Chapter LXXXIX
1. And I observed during the time, that thus thirty-seven shepherds were overlooking, all of whom finished in their respective periods as the first. Others then received them into their hands, that they might overlook them in their respective periods, every shepherd in his own period.
2. Afterwards I saw in the vision, that all the birds of heaven arrived ; eagles, the avest, kites and ravens. The eagle instructed them all.
3. They began to devour the sheep, to peck out their eyes, and to eat up their bodies.
4. The sheep then cried out ; for their bodies were devoured by the birds.
5. I also cried out, and groaned in my sleep against that shepherd which overlooked the flock.
6. And I looked, while the sheep were eaten up by the dogs, by the eagles, and by the kites. They neither left them their body, nor their skin, nor their muscles, until their bones alone remained until their bones fell upon the ground. And the sheep became diminished.
7. I observed likewise during the time, that twenty-three shepherds were overlooking ; who completed in their respective periods fifty-eight periods.
8. Then were small lambs born of those white sheep ; who began to open their eyes and to see, crying out to the sheep.
9. The sheep, however, cried not out to them, neither did they hear what they uttered to them ; but were deaf, blind, and obdurate in the greatest degrees.
10. I saw in the vision that ravens flew down upon those lambs;
11. That they seized one of them and that tearing the sheep in pieces, they devoured them.
12. I saw also, that horns grew upon those lambs ; and that the ravens lighted down upon their horns.
13. 1 saw, too, that a large horn sprouted out on an animal among the sheep, and that their eyes were opened.
14. He looked at them. Their eyes were wide open ; and he cried out to them.
15. Then the dabela saw him ; all of whom ran to him.
16. And besides this, all the eagles, the avest, the ravens and the kites, were still carrying off the sheep, flying down upon them, and devouring them. The sheep were silent, but the dabela lamented and cried out.
17. Then the ravens contended, and struggled with them.
18. They wished among them to break his horn but they prevailed not over him.
19. I looked on them, until the shepherds, the eagles, the avest, and the kites came.
20. Who cried out to the ravens to break the horn of the dabela ; to contend with him ; and to kill him. But he struggled with them, and cried out, that help might come to him.
21. Then I perceived that the man came who had written down the names of the shepherds, and who ascended up before the Lord of the sheep.
22. He brought assistance, and caused every one to see him descending to the help of the dabela.
23. I perceived likewise that the Lord of the sheep came to them in wrath, while all those who saw him fled away ; all fell down in his tabernacle before his face ; while all the eagles, the avest, ravens, and kites assembled, and brought with them all the sheep of the field.
24. All came together, and strove to break the horn of the dabela.
25. Then I saw, that the man, who wrote the book at the word of the Lord, opened the book of destruction, of that destruction which the last twelve shepherds wrought ; and pointed out before the Lord of the sheep, that they destroyed more than those who preceded them.
26. I saw also that the Lord of the sheep came to them, and taking in his hand the sceptre of his wrath seized the earth, which became rent asunder while all the beasts and birds of heaven fell from the sheep, and sunk into the earth, which closed over them.
27. I saw, too, that a large sword was given to the sheep, who went forth against all the beasts of the field to slay them.
28. But all the beasts and birds of heaven fled away from before their face.
29. And I saw a throne erected in a delectable land;
30. Upon this sat the Lord of the sheep, who received all the sealed books;
31. Which were open before him.
32. Then the Lord called the first seven white ones, and commanded them to bring before him the first of the first stars, which preceded the stars whose form partly resembled that of horses ; the first star, which fell down first ; and they brought them all before him.
33. And he spoke to the man who wrote in his presence, who was one of the seven white ones, saying, Take those seventy shepherds, to whom I delivered up the sheep, and who receiving them killed more of them than I commanded. Behold, I saw them all bound, and all standing before him. First came on the trial of the stars, which, being judged, and found guilty, went to the place of punishment. They thrust them into a place, deep, and full of flaming fire, and full of pillars of fire. Then the seventy shepherds were judged, and being found guilty, were thrust into the flaming abyss.
34. At that time likewise I perceived, that one abyss was thus opened in the midst of the earth, which was full of fire.
35. And to this were brought the blind sheep ; which being judged, and found guilty, were all thrust into that abyss of fire on the earth, and burnt.
36. The abyss was on the right of that house.
37. And I saw the sheep burning, and their bones consuming.
38. I stood beholding him immerge that ancient house, while they brought out its pillars, every plant in it, and the ivory infolding it. They brought it out, and deposited it in a place on the right side of the earth.
39. I also saw, that the Lord of the sheep produced a new house, great, and loftier than the former, which he bounded by the former circular spot. All its pillars were new, and its ivory new, as well as more abundant than the former ancient ivory, which he had brought out.
40. And while all the sheep which were left were in the midst of it, all the beasts of the earth, and all the birds of heaven, fell down and worshipped them, petitioning them, and obeying them in everything.
41. Then those three, who were clothed in white, and who, holding me by my hand, had before caused me to ascend, while the hand of him who spoke held me ; raised me up, and placed me in the midst of the sheep, before the judgment took place.
42. The sheep were all white, with wool long and pure. Then all who had perished, and had been destroyed, every beast of the field, and every bird of heaven, assembled in that house : while the Lord of the sheep rejoiced with great joy, because all were good, and had come back again to his dwelling.
43. And I saw that they laid down the sword which had been given to the sheep, and returned it to his house, sealing it up in the presence of the Lord.
44. All the sheep would have been inclosed in that house, had it been capable of containing them ; and the eyes of all were open, gazing on the good One ; nor was there one among them who did not behold him.
45. I likewise perceived that the house was large, wide, and extremely full. I saw, too, that a white cow was born, whose horns were great ; and that all the beasts of the field, and all the birds of heaven, were alarmed at him, and entreated him at all times.
46. Then I saw that the nature of all of them was changed, and that they became white cows ;
47. And that the first, who was in the midst of them, spoke, when that word became a large beast, upon the head of which were great and black horns;
48. While the Lord of the sheep rejoiced over them, and over all the cows.
49. I lay down in the midst of them : I awoke and saw the whole. This is the vision which I saw, lying down and waking. Then I blessed the Lord of righteousness, and gave glory to Him.
50. Afterwards I wept abundantly, nor did my tears cease, so that I became incapable of enduring it. While I was looking on, they flowed on account of what I saw ; for all was come and gone by every; individual circumstance respecting the conduct of mankind was seen by me.
51. In that night I remembered my former dream ; and therefore wept and was troubled, because I had seen that vision.
Chapter XC
1. And now, my son Mathusala, call to me all thy brethren, and assemble for me all the children of thy mother ; for a voice calls me, and the spirit is poured out upon me, that I may show you everything which shall happen to you for ever.
2. Then Mathusala went, called to him all his brethren, and assembled his kindred.
3. And conversing with all his children in truth,
4. Enoch said, Hear, my children, every word of your father, and listen in uprightness to the voice of my mouth ; for I would gain your attention, while I address you. My beloved, be attached to integrity, and walk in it.
5. Approach not integrity with a double heart nor be associated with double-minded men: but walk, my children, in righteousness, which will conduct you in good paths; and be truth your companion.
6. For I know, that oppression will exist and prevail on earth ; that on earth great punishment shall in the end take place ; and that there shall be a consummation of all iniquity, which shall be cut off from its root, and every fabric raised by it shall pass away. Iniquity, however, shall again be renewed, and consummated on earth. Every act of crime, and every act of oppression and impiety, shall be a second time embraced.
7. When therefore iniquity, sin, blasphemy, tyranny, and every evil work, shall increase, and when transgression, impiety, and uncleanness also shall increase, then upon them all shall great punishment be inflicted from heaven.
8. The holy Lord shall go forth in wrath, and upon them all shall great punishment from heaven be inflicted.
9. The holy Lord shall go forth in wrath, and with punishment, that he may execute judgment upon earth.
10. In those days oppression shall be cut off from its roots, and iniquity with fraud shall be eradicated, perishing from under heaven.
11. Every place of strength shall be surrendered with its inhabitants ; with fire shall it be burnt. They shall be brought from every part of the earth, and be cast into a judgment of fire. They shall perish in wrath, and by a judgment overpowering them for ever.
12. Righteousness shall be raised up from slumber ; and wisdom shall be raised up, and conferred upon them.
13. Then shall the roots of iniquity be cut off sinners perish by the sword ; and blasphemers be annihilated everywhere.
14. Those who meditate oppression, and those who blaspheme, by the sword shall perish.
15. And now, my children, I will describe and point out to you the path of righteousness and the path of oppression.
16. I will again point them out to you, that you may know what is to come.
17. Here now, my children, and walk in the path of righteousness, but shun that of oppression; for all who walk in the path of iniquity shall perish for ever.
Chapter XCI
1. That which was written by Enoch. He wrote all this instruction of wisdom for every man of dignity, and every judge of the earth ; for all my children who shall dwell upon earth, and for subsequent generations, conducting themselves uprightly and peaceably.
2. Let not your spirit be grieved on account of the times ; for the holy, the Great One, has prescribed a period to all.
3. Let the righteous man arise from slumber ; let him arise, and proceed in the path of righteousness, in all its paths ; and let him advance in goodness and in eternal clemency. Mercy shall be showed to the righteous man ; upon him shall be conferred integrity and power for ever. In goodness and in righteousness shall he exist, and shall walk in everlasting light ; but sin shall perish in eternal darkness, nor be seen from this time forward for evermore.
No comments:
Post a Comment