| 7 | LIBER QUARTUS ESDRAE - Vulgate | 2 (4) EZRA - Revised Standard Version | Reference |
| 1 |
et factum est cum finissem loqui verba haec, et missus est ad me angelus, qui missus fuerat ad me primis noctibus, |
When I had finished speaking these words, the angel who had been sent to me on the former nights was sent to me again, |
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| 2 |
et dixit ad me: surge, Ezra, et audi sermones quos veni loqui ad te. |
and he said to me, "Rise, Ezra, and listen to the words that I have come to speak to you." |
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| 3 |
et dixi: loquere, dominus meus. et dixit ad me: mare positum est in spatioso loco ut esset altum et inmensum. |
I said, "Speak, my lord." And he said to me, "There is a sea set in a wide expanse so that it is broad and vast, |
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| 4 |
erit autem ei introitus in angusto loco positus, ut esset similis fluminis. |
but it has an entrance set in a narrow place, so that it is like a river. |
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| 5 |
si quis enim volens voluerit ingredi mare videre eum vel dominari eius, si non transierit angustum, in latitudinem venire quomodo poterit? |
If any one, then, wishes to reach the sea, to look at it or to navigate it, how can he come to the broad part unless he passes through the narrow part? |
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| 6 |
item aliud: civitas est aedificata et posita in loco campestri, est autem plena omnium bonorum. |
Another example: There is a city built and set on a plain, and it is full of all good things; |
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| 7 |
introitus autem eius angustus et in praecipiti positus, ut esset a dextris quidem ignis, a sinistris vero aqua alta. |
but the entrance to it is narrow and set in a precipitous place, so that there is fire on the right hand and deep water on the left; |
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| 8 |
semita autem est una sola inter eos posita, hoc est ignis et aqua, ut non capiat semita nisi solummodo vestigium hominis. |
and there is only one path lying between them, that is, between the fire and the water, so that only one man can walk upon that path. |
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| 9 |
si autem data dabitur civitas homini in hereditatem, si non heres antepositum periculum pertransierit, quomodo accipiet hereditatem suam? |
If now that city is given to a man for an inheritance, how will the heir receive his inheritance unless he passes through the danger set before him?" |
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| 10 |
et dixi: sic, domine. et dixit ad me: sic est et Israhel pars. |
I said, "He cannot, lord." And he said to me, "So also is Israel's portion. |
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| 11 |
propter eos enim feci saeculum, et quando transgressus est Adam constitutiones meas, iudicatum est quod factum est. |
For I made the world for their sake, and when Adam transgressed my statutes, what had been made was judged. |
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| 12 |
et facti sunt introitus huius saeculi angusti et dolentes et laboriosi, paucae autem et malae et periculorum plenae et laborum magnorum fultae. |
And so the entrances of this world were made narrow and sorrowful and toilsome; they are few and evil, full of dangers and involved in great hardships. |
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| 13 |
nam maioris saeculi introitus spatiosi et securi et facientes inmortalitatis fructum. |
But the entrances of the greater world are broad and safe, and really yield the fruit of immortality. |
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| 14 |
si ergo non ingredientes ingressi fuerint qui vivunt angusta et vana haec, non poterunt recipere quae sunt reposita. |
Therefore unless the living pass through the difficult and vain experiences, they can never receive those things that have been reserved for them. |
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| 15 |
nunc ergo tu quare conturbaris, corruptibilis cum sis? et quid moveris tu, cum sis mortalis? |
But now why are you disturbed, seeing that you are to perish? And why are you moved, seeing that you are mortal? |
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| 16 |
et quare non accepisti in corde tuo quod futurum, sed quod in praesenti? |
And why have you not considered in your mind what is to come, rather than what is now present?" |
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| 17 |
et respondi et dixi: dominator domine, ecce disposuisti in lege tua, quoniam iusti hereditabunt haec, impii autem peribunt. |
Then I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, behold, thou hast ordained in thy law that the righteous shall inherit these things, but that the ungodly shall perish. |
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| 18 |
iusti autem ferent angusta sperantes spatiosa; qui enim impie gesserunt, et angustiam passi sunt et spatiosa non viderunt. |
The righteous therefore can endure difficult circumstances while hoping for easier ones; but those who have done wickedly have suffered the difficult circumstances and will not see the easier ones." |
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| 19 |
et dixit ad me: non es iudex super Dominum neque intellegens super Altissimum. |
And he said to me, "You are not a better judge than God, or wiser than the Most High! |
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| 20 |
pereant enim multi praesentes, quam neglegatur quae anteposita est Dei lex. |
Let many perish who are now living, rather than that the law of God which is set before them be disregarded! |
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| 21 |
mandans enim mandavit Dominus venientibus quando venerunt, quid facientes viverent, et quid observantes non punirentur. |
For God strictly commanded those who came into the world, when they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment. |
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| 22 |
hii autem non sunt persuasi et contradixerunt ei. et constituerunt sibi cogitamenta vanitatis |
Nevertheless they were not obedient, and spoke against him; they devised for themselves vain thoughts,
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| 23 |
et proposuerunt sibi circumventiones delictorum. et superdixerunt Altissimum non esse, et vias eius non cognoverunt. |
and proposed to themselves wicked frauds;
they even declared that the Most High does not exist,
and they ignored his ways!
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| 24 |
et legem eius spreverunt et sponsiones eius abnegaverunt et legitimis eius fidem non habuerunt et opera eius non perfecerunt. |
They scorned his law,
and denied his covenants;
they have been unfaithful to his statutes,
and have not performed his works. |
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| 25 |
propter hoc, Ezra, vacua vacuis et plena plenis. |
"Therefore, Ezra, empty things are for the empty, and full things are for the full. |
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| 26 |
ecce enim tempus veniet, et erit quando venient signa quae praedixi tibi, et apparebit sponsa et apparescens civitas et ostendetur quae nunc subducitur terra. |
For behold, the time will come, when the signs which I have foretold to you will come to pass, that the city which now is not seen shall appear, and the land which now is hidden shall be disclosed. | The Messianic kingdom. Final judgement. 2(4)Ezr.7.26-44
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| 27 |
et omnis qui liberatus est de praedictis malis, ipse videbit mirabilia mea. |
And every one who has been delivered from the evils that I have foretold shall see my wonders. |
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| 28 |
revelabitur enim Filius meus Iesus cum his qui cum eo, et iucundabit qui relicti sunt annis quadringentis. |
For my son the Messiah shall be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain shall rejoice four hundred years. |
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| 29 |
et erit post annos hos, et morietur Filius meus Christus et omnes qui spiramentum habent hominis. |
And after these years my son the Messiah shall die, and all who draw human breath. |
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| 30 |
et convertetur saeculum in antiquum silentium diebus septem sicut in prioribus initiis, ita ut nemo derelinquatur. |
And the world shall be turned back to primeval silence for seven days, as it was at the first beginnings; so that no one shall be left. |
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| 31 |
et erit post dies septem, et excitabitur qui nondum vigilat saeculum et morietur corruptum. |
And after seven days the world, which is not yet awake, shall be roused, and that which is corruptible shall perish. |
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| 32 |
et terra reddet qui in eam dormiunt, et pulvis qui in eo silentio habitant, et promptuaria reddent quae eis commendatae sunt animae. |
And the earth shall give up those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who dwell silently in it; and the chambers shall give up the souls which have been committed to them. |
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| 33 |
et revelabitur Altissimus super sedem iudicii, et pertransibunt misericordiae, et longanimitas congregabitur, |
And the Most High shall be revealed upon the seat of judgment, and compassion shall pass away, and patience shall be withdrawn; |
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| 34 |
iudicium autem solum remanebit. et veritas stabit et fides convalescet, |
but only judgment shall remain, truth shall stand, and faithfulness shall grow strong. |
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| 35 |
et opus subsequetur et merces ostendetur. et iustitiae vigilabunt et iniustitiae non dormibunt. |
And recompense shall follow, and the reward shall be manifested; righteous deeds shall awake, and unrighteous deeds shall not sleep. |
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| 36 |
et apparebit lacus tormenti et contra illum erit locus requietionis, et clibanus gehennae ostendetur et contra eam iucunditatis paradisus. |
Then the pit of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest; and the furnace of hell shall be disclosed, and opposite it the paradise of delight. |
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| 37 |
et dicet tunc Altissimus ad excitatas gentes: videte et intellegite quem negastis vel cui non servistis vel cuius diligentias sprevistis. |
Then the Most High will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, `Look now, and understand whom you have denied, whom you have not served, whose commandments you have despised! |
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| 38 |
videte contra et in contra, hic iucunditas et requies et ibi ignis et tormenta. haec autem loquetur ad eos in die iudicii. |
Look on this side and on that; here are delight and rest, and there are fire and torments!' Thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment - |
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| 39 |
haec talis quae neque solem habet neque lunam neque stellas, |
a day that has no sun or moon or stars, |
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| 40 |
neque nubem neque tonitruum neque coruscationem, neque ventum neque aquam neque aerem, neque tenebras neque sero neque mane, |
or cloud or thunder or lightning or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning, |
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| 41 |
neque aestatem neque ver neque aestum, neque hiemem neque gelum neque frigus, neque grandinem neque pluviam neque ros, |
or summer or spring or heat or winter or frost or cold or hail or rain or dew, |
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| 42 |
neque meridiem neque noctem neque ante lucem, neque nitorem neque claritatem neque lucem, nisi solummodo splendorem claritatis Altissimi, unde omnes incipiant videre |
or noon or night, or dawn or shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all shall see what has been determined for them. |
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| 43 |
spatium enim habebit sicut ebdomada annorum. |
For it will last for about a week of years. |
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| 44 |
hoc est iudicium meum et constitutio eius, tibi autem soli ostendi haec. |
This is my judgment and its prescribed order; and to you alone have I shown these things." |
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| 45 |
et respondi: tunc et dixi, domine, et nunc dico: beati praesentes et observantes quae a te constituta sunt. |
I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, I said then and I say now: Blessed are those who are alive and keep thy commandments! | Only a remnant will be saved. 2(4)Ezr.7.45-74
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| 46 |
sed de quibus erat oratio mea, quis enim est de praesentibus qui non peccavit, vel quis natorum qui non praeterivit sponsionem tuam. |
But what of those for whom I prayed? For who among the living is there that has not sinned, or who among men that has not transgressed thy covenant? |
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| 47 |
et nunc video, quoniam ad paucos pertinebit futurum saeculum iucunditatem facere, multis autem tormenta. |
And now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many. |
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| 48 |
increvit enim in nos cor malum, quod nos abalienavit ab his et deduxit nos in corruptionem, et itinera mortis ostendit nobis, semitas perditionis, et longe fecit nos |
For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has alienated us from God, and has brought us into corruption and the ways of death, and has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life - and that not just a few of us but almost all who have been created!" |
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| 49 |
et respondit ad me et dixit: audi me et instruam te et de sequenti corripiam te. |
He answered me and said, "Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct you, and will admonish you yet again. |
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| 50 |
propter hoc non fecit Altissimus unum saeculum sed duo. |
For this reason the Most High has made not one world but two. |
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| 51 |
tu enim quia dixisti non esse multos iustos sed paucos, impios vero multiplicari, audi ad haec. |
For whereas you have said that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound, hear the explanation for this. |
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| 52 |
lapides electos si habueris paucos valde, ad numerum eorum conpones eos tibi, plumbum autem et fictile abundat. |
"If you have just a few precious stones, will you add to them lead and clay?" |
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| 53 |
et dixi: domine, quomodo poterit? |
I said, "Lord, how could that be?" |
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| 54 |
et dixit ad me: non hoc solummodo, sed interroga terram et dicet tibi, adulare ei et narrabit tibi. |
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. |
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| 55 |
dices enim ei: aurum creas et argentum et aeramentum et ferrum quoque et plumbum et fictile. |
Say to her, `You produce gold and silver and brass, and also iron and lead and clay; |
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| 56 |
multiplicatur autem argentum super aurum, et aeramentum super argentum, et ferrum super aeramentum, plumbum super ferrum, et fictile super plumbum. |
but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.' |
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| 57 |
aestima ergo tu quae haec sint pretiosa et desiderabilia, quod multiplicatur aut quod rarum nascitur. |
Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare?" |
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| 58 |
et dixi: dominator domine, quod abundat vilius, quod enim rarius pretiosius est. |
I said, "O sovereign Lord, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what is more rare is more precious." |
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| 59 |
et respondit ad me et dixit: in te ista pondera quae cogitasti, quoniam qui habet quod difficile est, gaudet super eum qui habet abundantia. |
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. |
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| 60 |
sic et a me repromissa creatura. iucundabor enim super paucis qui salvabuntur, propterea quod ipsi sunt qui gloriam meam nunc dominationem fecerunt et per quos nunc n |
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 honoured. |
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| 61 |
et non contristabor super multitudinem eorum qui perierunt, ipsi enim sunt qui vapori nunc adsimilati sunt et flammae ac fumo adaequati sunt et exarserunt et ferverun |
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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| 62 |
et respondi et dixi: o tu terra, quid peperisti? si sensus factus est de pulvere sicut et cetera creatura, |
I replied and said, "O earth, what have you brought forth, if the mind is made out of the dust like the other created things! |
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| 63 |
melius enim erat et ipsum pulverem non esse natum, ut non sensus inde fieret. |
For it would have been better if the dust itself had not been born, so that the mind might not have been made from it. |
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| 64 |
nunc autem nobiscum crescit sensus, et propter hoc torquemur, quoniam scientes perimus. |
But now the mind grows with us, and therefore we are tormented, because we perish and know it. |
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| 65 |
lugeat hominum genus et agrestes bestiae laetentur; lugeant omnes qui nati sunt, quadrupedia vero et pecora iucundentur. |
Let the human race lament, but let the beasts of the field be glad; let all who have been born lament, but let the four-footed beasts and the flocks rejoice! |
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| 66 |
multum enim melius est illis quam nobis. non enim sperant iudicium, nec enim sciunt cruciamenta nec salutem post mortem repromissam sibi. |
For it is much better with them than with us; for they do not look for a judgment, nor do they know of any torment or salvation promised to them after death. |
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| 67 |
nobis autem quid prodest, quoniam salvati salvabimur sed tormento tormentabimur? |
For what does it profit us that we shall be preserved alive but cruelly tormented? |
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| 68 |
omnes enim qui nati sunt commixti sunt iniquitatibus et pleni sunt peccatis et gravati delictis. |
For all who have been born are involved in iniquities, and are full of sins and burdened with transgressions. |
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| 69 |
et si non essemus post mortem in iudicio venientes, melius fortassis nobis venisset. |
And if we were not to come into judgment after death, perhaps it would have been better for us." |
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| 70 |
et respondit ad me et dixit: et quando Altissimus faciens faciebat saeculum et Adam et omnes qui ex eo venerunt, primum praeparavit iudicium et quae sunt iudicii. |
He answered me and said, "When the Most High made the world and Adam and all who have come from him, he first prepared the judgment and the things that pertain to the judgment. |
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| 71 |
et nunc de sermonibus tuis intellege, quoniam dixisti quia sensus nobiscum crescit. |
And now understand from your own words, for you have said that the mind grows with us. |
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| 72 |
qui ergo commorantes sunt in terra hinc cruciabuntur, quoniam sensum habentes iniquitatem fecerunt, et mandata accipientes non servaverunt ea, et legem consecuti frau |
For this reason, therefore, those who dwell on earth shall be tormented, because though they had understanding they committed iniquity, and though they received the commandments they did not keep them, and though they obtained the law they dealt unfaithfully with what they received. |
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| 73 |
et quid habebunt dicere in iudicio vel quomodo respondebunt in novissimis temporibus? |
What, then, will they have to say in the judgment, or how will they answer in the last times? |
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| 74 |
quantum enim tempus, ex quo longanimitatem habuit Altissimus his qui inhabitant saeculum, et non propter eos, sed propter ea quae providit tempora. |
For how long the time is that the Most High has been patient with those who inhabit the world, and not for their sake, but because of the times which he has foreordained!" |
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| 75 |
et respondi et dixi: si inveni gratiam coram te, domine demonstra et hoc servo tuo, si post mortem vel nunc quando reddemus unusquisque animam suam, si conservati con |
I answered and said, "If I have found favour in thy sight, O Lord, show this also to thy servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?" | The soul after death. 2(4)Ezr.7.75-101
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| 76 |
et respondit ad me et dixit: ostendam tibi et hoc. tu autem noli commisceri cum eis qui spreverunt, neque connumeres te cum his qui cruciantur. |
He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented. |
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| 77 |
etenim est tibi thesaurus operum repositus apud Altissimum, sed non tibi demonstrabitur usque in novissimis temporibus. |
For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times. |
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| 78 |
nam de morte sermo: quando profectus fuerit terminus sententiae ab Altissimo ut homo moriatur, recedente inspiratione de corpore ut dimittatur iterum ad eum qui dedit |
Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. |
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| 79 |
et si quidem esset eorum qui spreverunt et non servaverunt viam Altissimi et eorum qui contempserunt legem eius et eorum qui oderunt eos qui timent Deum, |
And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear God - |
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| 80 |
haec inspirationes inhabitationes non ingredientur, sed vagantes erunt amodo in cruciamentis, dolentes semper et tristes, per septem vias. |
such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. |
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| 81 |
via prima, quia spreverunt legem Altissimi. |
The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. |
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| 82 |
secunda via, quia iam non possunt reversionem bonam facere, ut vivant. |
The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance that they may live. |
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| 83 |
tertia via, vident repositam mercedem his qui testamentis Altissimi crediderunt. |
The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. |
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| 84 |
quarta via, considerabunt sibi in novissimis repositum cruciamentum. |
The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. |
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| 85 |
quinta via, videntes aliorum habitacula ab angelis conservari cum silentio magno. |
The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet. |
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| 86 |
sexta via, videntes quemadmodum de eis pertransientem cruciamentum. |
The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will pass over into torments. |
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| 87 |
septima via, quae omnium supradictarum viarum maior est, quoniam detabescent in confusione et consumentur inhonoribus et marcescent in timoribus, videntes gloriam Alt |
The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they sinned while they were alive, and before whom they are to be judged in the last times. |
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| 88 |
nam eorum qui servaverunt vias Altissimi ordo hic est, quando separari incipient a vaso corruptibili. |
"Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. |
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| 89 |
in eo tempore commoratae servierunt cum labore Altissimo et omni hora sustinuerunt periculum, uti perfecte custodirent legislatoris legem. |
During the time that they lived in it, they labouriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour, that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. |
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| 90 |
propter quod hic de his sermo: |
Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: |
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| 91 |
in primis vident cum exultatione multa gloriam eius qui suscipit eas, requiescent enim per septem ordines. |
First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. |
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| 92 |
ordo primus, quoniam cum labore multo certati sunt, ut vincerent cum eis plasmatum cogitamentum malum, ut non eas seducat a vita ad mortem. |
The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was formed with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. |
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| 93 |
secundus ordo, quoniam vident conplicationem in qua vagantur impiorum animae et quae in eis manet punitio. |
The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them. |
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| 94 |
tertius ordo, videntes testimonium quod testificatus est eis qui plasmavit eas, quoniam viventes servaverunt quae per fidem data est lex. |
The third order, they see the witness which he who formed them bears concerning them, that while they were alive they kept the law which was given them in trust. |
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| 95 |
quartus ordo, intellegentes requiem quam nunc in promptuariis eorum congregati requiescent cum silentio multo ab angelis conservati, et quae in novissimis eorum manet |
The fourth order, they understand the rest which they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory which awaits them in the last days. |
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| 96 |
quintus ordo, exultantes quomodo corruptibile effugerunt nunc, et futurum quomodo hereditatem possidebunt, adhuc autem videntes angustum et labore plenum quo iam libe |
The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible, and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. |
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| 97 |
sextus ordo, quando eis ostendetur quomodo incipiet vultus eorum fulgere sicut sol, et quomodo incipient stellis adsimilari lumini, amodo non corrupti. |
The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. |
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| 98 |
septimus ordo, qui est omnibus supradictis maior, quoniam exultabunt cum fiducia et quoniam confidebunt non confusi et gaudebunt non reverentes; festinant enim videre |
The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. |
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| 99 |
hic ordo animarum iustorum, ut amodo adnuntiatur; praedictae viae cruciatus quas patiuntur amodo qui neglexerint. |
This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced; and the aforesaid are the ways of torment which those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter." |
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| 100 |
et respondi et dixi: ergo dabitur tempus animabus, postquam separatae fuerint de corporibus, ut videant de quo mihi dixisti? |
I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?" |
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| 101 |
et dixit mihi: septem diebus erit libertas earum, ut videant in septem diebus qui praedicti sunt sermones, et postea congregabuntur in habitaculis suis. |
He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations." |
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| 102 |
et respondi et dixi: si inveni gratiam ante oculos tuos, demonstra mihi adhuc servo tuo, si in die iudicii iusti impios excusare poterint vel deprecari pro eis Altis |
I answered and said, "If I have found favour in thy sight, show further to me, thy servant, whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the Most High for them, | Final judgement. Salvation of the few. 2(4)Ezr.7.102-8.3
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| 103 |
si patres pro filiis vel filii pro parentibus, si fratres pro fratribus, si adfines pro proximis, si fidentes pro carissimis. |
fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kinsmen, or friends for those who are most dear." |
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| 104 |
et respondit ad me et dixit: quoniam invenisti gratiam coram oculis meis, et hoc tibi demonstrabo. dies iudicii audax est et omnibus signaculum veritatis demonstrans |
He answered me and said, "Since you have found favour in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead, |
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| 105 |
sic numquam nemo pro aliquo rogabit; omnes enim portabunt unusquisque tunc iniustitias suas aut iustitias. |
so no one shall ever pray for another on that day, neither shall any one lay a burden on another; for then every one shall bear his own righteousness and unrighteousness." |
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| 106 |
et respondi et dixi: et quomodo invenimus modo, quoniam rogavit primus Abraham propter Sodomitas, et Moyses pro patribus qui in deserto peccaverunt, |
I answered and said, "How then do we find that first Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for our fathers who sinned in the desert, |
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| 107 |
et Iesus qui post eum pro Israhel in diebus Achar, et Samuhel in diebus Saul, |
and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of Achan, |
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| 108 |
et David pro confractione, et Salomon pro eis qui in sanctificationem, |
and Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the plague, and Solomon for those in the sanctuary, |
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| 109 |
et Helias pro his qui pluviam acceperunt et pro mortuo ut viveret, |
and Elijah for those who received the rain, and for the one who was dead, that he might live, |
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| 110 |
et Ezechias pro populo in diebus Sennacherib, et multi pro multis? |
and Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib, and many others prayed for many? |
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| 111 |
si ergo modo, quando corruptibile increvit et iniustitia multiplicata est, exoraverunt iusti pro impiis quare et tunc sic non erit? |
If therefore the righteous have prayed for the ungodly now, when corruption has increased and unrighteousness has multiplied, why will it not be so then as well?" |
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| 112 |
et respondit ad me et dixit: praesens saeculum non est finis, gloria in eo non frequens manet, propter hoc oraverunt qui potuerunt pro invalidis. |
He answered me and said, "This present world is not the end; the full glory does not abide in it; therefore those who were strong prayed for the weak. |
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| 113 |
dies enim iudicii erit finis temporis huius et initium futuri inmortalis temporis, in quo pertransivit corruptela, |
But the day of judgment will be the end of this age and the beginning of the immortal age to come, in which corruption has passed away, |
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| 114 |
soluta est intemperantia, abscisa est incredulitas, crevit autem iustitia, orta est veritas. |
sinful indulgence has come to an end, unbelief has been cut off, and righteousness has increased and truth has appeared. |
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| 115 |
tunc ergo nemo poterit misereri eius qui in iudicio victus fuerit, neque demergere eum qui vicerit. |
Therefore no one will then be able to have mercy on him who has been condemned in the judgment, or to harm him who is victorious." |
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| 116 |
et respondi et dixi: hic sermo meus primus et novissimus, quoniam melius erat non dare terram Adam vel, cum iam dedisset, coercere eum ut non peccaret. |
I answered and said, "This is my first and last word, that it would have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it had produced him, had restrained him from sinning. |
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| 117 |
quid enim prodest omnibus in praesenti vivere in tristitia et mortuos sperare punitionem? |
For what good is it to all that they live in sorrow now and expect punishment after death? |
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| 118 |
o tu quid fecisti, Adam? si enim tu peccasti, non est factum solius tuus casus sed et nostrum qui ex te advenimus. |
O Adam, what have you done? For though it was you who sinned, the fall was not yours alone, but ours also who are your descendants. |
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| 119 |
quid enim nobis prodest, si promissum est nobis inmortale tempus, nos vero mortalia opera egimus? |
For what good is it to us, if an eternal age has been promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death? |
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| 120 |
et quoniam praedicta est nobis perennis spes, nos vero pessime vani facti sumus? |
And what good is it that an everlasting hope has been promised to us, but we have miserably failed? |
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| 121 |
et quoniam reposita sunt habitacula sanitatis et securitatis, nos vero male conversati sumus? |
Or that safe and healthful habitations have been reserved for us, but we have lived wickedly? |
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| 122 |
et quoniam incipiet gloria Altissimi protegere eos qui caste conversati sunt, nos autem pessimis viis ambulavimus? |
Or that the glory of the Most High will defend those who have led a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways? |
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| 123 |
et quoniam ostendetur paradisus, cuius fructus incorruptus perseverat, in quo est saturitas et medella, |
Or that a paradise shall be revealed, whose fruit remains unspoiled and in which are abundance and healing, but we shall not enter it, |
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| 124 |
nos vero non ingrediemur, ingratis enim locis conversati sumus? |
because we have lived in unseemly places? |
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| 125 |
et quoniam super stellas fulgebunt facies eorum qui abstinentiam habuerunt, nostrae vero facies super tenebras nigrae? |
Or that the faces of those who practiced self-control shall shine more than the stars, but our faces shall be blacker than darkness? |
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| 126 |
non enim cogitavimus viventes quando iniquitatem faciebamus, quid incipientes post mortem pati. |
For while we lived and committed iniquity we did not consider what we should suffer after death." |
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| 127 |
et respondit et dixit: hoc est cogitamentum certaminis, quem certavit qui super terram natus est homo, |
He answered and said, "This is the meaning of the contest which every man who is born on earth shall wage, |
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| 128 |
ut si victus fuerit patiatur quod dixisti, si autem vicerit recipiet quod dico, |
that if he is defeated he shall suffer what you have said, but if he is victorious he shall receive what I have said. |
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| 129 |
quoniam haec est via, quam Moyses dixit cum viveret ad populum dicens: elige tibi vitam ut vivas. |
For this is the way of which Moses, while he was alive, spoke to the people, saying, `Choose for yourself life, that you may live!' |
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| 130 |
non crediderunt autem ei, sed nec post eum prophetis, sed nec mihi qui locutus sum ad eos, |
But they did not believe him, or the prophets after him, or even myself who have spoken to them. |
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| 131 |
quoniam non esset tristitia in perditione eorum, sicut et futurum est gaudium super eos quibus persuasa est salus. |
Therefore there shall not be grief at their destruction, so much as joy over those to whom salvation is assured." |
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| 132 |
et respondi et dixi: scio, domine, quoniam nunc vocatus est Altissimus misericors, in eo quod misereatur qui nondum in saeculo advenerunt, |
I answered and said, "I know, O Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful, because he has mercy on those who have not yet come into the world; |
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| 133 |
et miserator, in eo quod miseretur illis qui conversionem faciunt in lege eius, |
and gracious, because he is gracious to those who turn in repentance to his law; |
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| 134 |
et longanimis, quoniam longanimitatem praestat his qui peccaverunt quasi suis operibus, |
and patient, because he shows patience toward those who have sinned, since they are his own works; |
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| 135 |
et munificus, quoniam quidem donare vult pro exigere, |
and bountiful, because he would rather give than take away; |
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| 136 |
et multae misericordiae, quoniam multiplicat magis misericordias his qui praesentes sunt et qui praeterierunt et qui futuri sunt. |
and abundant in compassion, because he makes his compassions abound more and more to those now living and to those who are gone and to those yet to come, |
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| 137 |
si enim non multiplicaverit, non vivificabitur saeculum cum his qui habitant in eo. |
for if he did not make them abound, the world with those who inhabit it would not have life; |
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| 138 |
et donator, quoniam si non donaverit de bonitate sua, ut adleventur hii qui iniquitates fecerunt de suis iniquitatibus, non poterit decies millesima pars hominum viv |
and he is called giver, because if he did not give out of his goodness so that those who have committed iniquities might be relieved of them, not one ten-thousandth of mankind could have life; |
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| 139 |
et iudex, si non ignoverit his qui creati sunt verbo eius et deleverit multitudinem contemptionum, non fortassis derelinquentur innumerabilem multitudinem nisi pauci |
and judge, because if he did not pardon those who were created by his word and blot out the multitude of their sins, |
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