1. Hebrew Bible, Ezekiel, 37 (6th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
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2. Anon., 1 Enoch, 91.5-91.7, 91.11-91.12, 91.14, 91.16, 93.2, 93.4-93.5, 93.9-93.10, 99.3-99.5, 99.12-99.13, 100.1-100.3 (3rd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 91.5. For I know that violence must increase on the earth, And a great chastisement be executed on the earth, And all unrighteousness come to an end:Yea, it shall be cut off from its roots, And its whole structure be destroyed. 91.6. And unrighteousness shall again be consummated on the earth, And all the deeds of unrighteousness and of violence And transgression shall prevail in a twofold degree. 91.7. And when sin and unrighteousness and blasphemy And violence in all kinds of deeds increase, And apostasy and transgression and uncleanness increase,A great chastisement shall come from heaven upon all these, And the holy Lord will come forth with wrath and chastisement To execute judgement on earth. 91.12. And after that there shall be another, the eighth week, that of righteousness, And a sword shall be given to it that a righteous judgement may be executed on the oppressors, And sinners shall be delivered into the hands of the righteous. 91.16. And the first heaven shall depart and pass away, And a new heaven shall appear, And all the powers of the heavens shall give sevenfold light. 93.4. And after me there shall arise in the second week great wickedness, And deceit shall have sprung up; And in it there shall be the first end.And in it a man shall be saved; And after it is ended unrighteousness shall grow up, And a law shall be made for the sinners.And after that in the third week at its close A man shall be elected as the plant of righteous judgement, And his posterity shall become the plant of righteousness for evermore. 93.9. And after that in the seventh week shall an apostate generation arise, And many shall be its deeds, And all its deeds shall be apostate. 99.3. In those days make ready, ye righteous, to raise your prayers as a memorial, And place them as a testimony before the angels, That they may place the sin of the sinners for a memorial before the Most High. 99.4. In those days the nations shall be stirred up, And the families of the nations shall arise on the day of destruction. 99.5. And in those days the destitute shall go forth and carry off their children, And they shall abandon them, so that their children shall perish through them: Yea, they shall abandon their children (that are still) sucklings, and not return to them, And shall have no pity on their beloved ones. 99.12. Woe to you who make deceitful and false measures, And (to them) who cause bitterness on the earth; For they shall thereby be utterly consumed. 99.13. Woe to you who build your houses through the grievous toil of others, And all their building materials are the bricks and stones of sin; I tell you ye shall have no peace. 100.1. And in those days in one place the fathers together with their sons shall be smitten And brothers one with another shall fall in death Till the streams flow with their blood. 100.1. And now, know ye that from the angels He will inquire as to your deeds in heaven, from the sun and from the moon and from the stars in reference to your sins because upon the earth ye execute 100.2. For a man shall not withhold his hand from slaying his sons and his sons' sons, And the sinner shall not withhold his hand from his honoured brother: From dawn till sunset they shall slay one another. 100.3. And the horse shall walk up to the breast in the blood of sinners, And the chariot shall be submerged to its height. 10. Then said the Most High, the Holy and Great One spake, and sent Uriel to the son of Lamech,,and said to him: 'Go to Noah and tell him in my name 'Hide thyself!' and reveal to him the end that is approaching: that the whole earth will be destroyed, and a deluge is about to come,upon the whole earth, and will destroy all that is on it. And now instruct him that he may escape,and his seed may be preserved for all the generations of the world.' And again the Lord said to Raphael: 'Bind Azazel hand and foot, and cast him into the darkness: and make an opening,in the desert, which is in Dudael, and cast him therein. And place upon him rough and jagged rocks, and cover him with darkness, and let him abide there for ever, and cover his face that he may,not see light. And on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire. And heal the earth which the angels have corrupted, and proclaim the healing of the earth, that they may heal the plague, and that all the children of men may not perish through all the secret things that the,Watchers have disclosed and have taught their sons. And the whole earth has been corrupted",through the works that were taught by Azazel: to him ascribe all sin.' And to Gabriel said the Lord: 'Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication: and destroy [the children of fornication and] the children of the Watchers from amongst men [and cause them to go forth]: send them one against the other that they may destroy each other in,battle: for length of days shall they not have. And no request that they (i.e. their fathers) make of thee shall be granted unto their fathers on their behalf; for they hope to live an eternal life, and,that each one of them will live five hundred years.' And the Lord said unto Michael: 'Go, bind Semjaza and his associates who have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves,with them in all their uncleanness. And when their sons have slain one another, and they have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgement and of their consummation, till the judgement that is,for ever and ever is consummated. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: and",to the torment and the prison in which they shall be confined for ever. And whosoever shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with them to the end of all",generations. And destroy all the spirits of the reprobate and the children of the Watchers, because,they have wronged mankind. Destroy all wrong from the face of the earth and let every evil work come to an end: and let the plant of righteousness and truth appear: and it shall prove a blessing; the works of righteousness and truth' shall be planted in truth and joy for evermore.",And then shall all the righteous escape, And shall live till they beget thousands of children, And all the days of their youth and their old age Shall they complete in peace.,And then shall the whole earth be tilled in righteousness, and shall all be planted with trees and,be full of blessing. And all desirable trees shall be planted on it, and they shall plant vines on it: and the vine which they plant thereon shall yield wine in abundance, and as for all the seed which is sown thereon each measure (of it) shall bear a thousand, and each measure of olives shall yield,ten presses of oil. And cleanse thou the earth from all oppression, and from all unrighteousness, and from all sin, and from all godlessness: and all the uncleanness that is wrought upon the earth,destroy from off the earth. And all the children of men shall become righteous, and all nations,shall offer adoration and shall praise Me, and all shall worship Me. And the earth shall be cleansed from all defilement, and from all sin, and from all punishment, and from all torment, and I will never again send (them) upon it from generation to generation and for ever. |
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3. Hebrew Bible, Daniel, 7.8 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 7.8. מִשְׂתַּכַּל הֲוֵית בְּקַרְנַיָּא וַאֲלוּ קֶרֶן אָחֳרִי זְעֵירָה סִלְקָת ביניהון [בֵּינֵיהֵן] וּתְלָת מִן־קַרְנַיָּא קַדְמָיָתָא אתעקרו [אֶתְעֲקַרָה] מִן־קדמיה [קֳדָמַהּ] וַאֲלוּ עַיְנִין כְּעַיְנֵי אֲנָשָׁא בְּקַרְנָא־דָא וּפֻם מְמַלִּל רַבְרְבָן׃ | 7.8. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things." |
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4. Septuagint, Ecclesiasticus (Siracides), 10.15 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 10.15. The Lord has plucked up the roots of the nations,and has planted the humble in their place. |
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5. Anon., Sibylline Oracles, 1.65-1.125, 1.127-1.147, 1.157-1.158, 1.267-1.275, 1.281, 1.283-1.323, 2.15, 2.34-2.148, 2.155-2.175, 2.200-2.202, 2.206-2.207, 2.212-2.213, 2.231, 2.252-2.310, 2.312, 2.322-2.329, 2.337-2.338, 3.762-3.829 (1st cent. BCE - 5th cent. CE)
| 1.65. 65 For their abiding now in mortal land 1.66. Was brought to pass, since hearing they kept not 1.67. The word of the immortal mighty God. 1.68. And straightway they, upon the fruitful soil 1.69. Forthgoing, with their tears and groans were wet; 1.70. 70 And to them then the immortal God himself 1.71. A word more excellent spoke: “Multiply 1.72. Increase, work constantly upon the earth 1.73. That with the sweat of labor ye may have 1.74. Sufficient food.” Thus he spoke; and he made 1.75. 75 The author of deceit to press the ground 1.76. On belly and on side, a crawling snake 1.77. Driving him out severely; and he sent 1.78. Dire enmity between them and the one 1.79. Is on the look-out to preserve his head 1.80. 80 But man his heel; for death is neighbor near 1.81. of evil-plotting vipers and of men. 1.82. And then indeed the race was multiplied 1.83. As the Almighty himself gave command 1.84. And there grew up one people on another 1.85. 85 Innumerable. And houses they adorned 1.86. of all kinds and made cities and their wall 1.87. Well and expertly; and to them was given 1.88. A day of long time for a life much-loved; 1.89. For they did not worn out with troubles die 1.90. 90 But as subdued by sleep; most happy men 1.91. of great heart, whom the immortal Saviour loved 1.92. The King, God. But they also did transgress 1.93. Smitten with folly. For with impudence 1.94. They mocked their fathers and their mothers scorned; 1.95. 95 Kinsmen they knew not, and they formed intrigue 1.96. Against their brothers. And they were impure 1.97. Having defiled themselves with human gore 1.98. And they made wars. And then upon them came 1.99. The last calamity sent forth from heaven 1.100. 100 Which snatched the dreadful men away from life; 1.101. And Hades then received them; it was called 1.102. Hades since Adam, having tasted death 1.103. Went first and earth encompassed him around. 1.104. And therefore all men born upon the earth 1.105. 105 Are in abodes of Hades called to go. 1.106. But even in Hades all these when they came 1.107. Had honor, since they were the earliest race. 1.108. But when Hades received these, secondly 1.109. [of the surviving and most righteous men] 1.110. 110 God formed another very subtile race 1.111. That cared for lovely works, and noble toils 1.112. Distinguished reverence and solid wisdom; 1.113. And they were trained in arts of every kind 1.114. Finding inventions by their lack of means. 1.115. 115 And one devised to till the land with plows 1.116. Another worked in wood, another cared 1.117. For sailing, and another watched the star 1.118. And practiced augury with winged fowls; 1.119. And use of drugs had interest for one 1.120. 120 While for another magic had a charm; 1.121. And others were in every other art 1.122. Which men care for instructed, wide awake 1.123. Industrious, worthy of that eponym 1.124. Because they had a sleepless mind within 1.125. 125 And a huge body; stout with mighty form 1.127. Into Tartarean chamber terrible 1.128. Kept in firm chains to pay full penalty 1.129. In Gehenna of strong, furious, quenchless fire. 1.130. 130 And after these a third strong-minded race 1.131. Appeared, a race of overbearing men 1.132. And terrible, who wrought among themselve 1.133. Many an evil. And fights, homicides 1.134. And battles did continually destroy 1.135. 135 Those men possessed of overweening heart 1.136. And from these afterward another race 1.137. Proceeded, late-completed, youngest born 1.138. Blood-stained, perverse in counsel; of men these 1.139. Were in the fourth race; much the blood they spilled 1.140. 140 Nor feared they God nor had regard for men 1.141. For maddening wrath and sore impiety 1.142. Were sent upon them. And wars, homicides 1.143. And battles sent some into Erebus 1.144. Since they were overweening impious men. 1.145. 145 But the rest did the heavenly God himself 1.146. In anger afterwards change from his world 1.147. Casting them into mighty Tartaru 1.157. From heaven thus spoke: “Noah, be of good cheer 1.158. In thyself and to all the people preach 1.267. And he massed clouds, and bid the sun's bright disk 1.268. And moon, and stars, and circle of the heaven 1.269. Obscuring all things round; he thundered loud 1.270. 270 Terror of mortals, sending lightnings forth; 1.271. And all the winds together were aroused 1.272. And all the veins of water were unloosed 1.273. By opening of great cataracts from heaven 1.274. And from earth's caverns and the tireless deep 1.275. 275 Appeared the myriad waters, and the whole 1.281. While the loud-babbling waters dashed around. 1.283. Then also Noah took thought to observe 1.284. By counsels of the Immortal; for he now 1.285. 285 Had had enough of Nereus. And straightway 1.286. The house he opened from the polished wall 1.287. That crosswise was bound fast with skillful stays. 1.288. And looking out upon the mighty ma 1.289. of boundless waters Noah on all sides– 1.290. 290 And 'twas his fortune with his eyes to see!– 1.291. Fear possessed and shook mightily his heart. 1.292. And then the air became a little calm 1.293. Since it was weary wetting all the world 1.294. Many days; parting, then, it brought to light 1.295. 295 How pale and blood-red was the mighty sky 1.296. And sun's bright disk awearied; scarcely held 1.297. Noah his courage. And then forth afar 1.298. Sent he a dove alone, that he might learn 1.299. If yet firm land appeared. But with tired wing 1.300. 300 Flying round all things, she again returned; 1.301. For not yet had the water ebbed away; 1.302. For it was deeply filling every place. 1.303. But after resting quietly for day 1.304. He sent the dove once more, to learn if yet 1.305. 305 Had ceased the many waters. And she flew 1.306. And flew on, and went o'er the earth and, resting 1.307. Her body lightly on the humid ground 1.308. Again to Noah back she came and bore 1.309. An olive branch–of tidings a great sign. 1.310. 310 Courage now filled them all, and great delight 1.311. Because they hoped to look upon the land. 1.312. But then thereafter yet another bird 1.313. of black wing, sent he forth as hastily; 1.314. Which, trusting to its wings, flow willingly 1.315. 315 And coming to the land continued there. 1.316. And Noah knew the land was nearer now. 1.317. But when on dashing waves the craft divine 1.318. Had here and there o'er ocean's billows swum 1.319. It was made fast upon the narrow strand. 1.320. 320 There is in Phrygia on the dark mainland 1.321. A steep, tall mountain; Ararat its name 1.322. Because upon it all were to be saved 1.323. From death, and there was great desire of heart; 2.15. 15 Among most men, and robbery of temples. 2.34. Nor yet enslaved. And every harbor then 2.35. 35 And every haven, shall be free to men 2.36. As formerly, and shamelessness shall perish. 2.37. And then will God show mortals a great sign: 2.38. For like a lustrous crown shall shine a star 2.39. Bright, all-resplendent, from the radiant heaven 2.40. 40 Days not a few; and then will he display 2.40. 40 Imperishable honor always first 2.41. From heaven a crown for contest unto men 2.41. And next thy parents. Render all things due 2.42. Who wrestle. And then there shall be again 2.42. And into unjust judgment come thou not. 2.43. A mighty contest of triumphal march 2.43. Do not cast out the poor unrighteously 2.44. Into the heavenly sky, and it shall be 2.44. Nor judge by outward show; if wickedly 2.45. 45 For all men in the world, and have the fame 2.46. of immortality. And every people 2.47. Shall then in the immortal contests strive 2.48. For splendid victory. For no one there 2.49. Can shamelessly with silver buy a crown. 2.50. 50 For unto them will the pure Christ adjudge 2.51. That which is due, and crown the ones approved 2.52. And give his martyrs an immortal prize 2.53. Who carry on the contest unto death. 2.54. And unto chaste men who run their race well 2.55. 55 Will he the incorruptible reward 2.56. of the prize give, and to all men allot 2.57. That which is due, and also to strange nation 2.58. That live a holy life and know one God. 2.59. And those who have regard for marriage 2.60. 60 And keep themselves far from adulteries 2.61. To them rich gifts, eternal hope, he'll give. 2.62. For every human soul is God's free gift 2.63. And 'tis not right men stain it with vile deeds. 2.64. [Do not be rich unrighteously, but lead 2.65. 65 A life of probity. Be satisfied 2.66. With what thou hast and keep thyself from that 2.67. Which is another's. Speak not what is false 2.68. But have a care for all things that are true. 2.69. Revere not idols vainly; but the God 2.75. 75 Thou judgest, God hereafter will judge thee. 2.76. Avoid false testimony; tell the truth. 2.77. Maintain thy virgin purity, and guard 2.78. Love among all. Deal measures that are just; 2.79. For beautiful is measure full to all. 2.80. 80 Strike not the scales oneside, but draw them equal. 2.81. Forswear not ignorantly nor willingly; 2.82. God hates the perjured man in that he swore. 2.83. A gift proceeding out of unjust deed 2.84. Never receive in hand. Do not steal seed; 2.85. 85 Accursed through many generations he 2.86. Who took it unto scattering of life. 2.87. Indulge not vile lusts, slander not, nor kill. 2.88. Give the toilworn his hire; do not afflict 2.89. The poor man. Unto orphans help afford 2.90. 90 And to widows and the needy. Talk with sense; 2.91. Hold fast in heart a secret. Be unwilling 2.92. To act unjustly nor yet tolerate 2.93. Unrighteous men. Give to the poor at once 2.94. And say not, “Come to-morrow.” of thy grain 2.95. 95 Give to the needy with perspiring hand. 2.96. He who gives alms knows how to lend to God. 2.97. Mercy redeems from death when judgment comes. 2.98. Not sacrifice, but mercy God desire 2.99. Rather than sacrifice. The naked clothe 2.100. 100 Share thy bread with the hungry, in thy house 2.101. Receive the shelterless and lead the blind. 2.102. Pity the shipwrecked; for the voyage i 2.103. Uncertain. To the fallen give a hand; 2.104. And save the man that stands without defense. 2.105. 105 Common to all is suffering, life's a wheel 2.106. Riches unstable. Having wealth, reach out 2.107. To the poor thy hand. of what God gave to thee 2.108. Bestow thou also on the needy one. 2.109. Common is the whole life of mortal men; 2.110. 110 But it comes out unequal. When thou seest 2.111. A poor man never banter him with words 2.112. Nor harshly accost a man who may be blamed. 2.113. One's life in death is proven; if one did 2.114. The unlawful or just, it shall be decided 2.115. 115 When he to judgment comes. Disable not 2.116. Thy mind with wine nor drink excessively. 2.117. Eat not blood, and abstain from thing 2.118. offered to idols. Gird not on the sword 2.119. For slaughter, but defense; and would thou might 2.120. 120 It neither lawlessly nor justly use: 2.121. For if thou kill an enemy thy hand 2.122. Thou dost defile. Keep from thy neighbor's field 2.123. Nor trespass on it; just is every landmark 2.124. And trespass painful. Useful is possession 2.125. 125 of lawful wealth, but of unrighteous gain 2.126. 'Tis worthless. Harm not any growing fruit 2.127. of the field. And let strangers be esteemed 2.128. In equal honor with the citizens; 2.129. For much-enduring hospitality 2.130. 130 Shall all experience as each other's guests; 2.131. But let there not be anyone a stranger 2.132. Among you, since, ye mortals, all of you 2.133. Are of one 'blood, and no land has for men 2.134. Any sure place. Wish not nor pray for wealth; 2.135. 135 But pray to live from few things and posse 2.136. Nothing at all unjust. The love of gain 2.137. Is mother of all evil. Do not long 2.138. For gold or silver; in them there will be 2.139. A double-edged and soul-destroying iron. 2.140. 140 A snare to men continually are gold 2.141. And silver. Gold, of evils source, of life 2.142. Destructive, troubling all things, would that thou 2.143. Wert, not to mortals such a longed-for bane! 2.144. For wars, because of thee, and pillaging 2.145. 145 And murders come, and children hate their sires 2.146. And brothers and sisters those of their own blood. 2.147. Plot no deceit, and do not arm thy heart 2.148. Against a friend. Keep not concealed within 2.155. 155 I tell not; but let each man's will be right. 2.156. Pride not thyself in wisdom, power, or wealth; 2.157. God only is the wise and mighty one 2.158. And full of riches. Do not vex thy heart 2.159. With evils that are past; for what is done 2.160. 160 Can never be undone. Let not thy hand 2.161. Be hasty, but ferocious passion curb; 2.162. For many times has one in striking done 2.163. Murder without design. Let suffering 2.164. Be common, neither great nor overmuch. 2.165. 165 Excessive good has not brought forth to men 2.166. That which is helpful. And much luxury 2.167. Leads to immoderate lusts. Much wealth is prowl 2.168. And makes one grow to wanton violence. 2.169. Passionate feeling, creeping in, effect 2.170. 170 Destructive madness. Anger is a lust 2.171. And when it is excessive it is wrath. 2.172. The zeal of good men is a noble thing 2.173. But of the base is base. of wicked men 2.174. The boldness is destructive, but renown 2.175. 175 Follows that of the good. To be revered 2.200. 200 Ah! of how many parents in the land 2.201. Will children mourn and piteously weep 2.202. And with shrouds bury flesh and limbs in earth 2.206. Terrible, childish, not perceiving this 2.207. That when the tribes of women do not bear 2.212. Perform for men. And then of holy men 2.213. Elect and faithful, there shall be confusion 2.231. To them that sleep, that from the starry heaven 2.252. And all the souls of men shall gnash their teeth 2.253. Burned both by sulphur stream and force of fire 2.254. In ravenous soil, and ashes hide all things. 2.255. 255 And then of the world all the element 2.256. Shall be bereft, air, earth, sea, light, sky, days 2.257. Nights; and no longer in the air shall fly 2.258. Birds without number, nor shall living thing 2.259. That swim the sea swim any more at all 2.260. 260 Nor freighted vessel o'er the billows pass 2.261. Nor kine straight-guiding plow the field, nor sound 2.262. of furious winds; but he shall fuse all thing 2.263. Together, and shall pick out what is pure. 2.264. But when the immortal God's eternal angel 2.265. 265 Arakiel, Ramiel, Uriel, Samiel 2.266. And Azael, they that know how many evil 2.267. Anyone did before, shall from dark gloom 2.268. Then lead to judgment all the souls of men 2.269. Before the judgment-seat of the great God 2.270. 270 Immortal; for imperishable i 2.271. One only, himself the almighty, One 2.272. Who shall be judge of mortals; and to them 2.273. That dwell beneath will then the heavenly One 2.274. Give souls and spirit and voice, and also bone 2.275. 275 Fitted with joints unto all kinds of flesh 2.276. And both the flesh and sinews, veins and skin 2.277. About the body, and hair as before; 2.278. Divinely fashioned and with breathing moved 2.279. Shall bodies of those on earth one day be raised. 2.280. 280 And then shall Uriel, mighty angel, break 2.281. The bolts of stern and lasting adamant 2.282. Which, monstrous, bold the brazen gates of Hades 2.283. Straight cast them down, and unto judgment lead 2.284. All forms that have endured much suffering 2.285. 285 Chiefly the shapes of Titans born of old 2.286. And giants, and all whom the deluge whelmed 2.287. And all that perished in the billowy seas 2.288. And all that furnished banquet for the beast 2.289. And creeping things and fowls, these in a ma 2.290. 290 Shall (Uriel) summon to the judgment-seat; 2.291. And also those whom flesh-devouring fire 2.292. Destroyed in flame, even these shall he collect 2.293. And place before the judgment-seat of God. 2.294. And when the high-thundering Lord of Sabaoth 2.295. 295 Making an end of fate shall raise the dead 2.296. Sit on his heavenly throne, and firmly fix 2.297. The mighty pillar, then amid the cloud 2.298. Christ, who himself is incorruptible 2.299. Shall come unto the Incorruptible 2.300. 300 In glory with pure angels, and shall sit 2.301. At the right hand on the great judgment-seat 2.302. To judge the life of pious and the way 2.303. of impious men. And Moses, the great friend 2.304. of the Most High, shall come enrobed in flesh 2.305. 305 Also great Abraham himself shall come 2.306. Isaac and Jacob, Joshua, Daniel 2.307. Elijah, Habakkuk and Jonah, and 2.308. Those whom the Hebrews slew. But he'll destroy 2.309. The Hebrews after Jeremiah, all 2.310. 310 Who are to be judged at the judgment-seat 2.312. And pay for all each did in mortal life. 2.322. Dread, wanton, lawless, and idolaters; 2.323. And all who left the great immortal God 2.324. Became blasphemers did the pious harm 2.325. 325 Destroying faith and killing righteous men 2.326. And all that with a shamelessness deceitful 2.327. And double-faced rush in as presbyter 2.328. And reverend ministers, who knowingly 2.329. Give unjust judgments, yielding to false word 2.337. And all that left their parents in old age 2.338. Not paying them at all, nor offering 3.762. And worshiped idols made with hands, which thing 3.763. Mortals themselves will cast down and for shame 3.764. Conceal in clefts of rocks, when a young king 3.765. 765 The seventh of Egypt, shall rule his own land 3.766. Reckoned from the dominion of the Greeks 3.767. Which countless Macedonian men shall rule; 3.768. And there shall come from Asia a great king 3.769. fiery eagle, who with foot and horse 3.770. 770 Shall cover all the land, cut up all things 3.771. And fill all things with evils; he will cast 3.772. The Egyptian kingdom down; and taking off 3.773. All its possessions carry them away 3.774. Over the spacious surface of the sea. 3.775. 775 And then shall they before, the mighty God 3.776. The King immortal, bend the fair white knee 3.777. On the much-nourishing earth; and all the work 3.778. Made with hands shall fall by a flame of fire. 3.779. And then will God bestow great joy on men; 3.780. 780 For land and trees and countless flocks of sheep 3.781. Their genuine fruit to men shall offer–wine 3.782. And the sweet honey, and white milk, and wheat 3.783. Which is for mortals of all things the best. 3.784. But thou, O mortal full of various wiles 3.795. 795 The cause of the wrath of the mighty God 3.796. When on all mortals there shall come the height 3.797. of pestilence and conquered they shall meet 3.798. A fearful judgment, and king shall seize king 3.799. And wrest his land away, and nations bring 3.800. 800 Ruin on nations and lords plunder tribes 3.801. And chiefs all flee into another land 3.802. And the land change its men, and foreign rule 3.803. Ravage all Hellas and drain the rich land. 3.804. of its wealth, and to strife among themselve 3.805. 805 Because of gold and silver they shall come– 3.806. The love of gain an evil shepherde 3.807. Will be for cities–in a foreign land. 3.808. And they shall all be without burial 3.809. And vultures and wild beasts of earth shall spoil 3.810. 810 Their flesh; and when these things are brought to pass 3.811. Vast earth shall waste the relics of the dead. 3.812. And all unsown shall it be and unplowed 3.813. Proclaiming sad the filth of men defiled 3.814. Many lengths of time in the revolving years 3.815. 815 And shields and javelins and all sorts of arms; 3.816. Nor shall the forest wood be cut for fire. 3.817. And then shall God send from the East a king 3.818. Who shall make all earth cease from evil war 3.819. Killing some, others binding with strong oaths. 3.820. 820 And he will not by his own counsels do 3.821. All these things, but obey the good decree 3.822. of God the mighty. And with goodly wealth 3.823. With gold and silver and purple ornament 3.824. The temple of the mighty God again 3.825. 825 Shall be weighed down; and the full-bearing earth 3.826. And the sea shall be filled full of good things. 3.827. And kings against each other shall begin 3.828. To hold ill will, in heart abetting evils. 3.829. Envy is not a good to wretched men. |
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6. Anon., 2 Baruch, 70.2-70.8 (1st cent. CE - 2nd cent. CE)
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7. Mishnah, Sotah, 9.15 (1st cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
| 9.15. When Rabbi Meir died, the composers of fables ceased. When Ben Azzai died, the diligent students [of Torah] ceased. When Ben Zoma died, the expounders ceased. When Rabbi Joshua died, goodness ceased from the world. When Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel died, locusts come and troubles multiplied. When Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah died, the sages ceased to be wealthy. When Rabbi Akiba died, the glory of the Torah ceased. When Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa died, men of wondrous deeds ceased. When Rabbi Yose Katnuta died, the pious men (hasidim) ceased and why was his name called Katnuta? Because he was the youngest of the pious men. When Rabban Yoha ben Zakkai died, the splendor of wisdom ceased. When Rabban Gamaliel the elder died, the glory of the torah ceased, and purity and separateness perished. When Rabbi Ishmael ben Fabi died, the splendor of the priesthood ceased. When Rabbi died, humility and fear of sin ceased. Rabbi Phineas ben Yair says: when Temple was destroyed, scholars and freemen were ashamed and covered their head, men of wondrous deeds were disregarded, and violent men and big talkers grew powerful. And nobody expounds, nobody seeks, and nobody asks. Upon whom shall we depend? Upon our father who is in heaven. Rabbi Eliezer the Great says: from the day the Temple was destroyed, the sages began to be like scribes, scribes like synagogue-attendants, synagogue-attendants like common people, and the common people became more and more debased. And nobody seeks. Upon whom shall we depend? Upon our father who is in heaven. In the footsteps of the messiah insolence (hutzpah) will increase and the cost of living will go up greatly; the vine will yield its fruit, but wine will be expensive; the government will turn to heresy, and there will be no one to rebuke; the meeting-place [of scholars] will be used for licentiousness; the Galilee will be destroyed, the Gablan will be desolated, and the dwellers on the frontier will go about [begging] from place to place without anyone to take pity on them; the wisdom of the learned will rot, fearers of sin will be despised, and the truth will be lacking; youths will put old men to shame, the old will stand up in the presence of the young, “For son spurns father, daughter rises up against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law a man’s own household are his enemies” (Micah 7:6). The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog, a son will not feel ashamed before his father. Upon whom shall we depend? Upon our father who is in heaven. Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair says, “Heedfulness leads to cleanliness, cleanliness leads to purity, purity leads to separation, separation leads to holiness, holiness leads to modesty, modesty leads to fear of sin, fear of sin leads to piety, piety leads to the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit leads to the resurrection of the dead, and the resurrection of the dead comes from Elijah, blessed be his memory, Amen.”" |
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8. New Testament, 2 Timothy, 3.1-3.4 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 3.1. But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. 3.2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy 3.3. without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good 3.4. traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; |
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9. New Testament, Apocalypse, 6.2, 6.5-6.6, 6.8, 16.1-16.21 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 6.2. And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer. 6.5. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come and see!" And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand. 6.6. I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius! Don't damage the oil and the wine! 6.8. And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on him, his name was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him. 16.1. I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth! 16.2. The first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth, and it became a harmful and evil sore on the men who had the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his image. 16.3. The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man. Every living thing in the sea died. 16.4. The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and it became blood. 16.5. I heard the angel of the waters saying, "You are righteous, who are and who were, you Holy One, because you judged this way. 16.6. For they poured out the blood of the saints and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this. 16.7. I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments. 16.8. The fourth poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given to him to scorch men with fire. 16.9. People were scorched with great heat, and people blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory. 16.10. The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was darkened. They gnawed their tongues because of the pain 16.11. and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores. They didn't repent of their works. 16.12. The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrise. 16.13. I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, something like frogs; 16.14. for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty. 16.15. Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn't walk naked, and they see his shame. 16.16. He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, Megiddo. 16.17. The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done! 16.18. There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men on the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty. 16.19. The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 16.20. Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 16.21. Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on men. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for this plague is exceedingly severe. |
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10. New Testament, Luke, 17.26, 21.23 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 17.26. As it happened in the days of Noah, even so will it be also in the days of the Son of Man. 21.23. Woe to those who are pregt and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. |
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11. New Testament, Mark, 13.19 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 13.19. For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. |
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12. New Testament, Matthew, 24.7-24.12, 24.21, 24.37 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 24.7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 24.8. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. 24.9. Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name's sake. 24.10. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 24.11. Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. 24.12. Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. 24.21. for then there will be great oppression, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 24.37. As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. |
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13. Anon., 4 Ezra, 5.1-5.13, 6.24, 9.1, 9.3-9.4, 13.30-13.31
| 5.1. Now concerning the signs: behold, the days are coming when those who dwell on earth shall be seized with great terror, and the way of truth shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith. 5.2. And unrighteousness shall be increased beyond what you yourself see, and beyond what you heard of formerly. 5.3. And the land which you now see ruling shall be waste and untrodden, and men shall see it desolate. 5.4. But if the Most High grants that you live, you shall see it thrown into confusion after the third period; and the sun shall suddenly shine forth at night,and the moon during the day. 5.5. Blood shall drip from wood,and the stone shall utter its voice;the peoples shall be troubled, and the stars shall fall. 5.6. And one shall reign whom those who dwell on earth do not expect, and the birds shall fly away together; 5.7. and the sea of Sodom shall cast up fish; and one whom the many do not know shall make his voice heard by night, and all shall hear his voice. 5.8. There shall be chaos also in many places, and fire shall often break out, and the wild beasts shall roam beyond their haunts, and menstruous women shall bring forth monsters. 5.9. And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall conquer one another; then shall reason hide itself, and wisdom shall withdraw into its chamber 5.10. and it shall be sought by many but shall not be found, and unrighteousness and unrestraint shall increase on earth. 5.11. And one country shall ask its neighbor, `Has righteousness, or any one who does right, passed through you?' And it will answer, `No.' 5.12. And at that time men shall hope but not obtain; they shall labor but their ways shall not prosper. 5.13. These are the signs which I am permitted to tell you, and if you pray again, and weep as you do now, and fast for seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these. 6.24. At that time friends shall make war on friends like enemies, and the earth and those who inhabit it shall be terrified, and the springs of the fountains shall stand still, so that for three hours they shall not flow. 9.1. He answered me and said, "Measure carefully in your mind, and when you see that a certain part of the predicted signs are past 9.3. So when there shall appear in the world earthquakes, tumult of peoples, intrigues of nations, wavering of leaders, confusion of princes 9.4. then you will know that it was of these that the Most High spoke from the days that were of old, from the beginning. 13.30. And bewilderment of mind shall come over those who dwell on the earth. 13.31. And they shall plan to make war against one another, city against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom against kingdom. |
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