War Scroll Prayers and Blessings

War Scroll — Prayers and Blessings

[The prayers and hymns of the final battle, drawn from the War Scroll; the rule of the war itself is filed under its own number.]

[The High Priest shall stand before the ranks and say:] Be strong and courageous; be valiant men. Do not fear, nor be dismayed; do not turn back, nor flee before them. For they are a congregation of wickedness, and all their works are in darkness; but you are the sons of his covenant. The battle is God’s, and he fights for you against your enemies, to deliver you. [Text missing]

Rise up, O Mighty One!

Take your captives, O glorious One!

Lay your hand upon the neck of your foes,

and your foot upon the heaps of the slain.

Strike the nations, your adversaries,

and let your sword devour guilty flesh.

[The thanksgiving after the victory]

Blessed be the God of Israel,

who keeps mercy for his covenant,

and appointed times of deliverance for the people he redeems.

You have done wondrous things;

from of old there has been nothing like it.

For you knew the appointed time for us,

and now it has appeared.

Yours is the battle, and yours the power,

and the victory is from your hand and not ours.

[Fragment breaks here]