4 Baruch - Paraleipomena Jeremiah

4 Baruch / Paraleipomena Jeremiah

Chapter 1

1 When the children of Israel were taken captive by the king of the Chaldeans, God spoke to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Jeremiah, my chosen one, arise and depart from this city, you and Baruch, for I am about to destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of those who dwell in it.

2 For your prayers are like a firm pillar in its midst and like an unbreakable wall surrounding it.

3 Therefore arise and depart before the army of the Chaldeans surrounds it.’

4 Jeremiah answered, saying, ‘I beg you, Lord, permit your servant to speak before you.’

5 And the Lord said to him, ‘Speak, Jeremiah, my chosen one.’

6 Jeremiah said, ‘Lord Almighty, will you deliver the chosen city into the hands of the Chaldeans, so that the king and the multitude with him may boast and say, “I have prevailed against the holy city of God”?

7 No, my Lord. Rather, if it is your will, let it be destroyed by your own hand.’

8 The Lord said to Jeremiah, ‘Because you are my chosen one, arise and depart from this city, you and Baruch, for I am about to destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of those who dwell in it.

9 Neither the king nor his army will be able to enter it unless I first open its gates.

10 Arise, therefore, and go to Baruch, and tell him these words.

11 At the sixth hour of the night, go out upon the walls of the city, and I will show you that unless I first destroy the city, they cannot enter it.’

12 When the Lord had said these things, he departed from Jeremiah.

Chapter 2

1 Jeremiah ran and told these things to Baruch. As they entered the temple of God, Jeremiah tore his garments, put dust upon his head, and went into the holy place of God.

2 When Baruch saw him with dust upon his head and his garments torn, he cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Father Jeremiah, what are you doing? What sin has the people committed?’

3 For whenever the people sinned, Jeremiah would sprinkle dust upon his head and pray for the people until their sin was forgiven.

4 So Baruch asked him, saying, ‘Father, what is this?’

5 Jeremiah said to him, ‘Do not rend your garments; rather, let us rend our hearts. Let us not draw water for the vessels, but let us weep and fill them with tears, for the Lord will not have mercy upon this people.’

6 Baruch said, ‘Father Jeremiah, what has happened?’

7 Jeremiah said, ‘God is delivering the city into the hands of the king of the Chaldeans, and he will take the people captive to Babylon.’

8 When Baruch heard these things, he also tore his garments and said, ‘Father Jeremiah, who made this known to you?’

9 Jeremiah said to him, ‘Remain with me until the sixth hour of the night, and you will know that this word is true.’

10 So they both remained in the place of the altar, weeping with their garments torn.

Chapter 3

1 When the appointed hour of the night came, Jeremiah and Baruch went up together upon the walls of the city, as the Lord had told Jeremiah.

2 Behold, the sound of trumpets arose, and angels came out from heaven holding torches in their hands, and they set them upon the walls of the city.

3 When Jeremiah and Baruch saw them, they wept, saying, ‘Now we know that the word is true.’

4 Jeremiah pleaded with the angels, saying, ‘I beg you, do not destroy the city yet, until I speak something to the Lord.’

5 The Lord spoke to the angels, saying, ‘Do not destroy the city until I speak with Jeremiah, my chosen one.’

6 Then Jeremiah said, ‘I beg you, Lord, command me to speak before you.’

7 And the Lord said, ‘Speak, Jeremiah, my chosen one.’

8 Jeremiah said, ‘Behold, Lord, now we know that you are delivering the city into the hands of its enemies and that they will take the people away to Babylon. What do you command me to do with the holy vessels used in the service of the temple?’

9 [Text missing]

10 The Lord said to him, ‘Take them and entrust them to the earth, saying: “Hear, Earth, the voice of your Creator, who formed you amid the abundance of waters, who sealed you with seven seals for seven ages, and afterward you shall receive your adornments.

11 Guard the vessels of the temple service until the gathering of the beloved.”’

12 Jeremiah said, ‘I beg you, Lord, show me what I should do for Abimelech the Ethiopian, for he has shown many kindnesses to your servant Jeremiah.

13 He drew me out of the miry pit, and I do not wish him to see the destruction and desolation of this city. Be merciful to him, so that he may not be grieved.’

14 The Lord said to Jeremiah, ‘Send him to the vineyard of Agrippa, and I will hide him in the shadow of the mountain until I cause the people to return to the city.

15 You, Jeremiah, shall go with your people into Babylon and remain with them, proclaiming the word to them, until I cause them to return to the city.

16 But leave Baruch here until I speak with him.’

17 When he had said these things, the Lord ascended from Jeremiah into heaven.

18 Jeremiah and Baruch entered the holy place, took the vessels of the temple service, and entrusted them to the earth as the Lord had commanded them.

19 Immediately the earth swallowed them.

20 And they both sat down and wept.

21 When morning came, Jeremiah sent Abimelech, saying, ‘Take a basket and go to the estate of Agrippa by the mountain road. Bring back figs to give to the sick among the people, for the favor of the Lord rests upon you and his glory is upon your head.’

22 When he had said this, Jeremiah sent him away, and Abimelech went as he had been told.

Chapter 4

1 When morning came, behold, the army of the Chaldeans surrounded the city.

2 The great angel sounded the trumpet, saying, ‘Enter the city, army of the Chaldeans, for behold, the gate has been opened for you.

3 Let the king enter with his multitudes, and let him take all the people captive.’

4 Jeremiah took the keys of the temple, went outside the city, and cast them away before the sun, saying, ‘I say to you, Sun: take the keys of the temple of God and guard them until the day when the Lord asks you for them.

5 For we have not been found worthy to keep them, because we have become unfaithful guardians.’

6 While Jeremiah was still weeping for the people, they brought him out with the people and led them away to Babylon.

7 Baruch put dust upon his head and sat down, uttering this lamentation: ‘Why has Jerusalem been laid waste? Because of the sins of the beloved people she was delivered into the hands of enemies—because of our sins and the sins of the people.

8 Let the lawless not boast and say, “By our own strength we were able to take the city of God.” It was delivered to you because of our sins.

9 God will have compassion upon us and cause us to return to our city, but you will not endure.

10 Blessed are our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for they departed from this world and did not see the destruction of this city.’

11 When he had said this, Baruch departed from the city, weeping and saying, ‘Grieving because of you, Jerusalem, I have gone out from you.’

12 He remained seated in a tomb, and angels came to him and explained everything that the Lord revealed to him through them.

Chapter 5

1 Abimelech carried the figs through the burning heat, and when he came to a tree, he sat beneath its shade to rest a little.

2 Leaning his head upon the basket of figs, he fell asleep and slept for sixty-six years, and he was not awakened from his sleep.

3 Afterward, when he awoke, he said, ‘I slept pleasantly for a little while, but my head is heavy because I did not sleep enough.’

4 He uncovered the basket of figs and found them still dripping milk.

5 He said, ‘I would like to sleep a little longer because my head is heavy. But I am afraid that I may sleep too long and awaken late, and my father Jeremiah will think badly of me. If he had not been in haste, he would not have sent me at daybreak.

6 Therefore I will rise and go on in the burning heat, for are there not heat and toil every day?’

7 He arose, placed the basket of figs upon his shoulders, and entered Jerusalem. But he did not recognize it—neither his own house nor the place—and he found none of his family or acquaintances.

8 He said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for a great trance has come upon me today.

9 This is not Jerusalem. I have lost my way because I came by the mountain road after rising from sleep. Since my head was heavy because I did not sleep enough, I have wandered from the way.

10 Jeremiah will find it unbelievable that I have lost my way.’

11 He went out from the city, and as he searched he saw the landmarks of the city and said, ‘Truly this is the city; I have lost my way.’

12 Again he returned to the city and searched, but found none of his own people. He said, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for a great trance has come upon me.’

13 Again he went out from the city and remained there grieving, not knowing where he should go.

14 He set down the basket and said, ‘I will sit here until the Lord removes this trance from me.’

15 As he sat, behold, he saw an old man coming from the field. Abimelech said to him, ‘Tell me, old man, what city is this?’

16 He answered, ‘It is Jerusalem, my son.’

17 Abimelech said, ‘Where are Jeremiah the priest, Baruch the scribe, and all the people of this city? I have not found them.’

18 The old man said to him, ‘Are you not from this city? How is it that you remember Jeremiah today and ask about him after so long a time?

19 Jeremiah is in Babylon with the people, for they were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah is with them, proclaiming good news to them and teaching them the word.’

20 When Abimelech heard this, he said, ‘Were you not an old man, and were it not unlawful for a man to rebuke one older than himself, I would laugh at you and say that you are out of your mind, because you say that the people have been taken captive to Babylon.

21 Even if the torrents of heaven had fallen upon them, there has not yet been enough time for them to reach Babylon.

22 How much time has passed since my father Jeremiah sent me to the estate of Agrippa to bring a few figs for the sick among the people?

23 I went and gathered them. When I came to a tree in the burning heat, I sat down to rest a little, leaned my head upon the basket, and fell asleep.

24 When I awoke, I uncovered the basket, thinking that I was late, and found the figs dripping milk just as when I gathered them.

25 Yet you claim that the people have been taken captive to Babylon.

26 So that you may know, take the figs and see.’

27 He uncovered the basket before the old man, and the old man saw the figs dripping milk.

28 When the old man saw them, he said, ‘O my son, you are a righteous man. God did not wish you to see the desolation of the city, so he brought this trance upon you.

29 Behold, today it is sixty-six years since the people were taken captive to Babylon.

30 So that you may know, my son, that what I tell you is true, look into the field and see that the crops have not yet begun to ripen.

31 Notice also that figs are not in season. Understand and be convinced.’

32 Then Abimelech cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘I bless you, God of heaven and earth, the resting place of the souls of the righteous everywhere.’

33 Then he said to the old man, ‘What month is this?’

34 He answered, ‘Nisan, which is Abib.’

35 Abimelech took some of the figs, gave them to the old man, and said, ‘May God illuminate your way to the Jerusalem above.’

Chapter 6

1 After this, Abimelech went out from the city and prayed to the Lord.

2 Behold, an angel of the Lord came, took him by the right hand, and brought him to the place where Baruch was sitting in a tomb.

3 When they saw one another, they both wept and kissed each other.

4 Baruch looked up and saw with his own eyes the figs covered in Abimelech’s basket.

5 He lifted his eyes toward heaven and prayed, saying:

6 ‘You are the God who rewards those who love you. Prepare yourself, my heart, rejoice and be glad while you dwell in your tabernacle, and say to your house of flesh, “Your grief has been turned into joy.” For the All-Sufficient One is coming and will deliver you in your tabernacle, because there is no sin in you.

7 Rise to life in your tabernacle, in your undefiled faith, and believe that you shall live.

8 Look at this basket of figs. Behold, they are sixty-six years old, yet they have neither shriveled nor decayed, but are still dripping milk.

9 So shall it be with you, my flesh, if you do what is commanded by the angel of righteousness.

10 He who preserved the basket of figs will again preserve you by his power.’

11 When Baruch had said this, he said to Abimelech, ‘Arise, and let us pray that the Lord may reveal how we can send to Jeremiah in Babylon the report concerning the shelter given to you on the way.’

12 Baruch prayed, saying, ‘Lord God, our strength is the chosen light that comes forth from your mouth.

13 We beseech your goodness—you whose great name no one can comprehend—hear the voice of your servants and place knowledge in our hearts.

14 What shall we do, and how shall we send this message to Jeremiah in Babylon?’

15 While Baruch was still praying, behold, an angel of the Lord came and said to him, ‘Servant of the light, do not be anxious about how you will send to Jeremiah. An eagle will come to you tomorrow at the hour of light, and you shall direct it to Jeremiah.

16 Therefore write in a letter: “Say to the children of Israel: Let the foreigner who has come among you be separated, and let fifteen days pass; afterward I will lead you into your city, says the Lord.

17 Whoever is not separated from Babylon shall not enter the city; and I will punish them by preventing the Babylonians from receiving them back, says the Lord.”’

18 When the angel had said these things, he departed from Baruch.

19 Baruch sent to the marketplace of the nations, obtained papyrus and ink, and wrote a letter as follows: ‘Baruch, the servant of God, writes to Jeremiah in the captivity of Babylon:

20 Greetings. Rejoice, for God has not allowed us to depart from this body grieving over the city that was laid waste and dishonored.

21 The Lord has had compassion upon our tears and remembered the covenant he established with our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

22 He sent his angel to me and spoke the words that I now send to you.

23 These are the words spoken by the Lord, the God of Israel, who led us out of Egypt, out of the great furnace: “Because you did not keep my ordinances, but lifted up your heart and acted proudly before me, in anger and wrath I delivered you into the furnace of Babylon.

24 Therefore, says the Lord, if you listen to my voice through the mouth of Jeremiah my servant, I will bring the obedient one up from Babylon; but the one who does not listen will become a stranger both to Jerusalem and to Babylon.

25 You shall test them by the water of the Jordan. Whoever does not listen will be exposed. This is the sign of the great seal.”’

Chapter 7

1 Baruch arose and went out from the tomb, and he found the eagle sitting outside.

2 The eagle said to him with a human voice, ‘Greetings, Baruch, steward of the faith.’

3 Baruch said, ‘You who speak are chosen from among all the birds of heaven, as is evident from the brightness of your eyes. Tell me, therefore, why are you here?’

4 The eagle said, ‘I was sent so that through me you may send whatever message you desire.’

5 Baruch said, ‘Can you carry this message to Jeremiah in Babylon?’

6 The eagle said, ‘Indeed, for this very purpose I was sent.’

7 Baruch took the letter and fifteen figs from Abimelech’s basket, tied them to the eagle’s neck, and said, ‘I say to you, king of the birds: go in peace and good health, and carry this message for me.

8 Do not be like the raven that Noah sent out and that never returned to him in the ark, but be like the dove that on the third occasion brought a report to the righteous man.

9 So also take this good message to Jeremiah and to those held in bondage with him, that it may be well with you. Take this papyrus to the people and to God’s chosen one.

10 Even if all the birds of heaven surround you and seek to fight against you, contend with them, for the Lord will give you strength.

11 Turn neither to the right nor to the left, but go straight like a swift arrow in the power of God, and the glory of the Lord will be with you throughout the journey.’

12 The eagle took flight and went to Babylon with the letter tied to its neck. When it arrived, it rested upon a post outside the city in a deserted place.

13 It remained silent until Jeremiah came, for he and some of the people were going out to bury a dead man outside the city.

14 Jeremiah had petitioned King Nebuchadnezzar, saying, ‘Give me a place where I may bury those of my people who die,’ and the king had granted it to him.

15 As they came out carrying the body and weeping, they approached the place where the eagle was.

16 The eagle cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Jeremiah, chosen one of God, gather the people and come here, so that they may hear the letter I have brought to you from Baruch and Abimelech.’

17 When Jeremiah heard this, he glorified God. He gathered the people with their wives and children and came to the place where the eagle was.

18 The eagle descended upon the dead body, and the man returned to life.

19 This happened so that they might believe.

20 All the people were astonished and said, ‘This is the God who appeared to our fathers in the wilderness through Moses, and now he has appeared to us through the eagle.’

21 The eagle said, ‘Jeremiah, come, untie this letter and read it to the people.’ So he untied the letter and read it to them.

22 When the people heard it, they wept, put dust upon their heads, and said to Jeremiah, ‘Deliver us and tell us what we must do so that we may enter our city again.’

23 Jeremiah answered, ‘Do whatever you heard from the letter, and the Lord will lead us into our city.’

24 Jeremiah wrote a letter to Baruch, saying: ‘My beloved son, do not neglect your prayers. Beseech God on our behalf, that he may direct our way until we come out from under the authority of this lawless king.

25 You have been found righteous before God, and he did not permit you to come here, lest you see the affliction that has come upon the people at the hands of the Babylonians.

26 It is like a father whose only son is handed over for punishment. Those who see the father and console him cover his face, lest he see how his son is being punished and be consumed by even greater grief.

27 In this way God had compassion upon you and did not permit you to enter Babylon, lest you see the affliction of the people.

28 From the day we came here, grief has not left us; today it has been sixty-six years.

29 Many times, when I went out, I found some of the people suspended by King Nebuchadnezzar, crying, “Have mercy upon us, God-Zar.”

30 When I heard this, I grieved and mourned doubly—not only because they were suspended, but because they called upon a foreign god, saying, “Have mercy upon us.”

31 I remembered the days of festivity that we celebrated in Jerusalem before our captivity, and when I remembered them, I groaned and returned to my house wailing and weeping.

32 Therefore pray where you are, you and Abimelech, for this people, that they may listen to my voice and to the decrees of my mouth, so that we may depart from here.

33 For throughout the time we have spent here, they have kept us in subjection, saying, “Sing for us one of the songs of Zion—the song of your God.”

34 And we answer them, “How can we sing for you while we are in a foreign land?”’

35 After this Jeremiah tied the letter to the eagle’s neck, saying, ‘Go in peace, and may the Lord watch over us both.’

36 The eagle took flight, came to Jerusalem, and gave the letter to Baruch. He untied it, read it, kissed it, and wept when he heard of the distress and affliction of the people.

37 Jeremiah took the figs and distributed them among the sick of the people, and he continued teaching them to abstain from the defilements of the nations of Babylon.

Chapter 8

1 The day came when the Lord brought the people out of Babylon.

2 The Lord said to Jeremiah, ‘Arise, you and the people, and come to the Jordan. Say to the people: “Let everyone who desires the Lord forsake the works of Babylon.

3 Concerning the men who took wives from among them and the women who took husbands from among them: those who listen to you shall cross over, and you shall bring them into Jerusalem; but those who do not listen, you shall not lead there.”’

4 Jeremiah spoke these words to the people, and they arose and came to the Jordan to cross over.

5 When he told them the words the Lord had spoken to him, half of those who had taken spouses from among the Babylonians refused to listen to Jeremiah and said, ‘We will never forsake our wives, but we will bring them with us into our city.’

6 So they crossed the Jordan and came to Jerusalem.

7 Jeremiah, Baruch, and Abimelech stood and said, ‘No one joined to the Babylonians shall enter this city.’

8 Those people said to one another, ‘Let us arise and return to our place in Babylon.’ And they departed.

9 But as they approached Babylon, the Babylonians came out to meet them, saying, ‘You shall not enter our city, for you hated us and left us secretly. Therefore you cannot dwell among us again.

10 We have sworn a solemn oath together in the name of our god that we will receive neither you nor your children, because you left us secretly.’

11 When they heard this, they turned back and came to a desert place some distance from Jerusalem. There they built a city for themselves and named it Samaria.

12 Jeremiah sent word to them, saying, ‘Repent, for the angel of righteousness is coming and will lead you to your exalted place.’

Chapter 9

1 Those who were with Jeremiah rejoiced and offered sacrifices on behalf of the people for nine days.

2 On the tenth day Jeremiah alone offered sacrifice.

3 He prayed, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, fragrant aroma of the living trees, true light that enlightens me until I ascend to you.

4 By your mercy I plead with you; by the sweet voice of the two seraphim I plead for another fragrant aroma.

5 May Michael, the archangel of righteousness who opens the gates to the righteous, be my guardian until he causes the righteous to enter.

6 I plead with you, almighty Lord of all creation, unbegotten and incomprehensible, in whom all judgment was hidden before these things came into being.’

7 When Jeremiah had said this, while standing in the place of the altar with Baruch and Abimelech, he became like one whose soul had departed.

8 Baruch and Abimelech wept and cried with a loud voice, ‘Woe to us, for our father Jeremiah has left us; the priest of God has departed.’

9 All the people heard their weeping and ran to them. They saw Jeremiah lying upon the ground as though dead.

10 They tore their garments, put dust upon their heads, and wept bitterly.

11 After this they prepared to bury him.

12 Behold, a voice came, saying, ‘Do not bury the one who still lives, for his soul is returning to his body.’

13 When they heard the voice, they did not bury him, but remained around his tabernacle for three days, saying, ‘When will he arise?’

14 After three days his soul returned to his body. He raised his voice in the midst of them all and said, ‘Glorify God with one voice. All of you, glorify God and the Son of God who awakens us—Messiah Jesus, the light of all the ages, the lamp that cannot be extinguished, the life of faith.

15 After these times four hundred and seventy-seven years shall yet pass, and he will come to the earth.

16 The tree of life planted in the midst of paradise will cause all the unfruitful trees to bear fruit, and it will grow and put forth shoots.

17 The trees that sprouted and became proud, saying, “We have given our power to the air,” he will cause to wither in the greatness of their branches, and that firmly rooted tree will bring them to judgment.

18 What is crimson will become white as wool; snow will be darkened; sweet waters will become salty and salty waters sweet, in the intense light of the joy of God.

19 He will bless the islands, so that they become fruitful through the word of the mouth of his Messiah.

20 He will come, and he will go out and choose twelve apostles for himself to proclaim the message among the nations—he whom I saw adorned by his Father and coming into the world upon the Mount of Olives—and he will fill the hungry souls.’

21 As Jeremiah spoke these things concerning the Son of God, that he would come into the world, the people became very angry and said, ‘He repeats the words spoken by Isaiah son of Amoz, when he said, “I saw God and the Son of God.”

22 Come, therefore, let us not kill him by the same death with which we killed Isaiah, but let us stone him with stones.’

23 Baruch and Abimelech were greatly grieved, because they wished to hear fully the mysteries Jeremiah had seen.

24 Jeremiah said to them, ‘Be silent and do not weep, for they cannot kill me until I have described to you everything I saw.’

25 He said to them, ‘Bring me a stone.’

26 He set it upright and said, ‘Light of the ages, cause this stone to become like me in appearance until I have described to Baruch and Abimelech everything I saw.’

27 By the command of God, the stone took on the appearance of Jeremiah.

28 The people stoned the stone, supposing it to be Jeremiah.

29 Jeremiah revealed to Baruch and Abimelech all the mysteries he had seen. Then he stood in the midst of the people, desiring to complete his ministry.

30 The stone cried out, saying, ‘O foolish children of Israel, why do you stone me, supposing that I am Jeremiah? Behold, Jeremiah stands in your midst.’

31 When they saw him, they immediately rushed upon him with many stones, and his ministry was fulfilled.

32 Baruch and Abimelech came and buried him. They took the stone, placed it upon his tomb, and inscribed upon it: ‘This is the stone that was the ally of Jeremiah.’