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
