The Words of Moses
From the Dead Sea Scrolls
God called to Moses on the fortieth year after the children of Israel left the land of Egypt, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, saying, Gather together the entire nation and go up to the place and stand there, you and Eleazar son of Aaron. Explain to the family heads, to the Levites, and all the priests, and command the children of Israel the words of the Law that I have commanded you on Mount Sinai to command them in their hearing.
Explain thoroughly everything that I demand of them and call as witnesses against them heaven and earth, for what I command them I will not be to their liking, or to their descendants' liking, all the days that they live on the land. Indeed I declare to you that they will abandon Me and choose to follow the idols of the Gentiles and their abominations and their filthy deeds, and they will worship the false gods, which will become a trap and snare, and they will violate every sacred assembly and covenant and even the Sabbath and the festivals! The very ones I am commanding them today to observe.
They will suffer a great defeat within the very land that they are about to cross over the Jordan to possess. And so it will be, that all the curses will come upon them and catch them until they perish and until they are destroyed and they will know that a just judgment has been passed on them.
God called to Moses on the fortieth year after the children of Israel left the land of Egypt, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, saying, Gather together the entire nation and go up to the place and stand there, you and Eleazar son of Aaron. Explain to the family heads, to the Levites, and all the priests, and command the children of Israel the words of the Law that I have commanded you on Mount Sinai to command them in their hearing.
Explain thoroughly everything that I demand of them and call as witnesses against them heaven and earth, for what I command them I will not be to their liking, or to their descendants' liking, all the days that they live on the land. Indeed I declare to you that they will abandon Me and choose to follow the idols of the Gentiles and their abominations and their filthy deeds, and they will worship the false gods, which will become a trap and snare, and they will violate every sacred assembly and covenant and even the Sabbath and the festivals! The very ones I am commanding them today to observe.
They will suffer a great defeat within the very land that they are about to cross over the Jordan to possess. And so it will be, that all the curses will come upon them and catch them until they perish and until they are destroyed and they will know that a just judgment has been passed on them.
Papyrus Egerton 2
English Translation
Fragment 1 Verso
And Jesus said to the lawyers: "Punish every wrongdoer and transgressor, and not me. Judge the deeds, how he does, what he does."
And turning to the rulers of the people he said this word: "Search the scriptures, in which you think you have life. These are they, which testify about me. Do not suppose that I have come to accuse you to my father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, in whom you have hoped."
And they said: "We know that God spoke to Moses,but as for you, we do not know, where you are from."
Jesus answered and said to them: "Now is accused your disbelief in those who have been commended by him. For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me. For about me he wrote to your fathers."
Fragment 1 Recto
And taking up stones together to stone him. And the rulers laid their hands upon him to seize him and hand him over to the crowd. And they could not take him because the hour of his arrest had not yet come. But the Lord himself, escaping from their hands, withdrew from them.
And behold, a leper coming to him, says: "You look for the lepers and were eating with publicans. Have mercy, I am like them. If therefore you will, I am clean."
And the Lord said to him: "I will, be clean."
And immediately the leprosy left him. And Jesus said to him: "Go show yourself to the priests and offer concerning the cleansing as Moses commanded and sin no more."
Fragment 2 Recto
Coming to him, they tested him in an exacting way, saying: "Teacher Jesus, we know that you have come from God, for what you do testifies beyond all the prophets. Therefore tell us, is it lawful to pay to kings the things which benefit their rule? Shall we pay them or not?"
But Jesus, perceiving their purpose and becoming indignant said to them: "Why do you call me teacher with your mouth, not doing what I say? Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying: 'This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men...'"
Fragment 2 Verso
Unfortunately this fragment is in such a bad state, that it cannot be sufficiently reconstructed. What follows is first the text which can be reconstructed pretty sure and then some more speculative restorations.
"(...) shut up (...) has been subjected uncertainly (...) its weight unweighted?"
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the lip of the Jordan river, stretching out his right hand, filled it with (...) and sowed upon the (...). And the (...) water (...) the (...). And (...) before them, he brought forth fruit (...) much (...) for joy (...)
(Dodd:) "When a husbandman has enclosed a small seed in a secret place, so that it is invisibly buried, how does its abundance become immeasurable?"
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood still upon the verge of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with water and sprinkled it upon the shore. And thereupon the sprinkled water made the ground moist, and it was watered before them and brought forth fruit...
(Schmidt:) "Why is the seed enclosed in the ground, the abundance buried? Hidden for a short time, it will be immeasurable."
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with seed and sowed it upon the ground. And thereupon he poured sufficient water over it. And looking at the ground before them, the fruit appeared...
(Cerfaux:) "(...) enclosed like me, buried, uncertain, and making possible immeasurable abundance?"
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he took a fig-tree and planted it in the river. And on the water, the roots spread out and fruit appeared...
(Lietzmann:) And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with water and sowed on the ground. And the sprinkled water purified (?) the ground. (...) and coming out before them, the fruit appeared.
(Lagrange:) And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus walked at the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with sand and sowed seed on the sand. And then he poured running water over it. And it run to seed and coming out before them, the fruit appeared.
Though the fragment cannot be reconstructed sufficiently, the meaning can be found:
A small seed in the ground is hidden and invisible. How does its abundance become immeasurable? (By growing and bringing fruit.) To clarify this, Jesus performs a miracle: He walks up to the river Jordan and with the water he gives rise to a spontaneous ripening of fruit. (much, for joy!)
Possible parallel from Ezekiel 17:5-8:
17:5 Then he took a seed from the land, placed it in fertile soil; a plant by abundant waters, he set it like a willow twig. 6 It sprouted and became a vine spreading out, but low; its branches turned toward him, its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine; it brought forth branches, put forth foliage...8 it was transplanted to good soil by abundant waters, so that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.
Fragment 1 Verso
And Jesus said to the lawyers: "Punish every wrongdoer and transgressor, and not me. Judge the deeds, how he does, what he does."
And turning to the rulers of the people he said this word: "Search the scriptures, in which you think you have life. These are they, which testify about me. Do not suppose that I have come to accuse you to my father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, in whom you have hoped."
And they said: "We know that God spoke to Moses,but as for you, we do not know, where you are from."
Jesus answered and said to them: "Now is accused your disbelief in those who have been commended by him. For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me. For about me he wrote to your fathers."
Fragment 1 Recto
And taking up stones together to stone him. And the rulers laid their hands upon him to seize him and hand him over to the crowd. And they could not take him because the hour of his arrest had not yet come. But the Lord himself, escaping from their hands, withdrew from them.
And behold, a leper coming to him, says: "You look for the lepers and were eating with publicans. Have mercy, I am like them. If therefore you will, I am clean."
And the Lord said to him: "I will, be clean."
And immediately the leprosy left him. And Jesus said to him: "Go show yourself to the priests and offer concerning the cleansing as Moses commanded and sin no more."
Fragment 2 Recto
Coming to him, they tested him in an exacting way, saying: "Teacher Jesus, we know that you have come from God, for what you do testifies beyond all the prophets. Therefore tell us, is it lawful to pay to kings the things which benefit their rule? Shall we pay them or not?"
But Jesus, perceiving their purpose and becoming indignant said to them: "Why do you call me teacher with your mouth, not doing what I say? Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying: 'This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men...'"
Fragment 2 Verso
Unfortunately this fragment is in such a bad state, that it cannot be sufficiently reconstructed. What follows is first the text which can be reconstructed pretty sure and then some more speculative restorations.
"(...) shut up (...) has been subjected uncertainly (...) its weight unweighted?"
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the lip of the Jordan river, stretching out his right hand, filled it with (...) and sowed upon the (...). And the (...) water (...) the (...). And (...) before them, he brought forth fruit (...) much (...) for joy (...)
(Dodd:) "When a husbandman has enclosed a small seed in a secret place, so that it is invisibly buried, how does its abundance become immeasurable?"
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood still upon the verge of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with water and sprinkled it upon the shore. And thereupon the sprinkled water made the ground moist, and it was watered before them and brought forth fruit...
(Schmidt:) "Why is the seed enclosed in the ground, the abundance buried? Hidden for a short time, it will be immeasurable."
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with seed and sowed it upon the ground. And thereupon he poured sufficient water over it. And looking at the ground before them, the fruit appeared...
(Cerfaux:) "(...) enclosed like me, buried, uncertain, and making possible immeasurable abundance?"
And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he took a fig-tree and planted it in the river. And on the water, the roots spread out and fruit appeared...
(Lietzmann:) And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus, as he walked, stood on the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with water and sowed on the ground. And the sprinkled water purified (?) the ground. (...) and coming out before them, the fruit appeared.
(Lagrange:) And when they where perplexed at the strange question, Jesus walked at the banks of the River Jordan, and stretching out his right hand, he filled it with sand and sowed seed on the sand. And then he poured running water over it. And it run to seed and coming out before them, the fruit appeared.
Though the fragment cannot be reconstructed sufficiently, the meaning can be found:
A small seed in the ground is hidden and invisible. How does its abundance become immeasurable? (By growing and bringing fruit.) To clarify this, Jesus performs a miracle: He walks up to the river Jordan and with the water he gives rise to a spontaneous ripening of fruit. (much, for joy!)
Possible parallel from Ezekiel 17:5-8:
17:5 Then he took a seed from the land, placed it in fertile soil; a plant by abundant waters, he set it like a willow twig. 6 It sprouted and became a vine spreading out, but low; its branches turned toward him, its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine; it brought forth branches, put forth foliage...8 it was transplanted to good soil by abundant waters, so that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine.
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 840
The following translation is based on the reconstructed Greek text printed in Henry Sweet Barclay's "Two New Gospel Fragments" from Hans Lietzmann's Kleine Texte für Vorlesungen und Übungen. Information about the manuscript was gathered from Bernard P. Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt's Fragment of an Uncanonical Gospel.
". . . earlier, before doing wrong, he slyly reasons everything out. Be careful that you do not end up suffering the same fate as them. For the evil-doers of humanity receive retribution not only among the living, but they will also undergo punishment and much torture later."
Taking them along, he went into the place of purification itself and wandered around in the temple. Then a certain high priest of the Pharisees named Levi came toward them and said to the savior, "Who permitted you to wander in this place of purification and to see these holy vessels, even though you have not bathed and the feet of your disciples have not been washed? And now that you have defiled it, you walk around in this pure area of the temple where only a person who has bathed and changed his clothes can walk, and even such a person does not dare to look upon these holy vessels."
Standing nearby with his disciples, the savior replied, "Since you are here in the temple too, are you clean?"
The Pharisee said to him, "I am clean. For I bathed in the pool of David. I went down into the pool by one set of stairs and came back out by another. Then I put on white clothes and they were clean. And then I came and looked at these holy vessels."
Replying to him, the savior said, "Woe to blind people who do not see! You have washed in the gushing waters that dogs and pigs are thrown into day and night. And when you washed yourself, you scrubbed the outer layer of skin, the layer of skin that prostitutes and flute-girls anoint and wash and scrub when they put on make up to become the desire of the men. But inside they are filled with scorpions and all unrighteousness. But my disciples and I, whom you say have not washed, we have washed in waters of eternal life that come from the God of heaven. But woe to those . . . "
". . . earlier, before doing wrong, he slyly reasons everything out. Be careful that you do not end up suffering the same fate as them. For the evil-doers of humanity receive retribution not only among the living, but they will also undergo punishment and much torture later."
Taking them along, he went into the place of purification itself and wandered around in the temple. Then a certain high priest of the Pharisees named Levi came toward them and said to the savior, "Who permitted you to wander in this place of purification and to see these holy vessels, even though you have not bathed and the feet of your disciples have not been washed? And now that you have defiled it, you walk around in this pure area of the temple where only a person who has bathed and changed his clothes can walk, and even such a person does not dare to look upon these holy vessels."
Standing nearby with his disciples, the savior replied, "Since you are here in the temple too, are you clean?"
The Pharisee said to him, "I am clean. For I bathed in the pool of David. I went down into the pool by one set of stairs and came back out by another. Then I put on white clothes and they were clean. And then I came and looked at these holy vessels."
Replying to him, the savior said, "Woe to blind people who do not see! You have washed in the gushing waters that dogs and pigs are thrown into day and night. And when you washed yourself, you scrubbed the outer layer of skin, the layer of skin that prostitutes and flute-girls anoint and wash and scrub when they put on make up to become the desire of the men. But inside they are filled with scorpions and all unrighteousness. But my disciples and I, whom you say have not washed, we have washed in waters of eternal life that come from the God of heaven. But woe to those . . . "
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 3035
An arrest warrant for a Christian, issued on the 28th of February in 256 A.D., by the authorities of the Roman Empire.
From the governor to village rulers and officers of peace of the village of Mermerthon. At once send up Petosarapin of Horus a Christian, or you yourselves come up. During the third year of Valerian and Gallienus the August [pl.] Phamenoth 3
From the governor to village rulers and officers of peace of the village of Mermerthon. At once send up Petosarapin of Horus a Christian, or you yourselves come up. During the third year of Valerian and Gallienus the August [pl.] Phamenoth 3
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5072
[They brought him the demon possessed person] before [the crowd] but he fell down as often as [it overtook him] […] he cried out, saying, "Son of God have you come before the time to punish us?" But he rebuked him, saying, "I command you to go out from the man now!" And going, he sat down […] of them […] Jesus […] someone to him […]
[...] a teacher, but I myself will deny you […] of my disciple and you will be shamefully […] last things. Yes, I say to you, friend […] of him more than me, he is not […] disciple. If then scribes […] Jerusalem and if […] and Kingdom […] before you […] intelligent he kept hidden […] disciples […]
Reconstruction of this text is near to impossible but the story obviously concerns Christ expelling a demon from a man. The word in italics are only guesses.
Papyrus Oxyrhnchus 1224
It weighed me down. Then Jesus approached in a vision and said, "Why are you discouraged? For not [...] you, but the [...] "
[...] "you said, although you are not answering. What then did you renounce? What is the new doctrine that they say you teach, or what is the new baptism that you proclaim? Answer and [...] "
When the scribes and Pharisees and priests saw him, they were angry that he was reclining in the midst of sinners. But when Jesus heard, he said, "Those who are healthy have no need of a physician [...] "
"[...] and pray for your enemies. For the one who is not against you is for you. The one who is far away today, tomorrow will be near you and in [...] the adversary [...]
[...] "you said, although you are not answering. What then did you renounce? What is the new doctrine that they say you teach, or what is the new baptism that you proclaim? Answer and [...] "
When the scribes and Pharisees and priests saw him, they were angry that he was reclining in the midst of sinners. But when Jesus heard, he said, "Those who are healthy have no need of a physician [...] "
"[...] and pray for your enemies. For the one who is not against you is for you. The one who is far away today, tomorrow will be near you and in [...] the adversary [...]
Dura Parchment 24
Zebedee and Salome and the wives of those who had followed him from Galilee to see the crucified. And the day was Preparation: the Sabbath was dawning. And when it was evening, on the Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, there came up a man, being a member of the council, from Arimathea, a city of Judea, by name Joseph, good and righteous, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews. And he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man had not consented to their purpose.
Fayyum Fragment
As he led them out, he said, "You will all fall away tonight according to the scripture: 'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.'"
Then Peter said, "Even if everyone else denies you, I won't."
Jesus said, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times today."
Then Peter said, "Even if everyone else denies you, I won't."
Jesus said, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times today."
The Gospel of the Savior
Translated by Charles W. Hendrick and Paul A. Mirecki from “Gospel of the Savior; A New Ancient Gospel”
(…?...)
ONE
1 (…?...) the kingdom (…?...)
2 (…?...) the kingdom of [the] heavens at your right hand.
3 Blessed is [the one] who will eat with me in the [kingdom] of the heavens.
4 You are the salt of the earth, and you are the lamp that illuminates the world
5 Do not sleep nor slumber (…?...)
6 (…?...) in the garment of the kingdom, which I bought with the blood of the grape:
7 Andrew replied to him. [He] said, “My [Lord] (…?...)
TWO
1 If I have cared for the things of the world, it is also fitting for me to go down to Hades because of [the souls] that are bound in that place.
2 Now therefore, what is fitting (…?...)
THREE
1 (…?...) everything with [assurance].
2 I myself will reveal to you with joy.
3 For I know that you are able to do everything with joy.
4 For the person [is] unconditionally free (…?...)
FOUR
1 (…?...) now therefore [while] you [are] in the body, do not let matter rule over you:
2 Arise, let us go away from this place. For the one who will hand me over is near.
3 And even you will flee, all of you.
4 And you will be offended by me.
5 You will flee, all of you, and [will leave me] alone, but I do not remain alone for my Father is with me.
6 I and my Father, we are a single one.
7 For it is written “I will strike the shepherd and [they] will be scattered, namely, the sheep of the flock.”
8 Yet I am the good shepherd.
9 I will lay down my life for you. You yourselves also lay down your lives for your friends in order that you might be pleasing to my Father.
10 For no commandment is greater than this, that I lay down my life [for] people.
11 Because of [this] my Father loves me, for I completed [his] will.
12 For (although) I [was] divine, I became [human] because (…?...)
FIVE
1 (…?...) after how much time?
2 Or if not, [will you] remember us, summon us, and take us out of the world, [that] we may come to you? (…?...)
SIX
1 (…?...) [by] sight.
2 The savior said to us: 3 “O my holy members, my seeds who are blessed (…?...) pray (…?...)
SEVEN
1 (…?...) upon the mountain and we too became like the spiritual bodies.
2 Our eyes opened up to every side, and the entire place was revealed before us.
3 We approached] the heavens, and they [rose] up against each other.
4 Those who watch the gates were disturbed.
5 The angels were afraid, and they [fled] to the (…?...) [They] thought [that] they would all be destroyed.
6 We saw our savior after he pierced [through] all the heavens.
7 (…?...) foot (…?...) of the (…?...)
EIGHT
1 (…?...) the one who will (…?...) I will (…?...) [him] [myself. Amen].
2 The one who (…?...) to me I (…?...) will cause him (…?...) with me. Amen. (…?...)
3 The one who does not receive my body [and] my blood, [this one] is a stranger to me. Amen.
4 (…?...) to him complete (…?...)
NINE
1 You are the (…?...) since (…?...) cross (…?...) Amen.
2 (…?...) cast a shadow [over namely, those on (the) [right] [apart from] those on (the) [left] (…?...) cross (…?...) will release (…?...) for (…?...)
TEN
1 (…?...) [Do not] weep, but rather rejoice, and understand (…?...) Lord, since he (…?...)
2 For (…?...) and [he will] (…?...) Amen.
3 (…?...) the second (…?...)
ELEVEN
1 (…?...) they looked toward you, one [mocking] and deriding; another weeping, [mourning], and [wailing.
2 You were] eager for me, O cross; I also will be eager for you. (…?...)
TWELVE
1 (…?...) see them.
2 Therefore [do not be disturbed] if [you] see [me.]”
3 We said to him, “O Lord, in what form will you reveal yourself to us, or in what kind of body will you come? Tell us.”
4 John replied. He said, “Oh Lord, when you come to reveal yourself to us, do not reveal yourself to us in all your glory, but change your glory into [another] glory in order that [we] may be able to bear it, [lest] we see [you and] [despair] from fear (…?...)
5 And the savior [replied] that to you this (…?...) before which [you] are afraid, in order that you might see and believe.
6 But, indeed, do not touch me, until l go up to [my Father] who [is] your [Father], and [my God, who] is your God, and my Lord, who is your Lord.
7 And if one is [near] to me, he will [burn.]
8 I am the [fire] [that] blazes; who [is near] [to me, is] near to [the fire]; who is far from me, is far from life.
9 Now then, gather to me, O my holy members, for you (…?...)
THIRTEEN
1 (…?...) namely the savior [before] he (…?...) to him.
2 [He said] to us, “As for me, I [am in] your midst [as] a child.”
3 He said, “Amen. A little longer I am in your midst.”
4 [He] replied, “Amen. (…?...) the plan against me (…?...) [after me] for I am a stranger to him.
5 Therefore now, behold, I suffer because of the [sins] of the world.
6 [But] I rejoice over [you] for [you] [have continued] well in [the] world.
7 (…?...) therefore in order that you may be profitable to me, and I will rejoice over your work.
8 I am the king. Amen. I [am] (…?...) the [son] of the king. [Amen.] I [am] (…?...)
9 And you did not have (…?...) Amen. (…?...)
10 I contend [for] you; you too take up the fight. Amen.
11 I am sent; I also wish to send you. Amen.
12 (…?...) O (…?...) to you. (…?...) I wish to announce to you joy for the world, but concerning [the] world, since indeed you [have not] entered it. Amen.
13 Do not weep from [now on], but rather rejoice. Amen.
14 I have overcome the world, do not then let the world overcome you. Amen.
15 I have become free from the world; you too [become free] from [it.] Amen.
16 (…?...) [will give] me to drink (…?...) life and [rest.] Amen.
17 I will be pierced with a lance [in my] side.
18 He who saw, let him bear witness. And true is his witness. Amen.
FOURTEEN
1 (…?...) from all the heavens.
2 Then, as for us apostles, this world became as the darkness [before] us.
3 We became as [those] among the Aeons [of glory].
4 Our (…?...) of [all] the heavens, as (…?...) invested us with [our] apostleship.
5 And we saw our savior, [after] he attained to the [fourth] heaven. (…?...) disturbance.
6 [The] angels and the archangels [fled. They are] over the
7 Cherubim (…?...) under the (…?...)
8 they cast [their] crowns [down] at the front of the [throne] of the Father.
9 All [the holy ones received their] robes.
10 (…?...) after (…?...) son (…?...)
11 (…?...) [why] are you weeping and [distressed] so that the entire angelic (host) [is disturbed]?
12 He replied [in this] manner that (…?...)
13 (…?...) to this I am greatly [distressed] (…?...) kill (…?...) upon the people [of] Israel.
14 O my [Father], if [it is possible], let this [cup] pass by me.
15 Let them (…?...) by another (…?...) those who do (…?...) if they (…?...) Israel (…?...)
16 (…?...) salvation (…?...) come to the entire [world].
17 [Then] again the son bowed his knees [to] his Father, saying [“O my Father] (…?...)
18 (…?...) [I am ready] to die with joy and pour out my blood upon the human race.
19 If I weep only for my [beloved], who are [Abraham] and Isaac [and Jacob], that [they may be able] to stand [in the] day of judgment (…?...)
20 I will sit upon [my] throne, and I will [judge] the world.
21 [They will] say to me that (…?...)
22 (…?...) shall (…?...) [because of] the glory [that] was given to me upon [the] earth.
23 O my [Father, if] [it is possible, let] [this cup] pass by me.
24 (…?...) for [the] second time (…?...) son, and you (…?...) (…?...) the son (…?...) the third time: “O [my] [Father] if (…?...) He (…?...) complete [the] service until (…?...) go to them. (…?...) all (…?...) prophet (…?...) said to us (…?...) that no [lot] surpasses your own.
25 [And} there is no glory that is more exalted than [your own] (…?...) the wood [of] (…?...) (…?...) [the] strength. (…?...) kingdom (…?...) shadow (…?...) O Entirety of (…?...) good (…?...) O [cross] (…?...) [in] three days, [and I will take you to [heaven] with me, and teach you. Since your desire (…?...) but [I am] rich. I will [fill you] with my wealth. [A little longer], O cross, and that which is lacking is perfected, and that which is diminished is full. A little longer, O cross, that which arises. A [little longer], O cross, and all the pleroma is perfected.
26 (…?...) to you (…?...) [Amen] (…?...) first (…?...) rise up (…?...) O cross (…?...) to you (…?...) exalted among (…?...) for this [is] your desire, O cross. Do not be afraid; I am rich. I will fill you with my wealth. I will mount you, O cross. They will [be more numerous] than you.
27 (…?...) (…?...) upon (…?...) (…?...) cross (…?...) (…?...) cross (…?...) (…?...) of the wisdom (…?...). The wood (…?...) all (…?...) from the (…?...) they will (…?...) namely multitudes (…?...) except the one who will (…?...) after he (…?...) sing (…?...) (…?...) establish it [among] us? He said to us, “O my holy members, [blessed are you], for this one has (…?...) you. (…?...) and (…?...) after (…?...) prophet (…?...)
28 (…?...) to you (…?...)Amen (…?...) Amen (…?...) Jacob (…?...) (…?...) otherwise (…?...) from his (…?...) he (…?...) (…?...) O cross (…?...) to be far from (…?...) since he is far (…?...) (…?...) cross (…?...) you. Amen (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) be firm (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) in [that] [city. And we said] [to the] savior [“What] is this city?” He [said] to us: [“It] is Jerusalem (…?...) city (…?...) [my] beloved (…?...) live (…?...) (…?...) reveal (…?...) no one (…?...) him [nor] any [seize] him by [the] (…?...) We [asked him], [saying], [“What is] this place, which (…?...) He said (…?...) since (…?...) a wonder (…?...)
29 (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) righteous (…?...) to them (…?...) (…?...) [sitting at the] right hand [of the Father upon] your [throne] (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) hand [I] (…?...) (…?...) the book of the (…?...) They will not remember his generation, since his [wife will] be widowed [and his] [children will be fatherless.] (…?...) (…?...) it gives milk; [another] one gives honey. [As for you], rest yourselves [by] the <spring> of [the water] of life. (…?...) (…?...) and (…?...) the savior, He (…?...) as if he were (…?...) He fled (…?...) for the savior (…?...) O [Jude] (…?...) (…?...) since [every] faithful woman will (…?...) repent (…?...) by her hand (…?...) after them (…?...) (…?...) under (…?...) and you become (a) shadow (…?...) which (…?...) (…?...) for (…?...) world (…?...) your (…?...) he (…?...) (…?...) [their] proclamation (…?...) proclaim (…?...) in the [world] (…?...) or why (…?...) [from] the (…?...) (…?...) in (…?...) unless you (…?...) you (…?...) happens (…?...) the heaven.
30 [Do not let] anyone say (…?...) (…?...) you (…?...) his (…?...) appear (…?...) [will] know him (…?...) [the] country of the (…?...) (…?...) in the (…?...) be ashamed. And (…?...) your (…?...) coming below (…?...) spread (…?...) (…?...) of the (…?...) to it (…?...) all (…?...) and (…?...) (…?...) he gives to (…?...) pound of (…?...) pound of (…?...) pounds (…?...) pound (…?...) (…?...) behold (…?...) I reflected concerning (…?...) kill (…?...) Now therefore (…?...) (…?...) [Now] therefore O my (…?...) in a (…?...) come again in (…?...) up to the (…?...) and (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) (…?...) all (…?...) in (…?...) illegible...
Gospel of Matthias*
We must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge.
Marvel at what is present.
So Zaccheus whom they call Matthias, the chief tax collector, when he had heard that the Lord had esteemed him highly enough to be with him, said, "Behold, half of my present possessions I give as alms, and Lord, if I ever extorted money from anyone in any way, I return it fourfold." At this the Savior said, "When the Son of Man came today, he found that which was lost."
If the neighbor of an elect person sins, the elect person sins. For if he had led himself as the word dictates, the neighbor would have been in awe of his life so that he did not sin.
*NOTE: Known only from quotations from Clement of Alexandria, Stromata
Tales of the Patriarchs, or LITTLE GENESIS
Introduction
The "Tales of the Patriarchs," which deals with the descendants of Adam, is sometimes referred to as the "Genesis Apocryphon." Originally, the Genesis Apocryphon was referred to as the fourth scroll because it was the fourth scroll out of seven to be found in the Qumran Cave. This "Dead Sea Scroll" was originally thought to have come from the apocryphal book of Enoch because a small portion of the scroll that had been unraveled, mentioned Enoch's name (Fitzmeyer, pg. 4). However, when another section was unraveled, scholars were lead to believe that this scroll came from the apocryphal book of Lamech, a name that was already known to scholars because of the book Jubilees. The reason why they thought this scroll came from the book of Lamech is because the speaker spoke about Bitenosh, Lamech's wife, in first person (Yadin, pg. 144). Yet once again, this belief was wrong. When the scroll was finally fully unraveled, it had references to Noah, Abraham and Lot, making the scrolls relation to the Jubilees more apparent. In many senses one can refer to this text as a "Little Genesis" because its literary dependence on Genesis is similar to that of the Jubilees (Fitzmeyer, pg. 4).
When Avigad and Yadin published the fourth scroll, they realized that they could no longer call it the "Book of Lamech" and so they decided on the title Genesis Apocryphon to avoid any further commitments to the character of the writing contained in the scroll. Avigad stated that "these stories are based on the biblical narratives but they also deal with other subjects and details previously unknown" (Fitzmeyer, pg. 5). An example of this is in of the story of Joseph and Sarah and their time in Egypt. In column 20 of the Apocryphon, the time duration of Sarah living with the Pharaoh is given as two years unlike the bible when a time frame was not given (Yadin, pg. 144). Also, the purity of Sarah which was in question in the bible is maintained in the Genesis Apocryphon. Sarah could not have relations with the Pharaoh because the evil spirit that Joseph prayed for to God made all the men in Egypt impotent. Thus, the purity of Adam descendants were maintained (WAC, pg. 74).
However, not all scholars agreed with this title Apocryphon because as R. Meyers believes, "it evokes its counterpart, a canonical book, and consequently introduces not the Qumran literature a slight anachronism." Yet, even with some criticism, the fourth scroll is known as the Genesis Apocryphon.
Now that the debate of naming this scroll was over, the task of placing this text into a genre began. It has already been stated that this text relies heavily on the canonical Genesis, however, this scroll contains additional details that were obviously derived from some non-biblical sources. For instance, Genesis 5.28-29 in the bible is the starting point for the extended narrative for columns 2-5 which are embellishments of the birth of Noah. Columns 6-17 deals with Noah, the flood, and the division of the earth between his sons. These lines can once again be compared to the Jubilees chapters 4-9. In column 18 and 19 where the narrative has shifted to Abraham. This text is the expanded version corresponds with of Genesis 11.27-14. There is an obvious similarity between the working of this section to the Jubilees. In column 22, a less direct translation can be seen, with the author reverting to the free reworking of the Genesis story which has been seen in previous columns, yet not returning to the first person except for conversation itself (Fitzmeyer, pg. 6).
Paraphrase
Frag.1 Col. 1
You should let your anger and tear out ... and who is the man who.. the fury of your anger ... and those who have been destroyed and killed, bereft and ... and now I have stopped the prisoners ... the Great Holy One ... all that he ...
Frag.1 Col 2:
day of ... all ... land of ... and the evil for ...
Frag. 2
... and they were hit from behind ... in front of the lord
Col. 1
... and with the sowing ... not even the mystery of evil which ... the mystery which
Col. 2.
I thought, in my heart, that the conception was the work of the Watchers the pregnancy of the Holy Ones and that it belonged to the Giants ... and my heart was upset by this ... I, Lamech, turned to my wife Bitenosh and said ... Swear to me by the Most High, Great Lord, King of the Universe ... the sons of heavens, that you will truthfully tell me everything, if ... You will tell me without lies ... Then Bitenosh, my wife spoke harshly and she cried ... and said: Oh my brother and lord! Remember my pleasure ... the time of love, gasping for breath. I will tell you everything truthfully ... and then my heart began to ache ... When Bitenosh realized my mood had changed ...Then she withheld her anger and said to me: O my lord and brother! Remember my pleasure. I swear to you by the Great Holy One, the King of the heavens ... That this seed, pregnancy, and planting of fruit comes from you and not a stranger, Watcher, or son of the heaven ... Why is your expression changed and your spirit saddened ... I speak honestly to you ... Then I, Lamech, went to my father, Methuselah, and told him everything so that he would know the truth because he is well liked ... and he is in well with the Holy Ones and they share everything with him. Methuselah went to Enoch to find the truth ... he will. And he went to Parvaim, where Enoch lived ... He said to Enoch: O my father and lord, to whom I ... I tell you! Do not be angry because I came here to you ... fear before you ...
Col 3
For in the days of Jared, my father ...
Col 5
Enoch ... not from the sons of heaven, but from Lamech your son ... I now tell you ... and I reveal to you ... Go tell your son Lamech ... When Methuselah heard this ... And with his son Lamech, he spoke ... Now when I, Lamech, heard these things ... Which he got out of me
Col 6
I abstained from injustice and in the womb of my mother who conceived me I searched for truth. When I emerged from my mother's womb, I lived all my days in truth and walked in the path of eternal truth. And the Holy One was with me... on my pathways truth sped to warn me off the ... of lie which led to darkness.. I braced my loins with the vision of truth and wisdom... paths of violence. Then, I Noah became a man that clung to truth and seized ... I took Amzara, his daughter as my wife. She conceived and bore me three sons and daughters. I Then took wives from my brother's family for my sons, and I gave my daughters to my nephews according to the law of the eternal precept which Most High ordained to the sons of man. And in my days, when according to my reckoning... ten jubilees had been completed, the time came for my sons to take wives for themselves ... heaven, I saw in a vision and was explained and made known the actions of the sons of heaven and... the heavens. Then I hid this mystery in my heart and explained it to no one. ... to me and a great and ... and in a message of the Holy One ... and he spoke to me in a vision and he stood before me... and the message of the Great Holy One called out to me: "To you they say, O Noah, ..." and I reckoned the whole conduct of the sons of the earth. I knew and explained everything ... two weeks. then the blood which the Giants had spilled ... I was at ease and waited until ... the holy ones with the daughters of man... The I Noah, found grace, greatness and for my entire life I have behaved righteously... I, Noah, a man ...
Col. 7
God told Noah that he would rule over the earth and the seas and all they encompass. Noah was overjoyed at the idea.
Col. 10
The arc rested upon the mountain of Ararat. Noah atoned for the land and burned incense on the alter.
Col. 11
God makes a covenant with Noah telling him he could no longer eat blood of any kind.
Col. 12
I placed my bow in the cloud and it became a sign for me in the cloud ... the earth ... it was revealed to me in the mountains ... a vineyard in the mountains of Ararat ... After the flood Noah and his sons descended from the mountain. They saw the widespread devastation of the earth. After the flood Noah's children began to have his grandchildren-Sons ands daughters. They then planted the soil and put a vineyard on Mount Lubar that produced wine four years later: On the first day of the fifth year, there was a feast at which the first wine was drank. Noah gathered his family together and they went to the alter and thanked god for saving them from the destruction of the flood.
Col 13
... They were cutting gold, silver, stones, and clay and taking some for themselves. I saw the gold and silver ... iron, and they cut down all the trees and took some. I saw the sun, moon, and stars cutting and taking some for themselves ... I turned to see the olive tree and behold, it was rising up and for many hours ... many leaves ... appeared in them. I watched the olive tree and the abundance of its leaves ... they tied to it. I was greatly amazed by the tree and its leaves ... the four winds of heaven were strongly blowing and they were breaking off and smashing the branches of the olive tree. The westerly wind hit first, knocking off its fruit and leaves and scattering them everywhere. Then ...
Col 14
... Listen and hear! You are the great cedar ... standing in front of you in a dream on the mountain tops ... truth. The willow that springs from it and rises high these are three sons ... And the one that you did see, the first willow got attached to the stump of the cedar ... and the wood from it ... will never separate from you. And among it posterity ... will be called ... will grow a wonderful plant ... will stand forever. And what you saw, the willow caught the stump ... the last willow ... part of their branch entered the branch of the first tree, two sons ... And what you saw, that part of their branch entered the branch of the first tree ... I explained to him the mystery ...
Col 15
... And that you saw all of them ... They will go around, the majority of them will be evil. and what you saw, that a man came from the south, with a sickle in his hand, and bringing fire with him ... who will come from the south of the land ... And they will put wickedness on the fire, a; ... And he should come between ... Four angels ... between all nations. And they will all worship and be dumbfounded ... I will honestly explain to you. And I, Noah woke up from my sleep and the Sun.
Col. 16
Noah divided the land among his descendants ... all the land of the north as far as ... this boundary, the waters of the Mediterranean ... the Tina River.
Col. 17
Noah further divided the land West, to Asshur, as far as the Tigris. He gave Aram land as far as the source of ... this Mountain of the Bull, and he crossed it westward as far as ... where the three parts met ... For Arpachshad ... He gave Gomer a part in the northeast t the Tina River ... To Magog ...
Col. 19
I, Abraham built and alter at Bethel and called to god, praising him. I then went to the Holy mountain and to Hebron where he lived for two years. Because there was famine in the land my family and I traveled to Egypt where grain was plentiful. I went across the branches of the Nile to enter Egypt, the land of the sons of Ham. I had a dream about a cedar tree and a date-palm tree. When people came to cut down the cedar tree, the date-palm tree objected, saying that they were grown from a single root. The cedar tree was spared. I became fearful of the dream and told it to my wife. I explained it as it pertained to us telling Sarah that the men will come for her and try to kill me. I warned Sarah that she must tell everyone that I am her brother so that my life can be spared. She became scared and did not want to go to Zoan for fear of being seen. Five years later, counselors of the Egyptians court and advisors of the Pharaoh of Zoan came, having heard the words of my wife. They brought gifts and requested knowledge from me. I read to them from the Book of the words of Enoch.
Col. 20
The men return to the Pharaoh and describe Sarah's features: beautiful face, supple hair, lovely eyes, pleasant nose, radiant face. He continued on describing her shapely breasts, perfect hands, and everything down to her long and delicate fingers. the men compared her to and rated her far higher than virgins and birds, and all other women alike. Hearing this, and then seeing Sarah, the pharaoh wanted her and took her for his wife. Sarah saved me by telling the pharaoh that I was her brother and that night I and my nephew Lot cried together I prayed to Lord for justice. I wanted the Lord to raise up against the pharaoh and protect Sarah. God listened and sent an evil spirit to the entire household that prevented the pharaoh from having sexual relations with Sarah for the two years that they were together. At the end of the two years, the plagues and afflictions were so great that magicians and healers were sent for. They were, of course, ineffective, and they all soon left. Hyrcanos went to me pleading for help against the plague because I had been seen in a dream. I agreed to help only when my wife Sarah is returned to me. The pharaoh heard this and confronted me, himself asking why I lied saying that Sarah was my sister. He agreed to give Sarah back and I exorcized the evil spirit from the house of the pharaoh. The pharaoh swore to me that he had not touched Sarah while they were together and gave her gifts of gold, silver, linen, and purple-dyed clothing. Sarah and I were then led out of Egypt. I, Sarah, Lot, and his wife took our flocks and the gold and silver I had received and traveled together.
Col. 21
I went to all my old campsites until I reached Bethel, the place where I once built an alter, and then I built another one and offered up burnt offerings and a cereal offerings to the God Of Most High, and invoked the name of the Lord of the Universe there. I praised God's name and blessed god and gave thanks to Him there for all the flocks and goods and wealth which he has given me, for the good he has done for me, and because He had returned me to this land safely. After this day, Lot left me on the account of our shepherd's behavior. He went to live in the Valley of Jordan taking all his flocks with him. And I also added greatly to what he had. he pastured his flock and kept moving until he reached Sodom and bought a house there, while I still lived in the mountain of Bethel. It bothered me that Lot and I had separated. God came to me in a dream and said to me: Go up to Ramat Hazor which is north of Bethel, the place you are living now, and look to the east, west, south and to the north. Look at the land which I am giving you and your descendants forever. The next morning I went up to Ramat Hazor and looked at the land from that height, from the river of Egypt up to Lebanon and Senir, and from the Great Sea up to Hauran, and all the land of Gebel to Qadesh, and all the Great Desert, as far as the Euphrates and he said to me: I shall give all this land to your descendants; and they will inherit it forever. I will multiply your descendants like the dust of the earth that none can count. Your descendants will be numberless. Arise, walk about, go "see how long and how wide it is, for I will give it to you and to your descendants after you, forever. Then I, Abraham, went out traveling in a circuit to survey the land. I began the circuit at the Gihion River, I went along the Mediterranean Sea until I reached the Mountain of the Bull. I circled from the coast of this great river saltwater sea, skirting the Mount of the Bull, and continued eastward through the breadth of the and until I came to the Euphrates river. I traveled along the Euphrates until I reached the red sea in the east, whence I followed the coast of the Red Sea until I came to the branch of the Reed Sea, jutting out from the Red Sea. From there I completed the circuit, moving southward to arrive at Gihon River. Then I returned home safely and found all is well with my men. Then I went and settled next to the oaks of Mamre, which is northeast of Hebron. There I built an alter and offered up burnt offering and a cereal offering to the God Most High. I ate and drank there, I and all the men of my household, and invited Mamre, Arnem, and Eshkol, three Amorite brothers and my friends. They ate and drank together with me. Prior to those days Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, Amraphel, the king of Babylon, Arioch, the king of Cappadocia, and Tidal, the king of Goiim, which lies between the two rivers had come. They had waged war on Bera, the king of Sodom, Birsha, the king of Gomorrah, Shinab, the king of Admah, Shemiabad, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela. All these formed an alliance to do battle in the Valley of Siddim. Now the king of Elam, and the kings with him proved to be stronger than the king of Sodom and imposed tribute upon them. Over twelve years they continued paying their tribute to the king of Elam, but in the thirteenth they rebelled against him. Thus the fourteenth year the king of Elam sallied forth with all his allies, and they ascended by the way of the desert. They smote and plundered beginning from the Euphrates. They kept on smiting-smiting the Rephaim who were in the Asteroth- Kernaim, the Zumzammin who were Amman, the Emim who were in Shaveh- hakerioth, and the Horites who were in the mountain of Gebal-until they reached El- Paran, in the desert. They returned...in Hazazon-tamar. The king of Sodom went out to meet him, together with the king of Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and the king of Bela. They engaged in battle in the valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer, and allies that were with him. The king of Sodom was defeated and put to flight while the king of Gomorrah fell into the pits ... The king Elam plundered all the property of Sodom and of Gomorrah and they captured Lot.