BARUCH      TO INDEX

The book of prophesy

Chapter 1

Jerusalem to be destroyed

1.   And it came to pass in the 25th year of Jechoniah 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, how the evil that the two tribes have done is more than what the ten tribes did that were away, into captivity?

3.   For the former tribes were forced by their kings to sin, but these have compelled their king to sin.

4.   Behold therefore, I shall bring evil upon this city and upon its inhabitants, and for a time it will be taken away from before my presence.

5.   I shall scatter this people among the nations that they may do good to the nations, and my people will be chastened.  Then they will come to long for times passed, in which they were prosperous.

6.  This I have said to you, that you may repeat it to Jeremiah and to all those like you, that you may depart from this city, for your works for this city is like a firm pillar, and your prayer like a strong wall."

7.   And I said;  "O Lord my Lord, have I therefore come into the world to see the disaster of my mother?

8.   No my Lord, if now I have found grace in Thy sight, take my spirit away that I may go to my fathers, and not see the destruction of my mother.

9.   For from both sides I am hard pressed, I cannot resist Thee, nor can my soul behold the destruction of my mother.

10.  Yet this one thing I wish to speak in Thy presence O Lord, what, I ask Thee, will happen after these things?  For if Thou destroy the city and give up Thy country to those who hate us, how will the name of Israel be remembered again?

11.  Or how shall we speak again about Thy glorious deeds, and to whom then will Thy law be explained?  Or how Lord, will the world again return to its being, to return to its original silence?

12.  Will the multitude of the souls be taken away so that there be no more of man?  And what then will become of all that Thou has said to Moses concerning us?"

13.  And the Lord said to me, "This City will be delivered up for a time, and the people will be chastened for a time, but the world will not be forgotten.

14.  Or do you think that this is the city of which I said; on the palms of my hands have I carved you?  No!  It is not this building that is now in your midst - that is revealed by Me.

15.  But it is that which will be revealed with Me, which was already prepared from the moment that I decided to create Paradise.

16.  I showed it to Adam before he sinned, but when he transgressed the commandment it was taken away from him, as also Paradise.

17.  After this I showed it to My servant Abraham in the night between the portions of the victims, and again I showed it to Moses on mount Sinai when I showed him the likeness of the tabernacle and all its vessels.

18.  Behold, it is preserved with Me, and also Paradise, so go now and do as I commanded you."

Preparations before Jerusalem is given up

19.  And I answered; Shall I then be guilty for Zion when Thy enemies come into this place and pollute Thy sanctuary to carry Thy heritage into captivity, and to rule over them that Thou love?

20.  And when these return to their land of idols and boast before Thee, what then wilt Thou do for Thy great name?

21.  And the Lord said to me; "My name and My glory shall last unto eternity, My judgment however shall assert its right in its own time.

22.  And with your own eyes you shall see that it is not the enemy that shall destroy neither Zion nor Jerusalem, but they shall serve the Judge for a time.  You then go and do all that I have said to you."

23.  And I went and took with me Jeremiah, Adu, Seraiah, Jabish, Gedaliah, and all the nobles of the people, and brought them to the valley of Kidron.

24.  And I told them all that had been said to me, and they raised their voices lamenting, and we sat there fasting until evening.

25.  Then on the following day the army of the Chaldeans surrounded the city, and at evening I Baruch left the people, and going outside I set myself down by an oak.

26.  For I was grieved over Zion and sighed because of the captivity which had come upon the people.

27.  And behold; a sudden strong wind lifted me up and carried me above the wall of Jerusalem, and I beheld four angels at the four corners of the city, each with a burning torch in their hand.

The precious things hidden

28.  And another angel came down from heaven saying to them, "Hold your torches, do not light them before I tell you to, because I was sent to speak a word to the earth, and to deposit therein what the Lord Most High has commanded me."

29.  And I saw that he descended in the holy of holiest and took the vale from there, and the holy Ephod, the mercy seat, the two tables, the holy raiment of the priests, the alter of incense, and the forty eight precious stones with which the priests were clothed, together with all the holy vessels of the tabernacle.

30.  And with a loud voice he said to the earth; "Earth!  Earth!  Hear the word of the mighty God, and receive the things, which I commit to you, and guard them until the last times, so that you may restore them when you are so ordered to, so that strangers may not get possession of them.

31.  For the time has arrived that Jerusalem will be delivered up for a time, until the time it will be said that it will be restored forever."  And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up.

32.  Then after these things I heard this angel saying to the angels who held the torches, "destroy now the walls and overthrow them to their foundations.

33.  So that the enemies cannot boast saying, We have overthrown the walls of Zion, nor we burned down the place of the mighty God."

Chapter 2

The enemies allowed to enter

1.   The angels then did as he had commanded them, and when they had broken up the corners of the wall, and the wall had fallen, a voice was heard from the midst of the temple saying.  "Enter, enemies, and come you adversaries, because He who guarded the house has left it."

2.   And I Baruch went away.  Then thereafter the army of the Chaldeans entered and took the house and all that was around it.

3.   And they carried the people into captivity, and killed some of them, and they put the king in irons so sending him to the king of Babylon.

4.   And I Baruch came with Jeremiah whose heart was found to be pure from sins, and who was not captured during the seizure of the city.  And we rent our garments weeping and mourning and fasting for seven days.

Baruch’s lamentation

5.   Then after these seven days, the word of the Lord came to me saying; "Tell Jeremiah to go and support the captives at Babylon.

6.   You however stay here in the desolation of Zion, and I shall show you what will happen after these days at the end of days."

7.   And I spoke to Jeremiah as the Lord had commanded me, and he went with the people, but I Baruch came back and seated myself in front of the doors of the temple, and raised the following lamentation.

8.   Blessed is he who is not born, or he that was born but died, for woe to us the living, because we have seen the afflictions of Zion, and what has befallen Jerusalem.

9.   I will call to the sirens of the sea, and you Lilin come from the desert, and you demons and dragons from the woods, awaken, gird your loins to mourn, and raise a lamentation with me, mourn with me.

10.  Sow not again you farmers, and why do you yet give the fruit of the harvest O you earth?  Keep the sweetness of your substance within you.

11.  And you vine, why do you still give your wine?  For an offering will not again be given from you in Zion, nor will the first fruits again be offered.

12.  And you heaven, keep your dew within you, do not open the treasures of rain, and you sun, keep the light of your rays within you.

13.  And you moon, extinguish the glory of your light, for why should the light of day rise again when the light of Zion is darkened?

14.  And you bridegrooms, do not enter, nor let the brides adorn themselves.  And you wives do not pray to bear children, for the barren should rejoice more.

15.  Those who have no children should be glad, while those that have children are to grieve, for why should they bear in pain only to bury them in grief?  Or why again should men have children at all?

16.  Or why should the generation of their kind be named again wherein the mother is lonely, her children having been carried away in captivity?  From henceforth do no longer speak of beauty, nor speak of gracefulness.

17.  Take away the keys of the sanctuary you priests, cast them to the high heaven, give them to the Lord and say; Guard Thy house Thyself, for behold we have been found to be false stewards.

18.  And you virgins who spin fine linen and silk with gold of Ophir, make haste to take all these things and cast them into the fire, that the fire may carry them to Him who made them.

19.   That the flame may send them to Him whom created them, so that the enemies do not take possession of them.

20.  This now I Baruch say to you Babylon; if you had lived in happiness, and Zion were inhabited in its glory, it would be of great sorrow to us that you were equal to Zion.

21.  But now our grief is without end, and our pain measureless, for now you are happy while Zion has been destroyed.  Who will be judge over these now?  Or to whom shall we complain about that which was has befallen us?

22.  O Lord - how has Thou allowed this to happen?  Our fathers went to rest without grief, and the righteous sleep at rest in the earth, they did not know this anguish, nor did they hear what has befallen us.

23.  Would O earth that you had ears, and that you O dust had a heart, so that you might go and announce it in the realms of death, to say to the dead; You are happier than we who live.

24.  I shall speak what is on my heart, and raise my voice to you O land of prosperity, hear:

25.  The afternoon will not always burn, nor will the rays of the sun always give light, do not think, nor expect that you will always have happiness and joy.

26.  Do not pride yourself so much upon our captivity, for in its time wrath shall surely arise against you, even though it is currently held back with the reins of long suffering.

27.  And having said these words, I fasted seven days.

Chapter 3

Judgment to come on the nations

1.   After these things I Baruch was standing on mount Zion and a voice came from the high heavens saying.  "Stand upon your feet Baruch and hear the word of the Most High God.

2.   Because you have been astonished at that which has befallen Zion, you will surely be preserved until the end of times - to be for a testimony.

3.   If ever these happy cities will say, Why has the mighty God brought this retribution upon us?  - You, and those like you that have seen this evil and retribution come on them in their time, that they may say to them;

4.   These evils and pains came upon you because you abused our nation. Expect then that this nation shall be thoroughly punished.  And when they ask; for how long?"  You will say to them:

5. You who have drunk the clarified wine, you now shall drink its dregs. For the judgment of the Most High is impartial.

6. Therefore did He not spare His own sons first, but He afflicted them as his own enemies, for they sinned.

7. Therefore they were once punished, that they might be forgiven.

8.  But now you nations and tribes are guilty, because all this time you have trodden the earth, and misused creation shamefully.

9. For I have always been good to you, but you have always denied the benefice."

Baruch reasons

10.  And I answered saying; "Behold, Thou has shown me the course of the times, that which will happen after these things.

11.  And Thou has told me of the retribution, that which Thou did say was to come upon the nations.

12.  I now know that there are many who have sinned and lived in happiness, and have left the world. But few nations will be left in those times to which these words as Thou has said, can be spoken unto.

13.  What then may be the advantage?  Or what evil can be worse than that which has befallen us?  And what are we yet to expect?

14.  But I will continue to speak before Thee, for what profit did they have - that had wisdom before Thee, that did not walk in vanity like the rest of the nations, who did not say to their works - give us life, but who at all times feared Thee, not leaving Thy ways?

15.  For behold, they were diligent, and yet Thou did not have mercy on Zion on their account.

16.  For although some did evil, should then not Zion have been forgiven on account of the works of them that did good works?  That it should not have been overwhelmed for the works of them that acted unrighteous?

17.  " O Lord my God, who can understand Thy judgments?  Who can explore the depths of Thy way?  Or, who can discern the majesty of Thy path, or Thy incomprehensible counsel?

18.  Who of those that are born has ever discovered the beginning or the end of Thy wisdom?  For we all are like a breath.

19.  Like as breath ascends and vanishes, so it is with the nature of man.  They depart contrary to their own will, nor do they know what will happen to them in the end.

20.  Still, the righteous have good hopes for the end, and depart from this world without fear - since they possess a store of good works with Thee, which are preserved by Thee as treasures.

21.  Therefore also do they leave this world without fear being confident of the world, which Thou has promised them with an expectation full of joy.

22.  But woe to those of us who now are treated shamefully, who in addition to this must yet await the evils of that later time.

23.  Thou of course know exactly what Thou has made of Thy servants, for we are not able to understand that which is good as Thou our Creator knows.

24.  And yet more will I speak before Thy presence O Lord my Lord, for in the beginning when the world did not yet exist with its inhabitants, Thou did confer with Thyself, and speaking a word - immediately Thy creation stood before Thee.

25.  Thou said that Thou would make man as a guardian over Thy works, and that it should be known to him that he was not created for the world, but rather the world for him.

26.  But now I behold the world which was made for us, and it remains, we however - for whom it was made, we depart."

The Lord replies

27.  And the Lord answered saying; "You are rightly astonished at man's departure, but your judgment about the evils which befell those who sin is incorrect with regards to what you said concerning the righteous how they are taken away while the wicked ones are happy.

28.  And with regards to what you said - that man does not know My judgments, - listen, and I shall answer you, pay attention, and I shall let My word be heard.

29.  It is true that man would not have understood My judgments if he had not received the law, and if he were not instructed with understanding.

30.  But now that he has knowingly trespassed, he shall also knowingly suffer pain, for he has understanding.

31.  And with regard to the righteous ones for whom you said the world came on their account, and for that also which is coming on their account.

32.  This world is for them a struggle, an effort with much trouble, but they bear it for the great crown and glory that is to come."

33.  Then I said; "O Lord my Lord, behold; the present years are few and evil, and who can inherit that which is immeasurable in this short time?"

34.  And the Lord answered; "With the Most High no account is taken of much time, nor of few years, for what did it profit Adam that he lived 930 years and transgressed that which he was commanded?

35.  The multitude of time therefore in which he lived did not profit him, but brought death, and it cut off the years of those, which were born of him.

36.  Or what did it harm Moses that he lived only 120 years and subjected himself to Him who created him?  He brought the law to the descendants of Jacob, and lighted a lamp to the generations of Israel."

37.  And I answered saying; "He who lighted the light took from the light, and few are they who imitated him, but the many for whom he lighted the lamp took of the darkness of Adam, and did not rejoice in the light of the lamp.

38.  And He answered saying; "For that reason did he appoint a covenant for them at that time and said to them; behold, I appoint for you life and death.

39.  And he called heaven and earth to witness against them, for he knew that his time was short, but that heaven and earth will stay forever.

40.  They however sinned and trespassed after his death though they knew that they had the law to reprove them, a light in which nothing could err, and also the spheres witnessed, and I also, I judge everything that exists.

41.  You however ought not to not think any further about this in your heart, nor pain yourself for the things, which have been.

42.  For the end of time is now at stake and not it’s beginning, whether it be property, happiness, or shame.

43.  For when a man is happy in his youth, but treated badly in his old age, he then forgets all the happiness he had.  And likewise when a man is badly treated in his youth, but is happy at the end, he no longer remembers his disgrace.

44.  For again, if everyone had been continually happy since the day that death was decreed against those that trespass, and they at end be destroyed, everything would then have been in vain.

45.  Therefore behold; the days will come that the times will hasten more than before, and the periods will hasten more than those which are gone, and the years pass more quickly than the present ones.

46.  It is for that reason that I have now taken away Zion, so that I may the sooner visit the world in its time.  Keep therefore everything, which I have commanded you, and seal it within your mind.

47.  Then shall I show you My strong judgment and My in-explorable ways.  Go therefore and sanctify yourself for seven days, do not eat bread or drink water, and do not speak to anyone.

48.  And after that time come to this place and I shall reveal Myself to you, and speak to you the things of truth and teach you the course of the times, for they will come and not tarry.

Chapter 4

Baruch’s prayer

1.   And I went from there and sat in the valley of Kidron in a cave of the earth and sanctified myself there, I ate no bread yet I was not hungry, nor did I drink water nor was I thirsty.

2.   There I stayed until the seventh day as He had commanded me, after which went to the place where He had spoken with me.

3.   And at the time of sunset my soul received many thoughts, and I began to speak before the Lord Most High saying;

4.   "Hear me O Lord, Thou who created the earth, who fixed the firmament by Thy word and who fastened the heights of heaven by Thy Spirit.

5.   Thou who from the beginning of the world called that which did not as yet exist and they obeyed Thee.

6.   Thou who commanded the air with Thy sign, and who beholds that which is to come, as well as that which is passed.

7.   Thou who reigns over the powers which stand before Thee with great mastery who rules with indignation the countless holy beings of flame and fire that stand around Thy throne whom Thou created from the beginning.

8.   For Thou alone art able to create Thy will at once, Thou art the one who causes the rain to fall on the earth with a specific number of drops, and Thou alone knows the end of times before it has arrived.

9.   Hear my prayer O Lord, for Thou only can sustain them that are now, and that have gone, as those that are yet to come, those who sin, and those who do righteously, since Thou art the living One the inscrutable One.

10.  Thou does know the number of men and which of them have sinned, and the number of those, which have done righteously.

11.  If now only this life existed that everyone has here, then there would be nothing more bitterly than this, for of what use is strength, which again becomes weak?

12.  Or of what use is the abundance of food when again it turns into famine, or beauty, which changes to ugliness?

13.  For the nature of man is always changeable, as we were formerly so we are no longer, and as we are now - we shall not remain so in the future.

14.  For considering, if there shall not be an end of things, how then is there spoken of a beginning?

15.  But O Lord let me know all that which comes from Thee, and have regard for that which I asked of Thee, enlighten me O Lord.

16.  How long will the corruption remain?  And till what time will mortals be prosperous?  Shall these O Lord who perish with the world - have yet a long life with their great wickedness?

17.  Command therefore according to Thy mercy O Lord, and confirm all that Thou has promised, so that Thy power may be recognized by such who entertain that Thy long-suffering means weakness.

18.  And to show them that still do not perceive that what has befallen both our city and us is in agreement with the long suffering of Thy power that all this is on account of Thy name, and on account of Thy beloved people.

19.  Every creature here is in a state of dying, reprove therefore O Lord the angel of death, and let Thy glory appear, and let the greatness of Thy beauty be known.

20.  Let the realm of death be sealed that from now on it may no longer receive the dead, and let the stores of the souls restore those, which are enclosed in them.

21.  For many are the years that have passed since Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all that were like them, who sleep in the earth.

22.  For it was on their account of which Thou said; Thou had created the world.  Show then Thy glory so much the sooner, and do not postpone that which was promised by Thee.

23.  And it happened that when I had ended the words of this prayer, I became very weak.

Chapter 5

The Lord answers Baruch

1.   Then thereafter, I beheld the heaven being opened, and strength was given me, and a voice sounded from on high saying to me;

2.   "Baruch, Baruch, why are you disturbed?  Who starts on a journey and does not complete it?  Or who shall be satisfied in making a voyage at sea, unless he shall be able to reach a harbor?

3.  Or if one makes a promise to give a present, but then he does not give, shall it not then be a theft?   Or if one sows seed in the earth, but he does not in time harvest the fruits, will he not lose everything?

4.   Can anyone who plants a plant expect fruit thereof if not first it is grown?  Or shall a pregnant woman not surely kill the child if she bears untimely?

5.   Or if one builds a house, but does not construct a roof upon it, nor otherwise finishes it, can it then be called a house?  Tell this to me first."

6.   And I answered saying; "No my Lord."  And He said to me; "Why then are you so disturbed about that which you do not know, and restless concerning that of which you have no knowledge?

7.   For just as I have not forgotten those who live now, nor those who have passed away, so will I remember those who are yet to come.

8.   For when Adam sinned and death was decreed against those who were to be born of him, then the multitude thereof was numbered.

9.   And for that multitude a place was prepared where the living ones might live, and also where the dead might be preserved.

10.     No creature therefore will live again unless the appointed number has been completed, for My Spirit creates the living, and the realm of death receives the dead.

11.  But you have yet to hear that which will come after these times, for My salvation has truly drawn near, it is not as far away as before.

12.  For behold, the days are coming that the books will be opened in which are written the sins of all those that have sinned, and also written are the treasures of righteousness of all them that have proven themselves righteous.

13.  At that time you, and many with you, shall see the long-suffering of the Most High, which He had from generation to generation.

14.  How He has been long-suffering towards all that were born, to both those that sinned, and those who proved themselves to be righteous."

15.  Then answered I saying; "But behold Lord, no man knows the number of things that have passed away, nor of those which are yet to come.

16.  For I know what has befallen me, but that which will happen to our enemies, and as to when Thou wilt visit Thy works, that I do not know."

17.  And He answered me; "You also will be preserved until that sign which the Most High will bring about before the inhabitants of the earth - at the end of days.

18.  And this will be the sign; when horror seizes the inhabitants of the earth, and when they fall into many tribulations, and also great torments will befall them.

19.  And it will come to pass, that because of their great tribulations they will say in their thoughts; The mighty One no longer remembers the earth.  When therefore they lose hope, it is then that the time shall awaken."

20.  And I answered, "That tribulation which will be, will it last a long time?  And the distress, will it embrace many years

Chapter 6

Signs of the end of time

1.   And He answered saying; "That time will be divided into twelve parts, and each part has been preserved for that for which it is appointed.

2.   In the first part, the beginning of commotion’s.  In the second part the slaughtering of the great.  In the third part, the fall of many into death.

3.   In the fourth part, the drawing of the sword.  In the fifth part famine, and the withholding of rain.  In the sixth part, earthquakes and terrors.

4.   In the seventh part; … …

5.   In the eight part, a multitude of ghosts the appearances of demons.  In the ninth part, the fall of fire.  In the tenth part; rape and much violence.

6.   In the eleventh part; injustice and unchastely.  And in the twelfth part, disorder and a mixture of all that has been before.

7.   And parts of all these are so preserved, that at that time they will be mixed with one another, and minister to each other.

8.   For some will withhold a part of themselves, and taking from others will accomplish that which belongs to them - and to the others.

9.   Hence, Those who live on the earth in those days, they will not understand that it is the end of time.

10.  But everyone who does understand - will be wise at that time, for the measure and the calculation of that time will be two parts, weeks of seven weeks."

11.  And I answered; "It is good that man should come that far to behold this, but better yet that he should not come that far - lest he fall.

12.  But this also I will yet ask; Will he that is incorruptible despise those that are corruptible, and will he despise what happens to them, having eyes for only those that are incorruptible?

13.  O Lord if I have found grace in Thy sight, let me also know this, that when these things, which are surely to come, of which Thou has spoken, will they be in one place, in one part of the earth, or will they be seen by the whole earth?"

14.  And He answered saying; "That which will happen at that time bears upon the whole earth, wherefore everyone that lives will see it.

15.  At that time I will protect only those that are found in this land, and when everything that was to come in that time has been accomplished, then the Anointed One will begin to reveal himself.

16.  Then will also Behemoth reveal itself from its place, and Leviathan will rise from the sea, which are the two great monsters, which I created on the fifth day of creation - which I kept until that time.

17.  And they will be nourishment for all that are left, the earth will yield fruit in thousand-folds, on one vine will be a thousand branches, and one branch will produce a thousand clusters, and one cluster produce a thousand grapes, and one grape produce a core of wine.

18.  And those that are hungry will enjoy themselves, and behold marvels every day, for winds will go out from before Me each morning to bring the fragrance of aromatic fruits, and clouds at the end of day - to distill the dew of health.

19.  At that time the treasure of Manna will again come down from on high, the people in those years will eat thereof, because they are they that have arrived at the consummation of time.

20.  Then after these things, when the time of the Anointed One is full, and He returns with glory, then all those who sleep in hope of Him - will rise.

21.  At that time the stores in which the souls of the righteous are kept, will be opened, and they will go out, the whole multitude of them, and they will appear together in one assemblage, and of one mind.

22.  And the first will enjoy themselves, nor shall the last be sad, for they know that the time has arrived of which it was said - that it is the end of times.

23.  But the souls of the wicked, when they see this, will waste away even more, for they realize that their torment has come, that their perdition has arrived."

Chapter 7

Baruch speaks to the people

1.   After these things it came to pass that I went to the people and said to them; "Assemble to me all our elders, and I shall speak to you."

2.   And they all assembled in the valley of Kidron, and I began to speak to say to them;

3.   "Hear O Israel - and I shall speak to you, and you seed of Jacob pay attention and I shall teach you.  Do not forget Zion, but remember the distress of Jerusalem.

4.   For behold, the days are coming that all that, which has been, will be destroyed, and it will become as though it had not been.

5.   You however, if you prepare your minds to sow into them the fruit of the law, He shall protect you in the time in which the Mighty One shall shake the entire creation.

6.   For after a short time, the building of Zion will be shaken in order that it may be rebuild.  That building then will neither remain, but after some time will again be uprooted, and for a time remain desolate.

7.   Then afterwards, it shall be renewed in glory, and be perfected into eternity.

8.   We therefore should not be so sad regarding the evil, which is now, but instead more for that which is in the future, for still greater evils than these two will be for trial when the Mighty One renews His creation.

9.   And now, do not draw near to me for some days, and do not call upon me until I shall come to you."

10.  And having said this, I Baruch went my way, but the people seeing that I went away raised their voices and lamenting they said;

11.  "Where are you going from us Baruch?  Will you leave us as a father who leaves his children as orphans to go away from them?  Is this the commandment which your friend Jeremiah the prophet gave you as he said;

12.  Watch over this people during the time that I am absent while I help the rest of our brothers in Babylon against whom the sentence was declared that should be carried away into captivity.

13.  If then you abandon us also, it would have been better for us all that we first die rather than you abandoning us."

14.  And I answered the people; "God forbid that I should abandon you, or that I should go away from you.

15.  No, but I shall go to the holy of holiest to ask from the Mighty One on behalf of you and Zion, so that in some way I may receive more light, and afterwards I shall return to you."

Chapter 8

The vision of the fountain

1.   And I Baruch went to the holy place and sat on the ruins, and weeping I said;

2.   O that my eyes were springs, and my eyelids a fountain of tears.  How shall I sigh over Zion and lament over Jerusalem?

3.   For at the place where I am now prostrate the high priests used to offer sacrifices, and placed incense of fragrant spices thereon.

4.   Now however, that of which we are proud has become dust, and that which our souls desired is ashes.

5.   And having said this, I fell asleep at that place and beheld a vision in the night.

6.   And behold; there was a forest with trees planted on a plain, which was surrounded by high mountains and rugged rocks.

7.   And the forest occupied much space, and over against it a vine arose, and from under it a fountain ran peacefully.

8.   And that fountain came to the forest and became a great stream the waves of which submerged the forest, for as in a moment it uprooted the entire forest and overthrew all the mountains, which surrounded it.

9.   Thus the whole height of the forest became low, and the tops of the mountains became flat, that fountain became so strong that it left nothing of that great forest except one cedar.

10.  And when it had cast also that one down, it left nothing to remain of the forest, so much so that even its place became unknown.

11.  Then the vine came forth with the fountain in great peace and tranquility, and arrived at a place not far from where the cedar had been.

12.  And they brought to Him that cedar which had been cast down, and I beheld the vine opening its mouth and saying to the cedar.

13.  Are you not that cedar which remained of the forest of wickedness?  For because of you wickedness remained, and was exercised during all these years, and never any goodness.

14.  You possessed power over that which did not belong to you and you did not even show compassion to that which did not belong to you.

15.  But you extended your power over those, which were living far from you, and you also kept those who were close to you in the nets of your wickedness.

16.  You uplifted your soul as one who could not be uprooted, but now your time has come quickly, you hour has arrived.

17.  Therefore O cedar follow the forest which has departed before you, and become ashes with it, and let your ashes be mixed together with it.

18.  Sleep now in distress, and rest in pain until your last time shall arrive in which you will return to be tormented even more.

19.  Then after this, I saw how the cedar was burning, but the vine growing while it and all around it became a valley full of unfailing flowers.

20.  And I awoke and arose and prayed saying; O Lord my Lord Thou always enlightens those who conduct themselves with understanding, Thy law is life, and Thy wisdom the right way.

21.  Show me now the interpretation of the vision, for Thou does know that my soul has always walked according to Thy law, and that I did not depart from Thy wisdom from my earliest days."

Interpretation of the vision

22.  And He answered me; "This Baruch is the explanation of the vision which you have seen, of the great forest surrounded by high and rocky mountains.

23.  Behold the days will arrive when this kingdom that once destroyed Zion will itself be destroyed, and be subjected to that which comes after it.

24.  Then after some time that also will be destroyed. And another, a third will rise in its time possessing power, and it also will be destroyed.

25.  Afterwards, a fourth kingdom will arise that is harsher and more evil than those from before it, and will reign a multitude of times like the trees on the plain.

26.  And it will rule in its time and exalt itself more than the cedars of Lebanon, and in it the truth will hide itself.

27.  And all they that are polluted with sins will flee to it, like the evil beasts, flee and creep into the forest.

28.  And when the time of its fulfillment in which it will fall approaches, that is the time in which the dominion of my Anointed One - which is like the fountain and the vine - will be revealed.

29.  And when He has shown himself, He will uproot the multitude of its host.

30.  And in respect to the tall cedar which remained of the forest and all the words spoken to it by the Vine as you have heard, this is the meaning;

31.  The last ruler left at that time will be bound and its multitude destroyed, and they will carry him to mount Zion, and my Anointed One will convict him of his wicked deeds and assemble to set before him all the works of his host.

32.  After this He will kill him, and protect the rest of my people who will be found in the place that I have chosen.

33.  And His dominion will last forever, till the ending of the world of corruption when that which I mentioned to you before has been fulfilled. This is your vision and its interpretation."

Baruch asks for more answers

34.  And I answered saying; for whom and for how many will these things be?  Or who will be worthy to live in that time?

35.  For I will now speak all that I think, and ask about the things about which I meditate, for I see many of Thy people who separate themselves from Thy statutes, having cast away the yoke of Thy law.

36.  While I saw others that left their vanity behind and fled under Thy wings, what therefore will happen to these?

37.  How will that time receive them?  For surely, their time will not be weighed nor judged as the scales indicate?"

38.  And He answered; "All these things I shall show you, and as for what you asked to whom and to how many these things will be, know that the good mentioned will be to those who have believed, with the opposite for those who despised it.

39.  And in regards to those who drew near, and then withdrew, this is the explanation;

40.  Those which first subjected themselves but later withdrew, mingling themselves with the seed of the mingled nations, their first time will not be considered.

41.  And those who at first did not know life, but later knew it exactly, and who mingled with the seed of the people that separated themselves, their first time likewise will not be recalled.

42.  And times will inherit times, and periods - periods, and they will receive from one another, and at the end they will all be compared according to the measures of the times and the hours of the periods.

43.  For corruption will take away those who belong to it, and life will take those who belong to it, and the dust will be called and told; Give back that which does not belong to you, and, raise up all that you have kept until its time.

44.  But you Baruch, strengthen your heart in view with all that has been said to you, and understand what has been revealed to you, for you have many consolations which will last forever.

45.  For you will go from this place leaving the regions which are now before you, and you shall forget that which is corruptible, and not again remember that which is among the mortal ones.

46.  Go therefore, admonish your people, and return to this place, and fast for seven days, then shall I come and speak with you."

Chapter 9

Baruch speaks to the people

1.   And I Baruch went from there and came to my people, and calling my first born son and the Gallians, my friends, and seven of the elders of the people, and I said to them:

2.   Behold; I go to my fathers in the manner with the way of the whole earth, you however do not withdraw from the way of the law, but guard and admonish the people that are left lest you depart from the commandments of the Mighty One.

3.   For you have seen that He whom we serve is righteous, and that our Creator is impartial.  Behold what has befallen Zion, and what happen to Jerusalem, for therein is seen the judgment of the Mighty One that His ways are inscrutable and right.

4.   For if you endure and persevere in His fear, and not forget His law, then the time will take a turn for the better for you, and you will participate in the consolations of Zion.

5.   For that which is now is nothing, but that which will be in the future, will be very great.

6.   For all that is corruptible will pass away, and all that is mortal will depart, and all present time will be forgotten, and there will be no remembrance of this present time that is polluted with sin.

7.   For he who runs now, runs in vain, and he who is happy, will soon fall and be humiliated.

8.   For we look to the future hoping for that, which comes hereafter, for a time that does not pass away, a period that remains forever.

9.   A new world, which does not carry back to corruption those that enter into it's beginning, nor does it have mercy on those who come into torments, nor does that world carry to perdition.

10.  For these are they who will inherit the time of which I spoke to you, it is that heritage of the promised time for you who prepared for yourselves treasures of wisdom, for them by whom stores of insight are found.

11.  For those who did not withdraw from mercy, and who kept the truth of the law, unto these shall the coming world be given, but the habitation of the many others; will be in the fire.

12.  Admonish therefore the people as much as you can, for this is our due labor, for when you instruct them - you will make them alive."

13.  Then, my son and the elders said to me; "Will the Mighty One humiliate us to such an extend that He will take you away from us so soon?

14.  And shall we truly be in darkness then, will there not anymore be light for the people that are left?  For where shall we again investigate the law, or who will distinguish for us between life and death?"

15.  And I said to them; "I cannot resist the throne of the Mighty One, nor will Israel be in want of a wise man, nor the tribes of Jacob for a son of the law.

16.  But prepare your heart so that you may obey the law, and subject yourselves to those who are wise and understanding with fear.  And prepare your souls that you do not depart from them.

17.  If you will do this, then the good tidings of which I spoke to you earlier will come to you, and you will not fall into the torment of which I also spoke to you."

18.  But in regards to me being taken up, this I did not let them know, not even to my son.

19.  After I then had dismissed them and left to return, I said; Behold, I go to Hebron, for unto there the Mighty One has directed me.

20.  And I arrived there at the place where the word was spoken to me, and sat there fasting seven days.

Chapter 10

Baruch prays

1.   After these days then I prayed before the Mighty One, and said:

2.   "O Lord Thou summons the coming of the times, and they stand before Thee, by the display of Thy power the worlds pass away, nor do they resist Thee.

3.   Thou arranged the course of the periods, and they obey Thee, only Thou know the length of the generations, and Thy secrets Thou does not reveal to many.

4.   Thou does know the multitude of the fire, and weigh out the weight of the winds, Thou investigates the ends of the heights, and scrutinize the depths of the darkness.

5.   Thou command the number, which will pass away, and that which will be preserved, and prepares a house for them that will be.

6.   Thou remembers the first, which Thou created, and does not forget that destruction is to come.  At Thy command Thou changes the winds into flames of fear and dread.

7.   With a word Thou brings to life that which is not, and holds with Thy great power all that which is yet to come.

8.   Thou instruct Thy creation with understanding, and gives wisdom to the spheres that they may minister to Thee accordingly.

9.   Innumerable hosts stand before Thee, peacefully serving Thee according to their tasks.

10.  Hear Thy servant and regard my appeal O Lord, for in a short time we are born and in a short time we return.  With Thee however, the hours are like eons, and the days like generations.

11.  Be therefore not angry with man, for he is nothing, nor take account of his works, for what are we?  For behold, by Thy gift we come into the world, and we depart not of our own will.

12.  We did not say to our parents; beget us.  Nor did we sent to the realm of death saying; Receive us.  What therefore is our strength that we should bear Thy wrath, or endure Thy judgments?

13.  Protect us in Thy grace, and in Thy mercy help us, look at the small ones who submit to Thee, and save all those that come to Thee.

14.  Do not take away the hope of our people, nor shorten the time of our help, for these are the people, which Thou has elected, a nation of which Thou found no equal.

15.  But now I will speak to Thee as I think in my heart, for in Thee have we placed our trust, for behold, Thy law is with us, and we know that we shall not fail as long as we keep Thy statutes.

16.  We shall always be blessed as long as we do not mingle with the nations, for we, the people of Thy name, who received but one law from One, and which is with us to help us, it is that excellent wisdom which will support us."

The Lord answers Baruch

17.  And having prayed these things I became very weak, and He answered me saying;

18.  "You have prayed uprightly Baruch, and all your words have been heard, but My judgment asks its own, and My law demands its right.

19.  From your words I will answer you, and from your prayer I will speak with you, for it is as follows;

20.  There is nothing that will be destroyed unless it acted wickedly while they were able to recall my goodness and could have accepted My long-suffering.

21.  For this reason you will surely be taken up as I promised you.  And the time, of which I spoke to you, it will arrive, and when it appears, it will bring afflictions.

22.  For it will come with great vehemence, and in the heat of indignation it will be turbulent, and the inhabitants of the earth in those days will live in peace with one another, for they realize not that My judgment has come near.

23.  In that time there will not be found many wise men, nor any intelligent ones, but those that are wise will rather be more and more silent.

24.  And there will be many tidings, and not a few rumors, and works of illusions will be visible, and not a few promises will be told, some idle, and some affirmed.

25.  Honor will change into shame, strength will be humiliated to contempt, and the strong will be broken down, beauty will become contemptible.

26.  And many will say to many in that time; where did the multitude of intelligence hide itself, and whereto did the multitude of wisdom depart?

27.  And as they think concerning these matters then jealousy will arise in those who did not think much of themselves, and passions will take hold of those who were peaceful.

28.  And many will be agitated in wrath to injure many, and they will raise armies to shed blood and perish with them in that time it will become obviously visible to everyone that a change is to occur.  

29. For in all ages they polluted themselves causing oppression, and each one walked in his own doings, and did not remember the law of the Mighty One.

30.  Therefore, a fire will consume their thoughts, and a flame the meditations of their inwards, for the Judge will come, and He will not hesitate, since each one of the inhabitants of the earth knew that they acted unrighteously, and for their pride knew not the law.

31.  Then many will surely weep at that time, and that more because of being alive, than dead."

32.  And I answered saying; "O Adam what have you done to all who were born of you?  And what will be said of the first Eve who obeyed the serpent so that now this whole multitude is going to destruction, for countless are those which are devoured by the fire."

Chapter 11

The new form of the righteous and the wicked

1.   And He answered saying to me; "Listen to this word Baruch, and write in the memory of your heart all that you shall hear.

2.   For at that time, the earth will surely give back the dead, it receives them now in order to keep them not changing anything in their form, but just as it receives them, so also it will return them, as I delivered them to it, so it will raise them.

3.   For then it will be necessary to show them that are alive that the dead are living again, that those who went away, did return.

4.   And when they recognize each other, having known each other at that time, then my judgment will be strong, and the things of which I spoke to you will come.

5.   Then after that appointed day is over, then both the shape of those who are found to be guilty, as also the glory of those who proved to be righteous, shall be changed.

6.   For the shape of those who now act wickedly - will be made more evil, so they shall suffer torment.

7.   And for the glory of those who walked righteously according to My law, who in their life had intelligence, who planted the root of wisdom in their hearts, their splendor will then be glorified by transformation.

8.   The form of their faces will be changed into the light of their beauty so they may acquire and receive the undying world promised to them.

9.   But these others will at that time be especially sad since they despised My law, and stopped their ears lest they might hear wisdom and receive intelligence.

10.  When they therefore will see those over whom they are now exalted to be more exalted and glorified over them, then both these and they will be changed.

11.  These into the splendor of angels, while the others shall be changed into startling horrible shapes, and thus will waste away even more, for first they will see, and then go to be tormented.

12.  And to those who are saved for their works for whom now the law is their hope, intelligence, expectation, and wisdom, will be miracles at that time.

13.  For they shall behold that world which is currently invisible to them, and see a time, which is now hidden from them, nor will time any longer age them.

14.  For they will live in the heights of that world, being like the angels, and equals to the stars.

15.  They will be changed into any form they desire, from beauty to loveliness, and from light to the splendor of glory.

16.  For the extend of Paradise will be laid open for them.  To them will be shown the beauty of the majesty of the living beings under the throne, as well as the host of angels which are now withheld by My word - lest they show themselves, that by My command they may stand at their places when their coming has arrived.

17.  Then the excellence of the righteous ones will be greater than that of the angels, and the first will receive the last whom they expected, and the last those of whom they had heard that they had departed.

18.  For they were saved from this world of affliction and lost the burdens of anguish for which men lost their lives, and for which they on earth exchanged their souls.

19.  For once they chose for themselves that time which cannot pass without afflictions, they chose for themselves that end which is full of lamentations and evils.

20.  They denied the world in which one does not age when he enters into it, they despised that time which brought glory, so that now they cannot enter into its glory of which I spoke to you before."

21.  Then I answered saying; "How shall we forget those for whom at that time woe is preserved?  Shall we then again be sad for those who must die, for those who will go into the realm of death?

22.  The lamentations should be kept for the beginning of that coming torment, and our tears for its coming.  But with a view to these things I will yet speak concerning the righteous ones as to what is best for them to do now.

23.  Enjoy yourself in the suffering in which you now suffer, and do not look to the decline of your enemies.

24.  But prepare your souls for that which is kept for you, and ready your souls for the reward which is preserved for you."  And having said these, I fell asleep.

Chapter 12

The vision of the cloud

1.   And I beheld a vision, A cloud came up from the sea, and as I saw, it was entirely filled with black water, and many colors within it.

2.   And something like great lightning appeared at its top, and I beheld the cloud passing rapidly passing over and covering the whole earth.

3.   And the cloud began to pour its water upon the earth, and I saw that the waters, which descended, were not all alike.

4.   At first it was very black for a time, then I saw the water become bright, but there was not much thereof.

5.   And after this I saw the black water again, and then bright again, and black again and again bright, this happened twelve times, but the black was always more than the bright.

6.   And at the end it poured black water blacker, darker than the waters which I had seen before, and with it was fire mingled, and whenever that water descended, it brought about devastation and destruction.

7.   Then after this I saw how the lightning, which was at its top, seized the cloud and pressed it down upon the earth.

8.   That lightning then shone so bright that it lighted the whole earth and healed the regions where the last black waters had descended and brought about destruction, and it occupied the whole earth taking command thereof.

9.   Afterwards I beheld twelve rivers coming from the sea, surrounding the lightning, and became subject to it.  And for fear, I awoken.

Baruch asks for the interpretation.

10.  And I asked the Mighty One saying; "Thou alone O Lord knew the heights of the world beforehand, and that which is to happen at the times which Thou brings forth by Thy word.

11.  And Thou hastens the time against the works of the inhabitants of the earth, and the end of all period, also Thou only knows.

12.  Unto Thee there is nothing difficult, and Thou accomplishes all things by Thyself.

13.  Thou art the One unto whom both the depths and the heights come together, and by whose word the first of all things came.

14.  Thou art He who reveals to those that fear Thee what is prepared for them, so that Thou may comfort them, and show Thy mighty works to such as knew not.

15.  Thou does close the blinds on those that are ignorant and boast in darkness, and Thou does reveal Thy secrets to those that are spotless, to those who subject themselves to Thee and to Thy law in faith.

16.  Thou did show this vision to Thy servant, open now also its exposition to me, for I know that I have received the answer regarding the things of which I asked, and that Thou has given me a revelation thereto.

17.  To let me know with what voice I should honor Thee, and from what members I should cause glory and praise to go up before Thee.

18.  For if my members were mouths, and the hairs of my head were voices, even then I would not be able to honor Thee properly, nor pronounce Thy glory, or express the excellence of Thy beauty.

19.  For who am I among men, or what is my significance among those who are more excellent than I, that I have heard all these marvelous things from the Most High, and the multitude of promises from Him who created me?

20.  Blessed is my mother among those who bear, and praised among women is she who bore me, for I shall not be silent honoring the Mighty One, but with the voice of glory I shall narrate His marvelous works.

21.  For who is able to imitate Thy miracles O God, or understand Thy deep thoughts of life?  For with Thy counsel Thou reigns over all creation, which Thou made with Thy right hand, and Thou established the whole fountain of life with Thyself, and prepared under Thy throne the treasures of wisdom.

22.  And those who do not love Thy law are justly perishing; the torment of judgment will fall rightly upon those who did not subject themselves to Thy power.

23.  For although Adam was the first to sin and brought death upon all those who were not in his time, yet each of those who came from him, prepared the coming torments for themselves.

24.  And each one chose for himself the coming glory, for he who believes will truly receive the reward.

25.  You that are unrighteous, living now, you turn yourself to destruction, for you will be visited suddenly, because you once rejected the understanding of the Most High.

26.  For His works taught you nothing, nor did the artful works of His creation persuade you.  Not Adam is therefore the cause, except only for himself, but each one of us has become his own Adam.

27.  Thou however O Lord, explain to me what it is Thou revealed to me, and inform me of what I asked, for at the end of this world retribution will be demanded of the wicked ones in measure with their wickedness

28.  And Thou wilt glorify the faithful ones according to their faith, for Thou rules those which are Thy own, and these who sin, Thou does blot out from among Thy own.

Chapter 13

Baruch meditating

1.   And it came to pass having finished these words of prayer that I sat down under a tree to rest in the shadow of its branches.

2.   And I was surprised and astonished pondering in my thoughts concerning the multitude of goodness, which the sinners on earth have rejected, and concerning the great punishment, which they invited while they knew that they would be punished for them.

3.   While I was thus thinking these and other things, behold, Ramael, the angel who was set over true visions, was sent to me and said;

4.   "Why does your heart trouble you Baruch, why are you so disturbed in your thoughts?  For if you are now already while only hearing about the judgment, what when you see it openly with your eyes?

5.   For if you are already so disturbed by the expectation of what you expect on the day of the Mighty One, what about when it arrives?

6.   If you are so terrified by the announcement of the punishment of those who have transgressed, how much the more will the event itself terrify you?

7.   If you are grieved having heard the words of good and evil for the time to come, what then when you behold what His Majesty will reveal to convict some, and cause others to rejoice?

Interpretation of the vision

8.   But now since you have asked the Most High to reveal to you the explanation of the vision, which you have seen. I have been sent by Him to give you to know the course of times, namely those which have passed, and which are to come in this world from its creation to its end.

9.    These then are known in deceit and in truth, for as you saw a great cloud coming up from the sea and covering the earth; this is the length of the world, which the Mighty One created when He took counsel to create the world.

10.  It then is so, that when His word went from Him, that the duration of the world stood as something small, and was established according to the abundance of His intelligence.

11.  What you saw first, the black waters on top of the cloud, the first, which came down upon the earth this, is the transgression of Adam, the first sin.

12.  For when he transgressed came untimely death into being, mourning made its entry, afflictions were prepared, illness was created, labor came, and pride also took hold.

13.  And death began to ask to be served with blood, and the conception of children came about, and the passion of the parents was produced, the loftiness of man was humiliated and goodness vanished.

14.  What therefore could have been blacker than all these?  This is the beginning of the black waters, which you saw.

15.  Then other dark waters were born from these, waters very dark in origin, for he who was a danger to himself was also a danger to angels, since in time, they the angels, had freedom.

16.  And some of these came down and mingled themselves with women, and those who did these things at that time, are now tormented in chains.

17.  But the rest of the multitude of the angels, which is without number, restrained themselves.

18.  These then that lived on earth perished together in the waters of the flood.  These are the first black waters.

The first bright waters

19.  After these you saw the bright waters, this is the fountain of Abraham and his generation, the coming of his son, and his son sons, and all those like them.

20.  For at that time, the unwritten law was in force among them by which the deeds of the law were accomplished, and also the faith in the coming judgment was brought about.

21.  And also the hope of the world, which was to be renewed, was at that time established, and the promise of the life afterwards was planted in their hearts.

22.  These then are the bright waters, which you have seen.

Third black waters

23.  And the third black waters which you saw; is the mingling which the nations performed afterwards, after the departure of these righteous men.

24.  And also the wickedness of the land of Egypt in acting wickedly with oppression against their sons, but at end these also perished.

Chapter 14

Fourth bright waters

1.   And the fourth bright waters which you saw, is the coming of Moses and of Aaron and of Miriam and Joshua the son of Nun, and of Caleb, and all those like them.

2.   For at that time the lamp of the eternal law, which exists forever and ever, illuminated all those who sat in darkness, announcing to them that the promise of their reward, and on the other hand, the fire as punishment for those who denied it.

3.   At that time the heavens were shaken, which is to say, the heavens, which are under the throne of the Mighty One, were severely shaken when He received Moses to Him.

4.   For He showed him many warnings together with the ways of the law, and showed him the time of the end even as is shown to you, and He showed him the likeness of Zion with its measurements which was to be made after the likeness of the present sanctuary.

5.   He also at that time showed him the measures of the fire, the depths of the abyss, the weight of the winds, the number of raindrops, the suppression of wrath, the abundance of long-suffering, the truth of judgment, the root of wisdom, the riches of understanding, the fountain of knowledge, and the heights of the air.

6.   As well as the greatness of Paradise, the end of the periods, the beginning of the day of judgment, the number of offerings, the worlds which had not yet come, the mouth of hell, the place of vengeance, the place of faith, the region of hope.

7.   The picture of the coming judgment, the multitude of the angels which cannot be counted, the powers of the flame, the splendor of lightning's, the voice of the thunders, the orders of the archangels the treasures of light, the changes of the times, and the inquiries into the law.

8.   These are the fourth bright waters, which you have seen.

The fifth black waters

9.   And the fifth black waters, which you saw, pouring down; are the works, which the Amorites have done, the wickedness of their mysteries, and the mingling of their pollution.

10.  And Israel also was polluted with sins in the days of the judges even though they had seen many signs from Him who created them.

The sixth bright waters

11.  And the sixth bright waters, which you saw, this is the time in which David and Solomon were born.

12.  At that time the building of Zion took place, and the dedication of the sanctuary, and the shedding of much blood of the nations, which sinned at that time.

13.  And the many offerings, which were offered at that time at the inauguration of the sanctuary, and rest and peace, reigned at that time.

14.  Wisdom was heard in the assembly, and the riches of understanding was magnified in the congregations.

15.  And the holy festivals were fulfilled with happiness and much joy, and also the judgment of the rulers at that time was without deceit.

16.   And the righteousness of the commandments of the Mighty One was at that time accomplished in truth.

17.  The land at that time-received mercy since its inhabitants did not sin and were praised above all countries and regions.

18.  These are those bright waters, which you have seen.

The seventh black waters

19.  And the seventh black waters which you have seen; is the perversion of the ideas of Jeroboam who planned to make two golden calves, and the iniquities done by the kings who succeeded him.

20.  And the course of Jezebel, and the idolatry, which Israel practiced at that time, and the withholding of rain, with famines of such kind that they ate the fruit of their womb.

21.  And the time of their exile which befell the nine and one half tribes because they lived in many sins, and Salmanasar the king of Assyria came and carried them away into captivity.

22.  And much could be said concerning the nations how they acted unrighteously and wickedly, and how they never proved them-selves to be righteous.

23.  These are the seventh black waters, which you saw.

The eight bright waters

24.  And the eight bright waters which you have seen, is the righteousness and integrity of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and the grace, which came upon him.

25.  For at that time Sennacherib was roused in wrath, so that he led the multitude of the nations that went with him, also to destruction.

26.  For when Hezekiah the king heard what the Assyrian king had devised, to come and destroy his people, the two and a half tribes that were left, and that he also wanted to destroy Zion. 

27.  Then Hezekiah trusted in his works and hoped upon his righteousness, and he spoke with the Mighty One saying; Pay attention, behold, Sennacherib is ready to destroy us, and he will boast, and be uplifted when he has destroyed Zion.

28.  And the Mighty One heard him, for Hezekiah was wise, and paid attention to his prayers, for he was righteous.

29.  And the Mighty One commanded his angel Ramael, who now speaks with you, went and destroyed their multitude, the number with their chiefs were 185.000, I at that time burned their bodies within preserving their clothes and their armament on the outside.

30.  So that still more of the marvelous works of the Mighty One might be seen, and so that His name might be mentioned throughout the entire earth.

31.  Thus Zion was saved and Jerusalem delivered from its tribulations, and those who were in the Holy Land rejoiced.

32.  And the name of the Mighty One was praised so that it was spoken of.  These are these bright waters, which you have seen.

Chapter 15

The ninth black waters

1.   And the ninth black waters is the wickedness which existed in the days of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, for he acted very wickedly, killing the righteous.

2.   He perverted judgment, shed innocent blood, and violently polluted the married women; he overturned altars abolishing their offerings, and drove the priests away lest they should minister in the sanctuary.

3.   And he made a statute with five faces, four looking into the directions of the winds, and the fifth on top was to challenge the zeal of the Mighty One.

4.   Then the wrath of the Mighty One went out, for Zion to be uprooted, and so it happened in your days.

5.   But judgment also went out against the two and a half tribes for them to be carried into captivity, as you have seen.

6.   The impiety of Manasseh increased to such a degree that the glory of the Most High removed itself from the sanctuary.

7.   Therefore was Manasseh called the impious one, at that time, and finally his habitation was in the fire.

8.   For although the Most High had heard his prayer, in the end, when he fell into the brazen horse, and it was melted, it became to him as a sign regarding his hour.

9.   For he had not lived perfectly since he was not worthy, but this was so that he might henceforth know by whom at end he should be punished, for He who is able to benefit is also able to punish.

10.  This Manasseh sinned, and he thought in his time that the Mighty One would not call him accountable for these things.

11.  These are those ninth black water you have seen.

Tenth bright waters

12.  And the tenth bright waters which you have seen; is the purity of the generation of Josiah, the king of Judah, who was the only one in his time who subjected himself to the Mighty One with his whole heart and soul.

13.  He purified the country from the idols, and sanctified the vessels, which were polluted, and restored the offerings to the altar, raising the horn of the holy, and he exalted the righteous and honored all those who were wise with understanding.

14.  He brought the priests back to their ministry, and destroyed and removed the magicians, the enchanters and diviners from the land.

15.  And not only did he kill the impious that were living, but also the bones of the dead were taken out and burned with fire.

16.  He established the festivals and the Sabbaths with their holy practices, and burned the polluted with fire.

17.  And also the prophets that were still alive, who deceived the people, these he burned with fire, and he also cast the people who obeyed them for the remainder of their life in the Kidron valley, and heaped stones on them.

18.  With his whole soul he was zealous for the Mighty One, he alone was strong in the law at that time.

19.  He left no one un-circumcised, nor anyone who acted wickedly in the whole of the country, all the days of his life.

20.  He therefore is one who shall receive an eternal reward, and be honored with the Mighty One more than many, in the last age.

21.  For on his account and on account of those like him, the precious glories have been created and prepared which were spoken of to you earlier.

22.  These are those bright waters, which you have seen.

The eleventh black waters

23.  And the eleventh black waters, which you saw, is the disaster, which has now befallen Zion.

24.  Do you think that there is no mourning among the angels before the Mighty One that Zion is delivered up in this way?

25.  Behold, the nations rejoice in their hearts, these multitudes are before their idols saying; She who has trodden down others for such a long time has herself been trodden down, she who subjugated, has been subjugated.

26.  Do you think that the Most High rejoices in these things, or that His name has been glorified?  But how else will be His righteous judgment?

27.  For after this, those scattered among the nations will endure tribulations, and live in shame in every place.

28.  For ever since Zion has been delivered up, and Jerusalem laid waste, the idols of the cities of the nations are happy.

29.  And the savor of the smoke of the incense of the righteousness of the law has been put out everywhere in the regions of Zion.

30.  For behold, the smoke of impiety is here, and the king of Babylon will arise, the one who destroyed Zion, and he will boast over the people, and speak proudly in his heart before the Most High.

31.  Yet finally he too will fall.  These then are those black waters.

The twelfth bright waters

32.  And the twelfth bright waters which you saw; this is the meaning; After these there will come a time that your people will fall into such a distress that they are altogether in danger of perishing. [ww-2]

33.  They however will be saved, and their enemies will fall before them, and to them will fall much joy one-day.

34.  At that time then, after a short time, Zion will be build again, [1948] and offerings restored, the priest will again return to their ministry.

35.  And the nations will again come to honor it, but not as fully as before, but it will come to pass after these things that there will be a fall of many nations.

36.  These are these bright waters you have seen.

Chapter 16 

The last black waters

1.   The last black waters then, which you saw, which were blacker than all the preceding, which came after the twelfth, those, which were brought together, they apply to the whole world.

2.   For the Most High in the beginning made a division, and only He knows what will happen in the future.

3.   He foresaw six times for the ungodly, and six times of the good works, which the righteous should accomplish, with the exclusion of that which He Himself will accomplish at the end of the world.

4.   These waters therefore are not black waters mixed with black, nor bright with bright, for this is the end.

5.   Hear then the exposition of these last black waters, which will come after the black waters.

6.   For behold, the days are coming that the time of the world shall be ripe to harvest what is sown of good, and what is sown of evil, then the Mighty shall cause confusion of spirit, and amazement of the heart over its inhabitants and over its rulers.

7.   And they will hate one another, and provoke one another to fight, the despised will rule over the honorable, and the unworthy will raise themselves over the illustrious.

8.   And many will be delivered to the few, those who were nothing will rule over the strong, and the poor will be greater in number than the rich.

9.   The impious will exalt themselves over the brave, the wise will be silent, and the foolish will speak.

10.  The plans of men will not be realized then, nor the counsel of the strong, nor the hope of those who hope will be realized.

11.  Then the things will occur of which I spoke to you before, and confusion will fall upon all men, some will fall in war, others perish in tribulations, and again others will be troubled by those of their own.

12.  Then the Most High will give a sign to those nations, which He has prepared, and they will come and wage war with the rulers who then remain.

13.  And everyone, who will save himself from war, will die in an earthquake, and he, who saves himself from the earthquake, will be burned by fire, and he who saves himself from the fire will perish by famine.

14.  And everyone who escapes from all these things, both the victors and those that have been overcome, these all will be delivered into the hands of My Servant, the Anointed One.

15.  For the whole earth will devour its inhabitants, but the Holy Land at that time will find mercy and protect its inhabitants.

16.  This is the vision, which you have seen, and its interpretation, for I have come to tell you these things, since the Most High has heard your prayer.

Bright waters at the end

17.  Hear now also concerning the bright waters, which came at the end, after these black ones.

18.  For after the signs of which I spoke to you, have come, when the nations are moved, and the time of My Anointed One has come, He will call all nations, and some He will spare while others He will kill.

19.  And this will befall the nations, which will be spared by Him.  Every nation that has not known Israel, which has not trodden down the seed of Jacob, they will live.

20.  This is so because, some from among the nations have subjected themselves to your people, but those who have ruled over you or that has known you, will be delivered to the sword.

21.  And after He has brought down everything which is in the world, and has sat down in eternal peace on the throne of His kingdom, then joy will be revealed, and rest will appear.

22.  Then health will descend as dew, and illness will vanish, fear, tribulation, and lamentations will pass away from among men, and joy will embrace the earth, and no one again will die untimely, or be overtaken by sudden adversity.

23.  Judgment, condemnations, contentions, revenging, murder, passions, zeal, hate, and all such things will go into condemnation, because they will be uprooted.

24.  For because of these things the earth was filled with evils, by them it that the life of man came in yet greater confusion.

25.  And wild beasts will come from the forest and serve man, and the asp and dragons will come out of their holes to subject themselves to a child.

26.  And women will no longer have pain when they bear, they will not be tormented when they yield the fruit of their womb.

27.  In those days the reapers will not become tired, nor will the farmers wear themselves out, for the produce will of itself come forth speedily while they work on them in full tranquility.

28.  For that time is the end of that which is corruptible, and the beginning of that which is incorruptible, wherefore the good of which I spoke before will be in it.

29.  Therefore also is she far from those that are evil, but near to those, which do not die.  These are these last bright waters.

Chapter 17

Baruch praises the Lord

1.   And I answered saying; who can equal Thy goodness O Lord, for it is incomprehensible, or who can fathom Thy grace, which is without end, or understand Thy intelligence?

2.   Who can narrate the thoughts of Thy Spirit, who of those that are born can hope to arrive at these things, except those to whom Thou art merciful and gracious.

3.   If Thou were not merciful to men, those who gather under Thy right hand, they would not be able to comprehend, nor attain to be named among Thy number.

4.   But we who are, when we shall know why we have come, and subject ourselves to Him who brought us out of Egypt, then we shall remember that which has passed away, and rejoice in the things that will be.

5.   But if we do not know why we have come, nor recognize the sovereignty of Him who brought us out of Egypt, we will be asking for that which is now, and be severely grieved for that which has happened.

6.   And He answered saying to me; Since the revelation of the vision has been explained to you as you asked for, hear now the words of the Most High in what will happen to you after these things.

7.   For you will surely depart from this world, but not to death, but to be kept to the end of times.

8.   Therefore go up to the top of the mountain, and all the nations of the earth will pass before you.  The likeness of the inhabited world, the height of the mountains, the depths of the valleys, the depths of the seas, and the number of rivers, so that you may see that which you leave, and where you are going.

9.   This will be done to you after forty days, during these days therefore go and instruct the people as much as you can so they may learn, lest they die in the last times.

Baruch speaks to the people

10.  And I Baruch went from there to my people and assembled them from the greatest to the smallest and said to them.  Hear O children of Israel, look how many are left of the twelve tribes of Israel.

11.  It is to you above all nations that the Lord gave the law, but because your brothers transgressed the commandments of the Most High, He brought vengeance on them and on you.

12.  He did not spare your ancestors in the past, and now He has given the descendants into captivity leaving no remnant of them.

13.  You however are here with me at this place, if you therefore will make your ways straight then you will not be going as your brothers went but they will rather come to you.

14.  For He whom you honor, and in whom you hope, is merciful and gracious and true to do good to you, and not evil.

15.  Have you not seen what befell Zion?  Or do you think that the place itself has sinned that it was destroyed for that reason?

16.  Or that the country has done some crime, that it for such cause is delivered up?

17.  Do you not known that it is because of "those who sinned" that even those who did not sin were destroyed?  That because of those who did evil, those had not gone astray had to go and be delivered up to their enemies?

The people answer Baruch

18.  And the whole people answered me; “Everything which we are able to recall of the good things which the Mighty One has done to us we shall remember, and what we are not able to recall, He knows in his grace.

19.  But perform this for us your people, write to our brothers in Babylon a letter of doctrine, a role of hope so you may strengthen them before you go from us.

20.  For the shepherds of Israel have perished, the lamps, which gave light, are extinguished, and the fountains from which we used to drink have withheld their streams.  And we are left in darkness as in a thick forest, and as in the aridness of the desert."

21.  So I answered them; "Shepherds, lamps and fountains came from the law, and even though we go, the law remains, if therefore you look upon the law, and are intend upon wisdom, then the lamp will not be wanting, nor the shepherds be departed, nor the fountain be dry.

22.  Nevertheless, I will write to your brothers in Babylon as you asked of me, and sent it to them by means of men, Furthermore I shall also write to the nine and one half tribes, and sent it them by means of a bird."

Sending of the letters

23.  On the 21st day then of the ninth month I Baruch came and sat under the oak in the shadow of its branches, and no one was with me.

24.  And I wrote two letters, one I sent by means of an eagle to the nine and a half tribes, the other I sent by means of three men to those in Babylon.

25.  And I called an eagle speaking to him these words; the Most High has created you that you should be higher than any other bird.

26.  And now go, and do not stay in this place, do not enter a nest, nor sit on any tree until you have crossed over the waters of the river Euphrates and have come to the people that live there, and cast down to them this letter.

27.  Remember that Noah at the time of the flood received the fruit of the olive tree from a dove when he sent it away from the ark, and also the ravens served Elijah when they brought food to him as they were commanded.

28.  And Solomon in the time of his kingship commanded a bird where he wanted to sent a letter, and it obeyed him in whatever he was in need of, like as he commanded it.

29.  Do not be reluctant therefore, nor deviate to the right nor to the left but fly going the shortest way that you may preserve the command of the Mighty One as I speak to you.

Chapter 18

The letter to the 9-l/2 tribes

1.   The letter of Baruch, the son of Neriah, which he wrote to the nine and a half tribes.

2.   Thus speaks Baruch the son of Neriah to the brothers who were carried away in captivity, grace, and peace be to you.

3.   My brothers I remember constantly the love of Him who created me, who loved us from the beginning, who never hated us, but on the contrary, He chastised us

4.   I know it well that all the twelve tribes are bound by one captivity, since we all descend from one father.

5.   It is for that reason that I have been more diligent to leave you these words by means of this letter before I shall die, so that you may be comforted regarding the evils, which have befallen you.

6.   And also, that you may be grieved with regards to the evils which has come to your brothers, to the intend that you may consider the righteous judgment of Him who decreed that you should be carried into captivity.

7.   What you in fact have suffered, is smaller than what you have done, which is so that in the last times, you may be found worthy of your fathers.

8.   If therefore you consider that your suffering is for your own good, so that at end you may not be condemned and tormented, you will receive the eternal hope.

9.   This is of course if you remove the vain error from your hearts, for which reason also you had to depart from here, for if you do this, He will remember you always.

10.  He is He, who on our behalf has always promised to those who are more excellent than us, that He will never forget nor forsake our offspring, but that with great mercy He would again assemble them that were dispersed.

11.  Learn then first my brothers what befell Zion, namely, that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up against us, for we had sinned against Him who created us, not observing the commandments, which He ordered us to keep.

12.  And yet He did not chastise us as we well deserved, and that which befell you, we also had to suffer, since it befell us also.

13.  And now my brothers I make known to you that when the enemy had surrounded the city, angels from the Most High were sent, and they demolished the fortifications of the strong wall, and destroyed the solid iron corners, which were unbreakable.

14.  And they hid the holy items, so the enemy could not pollute them, and having done these things they left the demolished wall, the emptied house, the burned temple, and the people to the enemies.

15.  This was so lest they should say; we have overcome to such an extend that we have destroyed the house of the Most High.

16.  They then bound your brothers and carried them to Babylon forcing them to live there, and we have been left here with very few.

17.  This is the affliction about which I write to you, for I know it was a comfort to you as long as you knew that Zion was still inhabited, and that that comfort was greater than the afflictions which you endured in being separated from them.

God's vengeance to come upon His enemies

18.  But hear now yet also a word of comfort, for I mourned greatly for Zion, and asked for grace from the Most High saying, Will these things be always so, will these evils befall us to the end?

19.  And the Most High did according to His abundant grace, according to the multitude of his mercy, He revealed to me words of comfort, showing me a vision that I might not be sorrowful, He made known to me the mysteries of the times, and the coming of the periods.

20.  Therefore have I written my brothers, that you might find consolation in your many tribulations, for you ought to know that our Creator will surely avenge us on all our enemies according to all that they have done to us.

21.  And that the end which the Most High has purposed, is near, and also His grace which is to come, the coming of his judgment is not far off.

22.  For as of yet we see them happy, that multitude of nations while they act wickedly, and yet are but a vapor.  And as yet we behold their power while they act impiously, but they will be like a drop.

23.  We see the Power, while they at all times resist the Mighty One, but they will be reckoned as spit, we ponder on the glory of their majesty while they do not keep the statutes of the Most High, but as smoke, so they will pass away.

24.  We think on the beauty and glory, while they live in filthiness, but they will fade like dead grass.  And while we behold their great cruelty, they do not consider the end, but they will be broken like a passing wave.

25.  We notice the pride of their power, while they deny the goodness of God from whom they received it, but as a passing cloud they will vanish.

Chapter 19

Verdict on the nations

1.  For the Most High will surely hasten His times.  He will certainly cause His periods to arrive.

2.  He will surely judge those that are in this world.  He will truly inquire into everything regarding their works - which were sins.

3.  He will certainly investigate the secret thoughts, all that is in the corner of men.  And He will manifest it before everyone with blame.

4.   Nothing therefore of the present things should come as a surprise to your hearts, but you should rather expect it, and let us wait for that which is promised to us to come

5.   We should not look upon the delight of the present nations, but let us think upon that which has been promised to us in the end.

6.   For all times and periods will pass to their end with all that is in them, The end then, in the judgment will demonstrate the great power of our Ruler.

7.   Direct your hearts therefore to that which you have believed from of old lest you should be captives in both worlds, first to be carried captive here and then to be tormented there.

8.   For that which is now, what was, and what is to come, the evil that is in them, is not fully evil, nor is the good fully good in them, since the health that is now will change into illness, and might into weakness.

9.   And the powers that are now will change into miseries, and the strength of youth into old age and pass to consummation.

10.  All beauty and glory that is now will wither and become ugly, all accursed pride that is now will come into infamy and shame.

11.  All the glory of boasting of this time will change into shame and silence, and all delight and splendor that is now, will go into ruin and contempt.

12.  All joy and grace that is now will turn into worms and perdition, and all the proud talk that is now, will change into dust and defamation.

13.  All present wealth will go into hell, and all current greed and goods will pass unto death, and all desires of the heart that are now, will pass unto punishment.

14.  All craftiness and cunning shall be tested by the truth, and all sweet smell of ointment that is now, will go into judgment and condemnation, and all unsavory friendship will lead to shameful silence.

15.  Think thus not that all that is happening now will not be avenged, for the end will bring all things to light.

Baruch's last reminder to Israel

16.  I have given you knowledge while I am still alive, that you may learn His mighty commandments, which He taught you, and I shall mention some of these before I die.

17.  Remember that Moses called heaven and earth to witness against you and said, If you trespass, you shall be dispersed, and if you keep it, you shall be planted.

18.  And yet other things he said to you when the twelve tribes were gathered in the desert, but after his death, you cast it away from you, therefore then came the thing, which he said upon you.

19.  Moses thus spoke to you before it came to you, and it came because you forsook the law.

20.  And I also now say to you, after you having suffered these things, if you obey the things that I have said to you, then you shall receive from the Mighty One everything, which He has prepared and preserved for you.

21.  Let therefore this letter be a witness between you, and me that you may remember the commandments of the Mighty One, and that it may serve as my defense in the presence of Him who has sent me.

22.  Remember Zion and the law, and the Holy Land and your brothers, the covenant and your fathers, and do not forget the festivals and the Sabbaths, and give this letter and the traditions of the law to your children after you, as also your fathers did to you.

23.  Endure always asking and praying seriously with your whole soul, that the Mighty One may accept you in mercy, and not reckon to you the multitude of your sins, for if He judges us not according to His great grace, woe to all that are born.

24.  Know further that in former times, the fathers and generations had prophets and holy men to helpers, and when we were in our country they helped us when we sinned, intervening for us with Him who created us, since they trusted in righteousness.

25.  And the Mighty One heard them and purged us from our sins, but now the righteous have been gathered, and the prophets are sleeping, and we have left our land, and Zion has been taken away, and we have nothing except the Mighty One and his law.

26.  If therefore we direct and dispose our hearts to Him, we shall again receive everything, which we lost many times over, for that which was lost, was subjected to corruption, but that which we shall receive, will not be corruptible.

27.  We have written to your brothers in Babylon also, so I may attest these things to them also.  Let everything, which I have hereto said unto you be before you always as long as we are still at liberty in the power of the Spirit to do so.

28.  And furthermore, the Most High is also long suffering towards us having shown us what is to come, not concealing from us what is to happen in the end.

29.  For now that his judgment exacts its own, and his truth that which is His, let us prepare ourselves that we may possess, and not be possessed.

30.  And that we may hope, and not be put to shame, and rest with our fathers, and not be punished with those who hate us.

31.  For the youth of this world has passed away, and the power of creation is near exhaustion, the coming of the time is near.

32.  The pitcher is near the well, and the ship to the harbor, and the journey nears the city, and life - its end, so thus prepare yourself that when you sail and ascend the ship, you may have rest and not be condemned for having gone away.

33.  For the Most High will cause all things to come, after which there will not be an opportunity to repent.  There will not be an extension of periods of times, nor a chance to rest, nor opportunity to pray, or to sent up petitions, nor the giving of knowledge, or love.

34.  Nor praying for others, nor prayers of the fathers, nor intercessions of the prophets, nor help from the righteous, for there will be the proclamation of judgment to destruction, and the way of the fire, the path that leads to the oven.

35.  Therefore there is one law by One, and one world, and an end for all that live therein, then will He give life to those whom He is able to forgive and purge them from sin and at the same time destroy them that are smeared with sin.

36.  When you therefore receive this letter, read it carefully in your assemblies, and think about it and in particular on your days of feasting, and remember me by means of this letter in the same way as I remember you by means of this always.

37.  And it happen when I had finished all the words of this letter, and written it carefully in full, I folded it, sealed it, and bound it to the neck of the Eagle, and I let it go sending it away.

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