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Chapter 9
He answered me then and said:
Measure thou the time diligently in it self, when thou seest that
one part of the tokens come to pass, which I have told thee before:
so shalt thou understand, that it is the very same time, wherein the
Highest will begin to visit the world, which he made. And when there
shall be seen earthquake and uproar of the people in the world, then
shalt thou well understand, that the most Highest spoke of these
things, from the days that were before thee, even from the
beginning.
For like as all that is made in the world, hath a beginning
and end, and the end is manifest: Even so the times also of the
Highest have plain beginnings in wonders and signs, and the end in
working and in tokens. And every one that shall be saved, and shall
be able to escape by his works and by faith, wherein ye have
believed, shall be preserved from the said perils, and shall see my
favor in my land and within my borders, for I have hallowed me from
the world. Then shall they be in carefulness, which now have abused
my ways: and they that have cast them out despitefully, shall dwell
in pains.
For such as in their life have received benefits and have not
known me, and they that have abhorred my law, while they had yet
freedom, and when they had yet open room of amendment and
consideration, and understood not, but despised it: that same must
know it after death is pain. And therefore be thou no more careful,
how the ungodly shall be punished, and how the righteous shall be
saved, and whose the world is, and for whom the world, and when it
is. Then answered I and said: I have talked before and now I speak,
and will speak also here after, that there be many more of them
which perish, then shall be saved, like as the flood is greater then
the drops.
And he answered me, saying: as the field is, so is also the
seed: as the flowers be, so are the colors also: such as the workman
is, such is also the work: and as the husband man is himself, so is
his husbandry also, for it was the time of the world. And when I
prepared for them that are now, or ever the world was made, wherein
they should dwell, then was there no man that withstood me. Now when
every one was , and the maker also in the world which is now
prepared, and the month that ceased not, and the law which is
unsearchable, their manners were corrupt. So I considered the world,
and behold there was peril, because of the thoughts that were come
into it. And I saw, and spared them greatly, and have kept me a
wineberry of the grapes, and a plant from among many generations.
Let the multitude perish then, which are grown up in vain, and let
my grape and wineberry be kept: even my plant: for with great labor
I have made it up.
Nevertheless if thou wilt take upon thee yet seven days more (
but thou shall not fast in them ) go thy way then into the field of
flowers, where no house is builded, and eat only of the flowers of
the field, taste not flesh, drink no wine, but eat flowers only.
Pray unto the Highest continually, so will I come, and talk with
thee.
So I went my way and came in to the field which is called *Ardath
( like as he commanded me ) and there I sat among the flowers, and
ate of the herbs of the field, and the meat of the same satisfied
me. After seven days I sat upon the grass, and my heart was vexed
within me like afore: and I opened my mouth, and began to talk
before the Highest, and said: O' Lord, thou that showest thy self to
us, thou hast declared and opened thy self unto our fathers in the
wilderness, in a place where no man dwelleth, in a barren place,
when they came out of Egypt, and thou speakest saying: Hear me O
Israel, and mark my words thou seed of Jacob. Behold, I saw my law
in you, and it shall bring fruit in you, and yee shall be honored in
it forever. For our fathers which received the law, kept it not, and
observed not thy ordinances and statutes, and the fruit of thy law
was not declared: for it might not, for why? it was thine. For they
that received it, perished, because they kept not the thing that was
sown in them.
It is a custom when the ground receiveth seed, or the sea a
ship, or a vessel meat and drink, that when it perisheth or is
broken wherein a thing is sown, or where any thing is put: the
things also perish and are broken, which are sown or put therein.
But unto us it hath not happened so: for we that have received the
law, perish in sin, and sure heart which also received the law: not
withstanding the law perisheth not, but remaineth in his labor.
And when I considered these things in my heart after this
manner, I looked about me with mine eyes, and upon the right side I
saw a woman, which mourned sore, made great lamentation, and wept
with loud voice: her clothes were rent in pieces, and she had ashes
on her head.
Then let I my thoughts go, that I was in, and turned me unto
her, and said: wherefore weepiest thou? why art thou so sorry and
discomforted? And she said unto me: Sir, let me bewail myself and
take yet more sorrow: for I am sore vexed in my mind, and brought
very low. And I said unto her: what aileth thee? Or who hath done
anything to thee? tell me. She said: I have been unfruitful and
barren, and have had a husband thirty years. And these thirty years
I do nothing else day and night and all hours, but make my prayer to
the Highest. After thirty years God heard me thy handmaiden, looked
upon my misery, considered my trouble, and gave me a son, and I was
glad of him, so was my husband also and all my neighbors, and we
gave great honor unto the Mighty. And I nourished him with great
travail. So when he grew up, and came to the time, that he should
have a wife, I made a feast.
* Ard = "I shall subdue" & ah= ah!, alas!,
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Chapter 10
And it happened that when my son
went to his chamber, he fell down, and died: then over through we
all the lights, and all my neighbors rose up to comfort me. Then
took I my rest unto the second day at night: and when they had all
rested, that they might comfort me, I rested also, and rose up by
night and fled, and am come hither in to this field, as thou seest:
and am proposed not to come in the city, but to remain here, and
neither to eat nor drink, but to continually mourn and fast, until I
die.
Then let I my meditations and thoughts fall, that I was in,
and spake unto her in displeasure: Thou foolish woman, seest thou
not our heaviness and mourning, and what happeneth unto us? how Sion
our mother is all woeful and sorry, and how she is clean brought
down and in misery? seeing we be all now in heaviness, and make our
moan ( for we be all sorrowful ). As for the heaviness that thou
takest, it is for but one son. Demand the earth, and she shall tell
thee, that it is she which ought ( by reason ) to mourn, for the
fall of so many that grow upon her. For from the beginning all men
are born of her, and other shall come: and behold, they walk almost
all into destruction, and many shall be rooted out.
Who should then ( by reason ) make more mourning, then she,
that hath lost so great a multitude? and not thou, which are sorry
but for one. But if thou would sayest unto me: My mourning is not
like the mourning of the earth, for I have lost the fruit of my
body, which I bear with heaviness: but the earth is according to the
manner of the earth, and the present multitude goeth again into her,
as it is come to pass: Then say I unto thee: like as thou hast born
with travail and sorrow, even so also the earth from the beginning
giveth her fruit unto man, for him that made her. And therefore
withhold thy sorrow and heaviness by thy self, and look what
happened unto thee, bear it strongly. For if thou judgest the mark
and end of God to be righteous and good, and receive his counsel in
time, thou shalt be commended therein. Go thy way then in to the
city to thy husband.
And she said unto me: that will I not do, I will not go into
the city, but here will I die. So I communed more with her, and
said: Do not so, but be counseled, and follow me: for how many falls
hath Sion? Be of good comfort because of the sorrow of Jerusalem.
For thou seest that our Sanctuary is laid waste, our altar broken,
our temple destroyed, our playing of instruments and singing laid
down, the thanksgiving put to silence, our mirth is vanished away,
the light of our candlestick is quenched, the ark of the covenant is
taken from us, all our holy things are defiled, and the name that is
called upon over us, is dishonored: our children are put to shame,
our priests are burnt, our Levites are carried away into captivity,
our virgins are defiled, our wives are ravished, our righteous men
spoiled, and our children destroyed, our young men are brought in
bondage, and our strong worthies are become weak: and Sion ( which
seal is greatest of all ) is loosed up from her worship: for she is
delivered into the hands of them that hate us.
And therefore shake off thy great heaviness, and put away the
multitude of sorrows: that the Mighty may be merciful unto thee, and
that the Highest may give thee rest from thy labor and travail. And
it happened, that when I was talking with her, her face did shine
and glister, so that I was afraid of her, and mused what it might
be. And immediately she cast out a great voice, very fearful, so
that the earth shook at the noise of the woman: and I looked, and
behold, the woman appeared unto me no more: but their was a city
builded, and a place was shown from the ground and foundation.
Then was I afraid, and crieth with loud voice, and said: where
is Uriel the angel, which came to me at the first? For he hath
caused me to come in many considerations and high thoughts, and mine
end is turned to corruption, and my prayer to rebuke. And as I was
speaking these words, he came unto me, and looked upon me, and I lay
as one that had been dead, and mine understanding was altered, and
he took me up by the right hand, and comforted me, and set me up
upon my feet, and said unto me: what aileth thee? and why is thy
understanding vexed? and the understanding of thy heart, and
wherefore art thou sorry? And I said: Because thou hast forsaken me:
and I have not done according to thy words, I went in to the field,
and there have I seen things, that I am not able to express. He said
unto me: Stand up and be manly, and I shall give thee exhortation.
Then said I: Speak on to me my Lord, forsake me not, least I
die in vain: for I have seen that I knew not, and heard that I do
not know. Or shall my understanding be deceived, and my mind? But
now I beseech thee, that thou will show thy servant of this wonder.
He answered me then and said: hear me, and I shall inform thee, and
tell thee wherefore thou art afraid, for the Highest hath opened
many secret things unto thee.
He hath seen that thy way is right, and that thou takest
sorrow continually for thy people, and maketh great lamentation for
Sion: and therefore understand the vision which thou sawest a little
while ago after this manner: Thou sawest a woman mourning, and thou
hast comforted her: Nevertheless seest now the likeness of the woman
no more, but thou thoughtest there was a city builded: and like as
she told you of the fall of her son, so is this the answer,: The
woman whom thou sawest, is Sion: and where as she told thee, that
she hath been thirty years unfruitful and barren, those are the
thirty years, wherein no offering was made in her.
But after thirty years Solomon builded her, and offered, and
then bare the barren a son. And where as she told thee, that she
nourish him with labor, that was the dwelling of Jerusalem. But
where as the son died in her chamber, that is the fall of Jerusalem.
And thou sawest her likeness, how she mourned for her son: and what
else happened unto her, I have showed thee. And now God seeth, that
thou art sorry in mind, and sufferest from thy heart for her, and so
hath he showed thee her clearness, and the fairness of her beauty.
And therefore I had thee remain in the field, where no house
is builded. For I knew that the Highest would show this unto thee,
therefore I commanded thee to go into the field, where no foundation
or building is. For the place where the Highest will show his city,
there shall be no mans building, And there for fear not, and let not
thine heart be afraid, but go thy way in, and see the glorious and
fair building, and how great it is, and how great thou thinkest it
after the measure of thine eyes, and then thou shall hear as much as
thine ears may comprehend. For thou art blessed above many other,
and art called with the Highest, as the few. But tomorrow at night
thou shalt remain here, and so shall the Highest show thee visions
of high things, which he will do unto them, that dwell upon earth in
the last days. So I slept that same night like as he commanded me.
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Chapter 11
Then saw I a dream: and behold,
there came up from the sea an Eagle, which had twelve wings and
three heads: And I saw, and behold, *he spread his wings over all
the earth, and all the winds of the air blew in them, and so they
were put together again. And I beheld, and out of his feathers there
grew other little contrary feathers: the heads rested, the head in
the midst was greater that the others, yet rested it with the
residue.
Moreover I saw, that the eagle flew with his wings, and
reigned upon the earth, and over all them that dwell upon the earth:
and I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto him, and no
man spoke against him, no not one creature upon the earth. I saw
also that the Eagle stood up on his claws, and give a sound with his
feathers, and a voice saying things after this manner: watch not all
together, sleep every man in his own place, and watch for a time,
but let the heads be preserved at the last. Nevertheless I saw, that
the voice went not out of his heads, but from the midst of his body.
And I numbered his contrary feathers, and behold there were eight of
them. And I looked, and behold upon the right side there arose one
feather, and reigned over all the earth. And it happened, that when
it reigned, the end of it came, and the place thereof appeared no
more. So the next following stood up, and reigned, and had a great
time: and it happened, that when it reigned, the end of it came
also, like as the first, so that it appeared no more.
Then came there a voice unto it, and said: Hear thou that hast
kept in the earth so long, this I say unto thee, before thou
beginest to appear no more: There shall none after thee attain unto
thy time. Then arose the third, and reigned as the other afore, and
appeared no more also. So went it with all the residue one after the
other, so that every one reigned, and then appeared no more. Then I
looked, and behold, in the process of time that the feathers that
followed were set up upon the right side, that they might rule also:
and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more:
for some of them were set up, but ruled not. After this I looked,
and behold the twelve feathers appeared no more, and that two wings:
and there were no more upon the Eagles body, but the two heads that
rested, and six feathers. Then saw I also, that the six feathers
were parted in two, and remained under the head, that was upon the
right side, for the four continued in their place. So I looked, and
behold, they that were under the wings, thought to set up
themselves, and to have the rule. Then was there one set up, but
shortly it appeared no more, and the second was sooner away than the
first. And I beheld, and lo, the two thought also by themselves to
reign: and when they so thought, behold there awaked one of the
heads that were at rest, namely, it that was in the midst, for that
was the greater of the two heads. And then I saw, that the two heads
were filled with him and the head was turned with them that were by
him, and eat up the two under wings , that would have reigned.
But this head put the whole earth in fear, and bare rule in
it, over all those that dwelt upon the earth with much labor, and he
had the governance of the world, over all the fowls that have been.
After this I looked , and behold, the head that was in the midst,
suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings: then came the two
heads, which ruled upon the earth, and over those that dwelt
therein. And I beheld, and lo the head upon the right side, devoured
it that was upon the left side. And I heard a voice, which said unto
me: look before thee, and consider the thing that thou seest. Then I
saw, and behold, as it were a lion that roareth, running hastily out
of the wood, and he sent out a mans voice unto the Eagle, and said:
Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the Highest shall say unto
thee: Is it not thou that hast the victory of the four beasts, whom
I made to reign upon the earth and in my world, and that the end of
their times might come through them?
And the fourth came, and *overwane, subdue all the beasts that
were past, and had power over the world with great fearfulness, and
over the whole compass of the earth with the most wicked labor, and
so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit, and the earth thou
hast not judged the truth. For thou hast troubled the meek, thou
hast hurt the peaceable and quiet, thou hast loved lies, and
destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast
cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm. Therefore is thy
wrongeous dealing and blasphemy come up unto the Highest, and thy
pride unto the Mighty. The Highest also hath looked upon the proud
times, and behold, they are ended, and their abominations are
fulfilled. And therefore appear no more thou Eagle, and thy horrible
wings, and thy wicked feathers, and thy ungracious heads, and thy
sinful claws, and all thy vain body: that the earth may be
refreshed, and come again to herself, when she is delivered from thy
violence, and that she may hope for the judgement and mercy of him
that made her.
Note Eagle *he spread his wings "over all the earth". *overwane=
lord over (sml l ) over / diminish, weaken.
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Chapter 12
And it
happened when the Lion spake, these words unto the Eagle, I saw, and
behold, the head that afore had the upper hand, appeared no more:
neither did the four wings appear any more, that came to him, and
were set up to reign: and their kingdom was small and full of
uproar. And I saw, and behold, they appeared no more, and the whole
body of the Eagle was burnt, and the earth was in great fear. Then
awakened I out of the trance of my mind, and from great fear, and
said unto my spirit: Lo, this hast thou given me, in that thou
searchest out the ways of the Highest: lo, yet I am weary in my
mind, and very weak in my spirit, and little strength is there in
me, for the great fear that I received this night. Therefore will I
now beseech the Highest, that he will comfort me unto the end: And I
said, Lord, Lord, if I have before thy sight, and if I am justified
with thee before many other, and if my prayer be come up before thy
face, comfort me then, and show me thy servant the interpretation
and plain difference of this horrible sight, that thou mayest
perfectly comfort my soul: for thou hast judged me worthy, to show
me the last of times.
And he said unto me: this is the interpretation of this sight.
The Eagle whom thou saw sawest come up from the sea, is the kingdom
which was seen in the vision of thy brother Daniel, but it was not
expounded unto him, for now I declare it unto thee. Behold, the days
come, that there shall rise up a kingdom upon the earth, and it
shall be feared above all the kingdoms that were before it. In the
same kingdom shall twelve kings reign, one after the other. For the
second shall begin to reign, and shall have more time than the
other, and this do the twelve wings signify, which thou sawest. As
for the voice that spake, and that thou sawest go out from the heads
but not from the body, it be tokeneth, that after the time of that
kingdom there shall arise great strivings, and it shall stand in
peril of falling: nevertheless it shall not yet fall, but shall be
set in to his beginning. And the eight under wings which thou sawest
hang unto the wings of him, betoken, that in him there shall arise
eight kings, whose time shall be small, and their years swift, and
two of them shall bear. But when the midst time cometh, there shall
be four kept in that time, when his time begineth to come that it
may be ended, but two shall be kept unto the end.
And where as thou sawest three heads resting, this is the
interpretation: In his last shall the Highest raise up three
kingdoms, and call many again into them, and they shall have the
dominion of the earth, and of those that dwell therein, with much
labor above all those that were before them. Therefore are they
called the heads of the Eagle: for it is they that shall bring forth
his wickedness again, and that shall perform and finish his last.
And where as thou sawest, that the great head appeared no more, it
signifieth, that one of them shall die upon his bed, and yet with
pain, for the two that remain, shall be slain with the sword. For
the sword of the one shall devour the other, but at the last shall
he fall through the sword himself.
And where as thou sawest two underwings upon the head that is
on the right side, it signifieth that it is they, whom the Highest
hath kept unto their end: this is a small kingdom, full of trouble.
The Lion whom thou sawest rising up out of the wood, and roaring,
and speaking unto the Eagle, and rebuking him for his
unrighteousness, is the wind, which the Highest hath kept for them
and for their wickedness unto the end: he shall reprove them, and
rent them asunder before them. For he shall set them living before
the judgement, and shall rebuke them: for the residue of my people
shall he deliver with trouble, those that be preserved over mine
ends: and he shall make them joyful until the coming day of
Judgement, where of I have spoken unto thee from the beginning. This
is the dream that thou sawest, and this is the interpretation. Thou
only hast been meat to know the secret of the Highest.
Therefore write all these things that thou hast seen in a
book, and hide them, and teach them the wise in the people, whos
hearts thou knowest may comprehend and keep these secrets. But wait
thou here thyself yet seven days more, that it may be showed the ,
whatsoever pleaseth the Highest to declare unto thee, and with that
he went his way.
And when all the people perceived, that the seven days were
past, And I come again into the city, they gathered them all
together from the least to the most, and came unto me, and said:
what have we offended thee? and what evil have we done against thee,
that thou forsake us, and sitteth here in this place? For of all the
people thou only are left us, as a grape of the vine, and as a
candle in a dark place, and as a haven a ship preserved from the
tempest. Have we not adversity enough, but thou must forsake us?
Were it not better for us, that we had been burnt with Sion? For we
are no better, then they that died there: and they wept with loud
voice. Then answered I them and said: Be of good comfort O' Israel,
be not heavy thou house of Jacob: for the Highest hath you in
remembrance, and the Mighty hath not forgotten you in temptation. As
for me, I have not forsaken you, neither am I departed from you: but
am come into this place to pray, because of the misery of Israel,
that I might seek mercy for the low estate of your Sanctuary. And
now go your way home every man, and after these days will I come
unto you. So the people went their way into the city, like as I
commanded them: but I remained in the field seven days, as the Angel
bade me: and I ate only of the flowers of the field, and had my meat
of the herbs in those days.
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Chapter 13
And it happened after the seven
days, that I dreamed a dream by night. And behold, there arose a
wind from the sea, that it moved all the floods thereof. And I
looked, and behold, the man was strong and increased with the clouds
of heaven: And when he turned his countenance to consider, all the
things trembled that were seen under him: and when the voice went
out of his mouth, all they burnt that heard him, like as the earth
when it feeleth the fire.
After these I saw, and behold there was gathered together a
multitude of men out of number from the four winds of the heaven, to
fight against the man, that came out from the sea. And I looked, and
behold, he graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it. But
I would have seen the border or place, where out the hill was
graven, and I could not.
I saw after these, that all they which came to fight against
him, were sore afraid, and yet *durst they fight. Nevertheless when
he saw the fierceness and violence of the people, he neither lift up
his hand nor held sword, nor any weapon: but only (as I saw ) he
sent out of his mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his
lips the wind of flame: and out of his tongue he cast sparks and
storms, and they were all mixed together : the blast of fire, the
wind of the flames, and the great storm, and fell with a rush upon
the people, which was prepared to fight and brunt them up everyone:
so that of the innumerable multitude there was nothing seen, but
only dust and smoke. When I saw this I was afraid.
Afterward saw I the same man come down from the mountain, and
calling unto him another peaceable people: and there came much
people unto him: some were glad some were sorry, some of them were
bound, so that they were carried and brought forth.
Then was I sick through great fear, and I awaked, and said:
thou hast shown thy servant all thy wonders from the beginning, and
hast counted me worthy, that thou mightest receive my prayer: show
me now yet this interpretation of this dream. For thus I consider in
my understanding: Woe unto them that shall be left in those days:
and much more woe unto them that are not left behind: for they that
were not left, were in heaviness.
Now understand I the things that are laid up in the latter
days which shall happen unto them, and to those that are not left
behind. Therefore they are come into great perils, and many
necessities, like as these dreams declare. Yet is it easier, that he
which suffereth hurt come in these, then to pass away as a cloud out
of the world, and now to see the things that shall happen in the
last.
Then answered he me, and said: The interpretation of the sight
shall I show thee, and I will open unto thee, the things that thou
hast required. For thou hast spoken of them that are left behind,
and this is the interpretation. He that taketh away the peril in
that time, hath kept himself. They that be fallen into harm, are
such as have works and faith unto the Most mighty. Know this
therefore, that they which be left behind, are more blessed, then
they that be dead. This is the meaning of the vision. Where as thou
sawest a man coming up from the deep of the sea, the same is he that
God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self will
deliver his creature, and he shall order them that are left behind.
And where as thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came a blast
of wind, fire and storm, and how that he lift up neither sword nor
weapon, but that the rushing in of him destroyed the whole
multitude, that came to fight against him: it signifieth, that the
days come, when God will deliver them that are upon the earth, and
in a trance of mind shall he come upon them, that dwell in the
earth. And one shall undertake to fight against another, one city
against another, one place against another, one people against
another, one realm against another. When this cometh to pass, then
shall the tokens come, that I showed thee before: and then shall my
son be declared, whom thou sawest climb up as a man. And when all
the people hear his voice every man shall in their own land leave
the battle that they have one against another, an innumerable
multitude shall be gathered together, as they that be willing to
come and to overcome him by fighting. But he shall stand upon the
top of mount Sion. Nevertheless Sion shall come, and shall be
showed, being prepared and builded for all men, like as thou sawest
the hill graven forth without any hands. But my son shall rebuke the
people that are come for their wickedness, with the tempest, and for
their evil imaginations: and their pains wherewith they shall be
punished, are likened unto the flame: and with out any labor, shall
he destroy them, even by the law, which is compared to the fire.
And whereas thou sawest, that he gathered another peaceable
people unto him: those are the ten tribes, which were carried away
prisoners out of their own land, in the time of *Oseas the King,
whom *Salmanasar the King of Assiria took prisoner, and carried them
over the water, and so they came into another land.
But they gave them this counsel, that they should leave the
multitude of the Heathen, and go forth into a farther country, where
never mankind dwelt: that they might there keep their statutes,
which they never kept in their own land. And so they entered in at
the narrow passages of water of the Euphrates, and God showed tokens
for them, and held still the flood till they were passed over: for
through that country there was a great way, namely of a year and a
half journey, for that same region is called Asareth. Then dwelt
they there unto the latter time: and when they come forth again, the
Highest shall hold still the springs of the stream again, that they
may go through, therefore thou sawest the multitude with peace. And
they that be left behind of thy people, are those that be found
within my border. Now when he destroyeth the multitude that is
gathered together, he shall defend his people that remain, and then
shall he show them great wonders.
Then said I: O' Lord, Lord, show me this: wherefore have I
seen the man coming up from the deep of the sea? And he said unto
me: Like as thou canst neither seek out nor know these things that
are in the deep of the sea, even so mayest thou not see my son, or
those that be with him, but in the time of the day. This is the
interpretation of the dream which thou sawest, therefore thou only
art here lightened: for thou hast forsaken thine own law, and
applied thy diligence unto mine, and sought it. Thy life thou hast
ordered in wisdom, and hast called understanding your mother, and
therefore have I showed thee the treasure of the Highest. After
three days I will show thee more, and talk with thee at more large,
yee heavy and wondrous things will I declare unto thee.
Then went I forth into the field, giving praise and thanks
greatly unto God, because of his wonders which he did in time, and
because he governeth the same, and such as is in time, and there I
sat three days.
*durst= dare *Oseas = Hosea, *Salmanasar = Shalmaneser
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Chapter 14
Upon the third
day I sat under an oak tree, then came there a voice unto me out of
the bush, and said: Esdras, Esdras? And I said: here am I Lord, and
stood up on my feet. Then spake he unto me: In the bush did I appear
unto Moses, and talked with him, when my people served in Egypt, and
I sent him, and led my people out of Egypt, and brought him upon
mount Sion, where I held him by me a long season, and told him my
wondrous works, and showed him the secrets of the times and the end,
and commanded him, saying: These words shalt thou declare, and not
hide them. And now I say unto thee, that thou lay up in thy heart
the dreams that thou hast seen, and the interpretations which I have
showed thee: for thou shalt be received of all, thou shalt be turned
and remain in my counsel, and with such as be like thee, until the
times be ended. For the world hath lost his youth, and the time is
divided into twelve parts, and ten parts of it are gone already, and
half of the tenth part: yet remaineth there that, which is after the
half of the tenth part.
Therefore prepare and order thy house, and reform thy people:
comfort such of them as be in trouble: and tell now of the
destruction: let go from thee all mortal thoughts: cast away the
berthens of man: put off the weak nature: lay up in some places the
thoughts that are most heavy unto thee, and hast thee to flight from
these times: for such evil and wickedness as thou hast now seen
happen, shall they do yet much worse. For the weaker that the world
and the times is, the more shall sin and wickedness increase, in
them that dwell upon the earth: For the truth is fled far away, and
the leasing is hard at hand. For now hasteth the vision to come,
that thou hast seen.
Then answered I and said: Behold Lord, I will go as thou hast
commanded me, and reform the people which are present. But they that
shall be born afterward, who will exhort or rebuke them? Thus the
world is set in darkness, and they that dwell therein, are without
light: for thy law is kindled, because no man knoweth the things
that are done of thee, or that shall be done. If I have found grace
before thee, send the holy ghost into me, and I shall write all that
hath been done in the world since the beginning, which was written
in thy law, that men may find the path, and that they which will
live in the latter days, may live.
And he answered me, saying: Go thy way, gather thy people
together, and say unto them, that they seek thee not for forty days,
but look thou gather the many box trees, and take with thee Sarea,
Dabria, Selemia, Echanus and Asiall, these five, which are ready to
write swiftly, and come hither, and I shall light a candle of
understanding in thine heart which shall not be put out, till the
things be performed which thou shalt begin to write. Then shalt thou
declare some things openly unto the perfect, and some things thou
shalt show secretly to the wise. Tomorrow this hour thou shalt begin
to write.
Then went I forth (as he commanded me) and gathered all the
people together, and said: Hear these words O' Israel: Our fathers
from the beginning were strangers in Egypt, from whence they were
delivered, and received the law of life, which they kept not, which
thee have also transgressed after them. Then was this land and the
land of Sion parted among you by lot to possess. But your fathers
and yee yourselves also have done unrighteousness, and have not kept
the ways which the Highest commanded you. And for so much as he is a
righteous judge, he took from you in time the thing that he had
given you. And now are yee here and your brethren among you.
Therefore if so be that yee will subdue your own understanding, and
reform your heart, ye shall be kept alive, and after death ye shall
obtain mercy. For after death shall the judgement come, when we
shall live again: and then shall the names of the righteous be
manifest, and the names of the ungodly with their works shall be
declared. Let no man therefore come now unto me, nor ask any
question at me these forty days.
So I took the five men (as he commanded me) and we went into
the field, and remained there. The next days a voice called me
saying: Esdras, open thy mouth, and behold, he reached me a full
cup, which was full a water, but the color of it was like fire. And
I took it and drank. And when I had drunk it , my heart had
understanding, and wisdom grew in my breast: for my spirit was kept
in remembrance, and my mouth was opened and shut no more. The
Highest gave understanding to the five men, that they wrote the high
things of the night, which they understood not. But in the night
they ate bread: as for me, I spake in the day, and held not my
tongue by night. In forty days, they wrote two hundred and four
books.
And it happened when the forty days were fulfilled, that the
Highest spake, saying: The first that thou hast written, speak
openly, that the worthy and the unworthy may read it. But keep the
seventy last that thou mayest show it only to such as be wise among
thy people. For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain
of wisdom, and the stream of knowledge. And I did so.
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Chapter 15
Behold speak thou in the ears of
my people the words of the prophecy, which I will put in thy mouth,
sayeth the Lord: and cause this to be written in a letter, for it is
the truth. Fear not the imaginations against thee, let not the
unfaithfulness of them trouble thee, that speak against thee. For
all the unfaithful shall die in their unfaithfulness. Behold sayeth
the Lord, I will bring plagues upon the world, the sword hunger,
death and destruction: for wickedness hath the upper hand in all the
earth, and their shameful works are fulfilled.
Therefore sayeth the Lord: I will hold my tongue no more unto
their wickedness, which they do so ungodly: neither will I suffer
them in the things, that they deal with all so wickedly. Behold the
innocent blood of the troubled crieth unto me, and the souls of the
righteous complain continually: And therefore (sayeth the Lord) I
will surely avenge and recause unto me all the innocent blood from
among them.
Behold, my people, is led as a flock of sheep to be slain, I
will not suffer them now to dwell in Egypt, but will bring them out
with a mighty hand and a stretched out arm, and smite it with
plagues as before, and will destroy all the land of it. Egypt will
mourn, and the foundations of it shall be smitten with the plague
and punishment, that God shall bring upon it.
They that till the ground, shall mourn: for their feeds shall
be destroyed through the blasting and hail, and an horrible star Do
warneth the world and them that dwell therin, for the sword and
their destruction draweth nigh, and one people shall stand up to
fight against another, and swords in their hands. For men shall be
unsteadfast, and some shall do violence unto the other: they shall
not regard their king and princes, the ways of their doings and the
handlings in their power. A man shall desire to go into the city,
and shall not be able. For because of their pride the cities shall
be brought in fear, the houses shall shake, and men shall be afraid.
A man shall have no pity upon his neighbor, but one shall provoke
another unto battle to spoil their goods because of the hunger of
bread, and because of the great trouble.
Behold, I gather together and call together all the kings of
the earth which are from the uprising, from the South, from the East
and Libanus to turn unto them, and restore the things they have
given them. Like as they do yet this day unto my chosen, so will I
do also, and recompense them in their bosom. Thus sayeth the Lord
God: My right hand shall not spare the sinners, and my sword shall
not cease over them, that shed the innocent blood upon the earth.
The fear has gone out from his wrath, and the sinners like the straw
that is kindled. Do warneth them that sin, and keep not my
commandments, sayeth the Lord. I will not spare them. Go your way ye
children from violence, defile not my sanctuary: for the Lord
knoweth all them that sin against him, and therefore delivereth he
them unto death and destruction: for now are the plagues come upon
the world, and ye shall remain in them. For God shall not deliver
you, because you have sinned against him.
Behold, an horrible vision cometh from the East, where
generations of Dragons shall come out, and the people of the Arabes
with many chariots, and the multitude of them shall be as the wind
upon the earth, that all that hear them raging in their wrath, may
fear and be afraid: and as the wild boars out of the wood, so shall
they go out, and with great power shall they come, and stand
fighting with them, and shall waste the portion of the land of the
Assirians.
And then shall the Dragons have the upper hand, not
remembering their birth, and shall turn about swearing together in
great power, to persecute them. But these shall be afraid, and keep
silence at their power, and shall flee: and one out of the land of
the Assirians shall besiege them, and consume one of them, and in
their host shall be fear and dread, and strife among their kings.
Behold clouds from the East, and from the North unto the
South, and they are very horrible to look upon, full of wrath and
storm. They shall smite one upon another, and they shall smite at
the great star upon earth and their star, and the blood shall be
from the sword unto the belly, and the smoke of man unto the camels
litter: And there shall be great fearfulness and trembling upon the
earth, and they that see wrath shall be afraid, and a trembling
shall come upon them.
And then shall there come great rains from the South and from
the North, and part from the West, and from the stormy wind from the
East, and shall shut them up again, and the cloud which he raised up
in wrath, and the star to cause fear toward the East and West wind,
shall be destroyed: and the great clouds shall be lift up, and the
mighty clouds full of wrath, and the star, that they may make all
the earth afraid and them that dwell therin, and that they may pour
out over all places an horrible star, fire and hail and flying
swords, and many waters: that all fields may be full, and all
rivers, and they shall break down the cities and walls, mountains
and hills, all trees, wood, and the grass of the meadows, and all
their fruit. And they shall go steadfast into Babylon, and make her
afraid, they shall come to her and besiege her: the star and all
wrath shall they pour out upon her.
Then shall the dust and smoke go up unto heaven, and all they
that be about her, shall bewail her: and they that remain under her,
shall do service unto them that have put her in fear: And thou Asia
that comfort thyself also upon the hope of Babylon, and art a
worshipper of her person: Woe be unto thee thou wretch, because thou
hast made thyself like unto her, and hast decked thy daughters in
whoredom, that they might triumph and please thy lovers, which have
always desired to commit whoredom with thee: thou hast followed the
abominable city in all her works and inventions.
Therefore sayeth God: I will send plagues upon thee,
widowhood, poverty, hunger, wars, and pestilence, to waste thy
houses with destruction and death, and the glory of thy power shall
be dried up as a flower, when the heat ariseth that is sent over
thee. Thou shalt *bespeck as a poor wife that is plagued and beaten
of women: so that the mighty and lover shall not be able to receive
thee. Would I so hate thee sayeth the Lord? If thou haddest not
always slain my chosen, exalting the stoke of thy hands, and said
over their death, when thou wast drunken: set forth the beauty of
thy countenance.
The reward of thy whoredom shall be recompensed thee in thy
bosom, therefore shalt thou receive reward.
Like as thou hast done unto my chosen ( sayeth the Lord ) even
so shall God do unto thee, and shall deliver thee into the plague.
Thy children shall die of hunger, and thou shall fall through the
sword. Thy cities shall be broken down, and all thine shall perish
with the sword in the field. They that be in the mountains shall die
of hunger, and eat their own flesh, and drink their own blood for
very hunger of bread and thirst of water. Thou unhappy shalt come
through the sea, and receive plagues again.
In the passage they shall cast down the slain city, and shall
root out one part of thy land, and consume the portion of thy glory.
They shall tread the down like stubble, and they shall be thy fire
and shall consume thee: thy cities and thy land, thy wood and thy
fruitful trees shall they burn up with the fire. Thy children shall
they carry away captive, and look what thou hast, they shall spoil
it, and mar the beauty of thy face.
*bespeck= speaking; to give grounds for believing
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Chapter 16
Woe be unto thee Babylon and
Asia, woe be unto thee Egypt and Syria: gird yourselves with clothes
of sack and hear, and mourn for your childern, be sorry, for your
destruction is at hand. A sword is sent upon you, and who will turn
it back? A fire is kindled among you, and who will quench it:
Plagues are sent unto you, and what is he that will drive them away?
May any man drive away an hungry lion in the woods? Or may any man
quench the fire in the stubble, when it hath gone to burn? May one
turn again the arrow, that is shot of a strong archer? The mighty
Lord sendeth the plagues, and what is he that will drive them away?
The fire is kindled and gone forth in his wrath, and what is he that
will quench it? He shall cast lightings, and who shall no fear? He
shall thunder, and who shall not be afraid: The Lord shall threaten
and who shall not utterly be beaten to powder at his presence? The
earth quaketh, and the foundations thereof: the sea ariseth up with
waves from the deep, and the floods of it are unquiet and the fishes
thereof also before the Lord, and before the glory of his power. For
strong is his right hand that holdeth the bow, his arrows that he
shooteth, are sharp, and shall not miss, when they begin to be shot
to the ends of the world.
Behold, the plagues are sent, and shall not turn again, till
they come upon the earth. The fire is kindled, and shall not be put
out, till it consume the foundations of the earth. Like as an arrow
shot of a mighty archer, returneth not backward: even so the plagues
that shall be sent upon the earth, shall not turn again. Woe is me,
woe is me, who will deliver me in those days? The beginning of
sorrows and great mourning: the beginning of *darth and great death:
the beginning of wars, and the powers shall stand in fear: the
beginning of evils, and they shall tremble everyone. What shall I do
in these things, when the plagues come? Behold, hunger, and plague,
trouble and anguish are sent, as scourging for amendment. But for
all these things they shall not turn from their wickedness, nor be
always mindful of the scourging.
Behold, vitals shall be so good cheap upon the earth, that
they shall think them selves to be in good case? And even then shall
mischief grow up upon the earth, wars, darth and great disquietness.
For many of them that dwell upon the earth shall perish of hunger,
and the other that escape the hunger, shall the sword destroy: And
the dead shall be cast out as dung, and there should be no man to
comfort them. For the earth shall be wasted, and the cities shall be
cast down: there shall be no man left to till the earth and to sew
it. The trees shall give fruit, and who shall pluck them of and
gather them? The grapes shall be ripe, and who shall tread them: for
all the places shall be desolate of men, so that one man shall
desire to see another, or to hear his voice. For of one whole city
there shall be ten left, and two in the field, which shall hide
themselves in the thick bushes, and in the cliffs of stones: like as
when there remain three or four olives upon the tree, or as when a
vineyard is gathered there are left some grapes, of them that
diligently sought through the vineyard.
Even so, in those days there shall be three or four left, for
them that search their houses with the sword. And the earth shall be
left waste, and the fields thereof shall wear old: and her ways and
her paths shall grow full of thorns, because no man shall travel
there through. The daughters shall mourn, having no bridegrooms: the
women shall make lamentation, having no husbands, their daughters
shall mourn, having no help of their bride groom. In the wars shall
they be destroyed, and their husbands shall perish of hunger. O' ye
servants of the Lord, hear these things, and mark them. Behold, the
word of the Lord, O' receive it: behold the plagues draw near, and
are not slack in tarrying. Like as a travailing woman, which after
nine months bringeth forth a son, when the hour of the birth is
come, an hour two or three afore that the pains come upon her body,
and when the child cometh to the birth, they tarry not the twinkling
of an lie: Even so shall not the plagues be slack to come upon the
earth, and the world shall mourn, and sorrows shall come upon it on
every side.
O' my people, hear my word, make you ready to the battle: and
in all evil be as pilgrims upon the earth He that selleth, let him
be as he that flyeth his way: and he that buyeth, as one that will
lease. Who so occupieth merchandise, as he that winneth not: and he
that buildeth, as he that shall not dwell therin: he that soweth, as
one that shall not reap: he that twisteth the vineyard, as he that
shall not gather the grapes: they that marry, as they that shall get
no children: and they that marry not, as the widows: and therefore
they that labor, labor in vain. For strangers shall reap their
fruits, and spoil their goods, overthrow their houses, and take
their children captive, for in captivity and hunger shall they get
children. And they that occupy their merchandise with robbery, how
long deck they their cities, their houses, their possessions, their
persons? the more will I punish them for their sins, sayeth the
Lord. Like as an whore envieth an honest woman, so shall
righteousness hate iniquity, when she decketh herself, and shall
accuse her to her face, when he cometh that defendeth, which shall
make inquisition for all sin upon the earth. And therefore be not ye
like thereunto, near to the works thereof: for or ever it be long,
iniquity shall be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness
shall reign among you.
Let not the sinner say, that he hath not sinned: for coals of
fire shall burn upon his head, which sayeth before the Lord God and
his glory: I have not sinned. Behold, the Lord knoweth all the works
of men, their imaginations, their thoughts and their hearts. For he
spoke but the word: let the earth be made, and it was made: let the
heaven be made, and it was made. In his word were the stars made,
and he knoweth the number of them. He searcheth the ground of the
deep, and the treasures thereof: he hath measured the sea, and what
it containeth. He hath shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and
with his word hath he hanged the earth upon the waters. He spreadeth
out the heaven like a *vawte, upon the waters hath he founded it. In
the desert a dry wilderness hath he made springs of water, and poles
upon the tops of mountains, that the floods might pour down from the
stony rocks to water the earth. He made man, and put his heart in
the midst of the body, and gave him birth, life and understanding,
yee and the spirit of the Almighty God, which made all things, and
hath searched the ground of all the secrets of the earth.
He knoweth your imaginations and inventions, and what ye think
when ye sin, and would hide your sins. Therefore hath the Lord
searched and sought out all your works, and he shall *bewray you
all. And when your sins are brought forth, ye shall be ashamed
before men, and your own sins shall be your accusers in that day.
What will ye do? Or how will ye hide your sins before God and his
Angels? Behold, God himself is the judge, fear him, leave off from
your sins, and forget your unrighteousness, and meddle no more with
them: so shall God lead you forth, and deliver you from all trouble.
For behold, the heat of the great multitude is kindled over you, and
they shall take away certain of you, and feed the idle with Idols:
and they that consent unto them, shall be had in *derision.
For unto the places there shall be a place, and in the next
cities a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord. They
shall be like madmen, they shall spare no man: they shall spoil and
waste such as fear the Lord, their goods shall they take from them,
and shut them out of their houses. Then shalt it be known who are my
chosen, and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire. Hear O' ye
my beloved, sayeth the Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at
hand, but I will deliver you from the same. Be not afraid, despair
not, for God is your captain.
Who so keepeth my commandments and precepts ( sayeth the Lord
God ) let not your sins weigh you down, and let not your
unrighteousness be lift up. Woe be unto to those that are subdued
unto their own sins, and tangled in their wickednesses: like as a
field is hedged in with bushes, and the path thereof covered with
thorns, that no man may travel through: and so is he taken, and cast
in the fire, and burnt.
*darth=famine, lack. *vawte, ( vault ; from Mid Eng vaute: meaning
an arched overhead covering). *bewray (disclose, reveal, uncover).
*derision; laughed to scorn, and trod under foot contempt.
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Chapters 1-8 |
9-end
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