51. 1, 9. it was thou that sinned, the evil is not if he did not pardon them that were fallen on thee alone, but upon all of us created by his word, and blot out the Rom. 5. 18. that come of thee. 49 [119] For what pro-multitude of 2 offences, 70 [140] there would fit is it unto us, if there be promised us peradventure be very few left in an inan immortal time, whereas we have numerable multitude. ? ver. 11. ch. 3. 21 & 4. 30. r ch. 8. 31. Cp. Rom. 6. 23. 8 Rev. 2. 7. See ch.4.7. And he answered me, and said, done the works that bring death? 8 The Most High hath made this world 50 [120] And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves most miserably are become vain? 51 [121] And that there are reserved habitations of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly? 52 [122] And that the glory of the Most High shall defend them which have led a pure life, whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all? 53[123] And that there shall be shewed sa paradise, whose fruit endureth without Rev. 22. 2. decay, wherein is abundance and healing, but we shall not enter into it, 54 [124] for we have walked in unpleasant places? 55 [125] And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall Ishine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness? 56 [126] For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not what we should have to suffer after death. u See ver. " Lam. 4. 8 6 & Nah. 2. 10. 10 ch. 16. 40. & 2 Tim. 2. & 4.7. 10-17. 57 [127] Then he answered and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight; 58 [128] that, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the See Eph. 6. thing that I say. 59 [129] For this is the way whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live. 60 [130] Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no, nor me which have spoken unto them; 61 [131] so that there shall not be such heaviness in their destruction, as a there shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation. Deut. 30. 19. y ch. 1. 32. * ver. [60], 62 [132] I answered then and said, I know, Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world; 63 [133] and compassionate, in that he hath compassion upon those that turn to his law; 64 [134] and longsuffering, for that he long suffereth those that have sinned, cas his creatures; dom 11. 24, 65 [135] and bountiful, for that he is ready to give rather than to exact; 66 [136] and of great mercy, for that he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and also to 6 Cp. Rom. Isai. 43. 25 & 44. 22. Acts 3. 19. Cp. ver. 3 & ch. 7. [47] & 9. 15 & Matt. 7. 14 & Luke 13. 24. for many, but the world to come for few. 2 I will tell thee now a similitude, Esdras; h As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth very much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, and little dust that gold ch. 7. [54] cometh of: even so is the course of the present world. 39 There be many created, but few shall be saved. & 10. 9. Matt. 13. 23. Mark 4. 20, 26, 27. Luke 8, 15. & 64. 8. * See Ps. 139. 13-16. 4 And I answered and said, Swallow down understanding then, O my soul, and let my heart devour wisdom. 5 For thou art come hither without thy will, and departest when thou wouldest not: for there is given thee no longer space than only to live a short time. 60 Lord, that art over us, suffer thy servant, that we may pray before thee, and igive ch. 9. 31. us seed unto our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it, whereby every one shall live that is corrupt, who beareth the 4likeness of a man. 7For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of thine Isai. 45. 9 hands, like as thou hast said. 8k Forasmuch as thou quickenest the body that is fashioned now in the womb, and givest it members, thy creature is preserved 'in fire and water, and nine months 'Cp. ch.7.7. doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her. 9 But that which keepeth and that which is kept shall both be kept by thy keeping: and when the womb giveth up again that which hath grown in it, 10 thou hast commanded that out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, be given milk, which is the fruit of the breasts, I that the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterwards thou shalt order it in thy mercy. 12 Yea, thou hast brought it up in thy righteousness, and nurtured it in thy law, and corrected it with thy judgement. 13m And thou shalt mortify Rom. 8.13. it as thy creature, and "quicken it as thy work. 140 If therefore thou shalt lightly and suddenly destroy him which with so great labour was fashioned by thy commandment, Pto what pur-P Cp. Ps. 89. pose was he made? 15 Now therefore I ? See ch. 7. [46]. * Cp. ver. 61 & Mal. 3. 5 9 & Rev. 22. 12. & 14. 9. 3. "Ps. 104. 4. Heb. 1. 7. W Ps. 74. 15. Nah. 1. 4. Cp. 2 Sam. 22.16. * Nah. 1. 5. 32. will speak; touching man in general, thou knowest best; but touching_thy people will I speak, for whose sake I am sorry; 16 and for thine inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for the seed of Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled; 17 therefore will I begin to pray before thee for myself and for them: for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land; 18 but I have heard the swiftness of the & James B. judgement which is to come. 19 There fore hear my voice, and understand my saying, and I will speak before thee. The beginning of the words of Esdras, Cp.ch. 6. 26 before he was taken up. And he said, 200 Lord, thou that 1abidest for * Cp. 1 Pet. 1. 23 (mg.). ever, whose eyes are exalted, and "whose "Cp. Ps. 104. chambers are in the air; 21 whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended; before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling, 222 at whose bidding "they are changed to wind and fire; whose word is sure, and sayings constant; whose ordinance is strong, and commandment fearful; 23 whose look wdrieth up the depths, and whose indignation maketh the mountains to melt away, and whose truth beareth witness: 24 hear, O Lord, Cp. Ps. 104. the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy handywork; 25 attend unto my words, for so long as I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer. 260 look not upon the sins of thy people; but on them that have served thee in truth. 277 Regard not the doings of them that deal wickedly, but of them that have kept thy covenants in affliction. 28 Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee; but remember them which have willingly known thy fear. 29 Let it not be thy will to destroy them z which have lived like cattle; but look upon them that have clearly taught thy law. 30 Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that have alway put their trust in thy glory. 31 For we and our fathers a have passed our lives in 5 ways that bring death: but thou because of us sinners art called merciful. 32 For if thou hast a desire to have Cp. Tit. 3. mercy upon us, then shalt thou be called merciful, to us, namely, that have no works of righteousness. 33 For the ch. 7. [77] just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall for their own deeds receive reward. 34 For what is man, that thou shouldest take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible race, that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it? 35d For in truth there is no man among them that be born, but he hath dealt See Gen. 18. 23-25. Ps. 49. 20. a ch. 7. 49. 5. & 9.7 & 13, 23. d ch. 4. 38 & 7. [68] 2 Chr. 6.36. Ps. 14. 2, 3 & 53. 2, 3. See 1 Kin. 8. 46. wickedly; and among them that have lived there is none which hath not done amiss. 36 For in this, O Lord, thy righteousness and thy goodness shall be declared, if thou be merciful unto them which have no store of good works. ch. 7. [60]. ch. 16. 40. 37 Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words so shall it come to pass. 38 For indeed I will not think on the fashioning of them which have sinned, or their death, their judgement, or their destruction: 39e but I will rejoice over the framing of the righteous, their pilgrimage also, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have. 40 Like therefore as I have spoken, so shall it be. 41 For See ch. 13. as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet not all that is sown shall come up in due season, neither shall all that is planted take root: even so they that are sown in the world shall not all be saved. 1 Pet. 2. 11. See Gen. 47.9. 42 I answered then and said, If I have found favour, let me speak before thee. 43 Forasmuch as the husbandman's seed, if it come not up, seeing that it hath not received thy rain in due season, or if it be corrupted through too much rain, 9so perisheth; 44 likewise man, which is formed with thy hands, and is called thine own image, because he is made like unto thee, for whose sake thou hast formed all things, even him hast thou made like unto the husbandman's seed. 45 Be not wroth with us, but spare thy people, and have Joel 2. 17. mercy upon thine inheritance; for thou hast mercy upon thine own creation. See Gen. 1. See ch. 6. 26, 27. 55. Rest of Esth. 13.15. 23, 24. ver. 62. ch. 4. 36. 46 Then answered he me, and said, Things present are for them that now be, and things to come for such as shall be hereafter. 47 m For thou comest far ch. 5. 33. short that thou shouldest be able to love my creature more than I. But thou hast brought thyself full nigh unto the unrighteous. Let this never be. 48 Yet in this shalt thou be admirable before the Most High; 49 in that thou hast " Cp. ch. 12. humbled thyself, as it becometh thee, and hast not judged thyself worthy to be among the righteous, so as to be much See ch. 4. glorified. 5on For many grievous miseries shall befall them that in the last times dwell in the world, because they Cp. 1 Cor. have walked in great pride. 51 But understand thou for thyself, and of such as be like thee seek out the glory. 52 For unto you is Pparadise opened, & Heb. 11. the tree of life is planted, "the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, sa city is builded, and rest is 10 allowed, goodness is perfected, wisdom 1 Or, inhabitest eternity 2 According to the chief Oriental versions. The Latin has, even they whose |