Rule of Blessings

The Rule of Blessings

[A collection of blessings; the scroll is broken, and the openings of several blessings are lost.]

Words of blessing. For the Instructor, to bless those who fear God, who do his will, who keep his commandments, who hold fast to his holy covenant and walk perfectly in all the ways of his truth. [Text missing]

May the LORD bless you from his holy dwelling;

may he open for you the eternal spring that does not fail,

and be gracious to you in all the riches of his hand.

May he be gracious to you with the spirit of holiness and favor,

and grant you everlasting knowledge.

[Blessing of the priests, the sons of Zadok]

May the LORD bless you from his holy dwelling, and set you as a glory in the midst of the holy ones. May he renew for you the covenant of the eternal priesthood, and give you your place in the holy habitation. [Line damaged] May you serve in the temple of the kingdom, and share a lot with the angels of the presence, a council of the community with the holy ones forever, for all the ages without end; for all his judgments are truth.

[Blessing of the Prince of the Congregation]

For the Instructor, to bless the Prince of the Congregation, whom God has chosen to raise up the covenant of the community and his people, to renew for him the covenant. [Text missing]

May the LORD raise you to an everlasting height,

a strong tower upon a wall set high.

May you strike the peoples with the might of your mouth;

with your breath may you slay the wicked.

May he give you a spirit of counsel and everlasting strength,

the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of God.

May righteousness be the belt of your loins,

and faithfulness the girdle of your waist.

[Fragment breaks here]