Chapter V: Part 5

7. _Being alarmed_ at these things, my voice faltered.[194] I cried out and said, The earth is destroyed. Then my grandfather Malalel raised me up, and said to me: Why dost thou thus cry out, my son? and wherefore dost thou thus lament?

8. I related to him the whole vision which I had seen. He said to me, Confirmed is that which thou hast seen, my son;

9. And potent the vision of thy dream respecting every secret sin of the earth. Its substance shall sink into the abyss, and a great destruction take place.

10. Now, my son, rise up; and beseech the Lord of glory (for thou art faithful), that a remnant may be left upon earth, and that he would not wholly destroy it. My son, all this _calamity_ upon earth comes down from heaven;[195] upon earth shall there be a great destruction.

11. Then I arose, prayed, and entreated; and wrote down my prayer for the generations of the world, explaining everything to my son Mathusala.

12. When I went out below, and looking up to heaven, beheld the sun proceeding from the east, the moon descending to the west, a few _scattered_ stars, and everything which God[196] has known from the beginning, I blessed the Lord of judgment, and magnified him: because he hath sent forth the sun from the chambers[197] of the east; that, ascending and rising in the face of heaven, it might spring up, and pursue the path which has been pointed out to it.

Footnote 191:

Paris MS.

Footnote 192:

_before thee._

Footnote 193:

_cutting._

Footnote 194:

_the word fell down in my mouth._

Footnote 195:

_all this upon earth is from heaven._

Footnote 196:

_he._

Footnote 197:

_windows._

CHAP. LXXXIII.

1. I lifted up my bands in righteousness, and blessed the holy, and the Great One. I spoke with the breath of my mouth, and with a tongue of flesh, which God has formed for all the sons of mortal men, that with it they may speak; giving them breath, a mouth, and a tongue to converse with.

2. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the King, great and powerful in thy greatness, Lord of all the creatures of heaven, King of kings, God of the whole world, whose reign, whose kingdom, and whose majesty endure for ever and ever.

3. From generation to generation shall thy dominion _exist_. All the heavens are thy throne for ever, and all the earth thy footstool for ever and for ever.

4. For thou hast made _them_, and over all thou reignest. No act whatsoever exceeds thy power. With thee wisdom is unchangeable; nor from thy throne and from thy presence is it ever averted. Thou knowest all things, seest and hearest them; nor is anything concealed from thee; for thou perceivest all things.

5. The angels of thy heavens have transgressed; and on mortal flesh shall thy wrath remain,[198] until the day of the great judgment.

6. Now then, O God, Lord and mighty King, I entreat thee, and beseech thee to grant my prayer, that a posterity may be left to me on earth, and that the whole human race may not perish;

7. That the earth may not be left destitute, and destruction take place for ever.

8. O my Lord, let the race perish from off the earth which has offended thee, but a righteous and upright race establish for a posterity[199] for ever. Hide not thy face, O Lord, from the prayer of thy servant.

Footnote 198:

_be._

Footnote 199:

_the plant of a seed._

CHAP. LXXXIV. [SECT. XVII.[200]]

1. After this I saw another dream, and explained it all to thee, my son. Enoch arose and said to his son Mathusala, To thee, my son, will I speak. Hear my word; and incline thine ear to the visionary dream of thy father. Before I married thy mother Edna, I saw a vision on my bed;

2. And behold, a cow sprung forth from the earth;

3. And this cow was white.

4. Afterwards a female heifer sprung forth; and with it another heifer:[201] one of them was black, and one was red.[202]

5. The black heifer then struck the red one, and pursued it over the earth.

6. From that period I could see nothing more of the red heifer; but the black one increased in bulk, and a female heifer came with him.

7. After this I saw that many cows proceeded forth, resembling him, and following after him.

8. The first female young one also went out in the presence of the first cow; and sought the red heifer; but found him not.

9. And she lamented with a great lamentation, while she was seeking him.

10. Then I looked until that first _cow_ came to her, from which time she became silent, and ceased to lament.

11. Afterwards she calved another white cow.

12. And again calved many cows and black heifers.

13. In my sleep also I perceived a white bull, which in like manner grew, and became a large white bull.

14. After him many white cows came forth, resembling him.

15. And they began to calve many _other_ white cows, which resembled them and followed each other.

Footnote 200:

Paris MS.

Footnote 201:

The sense seems to require that the passage should be, “_two other
heifers_.”

Footnote 202:

Cain and Abel.

CHAP. LXXXV.

1. Again I looked attentively,[203] while sleeping, and surveyed heaven above.

2. And behold a single star fell from heaven.

3. Which being raised up, ate and fed among those cows.

4. After that I perceived _other_ large and black cows; and behold all of them changed their stalls and pastures, while their young began to lament one with another. Again I looked in _my_ vision, and surveyed heaven; when behold I saw many stars which descended, and projected themselves from heaven to where the first star was,

5. Into the midst of those young ones; while the cows were with them, feeding in the midst of them.

6. I looked at and observed them; when behold, they all acted after the manner of horses, and began to approach the young cows, all of whom became pregnant, and brought forth elephants, camels, and asses.

7. At these all the cows were alarmed and terrified; when they began biting with their teeth, swallowing, and striking with their horns.

8. They began also to devour the cows; and behold all the children of the earth trembled, shook with terror at them, and suddenly fled away.

Footnote 203:

_with my eyes._

CHAP. LXXXVI.

1. Again I perceived them, when they began to strike and to swallow each other; and the earth cried out. Then I raised my eyes a second time towards heaven, and saw in a vision, that, behold, there came forth from heaven as it were the likeness of white men. One came forth from thence, and three with him.

2. Those three, who came forth last, seized me by my hand; and raising me up from the generations of the earth, elevated me to a high station.

3. Then they showed me a lofty tower on the earth, while every hill became diminished. And they said, Remain here, until thou perceivest what shall come upon those elephants, camels, and asses, upon the stars, and upon all the cows.

CHAP. LXXXVII.

1. Then I looked at that one of the four _white men_, who came forth first.

2. He seized the first star which fell down from heaven.

3. And, binding it hand and foot, he cast it into a valley; a valley narrow, deep, stupendous, and gloomy.

4. Then one of them drew his sword, and gave it to the elephants, camels, and asses, who began to strike each other. And the whole earth shook on account of them.

5. And when I looked in the vision, behold, one of those four angels, who came forth, hurled from heaven, collected together, and took all the great stars, whose form partly resembled that of horses; and binding them all hand and foot, cast them into the cavities of the earth.

CHAP. LXXXVIII.

1. Then one of those four went to the white cows, and taught them a mystery. While the cow was trembling, it was born, and became a man,[204] and fabricated for himself a large ship. In this he dwelt, and three cows[205] dwelt with him in that ship, which covered them.

2. Again I lifted up my eyes towards heaven, and saw a lofty roof. Above it were seven cataracts, which poured forth on a certain village much water.

3. Again I looked, and behold there were fountains open on the earth in that large village.

4. The water began to boil up, and rose over the earth; so that the village was not seen, while its whole soil was covered with water.

5. Much water was over it, darkness, and clouds. Then I surveyed the height of this water; and it was elevated above the village.

6. It flowed over the village, and stood higher than the earth.

7. Then all the cows which were collected there, while I looked on them, were drowned, swallowed up, and destroyed in the water.

8. But the ship floated above it. All the cows, the elephants, the camels, and the asses, were drowned on the earth, and all cattle. Nor could I perceive them. Neither were they able to get out, but perished, and sunk into the deep.

9. Again I looked in the vision until those cataracts from that lofty roof were removed, and the fountains of the earth became equalized, while other depths were opened;

10. Into which the water began to descend, until the dry ground appeared.

11. The ship remained on the earth; the darkness receded; and it became light.

12. Then the white cow, which became a man, went out of the ship, and the three cows with him.

13. One of the three cows was white, resembling that cow; one of them was red as blood; and one of them was black. And the white cow left them.

14. Then began wild beasts and birds to bring forth.

15. Of all these the different kinds assembled together, lions, tigers, wolves, dogs, wild boars, foxes, rabbits, and the hanzar,

16. The siset, the avest, kites, the phonkas, and ravens.

17. Then a white cow[206] was born in the midst of them.

18. And they began to bite each other; when the white cow, which was born in the midst of them, brought forth a wild ass and a white cow at the same time, and _after that_ many wild asses. Then the white cow,[207] which was born, brought forth a black wild sow and a white sheep.[208]

19. That wild sow also brought forth many swine;

20. And that sheep brought forth twelve sheep.[209]

21. When those twelve sheep grew up, they delivered one of them[210] to the asses.[211]

22. Again those asses delivered that sheep to the wolves;[212]

23. And he grew up in the midst of them.

24. Then the Lord brought the eleven _other_ sheep, that they might dwell and feed with him in the midst of the wolves.

25. They multiplied, and there was abundance of pasture for them.

26. But the wolves began to frighten and oppress them, while they destroyed their young ones.

27. And they left their young in torrents of deep water.

28. Now the sheep began to cry out on account of their young, and fled for refuge to their Lord. One[213] however, which was saved, escaped, and went away to the wild asses.

29. I beheld the sheep moaning, crying, and petitioning their Lord,

30. With all their might, until the Lord of the sheep descended at their voice from _his_ lofty habitation; went to them; and inspected them.

31. He called to that sheep which had secretly stolen away from the wolves, and told him to make the wolves understand that they were not to touch the sheep.

32. Then that sheep went to the wolves with the word of the Lord, when another met him,[214] and proceeded with him.

33. Both of them together entered the dwelling of the wolves; and conversing with them made them understand, that from thenceforwards they were not to touch the sheep.

34. Afterwards I perceived the wolves greatly prevailing over the sheep with their whole force. The sheep cried out; and their Lord came to them.

35. He began to strike the wolves, who commenced a grievous lamentation; but the sheep were silent, nor from that time did they cry out.

36. I then looked at them, until they departed from the wolves. The eyes of the wolves were blind, who went out and followed them with all their might. But the Lord of the sheep proceeded with them, and conducted them.

37. All his sheep followed him.

38. His countenance _was_ terrific and splendid, and glorious was his aspect. Yet the wolves began to follow the sheep, until they overtook them in a certain lake of water.[215]

39. Then that lake became divided; the water standing up on both sides before their face.

40. And while their Lord was conducting them, he placed himself between them and the wolves.

41. The wolves however perceived not the sheep, but went into the midst of the lake, following them, and running after them into the lake of water.

42. But when they saw the Lord of the sheep, they turned to fly from before his face.

43. Then the water of the lake returned, and that suddenly, according to its nature. It became full, and was raised up, until it covered the wolves. And I saw that all of them which had followed the sheep perished, and were drowned.

44. But the sheep passed over this water, proceeding to a wilderness, which was without both water and grass. And they began to open their eyes and to see.

45. Then I beheld the Lord of the sheep inspecting them, and giving them water and grass.

46. The sheep _already mentioned_ was proceeding _with them_, and conducting them.

47. And when he had ascended the top of a lofty rock, the Lord of the sheep sent him to them.

48. Afterwards I perceived their Lord standing before them, with an aspect terrific and severe.

49. And when they all beheld him, they were frightened at his countenance.

50. All of them were alarmed, and trembled. They cried out after that sheep; and to the other sheep who had been with him, and who was in the midst of them, _saying_, We are not able to stand before our Lord, or to look upon him.

51. Then that sheep who conducted them went away, and ascended the top of the rock;

52. When the _rest of the_ sheep began to grow blind, and to wander from the path which he had shown them; but he knew it not.

53. Their Lord however was moved with great indignation against them; and when that sheep had learned _what had happened_,

54. He descended from the top of the rock, and coming to them, found that there were many,

55. Which had become blind;

56. And had wandered from his path. As soon as they beheld him, they feared, and trembled at his presence;

57. And became desirous of returning to their fold.

58. Then that sheep, taking with him other sheep, went to those which had wandered.

59. And afterwards began to kill them. They were terrified at his countenance. Then he caused those which had wandered to return; who went back to their fold.

60. I likewise saw there in the vision, that this sheep became a man, built an house for the Lord of the sheep, and made them all stand in that house.

61. I perceived also that the sheep which proceeded to meet this sheep, their conductor, died. I saw, too, that all the great sheep perished, while smaller ones rose up in their place, entered into a pasture, and approached a river of water.[216]

62. Then that sheep, their conductor, who became a man, was separated from them, and died.

63. All the sheep sought after him, and cried for him with bitter lamentation.

64. I saw likewise that they ceased to cry after that sheep, and passed over the river of water.

65. And that there arose other sheep, all of whom conducted them,[217] instead of those who were dead, and who had _previously_ conducted them.

66. Then I saw that the sheep entered into a goodly place, and a territory delectable and glorious.

67. I saw also that they became satiated; that their house was in the midst of a delectable territory: and that sometimes their eyes were opened, and that sometimes they were blind; until another sheep[218] arose and conducted them. He brought them all back; and their eyes were opened.

68. Then dogs, foxes, and wild boars began to devour them, until _again_ another sheep[219] arose, the master of the flock, one of themselves, a ram, to conduct them. This ram began to butt on every side those dogs, foxes, and wild boars, until they all perished.

69. But the _former_ sheep opened his eyes, and saw the ram in the midst of them, who had laid aside his glory.

70. And he began to strike the sheep, treading upon them, and behaving himself without dignity.

71. Then their Lord sent the _former_ sheep _again_ to a still different[220] sheep,[221] and raised him up to be a ram, and to conduct them instead of that sheep who had laid aside his glory.

72. Going therefore to him, and conversing with him alone, he raised up that ram, and made him a prince and leader of the flock. All the time that the dogs[222] troubled the sheep,

73. The first ram paid respect to this latter ram.

74. Then the latter ram arose, and fled away from before his face. And I saw that those dogs caused the first ram to fall.

75. But the latter ram arose, and conducted the smaller sheep.

76. That ram likewise begat many sheep, and died.

77. Then there was a smaller sheep,[223] a ram, instead of him, which became a prince and leader, conducting the flock.

78. And the sheep increased in size, and multiplied.

79. And all the dogs, foxes, and wild boars feared, and fled away from him.

80. That ram also struck and killed all the wild beasts, so that they could not again prevail in the midst of the sheep, nor at any time ever snatch them away.

81. And that house was made large and wide; a lofty tower being built upon it by the sheep, for the Lord of the sheep.

82. The house was low, but the tower was elevated and very high.

83. Then the Lord of the sheep stood upon that tower, and caused a full table to approach before him.

84. Again I saw that those sheep wandered, and went various ways, forsaking that their house;

85. And that their Lord called to some among them, whom he sent[224] to them.

86. But these the sheep began to kill. And when one of them was saved from slaughter,[225] he leaped, and cried out against those who were desirous of killing him.

87. But the Lord of the sheep delivered him from their hands, and made him ascend to him, and remain with him.

88. He sent also many others to them, to testify, and with lamentations to exclaim against them.

89. Again I saw, when some of them forsook the house of their Lord, and his tower; wandering on all sides, and growing blind,

90. I saw that the Lord of the sheep made a great slaughter among them in their pasture, until they cried out to him in consequence of that slaughter. Then he departed from the place _of his habitation_, and left them in the power of lions, tigers, wolves, and the zeebt, and in the power of foxes, and of every beast.

91. And the wild beasts began to tear them.

92. I saw, too, that he forsook the house of their fathers, and their tower; giving them all into the power of lions to tear and devour them; into the power of every beast.

93. Then I began to cry out with all my might, imploring the Lord of the sheep, and showing him how the sheep were devoured by all the beasts of prey.

94. But he looked on in silence, rejoicing that they were devoured, swallowed up, and carried off; and leaving them in the power of every beast for food. He called also seventy shepherds, and resigned to them _the care of_ the sheep, that they might overlook them;

95. Saying to them and to their associates, Every one of you henceforwards overlook the sheep, and whatsoever I command you, do; and I will deliver _them_ to you numbered.[226]

96. I will tell you which of them shall be slain; these destroy. And he delivered the sheep to them.

97. Then he called to another, and said, Understand, and watch everything which the shepherds shall do to these sheep; for many more of them shall perish than I have commanded.

98. Of every excess and slaughter, which the shepherds shall commit, _there shall be_ an account; as, how many may have perished by my command, and how many they may have destroyed of their own heads.

99. Of all the destruction _brought about by_ each of the shepherds there shall be an account; and according to the number I will cause a recital to be made before me, how many they have destroyed of their own heads, and how many they have delivered up to destruction, that I may have this testimony against them; that I may know all their proceedings; and that, delivering _the sheep_ to them, I may see what they will do; whether they will act as I have commanded them, or not.

100. _Of this_, however, they shall be ignorant; neither shalt thou make any explanation to them, neither shalt thou reprove them; but there shall be an account of all the destruction _done_ by them in their respective seasons. Then they began to kill, and destroy more than it was commanded them.

101. And they left the sheep in the power of lions, so that very many of them were devoured and swallowed up by lions and tigers; and wild boars preyed upon them. That tower they burnt, and overthrew that house.

102. Then I grieved extremely on account of the tower, and because the house of the sheep was overthrown.

103. Neither was I afterwards able to perceive whether they _again_ entered that house.

104. The shepherds likewise, and their associates, delivered them to all the wild beasts, that they might devour them. Each of them in his season, according to his number, was delivered up; each of them, one with another, was described in a book, how many of them, one with another, were destroyed, in a book.

105. More, however, than was ordered, every _shepherd_ killed and destroyed.

106. Then I began to weep, and was greatly indignant, on account of the sheep.

107. In like manner also I saw in the vision him who wrote, how he wrote down one, destroyed by the shepherds, every day. He ascended, remained, and exhibited each of his books to the Lord of the sheep, _containing_ all which they had done, and all which each of them had made away with;

108. And all which they had delivered up to destruction.

109. He took the book up in his hands, read it, sealed it, and deposited it.

110. After this, I saw shepherds overlooking for twelve hours.

111. And behold three of the sheep[227] departed, arrived, went in; and began building all which was fallen down of that house.

112. But the wild boars[228] hindered them, although they prevailed not.

113. Again they began to build as before, and raised up that tower, which was called a lofty tower.

114. And again they began to place before the tower a table, with every impure and unclean kind of bread upon it.

115. Moreover also all the sheep were blind, and could not see; as were the shepherds likewise.

116. Thus were they delivered up to the shepherds for a great destruction, who trod them under foot, and devoured them.

117. Yet was their Lord silent, until all the sheep in the field were destroyed. The shepherds and the sheep were all mixed together; but they did not save them from the power of the beasts.

118. Then he who wrote the book ascended, exhibited it, and read it at the residence of the Lord of the sheep. He petitioned him for them, and prayed, pointing out every act of the shepherds, and testifying before him against them all. Then taking the book, he deposited it with him, and departed.

Footnote 204:

Noah.

Footnote 205:

Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Footnote 206:

Abraham.

Footnote 207:

Isaac.

Footnote 208:

Esau and Jacob.

Footnote 209:

The twelve Patriarchs.

Footnote 210:

Joseph.

Footnote 211:

The Midianites.

Footnote 212:

The Egyptians.

Footnote 213:

Moses.

Footnote 214:

Aaron.

Footnote 215:

The Red Sea.

Footnote 216:

The river Jordan.

Footnote 217:

The Judges of Israel.

Footnote 218:

Samuel.

Footnote 219:

Saul.

Footnote 220:

_another._

Footnote 221:

David.

Footnote 222:

The Philistines.

Footnote 223:

Solomon.

Footnote 224:

The prophets.

Footnote 225:

Elijah.

Footnote 226:

_with number._

Footnote 227:

Zerubbabel, Joshua, and Nehemiah.

Footnote 228:

The Samaritans.

CHAP. LXXXIX.

1. And I observed during the time, that thus thirty-seven[229] shepherds were overlooking, all of whom finished in their respective periods as the first. Others then received them into their hands, that they might overlook them in their respective periods, every shepherd in his own period.

2. Afterwards I saw in the vision, that all the birds of heaven arrived; eagles, the avest, kites and ravens. The eagle instructed them all.

3. They began to devour the sheep, to peck out their eyes, and to eat up their bodies.

4. The sheep then cried out; for their bodies were devoured by the birds.

5. I also cried out, and groaned in my sleep against that shepherd which overlooked the flock.

6. And I looked, while the sheep were eaten up by the dogs, by the eagles, and by the kites. They neither left them their body, nor their skin, nor their muscles, until their bones alone remained; until their bones fell upon the ground. And the sheep became diminished.

7. I observed likewise during the time, that twenty-three shepherds[230] were overlooking; who completed in their respective periods fifty-eight periods.

8. Then were small lambs born of those white sheep; who began to open their eyes and to see, crying out to the sheep.

9. The sheep, however, cried not out to them, neither did they hear what they uttered to them; but were deaf, blind, and obdurate in the greatest degrees.

10. I saw in the vision that ravens flew down upon those lambs;

11. That they seized one of them; and that tearing the sheep in pieces, they devoured them.

12. I saw also, that horns grew upon those lambs; and that the ravens lighted down upon their horns.

13. I saw, too, that a large horn sprouted out on an animal[231] among the sheep, and that their eyes were opened.

14. He looked at them. Their eyes were wide open; and he cried out to them.

15. Then the dabela[232] saw him; all of whom ran to him.

16. And besides this, all the eagles, the avest, the ravens and the kites, were still carrying off the sheep, flying down upon them, and devouring them. The sheep were silent, but the dabela lamented and cried out.

17. Then the ravens contended, and struggled with them.

18. They wished among them to break his horn; but they prevailed not over him.

19. I looked on them, until the shepherds, the eagles, the avest, and the kites came.

20. Who cried out to the ravens to break the horn of the dabela; to contend with him; and to kill him. But he struggled with them, and cried out, that help might come to him.

21. Then I perceived that the man came who had written down the names of the shepherds, and who ascended up before the Lord of the sheep.

22. He brought assistance, and caused every one to see him descending to the help of the dabela.

23. I perceived likewise that the Lord of the sheep came to them in wrath, while all those who saw him fled away; all fell down in his tabernacle before his face; while all the eagles, the avest, ravens, and kites assembled, and brought with them all the sheep of the field.

24. All came together, and strove to break the horn of the dabela.

25. Then I saw, that the man, who wrote the book at the word of the Lord, opened the book of destruction, of that destruction which the last twelve shepherds[233] wrought; and pointed out before the Lord of the sheep, that they destroyed more than those who preceded them.

26. I saw also that the Lord of the sheep came to them, and taking in his hand the sceptre of his wrath seized the earth, which became rent asunder; while all the beasts and birds of heaven fell from the sheep, and sunk into the earth, which closed over them.

27. I saw, too, that a large sword was given to the sheep, who went forth against all the beasts of the field to slay them.

28. But all the beasts and birds of heaven fled away from before their face.

29. And I saw a throne erected in a delectable land;

30. Upon this sat the Lord of the sheep, who received all the sealed books;

31. Which were open before him.

32. Then the Lord called the first seven white ones, and commanded them to bring before him the first of the first stars, which preceded the stars whose form partly resembled that of horses; the first star, which fell down first; and they brought them all before him.

33. And he spoke to the man who wrote in his presence, who was one of the seven white ones, saying, Take those seventy shepherds, to whom I delivered up the sheep, and _who_ receiving them killed more of them than I commanded. Behold, I saw them all bound, and all standing before him. First came on the trial of the stars, which, being judged, and found guilty, went to the place of punishment. They thrust them into _a place_, deep, and full of flaming fire, and full of pillars of fire. Then the seventy shepherds were judged, and being found guilty, were thrust into the flaming abyss.

34. At that time likewise I perceived, that one abyss was thus opened in the midst of the earth, which was full of fire.

35. And to this were brought the blind sheep; which being judged, and found guilty, were all thrust into that abyss of fire on the earth, and burnt.

36. The abyss was on the right of that house.

37. And I saw the sheep burning, and their bones consuming.

38. I stood beholding him immerge that ancient house, while they brought out its pillars, every plant in it, and the ivory infolding it. They brought it out, and deposited it in a place on the right side of the earth.

39. I also saw, that the Lord of the sheep produced a new house, great, and loftier than the former, which he bounded by the former circular spot. All its pillars were new, and its ivory new, as well as more abundant than the former ancient _ivory_, which he had brought out.

40. And while all the sheep which were left were in the midst of it, all the beasts of the earth, and all the birds of heaven, fell down and worshipped them, petitioning them, and obeying them in everything.

41. Then those three, who were clothed in white, and who, holding me by my hand, had before caused me to ascend, while the hand of him _who_ spoke held me; raised me up, and placed me in the midst of the sheep, before the judgment took place.

42. The sheep were all white, with wool long and pure. Then all who had perished, and had been destroyed, every beast of the field, and every bird of heaven, assembled in that house: while the Lord of the sheep rejoiced with great joy, because all were good, and had come back again to his dwelling.

43. And I saw that they laid down the sword which had been given to the sheep, and returned it to his house, sealing it up in the presence of the Lord.

44. All the sheep would have been inclosed in that house, had it been capable of containing them;[234] and the eyes of all were open, gazing on the good One; nor was there one among them who did not behold him.

45. I likewise perceived that the house was large, wide, and extremely full. I saw, too, that a white cow was born, whose horns were great; and that all the beasts of the field, and all the birds of heaven, were alarmed at him, and entreated him at all times.

46. Then I saw that the nature of all of them was changed, and that they became white cows;

47. And that the first, _who_ was in the midst of them, spoke,[235] when that word became a large beast, upon the head of which were great and black horns;

48. While the Lord of the sheep rejoiced over them, and over all the cows.

49. I lay down in the midst of them: I awoke; and saw the whole. This is the vision which I saw, lying down and waking. Then I blessed the Lord of righteousness, and gave glory to Him.

50. Afterwards I wept abundantly, nor did my tears cease, so that I became incapable of enduring it. While I was looking on, they flowed[236] on account of what I saw; for all was come and gone by; every individual circumstance respecting the conduct of mankind was seen by me.

51. In that night I remembered my former dream; and therefore wept and was troubled, because I had seen that vision.

Footnote 229:

An apparent error for _thirty-five_. See verse 7. The kings of Judah
and Israel.

Footnote 230:

The kings of Babylon, etc., during and after the captivity. The
numbers thirty-_five_ and twenty-three make fifty-eight; and not
thirty-_seven_, as erroneously put in the first verse.

Footnote 231:

on _one_.

Footnote 232:

The ibex, probably symbolizing Alexander the Great.

Footnote 233:

The native princes of Judah after its delivery from the Syrian yoke.

Footnote 234:

_were inclosed in that house, and it did not contain them._

Footnote 235:

_became a word._

Footnote 236:

_descended._

CHAP. XC. [SECT. XVIII.[237]]

1. And now, my son Mathusala, call to me all thy brethren, and assemble for me all the children of thy mother; for a voice calls me, and the spirit is poured out upon me, that I may show you everything which shall happen to you for ever.

2. Then Mathusala went, called to him all his brethren, and assembled his kindred.

3. And conversing with all his children in truth,

4. _Enoch_ said, Hear, my children, every word of your father, and listen in uprightness to the voice of my mouth; for I would gain your attention, while I address you. My beloved, be attached to integrity, and walk in it.

5. Approach not integrity with a double heart; nor be associated with double-minded men: but walk, my children, in righteousness, which will conduct you in good paths; and be truth your companion.

6. For I know, that oppression will exist and prevail on earth; that on earth great punishment shall in the end take place; and that there shall be a consummation of all iniquity, which shall be cut off from its root, and every fabric _raised by_ it shall pass away. Iniquity, however, shall again be renewed, and consummated on earth. Every act of crime, and every act of oppression and impiety, shall be a second time embraced.

7. When therefore iniquity, sin, blasphemy, tyranny, and every _evil_ work, shall increase, and _when_ transgression, impiety, and uncleanness also shall increase, _then_ upon them all shall great punishment be inflicted from heaven.

8. The holy Lord shall go forth in wrath, and upon them all shall great punishment from heaven be inflicted.[238]

9. The holy Lord shall go forth in wrath, and with punishment, that he may execute judgment upon earth.

10. In those days oppression shall be cut off from its roots, and iniquity with fraud shall be eradicated, perishing from under heaven.

11. Every place of strength[239] shall be surrendered with its inhabitants; with fire shall it be burnt. They shall be brought from every part of the earth, and be cast into a judgment of fire. They shall perish in wrath, and by a judgment overpowering them[240] for ever.

12. Righteousness shall be raised up from slumber; and wisdom shall be raised up, and conferred upon them.

13. Then shall the roots of iniquity be cut off; sinners perish by the sword; and blasphemers be annihilated everywhere.[241]

14. Those who meditate oppression, and those who blaspheme, by the sword shall perish.[242]

15. And now, my children, I will describe and point out to you the path of righteousness and the path of oppression.

16. I will again point them out to you, that you may know what is to come.

17. Here now, my children, and walk in the path of righteousness, but shun that of oppression; for all who walk in the path of iniquity shall perish for ever.

Footnote 237:

Paris MS.

Footnote 238:

This verse is wanting in the Paris MS. as transcribed by Woide. It
seems in the Bodleian MS. to be a mere lapse of the transcriber, who
wrote the same words twice over.

Footnote 239:

_tower_, _palace_, or _temple_.

Footnote 240:

_powerful judgment._

Footnote 241:

_cut off._

Footnote 242:

Between the 14th and 15th verses of this chapter six others are
inserted both in the Bodleian and Paris MSS., which I have transposed
so as to constitute the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th verses
of the ninety-second chapter. This transposition seemed absolutely
necessary to make sense of that chapter; in which, after the
enumeration of seven weeks, or periods, the account of the eighth,
ninth, and tenth weeks, contained in the verses transposed, seemed
necessary to complete the narrative. Here they are clearly unconnected
and misplaced.

CHAP. XCI. [SECT. XIX.[243]]

1. That which was written by Enoch. He wrote all this instruction of wisdom for every man of dignity, and every judge of the earth; for all my children who shall dwell upon earth, and for subsequent generations, conducting themselves uprightly and peaceably.

2. Let not your spirit be grieved on account of the times; for the holy, the Great One, has prescribed a period[244] to all.

3. Let the righteous man arise from slumber; let him arise, and proceed in the path of righteousness, in all its paths; and let him advance[245] in goodness and in eternal clemency. Mercy shall be showed to the righteous man; upon him shall be conferred integrity and power for ever. In goodness and in righteousness shall he exist, and shall walk in everlasting light; but sin shall perish in eternal darkness, nor be seen from this time forward for evermore.

Footnote 243:

Paris MS.

Footnote 244:

_has given days._

Footnote 245:

_his goings_ be.

CHAP. XCII.

1. After this, Enoch began to speak from a book.

2. And Enoch said, Concerning the children of righteousness, concerning the elect of the world, and concerning the plant of righteousness and integrity.

3. _Concerning_ these things will I speak, and _these things_ will I explain to you, my children: I _who_ am Enoch. In consequence of that which has been shown to me, from my heavenly vision and from the voice of the holy angels have I acquired knowledge; and from the tablet of heaven have I acquired understanding.

4. Enoch then began to speak from a book, and said, I have been born the seventh in the first week, while judgment and righteousness wait with patience.

5. But after me, in the second week, great wickedness shall arise, and fraud shall spring forth.

6. In that week[246] the end of the first shall take place, in which mankind shall be safe.

7. But when _the first_ is completed,[247] iniquity shall grow up; and he shall execute the decree upon sinners.[248]

8. Afterwards, in the third week, during its completion, a man[249] of the plant of righteous judgment shall be selected; and after him the plant of righteousness shall come for ever.

9. Subsequently, in the fourth week, during its completion, the visions of the holy and the righteous shall be seen, the order of generation after generation _shall take place_, and an habitation shall be made for them.[250] Then in the fifth week, during its completion, the house of glory and of dominion[251] shall be erected for ever.

10. After that, in the sixth week, all those who are in it shall be darkened, the hearts of all of them shall be forgetful of wisdom, and in it shall a man[252] ascend.

11. And during its completion he shall burn the house of dominion with fire, and all the race of the elect root shall be dispersed.[253]

12. Afterwards, in the seventh week, a perverse generation shall arise; abundant shall be its deeds, and all its deeds perverse. During its completion, the righteous shall be selected from the everlasting plant of righteousness; and to them shall be given the sevenfold doctrine of his whole creation.

13. Afterwards there shall be another week, the eighth of righteousness, to which shall be given a sword to execute judgment and justice upon all oppressors.

14. Sinners shall be delivered up into the hands of the righteous, who during its completion shall acquire habitations by their righteousness; and the house of the great King shall be established for celebrations for ever. After this, in the ninth week, shall the judgment of righteousness be revealed to the whole world.

15. Every work of the ungodly shall disappear from the whole earth; the world shall be marked for destruction; and all men shall be on the look out for the path of integrity.

16. And after this, on the seventh day of the tenth week, there shall be an everlasting judgment, which shall be executed upon the Watchers; and a spacious eternal heaven shall spring forth in the midst of the angels.

17. The former heaven shall depart and pass away; a new heaven shall appear; and all the celestial powers shine with sevenfold splendour for ever. Afterwards likewise shall there be many weeks, which shall externally exist in goodness and in righteousness.

18. Neither shall sin be named there for ever and for ever.[254]

19. Who is there of all the children of men, capable of hearing the voice of the Holy One without emotion?

20. Who is there capable of thinking his thoughts? Who capable of contemplating all the workmanship of heaven? Who of comprehending the deeds of heaven?

21. He may behold its animation, but not its spirit. He may be capable of conversing _respecting it_, but not of ascending _to it_. He may see all the boundaries of these things, and meditate upon them; but he can make nothing like them.

22. Who of all men is able to understand the breadth and length of the earth?

23. By whom have been seen the dimensions of all these things? Is it every man who is capable of comprehending the extent of heaven; what its elevation is, and by what it is supported?

24. How many are the numbers of the stars; and where all the luminaries remain at rest?

Footnote 246:

_in it._

Footnote 247:

_after it has been completed._

Footnote 248:

The deluge.

Footnote 249:

Abraham.

Footnote 250:

The Law.

Footnote 251:

Temple of Solomon.

Footnote 252:

Nebuchadnezzar.

Footnote 253:

Babylonian captivity.

Footnote 254:

The preceding six verses, viz. 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th,
are taken from between the 14th and 15th verses of the nineteenth
chapter, where they are to be found in the MSS. But the sense in this
place seemed so manifestly to require them here, that I have ventured
to transpose them.

CHAP. XCIII.

1. And now let me exhort you, my children, to love righteousness, and to walk in it; for the paths of righteousness are worthy of acceptation; but the paths of iniquity shall suddenly fail, and be diminished.

2. To men of note in their generation the paths of oppression and death are revealed; but they keep far from them, and do not follow them.

3. Now, too, let me exhort you _who are_ righteous, not to walk in the paths of evil and oppression, nor in the paths of death. Approach them not, that you may not perish; but covet,

4. And choose for yourselves righteousness, and a good life.

5. Walk in the paths of peace, that you may live, and be found worthy. Retain my words in your inmost thoughts, and obliterate them not from your hearts; for I know that sinners counsel men to commit crime craftily. They are not found in every place, nor does every counsel possess a little of them.

6. Woe to those who build up iniquity and oppression, and who lay the foundation of fraud; for suddenly shall they be subverted, and never obtain peace.

7. Woe to those who build up their houses with crime; for from their very foundations shall their houses[255] be demolished, and by the sword shall they _themselves_ fall. Those, too, who acquire gold and silver, shall justly and suddenly perish. Woe to you who are rich, for in your riches have you trusted; but from your riches you shall be removed; because you have not remembered the Most High in the days of your prosperity: [you shall be removed, because you have not remembered the Most High in the days of your prosperity.[256]]

8. You have committed blasphemy and iniquity; and are destined to the day of the effusion of blood, to the day of darkness, and to the day of the great judgment.

9. This I declare and point out to you, that he who created you will destroy you.

10. When you fall, he will not show you mercy; but your Creator will rejoice in your destruction.

11. Let those, then, who shall be righteous among you in those days, detest sinners, and the ungodly.

Footnote 255:

_they._

Footnote 256:

These lines are evidently a repetition of the preceding, from an error
in the transcription. They do not occur in the Paris MS.

CHAP. XCIV.

1. O that my eyes were clouds of water, that I might weep over you, and pour forth my tears like rain,[257] and rest from the sorrow of my heart!

2. Who has permitted you to hate and to transgress? Judgment shall overtake you, ye sinners.

3. The righteous shall not fear the wicked; because God will again bring them into your power, that you may avenge yourselves of them according to your pleasure.

4. Woe to you who shall be so bound by execrations, that you cannot be released from them; the remedy being far removed from you on account of your sins. Woe to you who recompense your neighbour with evil; for you shall be recompensed according to your works.

5. Woe to you, ye false witnesses, you who aggravate iniquity; for you shall suddenly perish.

6. Woe to you, ye sinners; for you reject the righteous; for you receive or reject _at pleasure_ those who _commit_ iniquity; and their yoke shall prevail over you.

Footnote 257:

_a cloud of water._

CHAP. XCV.

1. Wait in hope, ye righteous; for suddenly shall sinners perish from before you, and you shall exercise dominion over them, according to your will.

2. In the day of the sufferings of sinners your offspring shall be elevated, and lifted up like eagles. Your nest shall be more exalted than that of the avest; you shall ascend, and enter into the cavities of the earth, and into the clefts of the rocks for ever, like conies, from the sight of the ungodly;

3. Who shall groan over you, and weep like sirens.

4. You shall not fear those who trouble you; for restoration shall be yours; a splendid light shall shine around you, and the voice of tranquillity shall be heard from heaven. Woe to you, sinners; for your wealth makes you resemble saints, but your hearts reproach you, _knowing_ that you are sinners. This word shall testify against you, for the remembrance of crime.

5. Woe to you who feed upon the glory of the corn, and drink the strength of the deepest spring,[258] and in _the pride of_ your power tread down the humble.

6. Woe to you who drink water at pleasure;[259] for suddenly shall you be recompensed, consumed, and withered, because you have forsaken the fountain of life.

7. Woe to you who act iniquitously, fraudulently, and blasphemously; there shall be a remembrance against you for evil.

8. Woe to you, ye powerful, who with power strike down righteousness; for the day of your destruction shall come; _while_ at that very time many and good days shall be the portion of the righteous,[260] _even_ at the period of your judgment.

Footnote 258:

_of the root of the spring._

Footnote 259:

_at all times._

Footnote 260:

_shall come to the righteous._

CHAP. XCVI.

1. The righteous are confident that sinners will be disgraced, and perish in the day of iniquity.

2. You shall yourselves be conscious of it; for the Most High will remember your destruction, and the angels shall rejoice over it. What will you do ye sinners, and where will you fly in the day of judgment, when you shall hear the words of the prayer of the righteous?

3. You are not like them who in this respect witness against you; you are associates of sinners.

4. In those days shall the prayers of the righteous come up before the Lord. When the day of your judgment shall arrive; and every circumstance of your iniquity be related before the great and the holy One;

5. Your faces shall be covered with shame; while every deed, strengthened by crime, shall be rejected.

6. Woe unto you, sinners, who in the midst of the sea, and on dry land, are those against whom an evil record exists. Woe to you who squander silver and gold, not obtained in righteousness, and say, We are rich, possess wealth, and have acquired everything which we can desire.

7. Now then will we do whatsoever we are disposed to do; for we have amassed silver; our barns are full, and the husbandmen of our families are like overflowing water.[261]

8. Like water shall your falsehood pass away; for your wealth will not be permanent, but shall suddenly ascend from you, because you have obtained it all iniquitously; to extreme malediction shall you be delivered up.

9. And now I swear to you, ye crafty, as well as simple ones; that you, often contemplating the earth, you _who are_ men, clothe yourselves more elegantly[262] than married women, and both together more so than unmarried ones, everywhere _arraying yourselves_ in majesty, in magnificence, in authority, and in silver: but gold, purple, honour, and wealth, like water, flow away.

10. Erudition therefore and wisdom are not theirs. Thus[263] shall they perish, together with their riches, with all their glory, and with their honours;

11. While with disgrace, with slaughter, and in extreme penury, shall their spirits be thrust into a furnace of fire.

12. I have sworn to you, ye sinners, that neither mountain nor hill has been or shall be subservient[264] to woman.

13. Neither in this way has crime been sent down to us[265] upon earth, but men of their own heads have invented it; and greatly shall those who give it efficiency be execrated.

14. Barrenness shall not be _previously_ inflicted on woman; but on account of the work of her hands shall she die childless.

15. I have sworn to you, ye sinners, by the holy and the Great One, that all your evil deeds are disclosed in the heavens; and that none of your oppressive acts are concealed and secret.

16. Think not in your minds, neither say in your hearts, that every crime is not manifested and seen. In heaven it is daily written down before the Most High. Henceforwards shall it be manifested; for every act of oppression which you commit shall be daily recorded, until the period of your condemnation.

17. Woe to you, ye simple ones, for you shall perish in your simplicity. To the wise you will not listen, and that which is good you shall not obtain.[266]

18. Now therefore know that you are destined to the day of destruction; nor hope that sinners shall live; but in process of time you shall die;[267] for you are not marked[268] for redemption;

19. But are destined to the day of the great judgment, to the day of distress, and the extreme ignominy of your souls.