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The Books of Enoch, Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4

The Books of Enoch, Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4

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En» I ii FIRST COPY 147<br />

(consider) the signs <strong>of</strong> winter that the whole earth [is filled with water, and]<br />

clouds pour down rain. ^Observe that all trees wither and [shed all their<br />

foliage] except fourteen trees whose foUage remains, [and they do not renew<br />

their foliage until] two or three years [pass]. ^Observe ye the signs [<strong>of</strong> summer,<br />

that the sun burns] and glows; and ye seek shade and shelter before it [upon<br />

the burning earth]; and ye are not able to tread on the dust or on the rocks<br />

on account [<strong>of</strong> the heat. « ^Observe ye and enjoy all] trees; on all <strong>of</strong> them<br />

their foliage blossoms green, and it covers [the trees, and all their fruit is<br />

(brought forth) in] glorious pride. [Praise ye] and consider all these works,<br />

[and understand that God who lives] for ever and ever, created all these<br />

things. ^Year [in year out they do not change their works but] they all do<br />

His Word. ^But ye, ye changed your works [and do not do His Word]; but<br />

ye transgress against Him with great and hard (words), with your unclean<br />

mouths [against His magnificence. Oh, hard-]hearted, you shall have no<br />

peace. s<strong>The</strong>nyour days ye will curse, and the years [<strong>of</strong> your life will perish...],<br />

and the years <strong>of</strong> your destruction will be multiplied with an everlasting curse;<br />

and compassion [and peace ye will not have. ^<strong>The</strong>n your name shall be]<br />

an eternal curse for [all the righteous; and in you shall all the accursed be<br />

cursed; and all the sinners and the wicked shall swear by you], and to all<br />

[sinners . . .]<br />

<strong>The</strong>re has been considerable wear and tear on the surface <strong>of</strong> this column, especially on the<br />

right-hand side. This, together with the confused state <strong>of</strong> the text (due to omissions either in the<br />

manuscripts <strong>of</strong> 4QEn or in the ancient versions), means that several readings and restorations<br />

are <strong>of</strong> a somewhat hypothetical character.<br />

Texts to be compared: En

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