THE
FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 11
Then saw I a
dream: and behold, there came up from the sea an Eagle, which had twelve
wings and three heads: And I saw, and behold, *he spread his wings over all
the earth, and all the winds of the air blew in them, and so they were put
together again. And I beheld, and out of his feathers there grew other
little contrary feathers: the heads rested, the head in the midst was greater
than the others, yet rested it with the residue.
Moreover I saw, that the eagle flew with his
wings, and reigned upon the earth, and over all them that dwell upon the earth:
and I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto him, and no man spoke
against him, no not one creature upon the earth. I saw also that the Eagle
stood up on his claws, and give a sound with his feathers, and a voice
saying things after this manner: watch not all together, sleep every man in his
own place, and watch for a time, but let the heads be preserved at the last.
Nevertheless I saw, that the voice went not out of his heads, but from the midst
of his body. And I numbered his contrary feathers, and behold there were
eight of them. And I looked, and behold upon the right side there arose one
feather, and reigned over all the earth. And it happened, that when it reigned,
the end of it came, and the place thereof appeared no more. So the next
following stood up, and reigned, and had a great time: and it happened, that
when it reigned, the end of it came also, like as the first, so that it appeared
no more.
Then came there a voice unto it, and said:
Hear thou that hast kept in the earth so long, this I say unto thee, before thou
beginest to appear no more: There shall none after thee attain unto thy time.
Then arose the third, and reigned as the other afore, and appeared no more
also. So went it with all the residue one after the other, so that every one
reigned, and then appeared no more. Then I looked, and behold, in the process of
time that the feathers that followed were set up upon the right side, that they
might rule also: and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no
more: for some of them were set up, but ruled not. After this I looked, and
behold the twelve feathers appeared no more, and that two wings: and there were
no more upon the Eagles body, but the two heads that rested, and six feathers.
Then saw I also, that the six feathers were parted in two, and remained under
the head, that was upon the right side, for the four continued in their place.
So I looked, and behold, they that were under the wings, thought to set up
themselves, and to have the rule. Then was there one set up, but shortly it
appeared no more, and the second was sooner away than the first. And I beheld,
and lo, the two thought also by themselves to reign: and when they so thought,
behold there awaked one of the heads that were at rest, namely, it that was in
the midst, for that was the greater of the two heads. And then I saw, that the
two heads were filled with him and the head was turned with them that were by
him, and eat up the two under wings , that would have reigned.
But this head put the whole earth in
fear, and bare rule in it, over all those that dwelt upon the earth with much
labor, and he had the governance of the world, over all the fowls that have
been. After this I looked , and behold, the head that was in the midst,
suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings: then came the two heads, which
ruled upon the earth, and over those that dwelt therein. And I beheld, and lo
the head upon the right side, devoured it that was upon the left side. And I
heard a voice, which said unto me: look before thee, and consider the thing that
thou seest. Then I saw, and behold, as it were a lion that roareth, running
hastily out of the wood, and he sent out a mans voice unto the Eagle, and said:
Hear thou, I will talk with thee, and the Highest shall say unto thee: Is it not
thou that hast the victory of the four beasts, whom I made to reign upon the
earth and in my world, and that the end of their times might come
through them?
And the fourth came, and *overwane, subdue
all the beasts that were past, and had power over the world with great
fearfulness, and over the whole compass of the earth with the most wicked
labor, and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit, and the earth thou
hast not judged with truth. For thou hast troubled the meek, thou hast hurt the
peaceable and quiet, thou hast loved lies, and destroyed the dwellings of them
that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no
harm. Therefore is thy wrongeous dealing and blasphemy come up unto the
Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty. The Highest also hath looked upon the
proud times, and behold, they are ended, and their abominations are fulfilled. And
therefore appear no more thou Eagle, and thy horrible wings, and thy wicked
feathers, and thy ungracious heads, and thy sinful claws, and all thy vain body:
that the earth may be refreshed, and come again to herself, when she is
delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgement and mercy
of him that made her
Note Eagle *he
spread his wings "over all the earth". *overwane= lord over (sml l )
over / diminish, weaken.
THE
FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 12
And where as thou
sawest two underwings upon the head that is on the right side, it signifieth
that it is they, whom the Highest hath kept unto their end: this is a small
kingdom, full of trouble. The Lion whom thou sawest rising up out of the
wood, and roaring, and speaking unto the Eagle, and
rebuking him for his unrighteousness, is the wind, which the Highest hath kept
for them and for their wickedness unto the end: he shall reprove them, and rent
them asunder before them. For he shall set them living before the judgement,
and shall rebuke them: for the residue of my people shall he deliver with
trouble, those that be preserved over mine ends: and he shall make them joyful
until the coming day of Judgement, where of I have spoken unto thee from the
beginning. This is the dream that thou sawest, and this is the interpretation.
Thou only hast been meat to know the secret of the Highest.
THE
FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 13
And it happened after the seven days, that I dreamed a dream by night.
And behold, there arose a wind from the sea, that it moved all the floods
thereof. And I looked, and behold, the man was strong and increased with the
clouds of heaven: And when he turned his countenance to consider, all the things
trembled that were seen under him: and when the voice went out of his mouth, all
they burnt that heard him, like as the earth when it feeleth the fire.
After these I saw, and behold there was
gathered together a multitude of men out of number from the four winds of the
heaven, to fight against the man, that came out from the sea. And I looked, and
behold, he graved himself a great mountain, and flew up upon it. But I would
have seen the border or place, where out the hill was graven, and I could not.
I saw after these, that all they which came
to fight against him, were sore afraid, and yet *durst they fight. Nevertheless
when he saw the fierceness and violence of the people, he neither lift up his
hand nor held sword, nor any weapon: but only (as I saw ) he sent out of his
mouth as it had been a blast of fire, and out of his lips the wind of flame: and
out of his tongue he cast sparks and storms, and they were all mixed together :
the blast of fire, the wind of the flames, and the great storm, and fell with a
rush upon the people, which was prepared to fight and brunt them up everyone: so
that of the innumerable multitude there was nothing seen, but only dust and
smoke. When I saw this I was afraid.
Afterward saw I the same man come down
from the mountain, and calling unto him another peaceable people: and there came
much people unto him: some were glad some were sorry, some of them were bound,
so that they were carried and brought forth.
Then was I sick through great fear, and I
awaked, and said: thou hast shown thy servant all thy wonders from the
beginning, and hast counted me worthy, that thou mightest receive my prayer:
show me now yet this interpretation of this dream. For thus I consider in my
understanding: Woe unto them that shall be left in those days: and much more woe
unto them that are not left behind: for they that were not left, were in
heaviness.
Now understand I the things that are laid up
in the latter days which shall happen unto them, and to those that are not left
behind. Therefore they are come into great perils, and many necessities, like as
these dreams declare. Yet is it easier, that he which suffereth hurt come in
these, then to pass away as a cloud out of the world, and now to see the things
that shall happen in the last.
Then answered he me, and said: The
interpretation of the sight shall I show thee, and I will open unto thee, the
things that thou hast required. For thou hast spoken of them that are left
behind, and this is the interpretation. He that taketh away the peril in that
time, hath kept himself. They that be fallen into harm, are such as have works
and faith unto the Most mighty. Know this therefore, that they which be left
behind, are more blessed, then they that be dead. This is the meaning of the
vision. Where as thou sawest a man coming up from the deep of the sea, the same
is he that God the Highest hath kept a great season, which by his own self will
deliver his creature, and he shall order them that are left behind. And where as
thou sawest, that out of his mouth there came a blast of wind, fire and storm,
and how that he lift up neither sword nor weapon, but that the rushing in of him
destroyed the whole multitude, that came to fight against him: it signifieth,
that the days come, when God will deliver them that are upon the earth, and in a
trance of mind shall he come upon them, that dwell in the earth. And one shall
undertake to fight against another, one city against another, one place against
another, one people against another, one realm against another. When this cometh
to pass, then shall the tokens come, that I showed thee before: and then shall
my son be declared, whom thou sawest climb up as a man. And when all the people
hear his voice every man shall in their own land leave the battle that they have
one against another, an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as
they that be willing to come and to overcome him by fighting. But he shall stand
upon the top of mount Sion. Nevertheless Sion shall come, and shall be showed,
being prepared and builded for all men, like as thou sawest the hill graven
forth without any hands. But my son shall rebuke the people that are come for
their wickedness, with the tempest, and for their evil imaginations: and their
pains wherewith they shall be punished, are likened unto the flame: and with out
any labor, shall he destroy them, even by the law, which is compared to the
fire.
And whereas thou sawest, that he gathered
another peaceable people unto him: those are the ten tribes, which were carried
away prisoners out of their own land, in the time of *Oseas the King, whom *Salmanasar
the King of Assiria took prisoner, and carried them over the water, and so they
came into another land.
But they gave them this counsel, that they
should leave the multitude of the Heathen, and go forth into a farther country,
where never mankind dwelt: that they might there keep their statutes, which they
never kept in their own land. And so they entered in at the narrow passages of
water of the Euphrates, and God showed tokens for them, and held still the flood
till they were passed over: for through that country there was a great way,
namely of a year and a half journey, for that same region is called Asareth.
Then dwelt they there unto the latter time: and when they come forth again, the
Highest shall hold still the springs of the stream again, that they may go
through, therefore thou sawest the multitude with peace. And they that be left
behind of thy people, are those that be found within my border. Now when he
destroyeth the multitude that is gathered together, he shall defend his people
that remain, and then shall he show them great wonders.
Then said I: O' Lord, Lord, show me this:
wherefore have I seen the man coming up from the deep of the sea? And he said
unto me: Like as thou canst neither seek out nor know these things that are in
the deep of the sea, even so mayest thou not see my son, or those that be with
him, but in the time of the day. This is the interpretation of the dream which
thou sawest, therefore thou only art here lightened: for thou hast forsaken
thine own law, and applied thy diligence unto mine, and sought it. Thy life thou
hast ordered in wisdom, and hast called understanding your mother, and therefore
have I showed thee the treasure of the Highest. After three days I will show
thee more, and talk with thee at more large, yee heavy and wondrous things will
I declare unto thee.
Then went I forth into the field, giving
praise and thanks greatly unto God, because of his wonders which he did in time,
and because he governeth the same, and such as is in time, and there I sat three
days
*durst= dare *Oseas
= Hosea, *Salmanasar = Shalmaneser
THE
FIRST TO TIMOTHYE Chpt 2
I exhort therefore, that above all things, prayers, supplications,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be had for all men: for kings, and for all
that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all
Godliness and honesty. For that is good and accepted in the sight of God our
saviour, which will have all men saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth. For there is one God, and one (mediator) between God and man, which is
the man Christ Jesus, which gave himself a ransom for all men, that it should be
testified at his time, where unto I am ordained a preacher and an Apostle: I
tell the truth in Christ and lie not being the teacher of the gentiles in faith
and verity.
I will therefore that the men pray every
where, lifting up pure hands without wrath, or doubting. Likewise also the women
that they array themselves in comely apparel with shamefastness and discreet
behavior, not with broided hair, other gold, or pearls, or costly array: but
with such as becometh women that profess the worshipping of God through good
works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. I suffer not a woman
to teach, neither to have authority over the man: but for to be in silence. For
Adam was first formed, and then Eve. Also Adam was not deceived, but the woman
was deceived, and was in transgression. Notwithstanding through bearing of
children they shall be saved, so they continue in faith, love and holiness with
discretion
THE
GOSPELL OF ST. LUKE Chpt 17
When he was
demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come he answered them
and said: The kingdom of God cometh not with waiting for. Neither shall men say:
Lo here, lo there. For behold the kingdom of God is with in you.
And he said unto the disciples: The days
will come, when ye shall desire to see one day of the son of man, and ye shall
not see it. And they shall say to you: See here, See there. Go not after them,
nor follow them, for as the lightning that appeareth out of the one part of the
heaven: and shineth unto the other part of heaven. So shall the son of man be in
his days. But first must he suffer many things, and be refused of this nation.
As it happened in the time of Noe: So
shall it be in the time of the son of man. They ate, they drank, they married
wives and were married, even unto the same day that Noe went into the Ark: and
the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it chanced in the days
of Lot. They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built. And
even the same day that Lot went out of *Zodom, it rained fire and brimstone
from heaven, and destroyed them all. After these examples, shall it be in the
day when the son of man shall appear.
At that day he that is on the house top and
his stuff in the house: let him not come down to take it out. And likewise let
not him that is in the fields, turn back again to that he left behind. Remember
Lots wife. Whosoever will go about to save his life, shall lose it: And
whosoever shall lose his life, shall save it. I tell you in that night, there
shall be two in one bed, that one shall be received and the other shall be
forsaken. Two shall be also a grinding together: the one shall be received, and
the other forsaken. And they answered, and said unto him: where Lord? And he
said unto them: wheresoever the body shall be, thither will the eagles
resort.
*trow (think) *Zodom
(Sodom),
FIRST
BOOK OF MOSES Chpt 6
There were
tyrants in the world in those days. For after that the children of God had gone
in unto the daughters of men, and had begotten them children, the same children
were the mightiest of the world, and men of renown. And when the Lord saw that
the wickedness of man was increased upon the earth, and that all the imagination
and thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, he repented that
he had made man upon the earth, and sorrowed in his heart. And said: I will
destroy mankind which I have made, from off the face of the earth: both man,
beast, worm and fowl of the air, for it repenteth me that I have made them. But
yet Noe found grace in the sight of the Lord.
THE
SECOND TO TIMOTHYE Chpt 3
This
understand, that in the last days shall come parlous times. For the men shall be
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers,
disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy, unkind, trucebreakers,
stubborn, false accusers, rioters, fierce despisers of them which are good,
traitors, heady, high minded, greedy upon voluptuousness more then lovers of
God, having a similitude of Godly living, but have denied the power thereof: and
such abhor. Of this sort are they which enter into houses, and bring into
bondage women laden with sin, which women are led of *diverse lusts, ever
learning and never able to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
despisers of them
which are good, traitors, heady, high minded,
traitors,
heady, high minded,
THE
FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 5
Nevertheless, as concerning the tokens, mark this: Behold, the days
shall come, that they which dwell upon the earth, shall be taken in a great
number, and the way of the truth shall be hid, and the land shall be barren from
faith: but iniquity will have the upper hand, like as thou have seen now, and as
thou hast heard long ago. And the land that thou seest now to have rule,
shall thou shortly see waste. But if God grant thee to live, thou shalt see
after the third trumpet, that the sun shall suddenly shine again in the night,
and the moon three times in the day, and blood shall drop out of wood, and the
stone shall give his voice, and the people shall be unquiet: and even shall
rule, whom they hope not that dwell upon the earth, and the fowls shall
flight, and the *Sodomitish sea shall cast out his fish, and make a noise in the
night, which many shall not know, but they shall all hear the voice thereof.
There shall be a confusion also in many
places, and the fire shall be often sent again, and the wild beasts shall go
their way, and menstruous women shall bear monsters, and salt waters will be
found in the sweat: one friend shall fight against another: then shall all wit
and understanding be hid and put into their secret places, and shall be sought
of many, and yet not be found: then shall unrighteousness and voluptuousness
have the upper hand upon the earth. One land shall also ask another, and say: Is
righteousness gone through thee? And it shall say: No, at the same time shall
men hope, but nothing obtain: they shall labor but their wages shall not
prosper.
To show thee such tokens I have leave, and
if thou wilt pray again, and weep as now, and fast seven days, thou shalt hear
yet greater things. Then I awaked, and a fearfulness went through all my body,
and my mind was feeble and careful, so that I almost sounded withal. So the
angel that was come to talk with me, held me, comforted me, and set me up upon
my feet.
And in the second night it happened, that
Salathielthe Captain of the people came unto me, saying: Where hast thou been?
and why is thy countenance so heavy? Knowest thou not, that Israel is committed
unto thee, in the land of their captivity? Up then, and eat and forsake us not,
as the shepherd that leaveth his flock in the hands of the wicked wolves. Then
said I unto him: Go thy way from me, and come not near me: and he heard it, and
as I said, so went he his way from me. And so I fasted seven days, mourning and
weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me. And after seven days it happened,
that the thoughts of my heart were very grievous unto me again, and my soul
received the spirit of understanding, and I began to talk with the most highest
again, and said: O' Lord, Lord, of every wood of the earth and all the trees
thereof, thou hast chosen the one only vineyard: and of all the lands of the
whole world thou hast chosen the one pit: and of all the flowers of the ground
thou hast chosen the one lily: and of all the depths of the sea thou hast filled
the one river: and of all the builded cities thou hast hallowed Sion unto thy
self: and of all the fowls that are created, thou hast named the one dove: and
of all the cattle that are made thou hast provided the one sheep: and among all
the multitudes of flocks thou hast gotten the one people, and unto this people
whom thou lovest, thou gavest the law, that is proved of all.
And now, O' Lord, why hast thou given this
one people over unto many? And upon the one root thou hast prepared other, and
why hast thou scattered thy one only people among many? which tread them down,
yee which have ever withstand thy promises, and never believed thy commandments?
And though thou werest enemy unto thy people, yet shouldest thou punish them
with thine own hands. Now when I had spoke these words, the angel that came to
me the night before, was sent unto me, and said unto me : Hear me, and harken
unto the things that I say, and I shall tell thee more. And I said: Speak on my
Lord. Then said he unto me: Thou art sore vexed and troubled for Israels sake.
Lovest thou the people better than him that made thee? And I said: No Lord, but
of very grief and compassion have I spoken. For my reigns pain me every hour,
because I would have experience of the way of the most highest, and to seek out
part of his judgement. And he said unto me: that thou mayest not. And I said:
wherefore Lord? Where unto was I born then? Or why was not my mothers childbed
then my grave? So I had not seen the misery and trouble of Jacob, and the
travail of my people of Israel.
And he said unto me: Number me the things
that are not yet come : gather me together the drops, that are scattered abroad:
make me the flowers green again, that are withered: open me the thing that is
closed: and bring me forth the winds, that are shut up: Show me the image of a
voice, and then I shall declare the thing, that thou laborest to know. And I
said: O' Lord, Lord, who may know these things, but he that hath not his
dwelling with men? As for me I am unwise: how may I then speak of these things
whereof thou asketh me? Then said he unto me: like as thou can do none of these
things that I have spoken of, even so canest thou not find out my judgement, or
in the end the love that I have promised unto my people. And I said: Behold O'
Lord, yet art thou near unto them that have no end: and what shall they do that
have been before me, or we that be now, or they that should come after us ? And
he said unto me: I will liken my judgement unto a ring. Like as there is no
slackness of the last, even so there is no swiftness of the first. So I answered
and said: couldest thou not make those ( that have been made, and that be now,
and that are for to come ) in one, that thou might show thy judgement the
sooner? Then answered he me, and said: The creature may not hasten above the
maker, nether may the world hold them at once, that shall be created.
And I said: Now hast thou said unto thy
servant, that thou living maker hast made the creature living at once, and the
creature bear it? even so might it now also bear them that be present, at once.
And he said unto me: Ask the childbed of a woman, and say unto her: If thou
bringest forth children, why doest thou not together, but one after another?
Pray her therefore, to bring forth ten children at once. And I said: she can
not, but must do it one after the other.
Then said he unto me: Even so have I given a
childbed unto the earth, for those that be sown upon it by process of time. For
like as a young child may not bring forth the things that belong to the aged,
even so have I ordered the world which I have made.
And I asked and said: Seeing thou hast now
given me the way, I will speak before thee: for our mother whom thou hast told
me, is yet young, and now she draweth near unto age. He answered, me and said:
Ask a woman that beareth children, and she shall tell thee. Say unto her:
wherefore are not they ( whom thou hast now brought forth) like those that were
before thee, but less of stature? And she shall answer thee: They that were born
in the youth of strength, are of one fashion : and they that are born in the
time of age ( when the childbed faileth) are otherwise. Consider now thyself,
how that yee are less of stature, then those that were before you, and so are
they that come after you, less then you, as the creatures that now begin to be
old, and have passed over the strength of youth. Then said I: Lord I beseech
thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, show thy servant, by whom doest thou
visit thy creature?
*Sodomitish sea (*note current events RN) shall cast out
his fish