1. Hebrew Bible, Job, 5.13 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 5.13. לֹכֵד חֲכָמִים בְּעָרְמָם וַעֲצַת נִפְתָּלִים נִמְהָרָה׃ | 5.13. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; And the counsel of the wily is carried headlong." |
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2. Hebrew Bible, Malachi, 3.3 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 3.3. וְיָשַׁב מְצָרֵף וּמְטַהֵר כֶּסֶף וְטִהַר אֶת־בְּנֵי־לֵוִי וְזִקַּק אֹתָם כַּזָּהָב וְכַכָּסֶף וְהָיוּ לַיהוָה מַגִּישֵׁי מִנְחָה בִּצְדָקָה׃ | 3.3. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver; and there shall be they that shall offer unto the LORD offerings in righteousness." |
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3. Hebrew Bible, Proverbs, 17.3, 26.27 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 17.3. מַצְרֵף לַכֶּסֶף וְכוּר לַזָּהָב וּבֹחֵן לִבּוֹת יְהוָה׃ 26.27. כֹּרֶה־שַּׁחַת בָּהּ יִפֹּל וְגֹלֵל אֶבֶן אֵלָיו תָּשׁוּב׃ | 17.3. The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But the LORD trieth the hearts. ." 26.27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him." |
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4. Hebrew Bible, Psalms, 12.6-12.7, 94.11 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 12.6. מִשֹּׁד עֲנִיִּים מֵאַנְקַת אֶבְיוֹנִים עַתָּה אָקוּם יֹאמַר יְהוָה אָשִׁית בְּיֵשַׁע יָפִיחַ לוֹ׃ 12.7. אִמֲרוֹת יְהוָה אֲמָרוֹת טְהֹרוֹת כֶּסֶף צָרוּף בַּעֲלִיל לָאָרֶץ מְזֻקָּק שִׁבְעָתָיִם׃ 94.11. יְהוָה יֹדֵעַ מַחְשְׁבוֹת אָדָם כִּי־הֵמָּה הָבֶל׃ | 12.6. 'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise', saith the LORD; 'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.' ." 12.7. The words of the LORD are pure words, As silver tried in a crucible on the earth, refined seven times." 94.11. The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity." |
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5. Hebrew Bible, Isaiah, 47.14, 48.10 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 47.14. הִנֵּה הָיוּ כְקַשׁ אֵשׁ שְׂרָפָתַם לֹא־יַצִּילוּ אֶת־נַפְשָׁם מִיַּד לֶהָבָה אֵין־גַּחֶלֶת לַחְמָם אוּר לָשֶׁבֶת נֶגְדּוֹ׃ | 47.14. Behold, they shall be as stubble; The fire shall burn them; They shall not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; It shall not be a coal to warm at, Nor a fire to sit before." |
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6. Hebrew Bible, Zechariah, 13.9 (5th cent. BCE - 4th cent. BCE)
| 13.9. וְהֵבֵאתִי אֶת־הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בָּאֵשׁ וּצְרַפְתִּים כִּצְרֹף אֶת־הַכֶּסֶף וּבְחַנְתִּים כִּבְחֹן אֶת־הַזָּהָב הוּא יִקְרָא בִשְׁמִי וַאֲנִי אֶעֱנֶה אֹתוֹ אָמַרְתִּי עַמִּי הוּא וְהוּא יֹאמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי׃ | 13.9. And I will bring the third part through the fire, And will refine them as silver is refined, And will try them as gold is tried; They shall call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say: ‘It is My people’, And they shall say: ‘The LORD is my God.’" |
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7. Xenophon, The Education of Cyrus, 3.3.58 (5th cent. BCE - 4th cent. BCE)
| 3.3.58. While they were still out of range, Cyrus passed the watchword, Zeus our Helper and our Guide. And when the watchword came back and was delivered again to him, Cyrus himself began the usual paean, and they all devoutly joined with a loud voice in the singing, for in the performance of such service the God-fearing have less fear of men. |
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8. Anon., 1 Enoch, 38.3, 48.9, 49.4, 54.6, 96.4, 108.8-108.15 (3rd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 38.3. When the secrets of the righteous shall be revealed and the sinners judged, And the godless driven from the presence of the righteous and elect 49.4. And he shall judge the secret things, And none shall be able to utter a lying word before him; For he is the Elect One before the Lord of Spirits according to His good pleasure. 54.6. And Michael, and Gabriel, and Raphael, and Phanuel shall take hold of them on that great day, and cast them on that day into the burning furnace, that the Lord of Spirits may take vengeance on them for their unrighteousness in becoming subject to Satan and leading astray those who dwell on the earth.' 96.4. Woe unto you, ye sinners, for your riches make you appear like the righteous, But your hearts convict you of being sinners, And this fact shall be a testimony against you for a memorial of (your) evil deeds. 108.8. by God; and of those who have been put to shame by wicked men: Who love God and loved neither gold nor silver nor any of the good things which are in the world, but gave over their bodies to torture. Who, since they came into being, longed not after earthly food, but regarded everything as a passing breath, and lived accordingly, and the Lord tried them much, and their spirits were 108.11. yet they blessed Me. And now I will summon the spirits of the good who belong to the generation of light, and I will transform those who were born in darkness, who in the flesh were not recompensed 108.12. with such honour as their faithfulness deserved. And I will bring forth in shining light those who 108.13. have loved My holy name, and I will seat each on the throne of his honour. And they shall be resplendent for times without number; for righteousness is the judgement of God; for to the faithful 108.14. He will give faithfulness in the habitation of upright paths. And they shall see those who were 108.15. born in darkness led into darkness, while the righteous shall be resplendent. And the sinners shall cry aloud and see them resplendent, and they indeed will go where days and seasons are prescribed for them.' |
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9. Anon., Testament of Joseph, 2.7 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. CE)
| 2.7. For endurance is a mighty charm, And patience giveth many good things. |
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10. Dead Sea Scrolls, Damascus Covenant, 4.14-4.18 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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11. Dead Sea Scrolls, War Scroll, 14.8-14.15, 16.11, 17.1 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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12. Dead Sea Scrolls, (Cairo Damascus Covenant) Cd-A, 4.14-4.18 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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13. Dead Sea Scrolls, Community Rule, 4.20, 8.5-8.9, 9.6 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. CE)
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14. Hebrew Bible, Daniel, 1.12, 1.14, 1.20, 11.35 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 1.12. נַס־נָא אֶת־עֲבָדֶיךָ יָמִים עֲשָׂרָה וְיִתְּנוּ־לָנוּ מִן־הַזֵּרֹעִים וְנֹאכְלָה וּמַיִם וְנִשְׁתֶּה׃ 1.14. וַיִּשְׁמַע לָהֶם לַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיְנַסֵּם יָמִים עֲשָׂרָה׃ 11.35. וּמִן־הַמַּשְׂכִּילִים יִכָּשְׁלוּ לִצְרוֹף בָּהֶם וּלְבָרֵר וְלַלְבֵּן עַד־עֵת קֵץ כִּי־עוֹד לַמּוֹעֵד׃ | 1.12. ’Try thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink." 1.14. So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and tried them ten days." 1.20. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his realm." 11.35. And some of them that are wise shall stumble, to refine among them, and to purify, and to make white, even to the time of the end; for it is yet for the time appointed." |
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15. Septuagint, Ecclesiasticus (Siracides), 2.5, 4.17, 27.25-27.27 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 2.5. For gold is tested in the fire,and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. 4.17. For at first she will walk with him on tortuous paths,she will bring fear and cowardice upon him,and will torment him by her discipline until she trusts him,and she will test him with her ordices. 27.25. Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head;and a treacherous blow opens up wounds. 27.26. He who digs a pit will fall into it,and he who sets a snare will be caught in it. 27.27. If a man does evil, it will roll back upon him,and he will not know where it came from. |
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16. Septuagint, Wisdom of Solomon, 1.16, 2.5, 3.5-3.6 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 1.16. But ungodly men by their words and deeds summoned death;considering him a friend, they pined away,and they made a covet with him,because they are fit to belong to his party. 2.5. For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow,and there is no return from our death,because it is sealed up and no one turns back. 3.5. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; 3.6. like gold in the furnace he tried them,and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. |
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17. Mishnah, Avot, 2.7 (1st cent. CE - 3rd cent. CE)
| 2.7. He used to say: The more flesh, the more worms; The more property, the more anxiety; The more wives, the more witchcraft; The more female slaves, the more lewdness; The more slaves, the more robbery; [But] the more Torah, the more life; The more sitting [in the company of scholars], the more wisdom; The more counsel, the more understanding; The more charity, the more peace. If one acquires a good name, he has acquired something for himself; If one acquires for himself knowledge of torah, he has acquired life in the world to come." |
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18. New Testament, 1 Peter, 1.6-1.9, 2.5 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials 1.7. that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ -- 1.8. whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory -- 1.9. receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 2.5. You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. |
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19. New Testament, Apocalypse, 2.10, 3.5, 3.18-3.19, 4.4, 6.11, 7.9, 7.12-7.14, 19.14, 22.14 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 2.10. Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. 3.5. He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 3.18. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. 3.19. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. 4.4. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads. 6.11. A long white robe was given them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, completed their course. 7.9. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 7.12. saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen. 7.13. One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and where did they come from? 7.14. I told him, "My lord, you know."He said to me, "These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb's blood. 19.14. The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. 22.14. Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. |
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20. New Testament, James, 1.2-1.3, 1.5-1.9, 1.11-1.13 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 1.2. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations 1.3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 1.5. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. 1.6. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. 1.7. For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 1.8. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 1.9. But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; 1.11. For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits. 1.12. Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. 1.13. Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. |
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21. New Testament, Ephesians, 2.19-2.22 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 2.19. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God 2.20. being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 2.21. in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 2.22. in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. |
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22. New Testament, John, 4.21-4.24 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 4.21. Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father. 4.22. You worship that which you don't know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 4.23. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. 4.24. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. |
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23. New Testament, Matthew, 7.21-7.27 (1st cent. CE - 1st cent. CE)
| 7.21. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 7.22. Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' 7.23. Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.' 7.24. Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. 7.25. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. 7.26. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. 7.27. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell -- and great was its fall. |
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24. Anon., Genesis Rabba, 83.5 (2nd cent. CE - 5th cent. CE)
| 83.5. הַתֶּבֶן וְהַקַּשׁ וְהַמּוֹץ מְרִיבִים [מדינים] זֶה עִם זֶה, זֶה אוֹמֵר בִּשְׁבִילִי נִזְרְעָה הַשָּׂדֶה, וְזֶה אוֹמֵר בִּשְׁבִילִי נִזְרְעָה הַשָּׂדֶה, אָמְרוּ הַחִטִּים הַמְתִּינוּ עַד שֶׁתָּבוֹאוּ הַגֹּרֶן וְאָנוּ יוֹדְעִין בִּשְׁבִיל מָה נִזְרְעָה הַשָּׂדֶה. בָּאוּ לַגֹּרֶן וְיָצָא בַּעַל הַבַּיִת לִזְרוֹתָהּ, הָלַךְ לוֹ הַמֹּץ בָּרוּחַ, נָטַל אֶת הַתֶּבֶן וְהִשְׁלִיכוֹ עַל הָאָרֶץ, וְנָטַל אֶת הַקַּשׁ וּשְׂרָפוֹ, נָטַל אֶת הַחִטִּים וְעָשָׂה אוֹתָן כְּרִי, וְכָל מִי שֶׁרוֹאֶה אוֹתָן מְנַשְּׁקָן, הֵיךְ מָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר (תהלים ב, יב): נַשְׁקוּ בַר פֶּן יֶאֱנַף, כָּךְ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, הַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים אָנוּ עִקָּר וּבִשְׁבִילֵנוּ נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, וְהַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים בִּשְׁבִילֵנוּ נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם יִשְׂרָאֵל הַמְתִּינוּ עַד שֶׁיַּגִּיעַ הַיּוֹם וְאָנוּ יוֹדְעִים בִּשְׁבִיל מִי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (מלאכי ג, יט): כִּי הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם בָּא בֹּעֵר כַּתַּנּוּר, וַעֲלֵיהֶם הוּא אוֹמֵר (ישעיה מא, טז): תִּזְרֵם וְרוּחַ תִּשָֹּׂאֵם וּסְעָרָה תָּפִיץ אֹתָם, אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל (ישעיה מא, טז): וְאַתָּה תָּגִיל בַּה' בִּקְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל תִּתְהַלָּל. | |
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25. Anon., 4 Ezra, 7.50-7.61
| 7.50. For this reason the Most High has made not one world but two. 7.51. For whereas you have said that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound, hear the explanation for this. 7.52. If you have just a few precious stones, will you add to them lead and clay? 7.53. I said, "Lord, how could that be? 7.54. And he said to me, "Not only that, but ask the earth and she will tell you; defer to her, and she will declare it to you. 7.55. Say to her, `You produce gold and silver and brass, and also iron and lead and clay; 7.56. but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.' 7.57. Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare? 7.58. I said, "O sovereign Lord, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what is more rare is more precious. 7.59. He answered me and said, "Weigh within yourself what you have thought, for he who has what is hard to get rejoices more than he who has what is plentiful. 7.60. So also will be the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few who shall be saved, because it is they who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them my name has now been honored. 7.61. And I will not grieve over the multitude of those who perish; for it is they who are now like a mist, and are similar to a flame and smoke -- they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished. |
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