The Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts

by Joseph B. Lumpkin

  12 You know where You preserve the end of those who have sinned, or the conclusion of those who have been righteous.

  13 For if there were this life only, which belongs to all men, nothing could be more bitter than this.

  14 For of what profit is strength that turns to sickness, or fullness of food that turns to famine, or beauty that turns to ugliness?

  15 For the nature of man is always changeable.

  16 For what we were formerly now we no longer are, and what we now are we will not afterwards continue to be.

  17 For if a conclusion had not been prepared for all, then their beginning would have been in vain.

  18 Everything that comes from You, You informed me, and regarding everything about which I ask You, You enlighten me?

  19 How long will that which is corruptible remain, and how long will the time of mortals succeed, and until what time will those who transgress in the world be polluted with much wickedness?

  20 Command in mercy and accomplish all that You said You would bring, that Your might may be made known to those who think that Your long-suffering is weakness.

  21 Show to those who do not recognize it, that everything that has befallen us and our city until now has been according to the long-suffering of Your power, because on account of Your name You have called us a beloved people.

  22 Bring mortality to an end. Reprimand the angel of death, and let Your glory appear, and let the might of Your beauty be known, and let Sheol be sealed so that from this time forward it may not receive the dead, and let the treasuries of souls (the chamber of Guf, in Jewish mythology) restore those which are enclosed in them.

  23 For there have been many years like those that are desolate from the days of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and of all those who are like them, who sleep in the earth, on whose account You did say that You had created the world.

  24 And now quickly show Your glory, and do not put off what has been promised by You. When I had completed this prayer I was greatly weakened.

  Chapter 22

  1 After these things the heavens were opened, and I saw, and power was given to me, and a voice was heard from on high, and it said to me:

  2 Baruch, Baruch, why are you troubled?

  3 He who travels by a road but does not complete it, or who departs by sea but does not arrive at the port, can he be comforted?

  4 Or he who promises to give a present to another, but does not fulfill it, is it not robbery?

  5 Or he who sows the earth, but does not reap its fruit in its season, does he not lose everything?

  6 Or he who plants a plant unless it grows till the time suitable to it, does he who planted it expect to receive fruit from it?

  7 Or a woman who has conceived, if she bring forth untimely, does she not certainly kill her infant?

  8 Or he who builds a house, if he does not roof it and complete it, can it be called a house? Tell Me that first.

  Chapter 23

  1, And I answered and said: “Not so, O LORD, my Lord.”

  2 And He answered and said to me: Why are you troubled about that which you know not, and why are you ill at ease about things of which you are ignorant?

  3 You have not forgotten the people who now are and those who have passed away, so I remember those who are appointed to come.

  4 Because when Adam sinned and death was the judgment against those who should be born, then the multitude of those who should be born was numbered, and for that number a place was prepared where the living might dwell and the dead might be guarded.

  5 Before the appointed number is fulfilled, the creature will not live again for My spirit is the creator of life, and Sheol will receive the dead.

  6 It is given to you to hear what things are to come after these times.

  7 For truly My redemption has drawn near, and is not as distant as it was.

  Chapter 24

  1 The days come and the books will be opened in which are written the sins of all those who have sinned, and also the treasuries in which the righteousness of all those who have been righteous in creation is gathered.

  2 For it will come to pass at that time that you will see, and the many that are with you, the long-suffering of the Most High, which has been throughout all generations, who has been long-suffering towards all who are born, like those who sin and those who are righteous.”

  3 And I answered and said: But Lord, no one knows the number of those things which have passed nor yet of those things which are to come.

  4 For I know indeed that which has befallen us, but what will happen to our enemies I know not, and when You will visit Your works.

  Chapter 25

  1 And He answered and said to me: You too will be preserved till that time till that sign which the Most High will work for the inhabitants of the earth in the end of days.

  2 This therefore will be the sign:

  3 When a stupor will seize the inhabitants of the earth, and they will fall into many tribulations, and again when they will fall into great torments.

  4 And it will come to pass when they say in their thoughts because of their much tribulation: The Mighty One doth no longer remember the earth yea, it will come to pass when they abandon hope, that the time will then awake.

  Chapter 26

  1 And I answered and said: Will that tribulation which is to be, continue a long time, and will it necessitate many years?

  Chapter 27

  1 And He answered and said to me: Into twelve parts (pieces or section) is that time divided, and each one of them is reserved for that which is appointed for it.

  2 In the first section (piece) there will be the beginning of commotions.

  3 And in the second section (piece) slayings of the great ones.

  4 And in the third section (piece) the fall of many by death.

  5 And in the fourth section (piece) the sending of the sword.

  6 And in the fifth section (piece) famine and the withholding of rain.

  7 And in the sixth section (piece) earthquakes and terrors and wanting (need for food, water, and shelter).

  8 And in the eighth section (piece) a multitude of specters and attacks of the Shedim.

  9 And in the ninth section (piece) the fall of fire.

  10 And in the tenth section (piece) rapine and much oppression.

  11 And in the eleventh section (piece) wickedness and hedonism.

  12 And in the twelfth section (piece) confusion from the mingling together of all those things aforesaid.

  13 For these slices of that time are reserved, and will be mingled one with another and reinforce one another.

  14 For some will leave out some of their own, and receive (in its stead) from others, and some complete their own and that of others, so that those may not understand who are upon the earth in those days that this is the consummation of the times.

  Chapter 28

  1 Nevertheless, whosoever understands will then be wise.

  2 For the measure and reckoning of that time are two parts (pieces or section) a week of seven weeks.

  3 And I answered and said: It is good for a man to come and behold, but it is better that he should not come lest he fall.

  4 But I will ask this also: Will he who is incorruptible despise those things which are corruptible? What happens in the case of those things which are corruptible, so that he might look only to those things which are not corruptible?

  5 But if, O Lord, those things will certainly come to pass which You have foretold to me, show this to me also if indeed I have found grace in Your sight.

  6 Is it in one place or in one of the sections of the earth that those things are come to pass, or will the whole earth experience them?

  Chapter 29

  1 And He answered and said to me: Whatever will befall the whole earth all who live will experience.

  2 For at that time I will protect only those who are found in those same days in this land.

  3 And when all is accomplished that was to come to pass in those se
ctions, that the Messiah will then begin to be revealed.

  4 And Behemoth will be revealed from his place and Leviathan will ascend from the sea, those two great monsters which I created on the fifth day of creation, and will have kept until that time; and then they will be food for all that are left.

  5 The earth also will yield its fruit ten thousand fold and on each vine there will be a thousand branches, and each branch will produce a thousand clusters, and each cluster produces a thousand grapes, and each grape produces a cor (a unit of measure approximately 517 pints) of wine.

  6 And those who have hungered will rejoice, moreover, they will behold marvels every day.

  7 For winds will go forth from before Me to bring every morning the fragrance of aromatic fruits, and at the close of the day clouds distilling the dew of health.

  8 And it will come to pass at that same time that the treasury of manna will again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years, because these are they who have come to the end of time.

  Chapter 30

  1 And it will come to pass after these things, when the time of the advent of the Messiah is fulfilled, that He will return in glory.

  2 Then all who have fallen asleep in hope of Him will rise again.

  3 And it will come to pass at that time that the treasuries will be opened in which is preserved the number of the souls of the righteous, and they will come forth, and a multitude of souls will be seen together in one assemblage of one thought, and the first will rejoice and the last will not be grieved. For they know that the time has come of which it is said, that it is the consummation of the times.

  4 But the souls of the wicked, when they behold all these things, will then waste away the more.

  5 For they will know that their torment has come and their perdition has arrived.”

  Chapter 31

  1 And after these things I went to the people and said to them:

  2 Assemble to me all your elders and I will speak words to them.

  3 And they all assembled in the valley of the Cedron. And I answered and said to them: Hear, O Israel, and I will speak to you, And give ear, O seed of Jacob, and I will instruct you.

  4 Forget not Zion, But hold in remembrance the anguish of Jerusalem.

  5 For the days come, when everything exists will become the prey of corruption and will be as though it had not been.

  Chapter 32

  1 But if you prepare your hearts, so as to sow in them the fruits of the law, it will protect you in that time in which the Mighty One is to shake the whole creation.

  2 Because after a little time the building of Zion will be shaken in order that it may be built again.

  3 But that building will not remain, but will again after a time be pulled up by the roots, and will remain desolate until the time.

  4 And afterwards it must be renewed in glory, and perfected for evermore.

  5 Therefore we should not be distressed so much over the evil which has now come as over that which is still to be.

  6 For there will be a greater trial than these two tribulations when the Mighty One will renew His creation.

  7 And now do not draw near to me for a few days, nor seek me till I come to you.

  8 And when I had spoken to them all these words, that I, Baruch, went my way, and when the people saw me leaving, they lifted up their voice and lamented and said: To what place do you depart from us, Baruch, and forsake us as a father who forsakes his orphan children, and departs from them?

  Chapter 33

  1 Are these the commands which your companion, Jeremiah the prophet, commanded you, and said to you:

  2 Look to this people till I go and make ready the rest of the brethren in Babylon, against whom has gone forth the sentence that they should be led into captivity?

  3 And now if you also forsake us, it were good for us all to die before you withdraw from us.

  Chapter 34

  1 And I answered and said to the people: Far be it from me to forsake you or to withdraw from you, but I will only go to the Holy of Holies to inquire of the Mighty One concerning you and concerning Zion; in the hopes I should receive more illumination and after these things I will return to you.

  Chapter 35

  1 And I, Baruch, went to the holy place, and sat down upon the ruins and wept, and said:

  2 O that mine eyes were springs, and mine eyelids a spring of tears.

  3 For how will I lament for Zion, and how will I mourn for Jerusalem?

  4 Because in that place where I am now prostrate, of old the high priest offered holy sacrifices; and placed thereon an incense of fragrant odors.

  5 But now our glorying has been made into dust, And the desire of our soul into sand.

  Chapter 36

  1 And when I had said these things I fell asleep there, and I saw a vision in the night.

  2 I saw a forest of trees planted on the plain, and lofty and rugged rocky mountains surrounded it, and that forest occupied much space.

  3 And over beside it arose a vine, and from under it there went forth a peaceful fountain.

  4 Now that fountain came to the forest and was agitated into great waves, and those waves submerged that forest, and suddenly they pulled up by the roots the greater section (area) of that forest, and overthrew all the mountains which were around it.

  5 And the height of the forest began to be made low, and the top of the mountains was made low and that fountain greatly overtook it, so that it left nothing of that great forest save one cedar only.

  6 Also when it had cast it down and had destroyed and pulled up by the roots the greater part of that forest, so that nothing was left of it, nor could its place be recognized, then that vine began to come with the fountain in peace and great tranquility, and it came to a place which was not far from that cedar, and they brought the cedar which had been cast down to it.

  7 And I saw that vine opened its mouth and spoke and said to that cedar: Are you not that cedar which was left of the forest of wickedness, and by whose means wickedness persisted, and did evil all those years, and goodness never?

  8 And you kept conquering that which was not yours, and to that which was yours you never showed compassion, and you kept extending your power over those who were far from you, and those who ventured near to you held tightly in the toils of your wickedness, and you lifted yourself up always as one that could not be pulled up by the roots!

  9 But now your time has sped by and your hour is come. Do you also therefore depart O cedar, after the forest, which departed before you, and become dust with it, and let your ashes be mingled together?

  10 And now lay down in anguish and rest in torment till your last time comes, in which you will come again and be tormented still more.

  Chapter 37

  1 And after these things I saw that cedar burning, and the vine glowing and all around it the plain was full of unfading flowers. And I awoke and arose.

  Chapter 38

  1 And I prayed and said: O LORD, my Lord, You always enlighten those who are led by understanding.

  2 Your law is life, and Your wisdom is right guidance.

  3 Make known to me the interpretation of this vision.

  4 For You know that my soul has always walked in Your law, and from my earliest days I departed not from Your wisdom.

  Chapter 39

  1 And He answered and said to me: Baruch, this is the interpretation of the vision which you have seen.

  2 As you have seen the great forest which lofty and rugged mountains surrounded, this is the word.

  3 The days come, and this kingdom will be destroyed which once destroyed Zion, and it will be subjected to that which comes after it.

  4 After a time the kingdom will be destroyed, and another, a third, will arise, and that also will have dominion for its time, and will be destroyed.

  5 And after these things a fourth kingdom will arise, whose power will be harsh and evil far beyond those which were before it, and it will rule many times as the fores
ts on the plain, and it will hold firmly for a time, and will exalt itself more than the cedars of Lebanon.

  6 And by it the truth will be hidden, and all those who are polluted with sinfulness will flee to it, as evil beasts flee and creep into the forest.

  7 And when the time of its end and fall has approached, then the kingdom of My Messiah will be revealed, which is like the fountain and the vine, and when it is revealed it will root out the multitude of its host.

  8 And concerning that which you have seen, the lofty cedar, which was left out of that forest, and the fact, that the vine spoke those words with it which you did hear, this is the word.

  Chapter 40

  1 The last leader of that time will be left alive, when the multitude of his hosts will be put to the sword, and he will be bound, and they will take him up to Mount Zion, and My Messiah will convict him of all his unlawful deeds, and will gather and set before him all the works of his hosts.

  2 And afterwards he will put him to death, and protect the rest of My people which will be found in the place which I have chosen.

  3 And his kingdom will stand for ever, until the world of corruption is at an end, and until the times aforesaid are fulfilled.

  4 This is your vision, and this is its interpretation.

  Chapter 41

  1 And I answered and said: For whom and for how many will these things be or who will be worthy to live at that time?

  2 I will speak to you everything that I think, and I will ask of You regarding those things about which I think.

  3 I see many of Your people who have with drawn from Your covenant, and cast from them the yoke of Your law.

  4 But I have seen others who have forsaken their vanity, and fled for refuge beneath Your wings.