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2 Baruch is a Jewish text, likely pseudepigraphical, thought to have been written in the 1st or 2nd century AD. It is also known as the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (used to distinguish it from the Greek Apocalypse of Baruch—3 Baruch). The Apocalypse proper occupies the first 77 chapters of the book. Chapters 78–87 are usually referred to as the “Letter of Baruch to the Nine and a Half Tribes.”
And it came to pass in the twenty-fifth year of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, that the word of the Lord came to Baruch, the son of Neriah, and said to him: “Have you seen all that this people are doing to Me, that the evils which these two tribes which remained have done are greater than [those of] the ten tribes which were carried away captive? For the former tribes were forced by their kings to commit sin, but these two of themselves have been forcing and compelling their kings to commit sin. For this reason, behold, I bring calamity on this city and on its inhabitants, and it will be removed from before Me for a time, and I will scatter this people among the nations that they may do good to the nations. And My people will be disciplined, and the time will come when they will seek for the prosperity of their times.”
“For I have said these things to you that you may bid Jeremiah, and all those that are like you, to retire from this city. For your works are to this city as a firm pillar, || And your prayers as a strong wall.”
And I said, “O Lord, my Lord, have I come into the world for this purpose that I might see the calamities of my mother? No, my Lord. If I have found grace in Your sight, first take my spirit that I may go to my fathers and not behold the destruction of my mother. For two things vehemently constrain me: for I cannot resist You, and my soul, moreover, cannot behold the calamities of my mother. But one thing I will say in Your presence, O Lord. What, therefore, will there be after these things? for if You destroy Your city, and deliver up Your land to those that hate us, how will the name of Israel be remembered again? Or how will one speak of Your praises? or to whom will that which is in Your law be explained? Or will the world return to its nature of former times, and the age revert to primeval silence? And will the multitude of souls be taken away, and the nature of man not again be named? And where is all that which You said regarding us?”
And the Lord said to me: “This city will be delivered up for a time, || And the people will be disciplined during a time, || And the world will not be given over to oblivion.” [[2 “Do you think that this is that city of which I said, On the palms of My hands I have graven you? This building now built in your midst is not that which is revealed with Me, that which [was] prepared beforehand here from the time when I took counsel to make Paradise, and showed Adam before he sinned, but when he transgressed the commandment it was removed from him, as also Paradise. And after these things I showed it to My servant Abraham by night among the portions of the victims. And again I also showed it to Moses on Mount Sinai when I showed to the likeness of the Dwelling Place and all its vessels. And now, behold, it is preserved with Me, as Paradise. Go, therefore, and do as I command you.”]]
And I answered and said, “So then I am destined to grieve for Zion, || For Your enemies will come to this place and pollute Your sanctuary, || And lead Your inheritance into captivity, || And make themselves masters of those whom You have loved, || And they will depart again to the place of their idols, || And will boast before them: And what will You do for Your great Name?” And the Lord said to me: “My Name and My glory are to all eternity; And My judgment will maintain its right in its own time. And you will see with your eyes || That the enemy will not overthrow Zion, || Nor will they burn Jerusalem, || But be the ministers of the Judge for the time. But you go and do whatever I have said to you.” And I went and took Jeremiah, and Adu, and Seriah, and Jabish, and Gedaliah, and all the honorable men of the people, and I led them to the Valley of Kidron, and I narrated to them all that had been said to me. And they lifted up their voice, and they all wept. And we sat there and fasted until the evening.
And it came to pass on the next day that, behold, the army of the Chaldees surrounded the city, and at the time of the evening, I, Baruch, left the people, and I went forth and stood by the oak. And I was grieving over Zion and lamenting over the captivity which had come on the people. And behold, suddenly a strong spirit raised me, and bore me aloft over the wall of Jerusalem. And I beheld, and behold, four messengers standing at the four corners of the city, each of them holding a torch of fire in his hands. And another messenger began to descend from Heaven, and said to them, “Hold your lamps, and do not light them until I tell you. For I am first sent to speak a word to the earth, and to place in it what the Lord the Most High has commanded me.” And I saw him descend into the Holy of Holies, and take from there the veil, and holy Ark, and the propitiatory covering, and the two tablets, and the holy raiment of the priests, and the altar of incense, and the forty-eight precious stones with which the priest was adorned, and all the holy vessels of the Dwelling Place. And he spoke to the earth with a loud voice: “Earth, earth, earth! Hear the word of the mighty God, || And receive what I commit to you, || And guard them until the last times, || So that, when you are ordered, you may restore them, || So that strangers may not get possession of them. For the time comes when Jerusalem will also be delivered for a time, || Until it is said that it is again restored forever.” And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up.
And after these things I heard that messenger saying to those messengers who held the lamps: “Destroy, therefore, and overthrow its wall to its foundations, lest the enemy should boast and say, || We have overthrown the wall of Zion, || And we have burned the place of the mighty God.” And they have seized the place where I had been standing before.
Now the messengers did as he had commanded them, and when they had broken up the corners of the walls, a voice was heard from the interior of the temple, after the wall had fallen, saying, “Enter, you enemies, || And come, you adversaries; For He who kept the house has forsaken [it].” And I, Baruch, departed. And it came to pass after these things that the army of the Chaldees entered and seized the house, and all that was around it. And they led the people away captive and slew some of them, and bound Zedekiah the king, and sent him to the king of Babylon.
And I, Baruch, came, and Jeremiah, whose heart was found pure from sins, who had not been captured in the seizure of the city. And we tore our garments, we wept, and mourned, and fasted seven days.
And it came to pass after seven days, that the word of God carne to me, and said to me: “Tell Jeremiah to go and support the captivity of the people to Babylon. But remain here amid the desolation of Zion, and I will show to you after these days what will befall at the end of days.” And I spoke to Jeremiah as the Lord commanded me. And he, indeed, departed with the people, but I, Baruch, returned and sat before the gates of the temple, and I lamented with the following lamentation over Zion and said, “Blessed is he who was not born, || Or he, who having been born, has died. But as for us who live, woe to us, || Because we see the afflictions of Zion, || And what has befallen Jerusalem. I will call the Sirens from the sea, || And you Lilin, come from the desert, || And you Shedim and dragons from the forests: Awake and gird up your loins to mourning, || And take up the dirges with me, || And make lamentation with me. You farmers, do not sow again; And, O earth, why do you give your harvest fruits? Keep within you the sweets of your sustenance. And you, vine, why further do you give your wine? For an offering will not be made again from there in Zion, || Nor will first-fruits be offered again. And you, O heavens, withhold your dew, || And do not open the treasuries of rain; And you, O sun, withhold the light of your rays; And you, O moon, extinguish the multitude of your light. For why should light rise again || Where the light of Zion is darkened? And you—you bridegrooms—do not enter in, || And do not let the brides adorn themselves with garlands; And, you women, do not pray that you may bear. For the barren will above all rejoice, || And those who have no sons will be glad, || And those who have sons will have anguish. For why should they bear in pain, || Only to bury in grief? Or why, again, should mankind have sons? Or why should the seed of their kind be named again, || Where this mother is desolate, || And her sons are led into captivity? From this time forward, do not speak of beauty, || And do not discourse of gracefulness. Moreover, you priests, take the keys of the sanctuary, || And cast them into the height of Heaven, || And give them to the Lord and say, || Guard Your house Yourself, || For behold, we are found false stewards. And you—you virgins who weave fine linen || And silk with gold of Ophir—Take all [these] things with haste || And cast [them] into the fire, || That it may bear them to Him who made them, || And the flame send them to Him who created them, || Lest the enemy get possession of them.”
Moreover, I, Baruch, say this against you, Babylon: “If you had prospered, || And Zion had dwelt in her glory, || Yet the grief to us had been great || That you should be equal to Zion. But now, behold, the grief is infinite, || And the lamentation measureless, || For behold, you are prospered || And Zion desolate. Who will be judge regarding these things? Or to whom will we complain regarding that which has befallen us? O Lord, how have You borne [it]? Our fathers went to rest without grief, || And behold, the righteous sleep in the earth in tranquility; For they did not know this anguish, || Nor yet had they heard of that which had befallen us. Would that you had ears, O earth, || And that you had a heart, O dust, || That you might go and announce in Sheol, || And say to the dead: Blessed are you more than we who live.”
“But I will say this as I think, || And speak against you—the land that is prospering. The noonday does not always burn, || Nor do the rays of the sun constantly give light. And do not expect to rejoice, || Nor condemn greatly. For assuredly in its season the [divine] wrath will be awakened against you, || Which is now restrained by long-suffering as it were by a rein.” And when I had said these things, I fasted seven days.
And it came to pass after these things that I, Baruch, was standing on Mount Zion, and behold, a voice came forth from the height and said to me: “Stand on your feet, Baruch, and hear the word of the mighty God. Because you have been astonished at what has befallen Zion, you will therefore be assuredly preserved to the consummation of the times, that you may be for a testimony. So that, if ever those prosperous cities say: Why has the mighty God brought this retribution on us? Say to them, You and those like you will have seen this evil and retribution which is coming on you and on your people in its [appointed] time that the nations may be thoroughly smitten. And then they will be in anguish. And if they say at that time: For how long? you will say to them: You who have drunk the strained wine, || Drink also of its dregs—The judgment of the Lofty One || Who has no respect of persons; On this account He formerly had no mercy on His own sons, || But afflicted them as His enemies, because they sinned, Then, therefore, they were disciplined || That they might be sanctified. But now, you peoples and nations, you are guilty || Because you have always trodden down the earth, || And used the creation unrighteously. For I have always benefited you. And you have always been ungrateful for the beneficence.”
And I answered and said, “Behold, You have shown me the methods of the times, and that which will be. And You have said to me that the retribution which was spoken of by You will be endured by the nations. And now I know that those who have sinned are many, and they have lived . . . and departed from the world, but that few nations will be left in those times to whom . . . the words [which] You said. And what advantage [is there] in this or what worse than [these?] But I will again speak in Your presence: What have they profited who had knowledge before You and have not walked in vanity as the rest of the nations, and have not said to the dead, Give us life, but always feared You, and have not left Your ways? And behold, they have been carried off, nor on their account have You had mercy on Zion. And if others did evil, it was due to Zion that on account of the works of those who worked good works she should be forgiven and should not be overwhelmed on account of the works of those who worked unrighteousness. But who, O Lord, my Lord, will comprehend Your judgment, || Or who will search out the profoundness of Your way? Or who will think out the weight of Your path? Or who will be able to think out Your incomprehensible counsel? Or who of those that are born has ever found || The beginning or end of Your wisdom? For we have all been made like a breath. For as the breath ascends involuntarily, and again dies, so it is with the nature of men, who do not depart according to their own will, and do not know what will befall them in the end. For the righteous justly hope for the end, and without fear depart from this habitation, because they have with You a store of works preserved in treasuries. On this account also, these without fear leave this world, and trusting with joy they hope to receive the world which You have promised them. But as for us—woe to us, who are also now shamefully entreated, and at that time look forward [only] to calamities. But You know accurately what You have done by means of Your servants; for we are not able to understand that which is good as You are, our Creator. But again I will speak in Your presence, O Lord, my Lord. When of old there was no world with its inhabitants, You devised and spoke with a word, and immediately the works of creation stood before You. And You said that You would make for Your world man as the administrator of Your works, that it might be known that he was by no means made on account of the world, but the world on account of him. And now I see that as for the world which was made on account of us, behold, it abides; but we, on account of whom it was made, depart.”
And the Lord answered and said to me: “You are rightly astonished regarding the departure of man, but you have not judged well regarding the calamities which befall those who sin. And as regards what you have said, that the righteous are carried off and the impious are prospered, and as regards what you have said, Man does not know Your judgment—on this account hear, and I will speak to you, and listen, and I will cause you to hear My words. Man would not rightly have understood My judgment, unless he had accepted the law, and I had instructed him in understanding. But now, because he transgressed willfully, yes, just on this ground that he knows, he will be tormented. And as regards what you said touching the righteous, that on account of them this world has come, so also again, that which is to come will come on their account. For this world is to them a strife and a labor with much trouble; and that accordingly which is to come—a crown with great glory.”
And I answered and said, “Lord, my Lord, behold, the years of this time are few and evil, and who is able in his short time to acquire that which is measureless?”
And the Lord answered and said to me: “With the Most High account is not taken of time nor of a few years. For what did it profit Adam that he lived nine hundred and thirty years and transgressed that which he was commanded? Therefore, the multitude of time that he lived did not profit him, but brought death and cut off the years of those who were born from him, wherein Moses suffered loss in that he lived only one hundred and twenty years, and inasmuch he was subject to Him who formed him, brought the law to the seed of Jacob, and lighted a lamp for the nation of Israel?”
And I answered and said, “He that lighted has taken from the light, and there are but few that have imitated him. But those many whom he has lighted have taken from the darkness of Adam and have not rejoiced in the light of the lamp.”
And He answered and said to me: “For what reason at that time he appointed for them a covenant and said, Behold, I have placed before you life and death, || And he called the heavens and earth to witness against them. For he knew that his time was but short, || But that the heavens and earth always endure. But after his death they sinned and transgressed, || Though they knew that they had the law reproving [them], || And the light in which nothing could err, || Also the spheres which testify, and Me. Now regarding everything that is, it is I that judge, but do not take counsel in your soul regarding these things, nor afflict yourself because of those which have been. For now it is the consummation of time that should be considered, whether of business, or of prosperity, or of shame, and not the beginning thereof. Because if a man is prospered in his beginnings and shamefully entreated in his old age, he forgets all the prosperity that he had. And again, if a man is shamefully entreated in his beginnings, and at his end is prospered, he does not remember again his evil entreatment. And again listen: though each one were prospered all that time—all the time from the day on which death was decreed against those who transgress—and in his end was destroyed, everything would have been in vain.”
“Therefore, behold! the days come, || And the times will hasten more than the former, || And the seasons will speed by more than those that are past, || And the years will pass more quickly than the present [years]. Therefore I have now taken Zion away, || That I may the more speedily visit the world in its season. Now therefore, hold fast in your heart everything that I command you, || And seal it in the recesses of your mind. And then I will show you the judgment of My might, || And My ways which are unsearchable. Go therefore and sanctify yourself seven days, and eat no bread, nor drink water, nor speak to anyone. And afterward come to that place and I will reveal Myself to you, and speak true things with you, and I will give you commandment regarding the method of the times; for they are coming and do not tarry.”
And I went there and sat in the Valley of Kidron in a cave of the earth, and I sanctified my soul there, and I ate no bread, yet I was not hungry, and I drank no water, yet I did not thirst, and I was there until the seventh day, as He had commanded me. And afterward I came to that place where He had spoken with me. And it came to pass at sunset that my soul took much thought, and I began to speak in the presence of the Mighty One, and said, “O You that have made the earth, hear me, that have fixed the expanse by the word, and have made firm the height of the Heaven by the Spirit, that have called from the beginning of the world that which did not yet exist, and they obey You. You that have commanded the air by Your nod and have seen those things which are to be as those things which You are doing. You that rule with great thought the hosts that stand before You; also the countless holy beings, which You made from the beginning, of flame and fire, which stand around Your throne, You rule with indignation. To You only does this belong that You should immediately do whatever You wish. [You] who cause the drops of rain to rain by number on the earth, and alone knows the consummation of the times before they come, have respect to my prayer. For You alone are able to sustain all who are, and those who have passed away, and those who are to be, those who sin, and those who are righteous (as living and being past finding out). For You alone live [as] immortal and past finding out, and know the number of mankind. And if in time many have sinned, yet others—not a few—have been righteous. You know where You preserve the end of those who have sinned, or the consummation of those who have been righteous. For if there were this life only, which belongs to all men, nothing could be more bitter than this. For of what profit is strength that turns to sickness, || Or fullness of food that turns to famine, || Or beauty that turns to ugliness. For the nature of man is always changeable. For what we were formerly now we no longer are and what we now are we will not afterward remain. For if a consummation had not been prepared for all, in vain would have been their beginning. But regarding everything that comes from You, You inform me, and regarding everything about which I ask You, You enlighten me. How long will that which is corruptible remain, and how long will the time of mortals be prospered, and until what time will those who transgress in the world be polluted with much wickedness? Therefore command in mercy and accomplish all that You said You would bring, that Your might may be made known to those who think that Your long-suffering is weakness. And show to those who do not know, that everything that has befallen us and our city until now has been according to the long-suffering of Your power, because on account of Your Name You have called us a beloved people. Therefore, henceforth, bring mortality to an end. And reprove the messenger of death accordingly, and let Your glory appear, and let the might of Your beauty be known, and let Sheol be sealed so that from this time forward it may not receive the dead, and let the treasuries of souls restore those which are enclosed in them. For there have been many years like those that are desolate from the days of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and of all those who are like them, who sleep in the earth, on whose account You said that You had created the world. And now quickly show Your glory, and do not defer what has been promised by You.” And [when] I had completed the words of this prayer I was greatly weakened.
And it came to pass after these things that, behold, the heavens were opened, and I saw, and power was given to me, and a voice was heard from on high, and it said to me: “Baruch, Baruch, why are you troubled? He who travels by a road but does not complete it, or who departs by sea but does not arrive at the port, can he be comforted? Or he who promises to give a present to another, but does not fulfill it, is it not robbery? Or he who sows the earth, but does not reap its fruit in its season, does he not lose everything? Or he who plants a plant unless it grows until the time suitable to it, does he who planted it expect to receive fruit from it? Or a woman who has conceived, if she brings forth untimely, does she not assuredly slay her infant? Or he who builds a house, if he does not roof it and complete it, can it be called a house? Tell Me that first.”
And I answered and said, “Not so, O Lord, my Lord.” And He answered and said to me, “Why are you therefore troubled about that which you do not know, and why are you ill at ease about things in which you are ignorant? For as you have not forgotten the people who now are and those who have passed away, so I remember those who are appointed to come. Because when Adam sinned and death was decreed against those who should be born, then the multitude of those who should be born was numbered, and for that number a place was prepared where the living might dwell and the dead might be guarded. Therefore, before the number previously mentioned is fulfilled, the creature will not live again [[for My Spirit is the creator of life]], and Sheol will receive the dead. And again it is given to you to hear what things are to come after these times. For My redemption has truly drawn near and is not far distant as before.”
“For behold! the days come and the scrolls will be opened in which are written the sins of all those who have sinned, and again also the treasuries in which the righteousness of all those who have been righteous in creation is gathered. For it will come to pass at that time that you will see—and the many that are with you—the long-suffering of the Most High, which has been throughout all generations, who has been long-suffering toward all who are born, [both] those who sin and [those who] are righteous.” And I answered and said, “But, behold! O Lord, no one knows the number of those things which have passed nor yet of those things which are to come. For I indeed know that which has befallen us, but I do not know what will happen to our enemies, and when You will visit Your works.”
And He answered and said to me: “You, too, will be preserved until that time until that sign which the Most High will work for the inhabitants of the earth in the end of days. This will therefore be the sign: when a stupor will seize the inhabitants of the earth, and they will fall into many tribulations, and again when they will fall into great torments. And it will come to pass when they say in their thoughts by reason of their much tribulation: The Mighty One no longer remembers the earth—yes, it will come to pass when they abandon hope, that the time will then awake.”
And I answered and said, “Will that tribulation which is to come continue [for] a long time, and will that necessarily comprise many years?”
And He answered and said to me: “That time is divided into twelve parts, and each one of them is reserved for that which is appointed for it. In the first part there will be the beginning of commotions. And in the second part [there will be] slayings of the great ones. And in the third part the fall of many by death. And in the fourth part the sending of the sword. And in the fifth part famine and the withholding of rain. And in the sixth part earthquakes and terrors. [And in the seventh part] . . . And in the eighth part a multitude of specters and attacks of the Shedim. And in the ninth part the fall of fire. And in the tenth part plunder and much oppression. And in the eleventh part wickedness and unchastity. And in the twelfth part confusion from the mingling together of all those things previously mentioned. For these parts of that time are reserved and will be mingled with one another and minister to one another. For some will leave out some of their own, and receive [in its stead] from others, and some complete their own and that of others, so that those may not understand who are on the earth in those days that this is the consummation of the times.”
“Nevertheless, whoever understands will then be wise. For the measure and reckoning of that time are two parts a week of seven weeks.” And I answered and said, “It is good for a man to come and behold, but it is better that he should not come lest he fall. [[But I will say this also: Will He who is incorruptible despise those things which are corruptible, and whatever befalls in the case of those things which are corruptible, so that He might look only to those things which are not corruptible?]] But if, O Lord, those things will assuredly come to pass which You have foretold to me, so also show this to me if indeed I have found grace in Your sight. Is it in one place or in one of the parts of the earth that those things have come to pass, or will the whole earth experience [them]?”
And He answered and said to me: “Whatever will then befall [will befall] the whole earth; therefore, all who live will experience [them]. For at that time I will only protect those who are found in those same days in this land. And it will come to pass when all is accomplished that was to come to pass in those parts, that the Messiah will then begin to be revealed. And Behemoth will be revealed from his place and Leviathan will ascend from the sea—those two great monsters which I created on the fifth day of creation, and will have kept until that time; and then they will be for food for all that are left. The earth will also yield its fruit ten-thousandfold, and on each vine there will be one thousand branches, and each branch will produce one thousand clusters, and each cluster produce one thousand grapes, and each grape produce a cor of wine. And those who have hungered will rejoice: moreover also, they will behold marvels every day. For winds will go forth from before Me to bring every morning the fragrance of aromatic fruits, and at the close of the day clouds distilling the dew of health. And it will come to pass at that same time that the treasury of manna will again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years, because these are they who have come to the consummation of time.”
“And it will come to pass after these things, when the time of the advent of the Messiah is fulfilled, that He will return in glory. Then all who have fallen asleep in hope of Him will rise again. And it will come to pass at that time that the treasuries will be opened in which is preserved the number of the souls of the righteous, and they will come forth, and a multitude of souls will be seen together in one assemblage of one thought, and the first will rejoice and the last will not be grieved. For they know that the time has come of which it is said that it is the consummation of the times. But the souls of the wicked, when they behold all these things, will then waste away more. For they will know that their torment has come, and their perdition has arrived.”
And it came to pass after these things that I went to the people and said to them: “Assemble to me all your elders and I will speak words to them.” And they all assembled in the Valley of the Kidron. And I answered and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, and I will speak to you, || And give ear, O seed of Jacob, and I will instruct you. Do not forget Zion, || But hold in remembrance the anguish of Jerusalem. For behold, the days come || When everything that is will become the prey of corruption || And be as though it had not been.”
“But as for you, if you prepare your hearts so as to sow in them the fruits of the law, it will protect you in that time in which the Mighty One is to shake the whole creation. [[Because after a short time the building of Zion will be shaken in order that it may be built again. But that building will not remain, but will again after a time be rooted out, and will remain desolate until the time. And afterward it must be renewed in glory and perfected forevermore.]] Therefore we should not be distressed so much over the calamity which has now come as over that which is still to be. For there will be a greater trial than these two tribulations when the Mighty One will renew His creation. And now do not draw near to me for a few days, nor seek me until I come to you.” And it came to pass when I had spoken all these words to them, that I, Baruch, went my way, and when the people saw me setting out, they lifted up their voice and lamented and said, “To where are you departing from us, Baruch, and are you forsaking us as a father who forsakes his orphan children, and departs from them?”
“Are these the commands which your companion, Jeremiah the prophet, commanded you, and said to you: Look to this people until I go and make ready the rest of the brothers in Babylon against whom has gone forth the sentence that they should be led into captivity? And now if you also forsake us, it were good for us all to die before you, then that you should withdraw from us.”
And I answered and said to the people: “Far be it from me to forsake you or to withdraw from you, but I will only go to the Holy of Holies to inquire of the Mighty One concerning you and concerning Zion, if in some respect I should receive more illumination: and after these things I will return to you.”
And I, Baruch, went to the holy place, and sat down on the ruins and wept, and said, “O that my eyes were springs, || And my eyelids a fount of tears. For how will I lament for Zion, || And how will I mourn for Jerusalem? Because in that place where I am now prostrate, || Of old the high priest offered holy sacrifices, || And placed an incense of fragrant odors thereon. But now our glorying has been made into dust, || And the desire of our soul into sand.”
And when I had said these things, I fell asleep there, and I saw a vision in the night. And behold, a forest of trees planted on the plain, and lofty and rugged rocky mountains surrounded it, and that forest occupied much space. And behold, over against it arose a vine, and from under it there went forth a fountain peacefully. Now that fountain came to the forest and was [stirred] into great waves, and those waves submerged that forest, and suddenly they rooted out the greater part of that forest and overthrew all the mountains which were around it. And the height of the forest began to be made low, and the top of the mountains was made low, and that fountain prevailed greatly, so that it left nothing of that great forest save one cedar only. Also, when it had cast it down and had destroyed and rooted out the greater part of that forest, so that nothing was left of it, nor could its place be recognized, then that vine began to come with the fountain in peace and great tranquility, and it came to a place which was not far from that cedar, and they brought the cedar which had been cast down to it. And I beheld, and behold, that vine opened its mouth and spoke and said to that cedar: “Are you not that cedar which was left of the forest of wickedness, and by whose means wickedness persisted, and was worked all those years, and never for good? And you kept conquering that which was not yours, and to that which was yours you never showed compassion, and you kept extending your power over those who were far from you, and those who drew near you, you held fast in the toils of your wickedness, and you always uplifted yourself as one that could not be rooted out! But now your time has sped, and your hour has come. Do you also therefore depart, O cedar, after the forest, which departed before you, and become dust with it, and let your ashes be mingled together? And now recline in anguish and rest in torment until your last time comes, in which you will come again, and be tormented still more.”
And after these things I saw that cedar burning, and the vine growing, itself and all around it, the plain full of unfading flowers. And I indeed awoke and arose.
And I prayed and said, “O Lord, my Lord, You always enlighten those who are led by understanding. Your law is life, and Your wisdom is right guidance. Therefore make known to me the interpretation of this vision. For You know that my soul has always walked in Your law, and from my [earliest] days I did not depart from Your wisdom.”
And He answered and said to me: “Baruch, this is the interpretation of the vision which you have seen. As you have seen the great forest, which lofty and rugged mountains surrounded, this is the word. Behold! the days come, and this kingdom will be destroyed which once destroyed Zion, and it will be subjected to that which comes after it. Moreover, that also again after a time will be destroyed, and another, a third, will arise, and that also will have dominion for its time, and will be destroyed. And after these things a fourth kingdom will arise, whose power will be harsh and evil far beyond those which were before it, and it will rule many times as the forests on the plain, and it will hold fast for times, and will exalt itself more than the cedars of Lebanon. And by it the truth will be hidden, and all those who are polluted with iniquity will flee to it, as evil beasts flee and creep into the forest. And it will come to pass when the time of its consummation—that it should fall—has approached, then the principate of My Messiah will be revealed, which is like the fountain and the vine, and when it is revealed it will root out the multitude of its host. And as touching that which you have seen, the lofty cedar, which was left of that forest, and the fact that the vine spoke those words with it which you heard, this is the word.”
“The last leader of that time will be left alive, when the multitude of his hosts will be put to the sword, and he will be bound, and they will take him up to Mount Zion, and My Messiah will convict him of all his impieties, and will gather and set before him all the works of his hosts. And afterward he will put him to death, and protect the rest of My people which will be found in the place which I have chosen. And His principate will stand forever, until the world of corruption is at an end, and until the times previously mentioned are fulfilled. This is your vision, and this is its interpretation.”
And I answered and said, “For whom and for how many will these things be? or who will be worthy to live at that time? For I will speak before You everything that I think, and I will ask of You regarding those things which I meditate. For behold, I see many of Your people who have withdrawn from Your covenant, and cast from themselves the yoke of Your law. But others again I have seen who have forsaken their vanity and fled for refuge beneath Your wings. What therefore will be to them? or how will the last time receive them? Or perhaps the time of these will assuredly be weighed, and as the beam inclines will they be judged accordingly?”
And He answered and said to me: “I will also show these things to you. As for what you said—To whom will these things be, and how many [will they be]? To those who have believed there will be the good which was spoken of formerly, and to those who despise there will be the contrary of these things. And as for what you said regarding those who have drawn near and those who have withdrawn this in the word. As for those who were before subject, and afterward withdrew and mingled themselves with the seed of mingled peoples, the time of these was the former, and was accounted as something exalted. And as for those who before did not know but afterward knew life, and mingled [only] with the seed of the people which had separated itself, the time of these [is] the latter, and is accounted as something exalted. And time will succeed to time and season to season, and one will receive from another, and then with a view to the consummation, everything will be compared according to the measure of the times and the hours of the seasons. For corruption will take those that belong to it, and life those that belong to it. And the dust will be called, and there will be said to it: Give back that which is not yours and raise up all that you have kept until its time.”
“But you, Baruch, direct your heart to that which has been said to you, || And understand those things which have been shown to you; For there are many continuous consolations for you. For you will depart from this place, || And you will pass from the regions which are now seen by you, || And you will forget whatever is corruptible, || And will not again recall those things which happen among mortals. Therefore go and command your people, and come to this place, and afterward fast seven days, and then I will come to you and speak with you.”
And I, Baruch, went from there, and came to my people, and I called my firstborn son and [the Gedaliahs] my friends, and seven of the elders of the people, and I said to them: “Behold, I go to my fathers || According to the way of all the earth. But do not withdraw from the way of the law, || But guard and admonish the people which remain, || Lest they withdraw from the commandments of the Mighty One. For you see that He whom we serve is just, || And our Creator is no respecter of persons. And see what has befallen Zion, || And what has happened to Jerusalem. For the judgment of the Mighty One will [thereby] be made known, || And His ways, which, though past finding out, are right. For if you endure and persevere in His fear, || And do not forget His law, || The times will change over you for good, || And you will see the consolation of Zion. Because whatever is now is nothing, || But that which will be is very great. For everything that is corruptible will pass away, || And everything that dies will depart, || And all the present time will be forgotten, || Nor will there be any remembrance of the present time, which is defiled with evils. For that which runs now runs to vanity, || And that which prospers will quickly fall and be humiliated. For that which is to be will be the object of desire, || And for that which comes afterward will we hope; For it is a time that does not pass away, And the hour comes which abides forever. And the new world [comes] which does not turn to corruption those who depart to its blessedness, || And has no mercy on those who depart to torment, || And does not lead to perdition those who live in it. For these are they who will inherit that time which has been spoken of, || And theirs is the inheritance of the promised time. These are they who have acquired for themselves treasures of wisdom, || And with them are found stores of understanding, || And they have not withdrawn from mercy, || And they have preserved the truth of the law. For the world to come will be given to them, || But the dwelling of the rest, who are many, will be in the fire.”
“Therefore, so far as you are able, instruct the people, for that labor is ours. For if you teach them, you will restore them.”
And my son and the elders of the people answered and said to me: “Has the Mighty One humiliated us to such a degree || As to take you from us quickly? And we will truly be in darkness, || And there will be no light to the people who are left, For where again will we seek the law, || Or who will distinguish between death and life for us?” And I said to them, “I cannot resist the throne of the Mighty One; Nevertheless, there will not be wanting to Israel a wise man || Nor a son of the law to the race of Jacob. But only prepare your hearts, that you may obey the law, || And be subject to those who in fear are wise and understanding; And prepare your souls that you may not depart from them. For if you do these things, || Good tidings will come to you, [[|| Which I before told you of; Nor will you fall into the torment, of which I testified to you before.” (But with regard to the word that I was to have taken, I did not make [it] known to them or to my son.)]]
And when I had gone forth and dismissed them, I went there and said to them: “Behold! I go to Hebron; for the Mighty One has sent me there.” And I came to that place where the word had been spoken to me, and I sat there, and fasted seven days.
And it came to pass after the seventh day, that I prayed before the Mighty One and said, “O my Lord, You summon the advent of the times, || And they stand before You; You cause the power of the ages to pass away, || And they do not resist You; You arrange the method of the seasons, || And they obey You. You alone know the duration of the generations, || And You do not reveal Your mysteries to many. You make known the multitude of the fire, || And You weigh the lightness of the wind. You explore the limit of the heights, || And You scrutinize the depths of the darkness. You care for the number which pass away that they may be preserved, || And You prepare an abode for those that are to be. You remember the beginning which You have made, || And the destruction that is to be, You do not forget. With nods of fear and indignation You command the flames, || And they change into spirits, || And with a word You give life to that which was not, || And with mighty power You hold that which has not yet come. You instruct created things in Your understanding, || And You make wise the spheres so as to minister in their orders. Innumerable armies stand before You || And minister in their orders quietly at Your nod. Hear Your servant || And give ear to my petition. For in a short time are we born, || And in a short time we return. But with You hours are as an age, || And days as generations. Therefore, do not be angry with man, for he is nothing; And do not take account of our works; For what are we? For behold, by Your gift we come into the world, || And we do not depart of our own will. For we did not say to our parents, Beget us, || Nor did we send to Sheol and say, Receive us. What therefore is our strength that we should bear Your wrath, || Or what are we that we should endure Your judgment? Protect us in Your compassions, || And help us in Your mercy. Behold the little ones that are subject to You, || And save all that draw near to You: And do not destroy the hope of our people, || And do not cut short the times of our aid. For this is the nation which You have chosen, || And these are the people to whom You find no equal. But now I will speak before You, || And I will say as my heart thinks. We trust in You, for behold, Your law is with us, || And we know that we will not fall so long as we keep Your statutes. [[We are blessed for all time at all events in this—That we have not mingled with the nations.]] For we are all one celebrated people, || Who have received one law from One: And the law which is among us will aid us, || And the surpassing wisdom which is in us will help us.” And when I had prayed and said these things, I was greatly weakened. And He answered and said to me: “You have prayed simply, O Baruch, || And all your words have been heard. But My judgment exacts its own || And My law exacts its rights. For from your words I will answer you, || And from your prayer I will speak to you. For this is as follows: he that is corrupted is not at all; he has both worked iniquity so far as deceit could do anything, and has not remembered My goodness, nor accepted My long-suffering. Therefore, you will surely be taken up, as I before told you. For that time will arise which brings affliction; for it will come and pass by with quick vehemence, and it will be turbulent, coming in the heat of indignation. And it will come to pass in those days that all the inhabitants of the earth will be moved against one another, because they do not know that My judgment has drawn near. For there will not be found many wise at that time, || And the intelligent will be but a few: Moreover, even those who know will most of all be silent. And there will be many rumors and tidings—not a few, || And the doing of illusions will be manifest, || And promises—not a few—will be recounted, || Some of them [will prove] idle, || And some of them will be confirmed. And honor will be turned into shame, || And strength humiliated into contempt, || And integrity destroyed, || And beauty will become ugliness. And many will say to many at that time: Where has the multitude of intelligence hidden itself, || And to where has the multitude of wisdom removed itself? And while they are meditating on these things, || Then envy will arise in those who had not thought anything of themselves || And passion will seize him that is peaceful, || And many will be stirred up in anger to injure many, || And they will rouse up armies in order to shed blood, || And in the end they will perish together with them. And it will come to pass at the same time, || That a change of times will manifestly appeal to every man, || Because in all those times they polluted themselves || And they practiced oppression, || And every man walked in his own works, || And did not remember the Law of the Mighty One. Therefore a fire will consume their thoughts, || And in flame the meditations of their reins will be tried; For the Judge will come and will not tarry. Because each of the inhabitants of the earth knew when he was transgressing. But they did not know My Law by reason of their pride. But many will then assuredly weep, || Yes, over the living more than over the dead.” And I answered and said, “O Adam, what have you done to all those who are born from you? And what will be said to the first Eve who listened to the serpent? For all this multitude are going to corruption, || Nor is there any numbering of those whom the fire devours. But again I will speak in Your presence. You, O Lord, my Lord, know what is in Your creature. For You commanded the ancient dust to produce Adam, and You know the number of those who are born from him, and how far they have sinned before You, who have existed and not confessed You as their Creator. And as regards all these their end will convict them, and Your law which they have transgressed will repay them on Your day.” [[“But now let us dismiss the wicked and inquire about the righteous. And I will recount their blessedness and not be silent in celebrating their glory, which is reserved for them. For assuredly as in a short time in this transitory world in which you live you have endured much labor, so in that world to which there is no end, you will receive great light.”]]
“Nevertheless, I will again ask from You, O Mighty One, yes, I will ask You who made all things. In what shape will those live who live in Your day? Or how will the splendor of those who [are] after that time continue? Will they then resume this form of the present, || And put on these entangling members, || Which are now involved in evils, || And in which evils are consummated, || Or will You perhaps change these things which have been in the world || As also the world?”
And He answered and said to me: “Hear, Baruch, this word, and write in the remembrance of your heart all that you will learn. For the earth will then assuredly restore the dead, [[which it now receives, in order to preserve them.]] It will make no change in their form, but as it has received, so will it restore them, and as I delivered them to it, so also will it raise them. For then it will be necessary to show the living that the dead have come to life again, and that those who had departed have returned [again]. And it will come to pass, when they have individually recognized those whom they now know, then judgment will grow strong, and those things which before were spoken of will come.”
“And it will come to pass, when that appointed day has gone by, that then will the aspect of those who are condemned be afterward changed, and the glory of those who are justified. For the aspect of those who now act wickedly will become worse than it is, as they will suffer torment. Also, the glory of those who have now been justified in My law, who have had understanding in their life, and who have planted in their heart the root of wisdom, then their splendor will be glorified in changes, and the form of their face will be turned into the light of their beauty, that they may be able to acquire and receive the world which does not die, which is then promised to them. For over this, above all, those who come will then lament that they rejected My law and stopped their ears that they might not hear wisdom or receive understanding. When, therefore, they see those over whom they are now exalted, [but] who will then be exalted and glorified more than they, they will respectively be transformed, the latter into the splendor of messengers, and the former will yet more waste away in wonder at the visions and in the beholding of the forms. For they will first behold and afterward depart to be tormented. But those who have been saved by their works, || And to whom the law has now been a hope, || And understanding an expectation, || And wisdom a confidence, || Will wondrously appear in their time. For they will behold the world which is now invisible to them, || And they will behold the time which is now hidden from them: And time will no longer age them. For they will dwell in the heights of that world, || And they will be made like to the messengers, || And be made equal to the stars, || And they will be changed into every form they desire, || From beauty into loveliness, || And from light into the splendor of glory. For there will be spread before them the extents of Paradise, || And there will be shown to them the beauty of the majesty of the living creatures which are beneath the throne, || And all the armies of the messengers, who are now held fast by My word, || Lest they should appear, and are held fast by a command, that they may stand in their places until their advent comes. Moreover, there will then be excellency in the righteous surpassing that in the messengers. For the first will receive the last, those whom they were expecting, || And the last, those of whom they used to hear that they had passed away. For they have been delivered from this world of tribulation, || And laid down the burden of anguish. For what then have men lost their life, || And for what have those who were on the earth exchanged their soul? For then they did not choose for themselves this time, || Which, beyond the reach of anguish, could not pass away, || But they chose for themselves that time, || Whose issues are full of lamentations and evils, || And they denied the world which does not age those who come to it, || And they rejected the time of glory, || So that they will not come to the honor of which I told you before.”
And I answered and said, “How can we forget those for whom woe is then reserved? And why therefore do we again mourn for those who die? Or why do we weep for those who depart to Sheol? Let lamentations be reserved for the beginning of that coming torment, || And let tears be laid up for the advent of the destruction of that time. [[But even in the face of these things I will speak. And as for the righteous, what will they do now? Rejoice in the suffering which you now suffer; For why do you look for the decline of your enemies? Make ready your soul for that which is reserved for you, || And prepare your souls for the reward which is laid up for you.”]]
And when I had said these things, I fell asleep there, and I saw a vision, and behold, a cloud was ascending from a very great sea, and I kept gazing on it, and behold, it was full of white and black waters, and there were many colors in those same waters, and as it were the likeness of great lightning was seen at its summit. And I saw the cloud passing swiftly in quick courses, and it covered all the earth. And it came to pass after these things that that cloud began to pour on the earth the waters that were in it. And I saw that there was not one and the same likeness in the waters which descended from it. For in the first beginning they were black and many, and afterward I saw that the waters became bright, but they were not many, and after these things again I saw black [waters], and after these things again bright, and again black and again bright. Now this was done twelve times, but the black were always more numerous than the bright. And it came to pass at the end of the cloud, that behold, it rained black waters, and they were darker than had been all those waters that were before, and fire was mingled with them, and where those waters descended, they worked devastation and destruction. And after these things I saw how that lightning which I had seen on the summit of the cloud, seized hold of it and hurled it to the earth. Now that lightning shone exceedingly, so as to illuminate the whole earth, and it healed those regions where the last waters had descended and worked devastation. And it took hold of the whole earth and had dominion over it. And I saw after these things, and behold, twelve rivers were ascending from the sea, and they began to surround that lightning and to become subject to it. And by reason of my fear I awoke.
And I implored the Mighty One, and said, “You alone, O Lord, know of the former times—the deep things of the world, || And the things which befall in their times You bring about by Your word, || And against the works of the inhabitants of the earth You hasten the beginnings of the times, || And You alone know the end of the seasons. [You] for whom nothing is too hard, || But who does everything easily by a nod: [You] to whom the depths come as the heights, || And whose word the beginnings of the ages serve: [You] who reveal to those who fear You what is prepared for them, || That from then on they may be comforted. You show great acts to those who do not know; You break up the enclosure of those who are ignorant, || And light up what is dark, || And reveal what is hidden to the pure, || [[Who in faith have submitted themselves to You and Your law.]] You have shown this vision to Your servant; Also reveal its interpretation to me. For I know that as regards those things wherein I implored You, I have received a response, || And as regards what I implored, You revealed to me with what voice I should praise You, || And from what members I should cause praises and hallelujahs to ascend to You. For if my members were mouths, || And the hairs of my head voices, || Even so I could not give You the reward of praise, || Nor laud You as is befitting, || Nor could I recount Your praise, || Nor tell the glory of Your beauty. For what am I among men, || Or why am I reckoned among those who are more excellent than I, || That I have heard all these marvelous things from the Most High, || And numberless promises from Him who created me? Blessed is my mother among those that bear, || And praised among women is she that bore me. For I will not be silent in praising the Mighty One, || And with the voice of praise I will recount His marvelous deeds. For who does like to Your marvelous deeds, O God, || Or who comprehends Your deep thought of life? For with Your counsel You govern all the creatures which Your right hand has created, || And You have established every fountain of light beside You, || And You have prepared the treasures of wisdom beneath Your throne. And justly do they perish who have not loved Your law, || And the torment of judgment will await those who have not submitted themselves to Your power. For though Adam first sinned || And brought untimely death on all, || Yet of those who were born from him || Each one of them has prepared for his own soul torment to come, || And again each one of them has chosen for himself glories to come. [[For assuredly he who believes will receive reward. But now, as for you, you wicked that now are, || Turn to destruction, because you will be speedily visited, in that formerly you rejected the understanding of the Most High. For His works have not taught you, || Nor has the skill of His creation—which is at all times—persuaded you.]] Adam is therefore not the cause, save only of his own soul, || But each of us has been the Adam of his own soul. But You, O Lord, expound to me regarding those things which You have revealed to me, || And inform me regarding that which I implored You. For at the consummation of the world vengeance will be taken on those who have done wickedness according to their wickedness, || And You will glorify the faithful according to their faithfulness. For those who are among Your own You rule, || And those who sin You blot out from among Your own.”
And it came to pass when I had finished speaking the words of this prayer, that I sat there under a tree, that I might rest in the shade of the branches. And I wondered and was astonished, and pondered in my thoughts regarding the multitude of goodness which sinners who are on the earth have rejected, and regarding the great torment which they have despised, though they knew that they should be tormented because of the sin they had committed. And when I was pondering on these things and the like, behold, the messenger Ramiel who presides over true visions was sent to me, and he said to me: “Why does your heart trouble you, Baruch, || And why does your thought disturb you? For if owing to the report which you have only heard of judgment you are so moved, || What [will you be] when you will see it manifestly with your eyes? And if with the expectation with which you do expect the day of the Mighty One you are so overcome, || What [will you be] when you will come to its advent? And, if at the word of the announcement of the torment of those who have done foolishly you are so wholly distraught, || How much more when the event will reveal marvelous things? And if you have heard tidings of the good and evil things which are then coming and are grieved, || What—when you will behold what the majesty will reveal, || Which will convict these and cause those to rejoice?”
“Nevertheless, because you have implored the Most High to reveal to you the interpretation of the vision which you have seen, I have been sent to tell you. And the Mighty One has assuredly made known to you the methods of the times that have passed, and of those that are destined to pass in His world from the beginning of its creation even to its consummation, of those things which [are] deceit and of those which [are] in truth. For as you saw a great cloud which ascended from the sea, and went and covered the earth, this is the duration of the age which the Mighty One made when he took counsel to make the world. And it came to pass when the word had gone forth from His presence, that the duration of the world had come into being in a small degree, and was established according to the multitude of the intelligence of Him who sent it. And as you previously saw on the summit of the cloud black waters which descended previously on the earth, this is the transgression with which Adam the first man transgressed. For [since] when he transgressed || Untimely death came into being, || Grief was named || And anguish was prepared, || And pain was created, || And trouble consummated, || And disease began to be established, || And Sheol kept demanding that it should be renewed in blood, || And the begetting of children was brought about, || And the passion of parents produced, || And the greatness of humanity was humiliated, || And goodness languished. What therefore can be blacker or darker than these things? This is the beginning of the black waters which you have seen. And from these black [waters] again were black derived, and the darkness of darkness was produced. For he became a danger to his own soul: even to the messengers. For moreover, at that time when he was created, they enjoyed liberty. And he became a danger; some of them descended and mingled with the women. And then those who did so were tormented in chains. But the rest of the multitude of the messengers, of which there is [no] number, restrained themselves. And those who dwelt on the earth perished together [with them] through the waters of the deluge. These are the black first waters.”
“And after these [waters] you saw bright waters: this is the fount of Abraham, also his generations and advent of his son, and of his son’s son, and of those like them. Because at that time the unwritten law was named among them, || And the works of the commandments were then fulfilled, || And belief in the coming judgment was then generated, || And hope of the world that was to be renewed was then built up, || And the promise of the life that should come hereafter was implanted. These are the bright waters, which you have seen.”
“And the black third waters which you have seen, these are the mingling of all sins, which the nations afterward worked after the death of those righteous men, and the wickedness of the land of Egypt, wherein they did wickedly in the service with which they made their sons to serve. Nevertheless, these also perished at last.”
“And the bright fourth waters which you have seen are the advent of Moses, and Aaron, and Miriam, and Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb, and of all those like them. For at that time the lamp of the perpetual law shone on all those who sat in darkness, which announced to them that believe the promise of their reward, and to them that deny, the torment of fire which is reserved for them. But also the heavens at that time were shaken from their place, and those who were under the throne of the Mighty One were perturbed, when He was taking Moses to Himself. For He showed him many admonitions together with the principles of the law and the consummation of the times, as also to you, and likewise the pattern of Zion and its measures, in the pattern of which the sanctuary of the present time was to be made. But then He also showed to him the measures of the fire, also the depths of the abyss, and the weight of the winds, and the number of the drops of rain; and the suppression of anger, and the multitude of long-suffering, and the truth of judgment; and the root of wisdom, and the riches of understanding, and the fount of knowledge; and the height of the air, and the greatness of Paradise, and the consummation of the ages, and the beginning of the Day of Judgment; and the number of the offerings, and the earths which have not yet come; and the mouth of Gehenna, and the station of vengeance, and the place of faith, and the region of hope; and the likeness of future torment, and the multitude of innumerable messengers, and the flaming hosts, and the splendor of the lightnings, and the voice of the thunders, and the orders of the chiefs of the messengers, and the treasuries of light, and the changes of the times, and the investigations of the law. These are the bright fourth waters which you have seen.”
“And the black fifth waters which you have seen raining are the works which the Amorites worked, and the spells of their incantations which they worked, and the wickedness of their mysteries, and the mingling of their pollution. But even Israel was then polluted by sins in the days of the judges, though they saw many signs which were from Him who made them.”
“And the bright sixth waters which you saw, this is the time in which David and Solomon were born. And there was at that time the building of Zion, || And the dedication of the sanctuary, || And the shedding of much blood of the nations that sinned then, || And many offerings which were offered then in the dedication of the sanctuary. And peace and tranquility existed at that time, || And wisdom was heard in the assembly; And the riches of understanding were magnified in the congregations, || And the holy festivals were fulfilled in blessedness and in much joy. And the judgment of the rulers was then seen to be without guile, || And the righteousness of the precepts of the Mighty One was accomplished with truth. And the land [which] was then beloved by the Lord, || And because its inhabitants did not sin, it was glorified beyond all lands, || And the city Zion ruled then over all lands and regions. These are the bright waters which you have seen.”
“And the black seventh waters which you have seen, this is the perversion [brought about] by the counsel of Jeroboam, who took counsel to make two calves of gold; and all the iniquities which kings who were after him iniquitously worked. And the curse of Jezebel and the worship of idols which Israel practiced at that time. And the withholding of rain, and the famines which occurred until women ate the fruit of their wombs. And the time of their captivity which came on the nine and a half tribes, because they were in many sins. And Shalmanezzar king of Assyria came and led them away captive. But regarding the nations, it is tedious to tell how they always worked impiety and wickedness, and never worked righteousness. These are the black seventh waters which you have seen.”
“And the bright eighth waters which you have seen, this is the rectitude and uprightness of Hezekiah king of Judah, and the grace [of God] which came on him when Sennacherib was stirred up in order that he might perish, and his wrath troubled him in order that he might thereby perish, for the multitude also of the nations which were with him. When, moreover, Hezekiah the king heard those things which the king of Assyria was devising, to come and seize him and destroy his people—the two and a half tribes which remained—moreover, that he wished to overthrow Zion also, Hezekiah then trusted in his works, and had hope in his righteousness, and spoke with the Mighty One and said, For behold, Sennacherib is prepared to destroy us, and he will be boastful and uplifted when he has destroyed Zion.” And the Mighty One heard him, for Hezekiah was wise, and He had respect to his prayer, because he was righteous. And thereon the Mighty One commanded His messenger Ramiel who speaks with you. And I went forth and destroyed their multitude, the number of whose chiefs alone was one hundred and eighty-five thousand, and each one of them had an equal number [at his command]. And at that time I burned their bodies within, but their raiment and arms I preserved outwardly, in order that the still more wonderful deeds of the Mighty One might appear, and that His Name might thereby be spoken of throughout the whole earth. And Zion was saved and Jerusalem delivered: Israel was also freed from tribulation. And all those who were in the holy land rejoiced, and the Name of the Mighty One was glorified so that it was spoken of. These are the bright waters which you have seen.”
“And the black ninth waters which you have seen, this is all the wickedness which was in the days of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah. For he worked much impiety, and he slew the righteous, and he wrested judgment, and he shed the blood of the innocent, and he violently polluted wedded women, and he overturned the altars, and destroyed their offerings, and drove forth their priests lest they should minister in the sanctuary. And he made an image with five faces: four of them looked to the four winds, and the fifth on the summit of the image as an adversary of the zeal of the Mighty One. And then wrath went forth from the presence of the Mighty One to the intent that Zion should be rooted out, as also it befell in your days. But also, against the two and a half tribes went forth a decree that they should also be led away captive, as you have now seen. And the impiety of Manasseh increased to such a degree that it removed the praise of the Most High from the sanctuary. On this account Manasseh was at that time named the impious, and finally his abode was in the fire. For though his prayer was heard with the Most High, finally, when he was cast into the brazen horse and the brazen horse was melted, it served as a sign to him for the hour. For he had not lived perfectly, for he was not worthy—but that from then on he might know by whom finally he should be tormented. For he who is able to benefit is also able to torment.”
“Thus, moreover, Manasseh acted impiously, and thought that in his time the Mighty One would not inquire into these things. These are the black ninth waters which you have seen.”
“And the bright tenth waters which you have seen: this is the purity of the generations of Josiah king of Judah, who was the only one at the time who submitted himself to the Mighty One with all his heart and with all his soul. And he cleansed the land from idols, and hallowed all the vessels which had been polluted, and restored the offerings to the altar, and raised the horn of the holy, and exalted the righteous, and honored all that were wise in understanding, and brought back the priests to their ministry, and destroyed and removed the magicians, and enchanters, and necromancers from the land. And not only did he slay the impious that were living, but they also took from the graves the bones of the dead and burned them with fire. [[And the festivals and the Sabbaths he established in their sanctity]], and their polluted ones he burned in the fire, and the lying prophets which deceived the people, these he also burned in the fire, and the people who listened to them when they were living, he cast them into the Brook of Kidron, and heaped stones on them. And he was zealous with zeal for the Mighty One with all his soul, and he alone was firm in the law at that time, so that he left none that was uncircumcised, or that worked impiety in all the land, all the days of his life. Therefore he will receive a continuous reward, and he will be glorified with the Mighty One beyond many at a later time. For on his account and on account of those who are like him were the honorable glories, of which you were told before, created and prepared. These are the bright waters which you have seen.”
“And the black eleventh waters which you have seen: this is the calamity which is now befalling Zion. Do you think that there is no anguish to the messengers in the presence of the Mighty One, that Zion was so delivered up, and that, behold, the nations boast in their hearts, and assemble before their idols and say, She is trodden down who oftentimes trod down, and she has been reduced to servitude who reduced [other nations to servitude]? Do you think that in these things the Most High rejoices, or that His Name is glorified? [[But how will it serve toward His righteous judgment?]] Yet after these things the dispersed among the nations will be taken hold of by tribulation, and in shame they will dwell in every place. Because so far as Zion is delivered up and Jerusalem laid waste, idols will prosper in the cities of the nations, and the vapor of the smoke of the incense of the righteousness which is by the law is extinguished in Zion; and in the region of Zion in every place, behold, there is the smoke of impiety. But the king of Babylon will arise who has now destroyed Zion, and he will boast over the people, and he will speak great things in his heart in the presence of the Most High. But he will also fall at last. These are the black waters.”
“And the bright twelfth waters which you have seen: this is the word. For after these things, a time will come when your people will fall into distress, so that they will all run the risk of perishing together. Nevertheless, they will be saved, and their enemies will fall in their presence. And they will have in [due] time much joy. And at that time, after a short interval, Zion will again be rebuilt, and its offerings will again be restored, and the priests will return to their ministry, and also the nations will come to glorify it. Nevertheless, not fully as in the beginning. But it will come to pass after these things that there will be the fall of many nations. These are the bright waters which you have seen.”
“For the last waters which you have seen which were darker than all that were before them, those which were after the twelfth number, which were collected together, belong to the whole world. For the Most High made division from the beginning, because He alone knows what will befall. For as to the enormities and the impieties which should be worked before Him, He foresaw six kinds of them. And of the good works of the righteous which should be accomplished before Him, He foresaw six kinds of them, beyond those which He should work at the consummation of the age. On his account there were not black waters with black, nor bright with bright; for it is the consummation.”
“Therefore hear the interpretation of the last black waters which are to come: this [is] the word. Behold! the days come, and it will be when the time of the age has ripened, || And the harvest of its evil and good seeds has come, || That the Mighty One will bring on the earth and its inhabitants and on its rulers || Perturbation of spirit and stupor of heart. And they will hate one another, || And provoke one another to fight, || And the mean will rule over the honorable, || And those of low degree will be extolled above the famous. And the many will be delivered into the hands of the few, || And those who were nothing will rule over the strong, || And the poor will have abundance beyond the rich, || And the impious will exalt themselves above the heroic. And the wise will be silent, || And the foolish will speak, || Neither will the thought of men be then confirmed, || Nor the counsel of the mighty, || Nor will the hope of those who hope be confirmed. And when those things which were predicted have come to pass, || Then confusion will fall on all men, || And some of them will fall in battle, || And some of them will perish in anguish, || And some of them will be destroyed by their own. Then the peoples of the Most High, whom He has prepared before, || Will come and make war with the leaders that will then be left. And it will come to pass that whoever gets safe out of the war will die in the earthquake, || And whoever gets safe out of the earthquake will be burned by the fire, || And whoever gets safe out of the fire will be destroyed by famine. [[And it will come to pass that whoever of the victors and the vanquished gets safe out of and escapes all these things previously mentioned will be delivered into the hands of My servant Messiah.]] For all the earth will devour its inhabitants.”
“And the holy land will have mercy on its own, and it will protect its inhabitants at that time. This is the vision which you have seen, and this is the interpretation. For I have come to tell you these things, because your prayer has been heard with the Most High.”
“Now also hear regarding the bright lightning which is to come at the consummation after these black [waters]: this is the word. After the signs have come of which you were told before, when the nations become turbulent, and the time of My Messiah is come, He will both summon all the nations, and some of them He will spare, and some of them He will slay. Therefore these things will come on the nations which are to be spared by Him. Every nation which does not know Israel and has not trodden down the seed of Jacob, will indeed be spared. And this because some out of every nation will be subjected to your people. But all those who have ruled over you, or have known you, will be given up to the sword.”
“And it will come to pass, when He has brought low everything that is in the world, || And has sat down in peace for the age on the throne of His kingdom, || That joy will then be revealed, || And rest will appear. And then healing will descend in dew, || And disease will withdraw, || And anxiety, and anguish, and lamentation will pass from among men, || And gladness will proceed through the whole earth. And no one will die untimely again, || Nor will any adversity suddenly befall. And judgments, and abusive talk, and contentions, and revenges, || And blood, and passions, and envy, and hatred, || And whatever things are like these will go into condemnation when they are removed. For it is these very things which have filled this world with evils, || And on account of these the life of man has been greatly troubled. And wild beasts will come from the forest and minister to men || And asps and dragons will come forth from their holes to submit themselves to a little child. And women will no longer then have pain when they bear, || Nor will they suffer torment when they yield the fruit of the womb.”
“And it will come to pass in those days that the reapers will not grow weary, || Nor those that build be toil-worn; For the works will of themselves speedily advance || Together with those who do them in much tranquility. For that time is the consummation of that which is corruptible, || And the beginning of that which is not corruptible. Therefore those things which were predicted will belong to it: Therefore, it is far away from evils, and near to those things which do not die. This is the bright lightning which came after the last dark waters.”
And I answered and said, “Who can understand, O Lord, Your goodness? For it is incomprehensible. Or who can search into Your compassions, || Which are infinite? Or who can comprehend Your intelligence? Or who is able to recount the thoughts of Your mind? Or who of those who are born can hope to come to those things, || Unless he is one to whom You are merciful and gracious? Because, assuredly, if You did not have compassion on man, || Those who are under Your right hand, || They could not come to those things, || But those who are in the numbers named can be called. But if, indeed, we who exist know why we have come, || And submit ourselves to Him who brought us out of Egypt, || We will come again and remember those things which have passed, || And will rejoice regarding that which has been. But if now we do not know why we have come, || And do not recognize the principate of Him who brought us up out of Egypt, || We will come again and seek after those things which have been now, || And be grieved with pain because of those things which have befallen.”
And He answered and said to me: “[[Inasmuch as the revelation of this vision has been interpreted to you as you requested]], hear the word of the Most High that you may know what is to befall you after these things. For you will surely depart from this earth, nevertheless not to death, but you will be preserved to the consummation of the times. Therefore go up to the top of that mountain, and there will pass before you all the regions of that land, and the figure of the inhabited world, and the top of the mountains, and the depth of the valleys, and the depths of the seas, and the number of the rivers, that you may see what you are leaving, and to where you are going. Now this will befall after forty days. Therefore, go now during these days and instruct the people so far as you are able, that they may learn so as not to die at the last time, but may learn in order that they may live at the last times.”
And I, Baruch, went there and came to the people, and assembled them together from the greatest to the least, and said to them: “Hear, you sons of Israel, behold how many you are who remain of the twelve tribes of Israel. For to you and to your fathers the Lord gave a law more excellent than to all peoples. And because your brothers transgressed the commandments of the Most High, || He brought vengeance on you and on them, || And He did not spare the former, || And the latter He also gave into captivity: And He did not leave a residue of them, But behold! you are here with me. If, therefore, you direct your ways correctly, || You also will not depart as your brothers departed, || But they will come to you. For He is merciful whom you worship, || And He is gracious in whom you hope, || And He is true, so that He will do good and not evil. Have you not seen here what has befallen Zion? Or do you perhaps think that the place had sinned, || And that on this account it was overthrown? Or that the land had worked foolishness, || And that therefore it was delivered up? And do you not know that on account of you who sinned, || That which did not sin was overthrown, || And, on account of those who worked wickedly, || That which did not work foolishness was delivered up to enemies?” And the whole people answered and said to me: “So far as we can recall the good things which the Mighty One has done to us, we do recall them; and those things which we do not remember He in His mercy knows. Nevertheless, do this for us your people: also write to our brothers in Babylon a letter of doctrine and a scroll of hope, that you may confirm them also before you depart from us. For the shepherds of Israel have perished, || And the lamps which gave light are extinguished, || And the fountains have withheld their stream from which we used to drink. And we are left in the darkness, || And amid the trees of the forest, || And the thirst of the wilderness.” And I answered and said to them: “Shepherds, and lamps, and fountains come from the law: And though we depart, yet the law abides. If, therefore, you have respect to the law, || And are intent on wisdom, || A lamp will not be wanting, || And a shepherd will not fail, || And a fountain will not dry up. Nevertheless, as you said to me, I will also write to your brothers in Babylon, and I will send by means of men, and I will write in like manner to the nine and a half tribes, and send by means of a bird.” And it came to pass on the twenty-first day in the eighth month that I, Baruch, came and sat down under the oak under the shadow of the branches, and no man was with me, but I was alone. And I wrote these two letters: one I sent by an eagle to the nine and a half tribes; and the other I sent to those that were at Babylon by means of three men. And I called the eagle and spoke these words to it: “The Most High has made you that you should be higher than all birds. And now go and do not tarry in [any] place, nor enter a nest, nor settle on any tree, until you have passed over the breadth of the many waters of the Euphrates River, and have gone to the people that dwell there, and cast down this letter to them. Remember, moreover, that, at the time of the deluge, Noah received from a dove the fruit of the olive, when he sent it forth from the Ark. Yes, also the ravens ministered to Elijah, bearing him food, as they had been commanded. Solomon also, in the time of his kingdom, wherever he wished to send or seek for anything, commanded a bird, and it obeyed him as he commanded it. And now, do not let it weary you, and do not turn to the right hand nor the left, but fly and go by a direct way, that you may preserve the command of the Mighty One, according as I spoke to you.”
These are the words of that letter which Baruch the son of Neriah sent to the nine and a half tribes, which were across the River Euphrates, in which these things were written. Thus says Baruch the son of Neriah to the brothers carried into captivity: “Mercy and peace.” I bear in mind, my brothers, the love of Him who created us, who loved us from of old, and never hated us, but above all educated us. And truly I know, that behold, all of us—the twelve tribes—are bound by one bond, inasmuch as we are born from one father. For what reason I have been more careful to leave you the words of this letter before I die, that you may be comforted regarding the calamities which have come on you, and that you may also be grieved regarding the evil that has befallen your brothers; and again, also, that you may justify His judgment which He has decreed against you that you should be carried away captive—for what you have suffered is disproportioned to what you have done—in order that, at the last times, you may be found worthy of your fathers. Therefore, if you consider that you have now suffered those things for your good, that you may not finally be condemned and tormented, then you will receive continuous hope; if above all you destroy from your heart vain error, on account of which you departed hence. For if you so do these things, He will continually remember you, He who always promised on our behalf to those who were more excellent than we, that He will never forget or forsake us, but with much mercy will again gather together those who were dispersed.
Now, my brothers, first learn what befell Zion: how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against us. For we have sinned against Him who made us, and we have not kept the commandments which He commanded us, yet He has not disciplined us as we deserved. For what befell you we also suffer in a preeminent degree, for it befell us also.
And now, my brothers, I make known to you that when the enemy had surrounded the city, the messengers of the Most High were sent, and they overthrew the fortifications of the strong wall, and they destroyed the firm iron corners, which could not be rooted out. Nevertheless, they hid all the vessels of the sanctuary, lest the enemy should get possession of them. And when they had done these things, they delivered thereon to the enemy the overthrown wall, and the plundered house, and the burnt temple, and the people who were overcome because they were delivered up, lest the enemy should boast and say: “Thus by force we have been able to lay waste even the house of the Most High in war.” They have also bound your brothers and led [them] away to Babylon, and have caused them to dwell there. But we have been left here, being very few. This is the tribulation about which I wrote to you. For assuredly I know that [the consolation of] the inhabitants of Zion consoles you; so far as you knew that it was prospered, [your consolation] was greater than the tribulation which you endured in having to depart from it.
But regarding consolation, hear the word. For I was mourning regarding Zion, and I prayed for mercy from the Most High, and I said, “How long will these things endure for us? And will these calamities always come on us?” And the Mighty One did according to the multitude of His mercies, || And the Most High according to the greatness of His compassion, || And He revealed to me the word, that I might receive consolation, || And He showed me visions that I should not again endure anguish, || And He made known to me the mystery of the times, || And He showed me the advent of the hours.
Therefore, my brothers, I have written to you that you may comfort yourselves regarding the multitude of your tribulations. For know that our Maker will assuredly avenge us on all our enemies, according to all that they have done to us, also that the consummation which the Most High will make is very near, and His mercy that is coming, and the consummation of His judgment, is by no means far off. For behold, we see now the multitude of the prosperity of the nations, || Though they act impiously, || But they will be like a vapor: And we behold the multitude of their power, || Though they do wickedly, || But they will be made like to a drop: And we see the firmness of their might, || Though they resist the Mighty One every hour, || But they will be accounted as spittle. And we consider the glory of their greatness, || Though they do not keep the statutes of the Most High, || But they will pass away as smoke. And we meditate on the beauty of their gracefulness, || Though they have to do with pollutions, || But as grass that withers, they will fade away. And we consider the strength of their cruelty, || Though they do not remember the end, || But as a wave that passes, they will be broken. And we remark [regarding] the boastfulness of their might, || Though they deny the beneficence of God, who gave [it] to them, || But they will pass away as a passing cloud.
For the Most High will assuredly hasten His times, || And He will assuredly bring on His hours. And He will assuredly judge those who are in His world, || And will visit in truth all things by means of all their hidden works. And He will assuredly examine the secret thoughts, || And that which is laid up in the secret chambers of all the members of mail, || And will make manifest in the presence of all with reproof. Let none therefore of these present things ascend into your hearts, but above all let us be expectant, because that which is promised to us will come. And let us not now look to the delights of the nations in the present, but let us remember what has been promised to us in the end. For the ends of the times, and of the seasons, and whatever is with them will assuredly pass by together. Moreover, the consummation of the age will then show the great might of its ruler, when all things come to judgment. Therefore, prepare your hearts for that which before you believed, lest you come to be in bondage in both worlds, so that you be led away captive here and be tormented there. For that which exists now, or which has passed away, or which is to come, in all these things, neither is the evil fully evil, nor again the good fully good. For all healthinesses of this time are turning into diseases, And all might of this time is turning into weakness, || And all the force of this time is turning into impotence, And every energy of youth is turning into old age and consummation. And every beauty of gracefulness of this time is turning faded and hateful, And every proud dominion of the present is turning into humiliation and shame, And every praise of the glory of this time is turning into the shame of silence, || And every vain splendor and insolence of this time is turning into voiceless ruin. And every delight and joy of this time is turning to worms and corruption, And every clamor of the pride of this time is turning into dust and stillness. And every possession of riches of this time is being turned into Sheol alone, And all the plunder of passion of this time is turning into involuntary death, || And every passion of the lusts of this time is turning into a judgment of torment. And every artifice and craftiness of this time is turning into a proof of the truth, || And every sweetness of ointments of this time is turning into judgment and condemnation, And every love of lying is turning to insult through truth. [[22 Since therefore all these things are done now, does anyone think that they will not be avenged? But the consummation of all things will come to the truth.]]
Behold! I have therefore made known to you [these things] while I live, for I have said [it] that you should learn the things that are excellent; for the Mighty One has commanded me to instruct you: and I will set before you some of the commandments of His judgment before I die. Remember that formerly Moses assuredly called the heavens and earth to witness against you and said, “If you transgress the law you will be dispersed, but if you keep it you will be kept.” And other things he also used to say to you when you, the twelve tribes, were together in the desert. And after his death you cast them away from you. On this account there came on you what had been predicted. And now Moses used to tell you before they befell you, and behold, they have befallen you, for you have forsaken the law. Behold, I also say to you after you have suffered, that if you obey those things which have been said to you, you will receive from the Mighty One whatever has been laid up and reserved for you. Moreover, let this letter be for a testimony between me and you, that you may remember the commandments of the Mighty One, and that there may also be a defense for me in the presence of Him who sent me. And remember the law and Zion, and the holy land and your brothers, and the covenant of your fathers, and do not forget the festivals and the Sabbaths. And deliver this letter and the traditions of the law to your sons after you, as your fathers also delivered [them] to you. And at all times make request perseveringly and pray diligently with your whole heart that the Mighty One may be reconciled to you, and that He may not reckon the multitude of your sins, but remember the rectitude of your fathers. For if He does not judge us according to the multitude of His mercies, woe to all of us who are born.
Know, moreover, that in former times and in the generations of old our fathers had helpers, righteous men and holy prophets, [but] no longer. We were in our own land, [[and they helped us when we sinned]], and they prayed for us to Him who made us, because they trusted in their works, and the Mighty One heard their prayer and was gracious to us. But now the righteous have been gathered and the prophets have fallen asleep, and we have also gone forth from the land, and Zion has been taken from us, and we have nothing now except the Mighty One and His law. If, therefore, we direct and dispose our hearts, we will receive everything that we lost, and much better things than we lost by many times. For what we have lost was to corruption, and what we will receive will not be corruptible. [[6 Moreover, I also have written thus to our brothers to Babylon, that I also may attest to them those very things.]] And let all those things previously mentioned always be before your eyes, because we are still in the spirit and the power of our liberty. Again, moreover, the Most High is also long-suffering toward us here, and He has shown to us that which is to be, and has not concealed from us what will befall in the end. Therefore, before judgment exacts its own, and truth that which is its due, let us prepare our soul that we may enter into possession of, and not be taken possession of, and that we may hope and not be put to shame, and that we may rest with our fathers and not be tormented with our enemies. And the strength of the creation is already exhausted, and the advent of the times is very short, yes, they have passed by; and the pitcher is near to the cistern, and the ship to the port, and the course of the journey to the city, and life to consummation. And again prepare your souls, so that when you sail and ascend from the ship you may have rest and not be condemned when you depart. For behold, when the Most High will bring to pass all these things, there will not again be there an opportunity for returning, nor a limit to the times, nor adjournment to the hours, nor change of ways, nor place for prayer, nor sending of petitions, nor receiving of knowledge, nor giving of love, nor place of conversion, nor supplication for offenses, nor intercession of the fathers, nor prayer of the prophets, nor help of the righteous. There, there, is the sentence of corruption, the way of fire, and the path which brings to Gehenna. On this account there is one law by one, one age and an end for all who are in it. Then He will preserve those to whom He finds He may be gracious, and at the same time destroy those who are polluted with sins.
When you therefore receive this—my letter—read it in your congregations with care. And meditate thereon, above all on the days of your fasts. And bear me in mind by means of this letter, as I also bear you in mind in it, and always farewell.
1 And it came to pass when I had ended all the words of this letter, and had written it sedulously to its close, 2 that I folded it, and sealed it carefully, and bound it to the neck of the eagle, and dismissed and sent it. Here ends the Scroll of Baruch, the son of Neriah.