THE TREATISE COMPOSED BY SHEM,
SON OF NOAH, CONCERNING THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND WHATEVER OCCURS IN IT
1 If the year begins in Aries, the year will be lean. Even its four-footed animals will die and many clouds will neither be visible nor appear. And grain will not reach the necessary height, but its corn will reach good height and will ripen. And the Nile River will overflow at a good rate. And the king of Rome will not remain in one place. And the stars of the sky will be dispersed as sparks of fire, and the moon will eclipse. The first grain will die, but the last will be harvested. From Passover until the New Year there will be a blight on produce. The year will be bad, for a great war and misery will take place on all the earth; especially on the land of Egypt. When the sea billows, many ships will be wrecked. Oil will be valued in Africa. Wheat will be reduced in value in Hauran and Damascus. In Palestine it will be valued. In that region there will be various diseases and sicknesses, and fighting will take place in it. However, it will be allowed to escape from it and be delivered.
2 If the year begins in Taurus, everyone whose name contains a B, I or K will become sick, or be hurt by an iron weapon. There will be fighting. A wind will go out from Egypt and will fill all the earth. In that year there will be wheat and abundant rains, but the nobles of the land, and of all the surrounding region, will destroy the crops. The rain of this year will not fall for three months, and afterwards produce will be very expensive for thirty-six days. And many will die from diseases of the throat; then leanness will cease. The first grain will vanish in the same way, but the last will be harvested. Devils will attack men but will not, in any way, harm them. Two kings will oppose each other. The large Nile River will rise over its banks. Those who are on a ship in the middle of the sea, or people who are on the sea, will be in severe misery. However, at the end of the year there will be great blessing.
3 If the year begins in Gemini, the moon will be beautiful and a north wind will blow and rain will come from it. And everyone whose name has a T, H or M will have leprosy or a mark on his face. In the start of the year there will be a harsh war. There will be spring rains and grain will be good and beautiful; especially the grain that has been irrigated. Mice will multiply on the earth. The Romans and the Parthians will make terrible wars with each other. The Romans will proceed by ships on the sea; then they will cause a war and destroy the Parthians. Evil people will proceed in the world and do evil; then there will be anxiety and terrible misery. However, at the end of the year there will be that which is good – even the Nile will overflow exceedingly.
4 If the year begins in Cancer, the start of the year will have a sufficiency of produce and people will be well. The Nile will overflow half its normal rate. Alexandria will be afflicted, and misery from the plague will be in it. The stars will shine wonderfully because the moon will eclipse. Many ships will be wrecked in the sea. In the start of the year wheat and barley will cost much. Winds will increase; then many will be sick from sties of the eyes and from coughing and vomiting. Wine will be plenteous, but bulls, sheep and small cattle will vanish – even dried peas will consume away; but oil will compensate for them. At the end of the year the harvest will be a burden for nine days, but there will be rain afterwards – and great blessing will be in this year.
5 If the year begins in Leo, there will be spring rains; then the soil will be deprived of the north winds. Grain will be enjoyed, for surely the food of men will be good. Wheat, rice and dried peas will be costly, and wheat must be irrigated. Oil and dates will be costly. There will be disease among men. Pregnant females and small cattle will die. The king will strive with a king. The large locusts will come and will not subside; but they will somewhat gradually swirl in circles and shrink back together. The Nile River will overflow at its highest level. People will have headaches. At the conclusion of the year there will be a lot of rain.
6 If the year begins in Virgo, everyone whose name contains more than one I, or an S, and a B, and an N will be diseased and robbed, and will flee from his house. This unfortunate thing will happen at the start of the year. Shortage of water will be in every circle. The first grain will not prosper. People will suffer numerous miseries in summer and winter. However, the last grain will be harvested and it will be good. Produce will be costly in Hauran and Bithynia, but will be affordable at the conclusion of the year. Wine will even be affordable and pleasing. Dates will be abundant. However, oil will cost much. Barley and wheat will be valued, but dried peas will be the opposite. Rain will be late and will not fall upon the earth until thirty days before the Passover. The king will slay a king after striving with him. Alexandria will be lost. The Nile will not overflow well. Many ships will be wrecked. However, there will be sufficiency about everything at the conclusion of the year.
7 If the year begins in Libra, there will be spring rains. The year will be transformed. People will be spared from the east wind. Fig trees will not bear fruit. However, there will be plenty of dates and oil. Wine will be costly. Wheat will be valued greatly. The locust will appear. A severe war will take place in Africa. People will have severe diseases. Rain will not fall for twenty days in the middle of the year. Cultivated wheat will not ripen well. All lands will be good. Everyone whose name has an I or B will be ill, have anxiety and go into captivity from his land. Wine will be harmed. Adultery will increase – along with perverted desire. The king will stay in one place. Power will abandon the land. Nobles will flee unto the sea, and there will be terrible war between them there. There will be a great earthquake in Galilee. Robbers will gather in Hauran and Damascus. The Nile will overflow at its highest level. A great plague will happen in Egypt, and also in Galilee as in Beth Bardune. People will be worried because of the lack of rain.
8 If the year begins in Scorpio, the north wind will blow at the start of the year, and there will be many spring rains. At the end of the year everything will be costly. Rain will diminish until people give petition and prayers, and beg with alms the living God. There will be disease among pregnant women. Many men will migrate from their countries on account of affliction. Dried peas will be harvested, but wheat and barley will be harvested very little. There will be enough oil and wine. Ulcers will grow in the bodies of men but will do them no harm. The Nile will overflow half its normal level. There will be whispers of hope for small cattle. Everyone whose name has a T or I will become ill, but will recover. Everyone born in Scorpio will survive his birth, but at the conclusion of the year he will be killed.
9 If the year begins in Sagittarius, everyone whose name contains a B or P will have misery and a serious disease, and in the start of the year it will increase in seriousness. Men in many places will be worried. There will be sown only a very little in the land of Egypt. In the middle of the year there will be a lot of rain. However, men will hoard produce into store-houses because of the coming drought. Grain will not be pleasing – even at the end of the year it will not be good. However, oil and wine will be considered good. Adultery will increase and small cattle will perish.
10 If the year begins in Capricorn, everyone whose name contains a Q will become ill, and be plundered and wounded with the sword. The east wind will rule the year. Everyone should plant seed early; the last to plant will not be successful. At the start of the year everything will be costly. Waves and storms will increase and cause death to those in the sea. In the middle of the year produce will be costly. Thieves will increase. Officials in government will be cruel. Wasps and small reptiles of the earth will increase and harm many. Many will move from one place to another because of the existing war. Wars will increase. At the conclusion of the year rain will diminish. In some places grain will be harvested, but in others it will perish. There will be a disease in Damascus and Hauran. Along the sea-coast there will be a famine. Adultery will increase. People will offer petition and prayers and observe a fast and give alms in hope for rain. Irrigated grain will be good.
11 When the year begins in Aquarius, everyone whose name contains an L or P will become ill or be completely ruined by marauders. At the start of the year rain will increase. The Nile will overflow at its full level. Egypt will rule over Palestine. Barley will be harvested. Lambs and sheep will prosper. The west wind will rule the year. The king will fight with a king. The first grain will prosper; but dried peas will not sprout much although will be harvested. Merchants will seek assistance from the living God.
12 If the year begins in Pisces, everyone whose name contains a K or M will become ill and eventually killed. The year will be good. Grains will be healthy and good. There will be spring rains. Fishing in the sea will be prosperous. Ships will be wrecked when the sea billows. People will become ill. Oil, wine and wheat will be pleasing. Grain will be good. There will be wars and great desolation in cities; and villages will be transferred and displaced from one place to another. Robbers will come from Palestine and many will wage a great war against three cities. The Romans will, at times, be victorious and at other times easily defeated. There will be a great disease among men. A black man will come forth who seeks the kingdom. The house of the kingdom will perish. The king will seek to understand what men are saying, and will lay waste many cities. No one will be able to stop him; and the fear of God and his mercies will not be in him. Then at the conclusion of the year there will be peace and prosperity among men – and love and harmony among all the kings upon the whole earth.
2 If the year begins in Taurus, everyone whose name contains a B, I or K will become sick, or be hurt by an iron weapon. There will be fighting. A wind will go out from Egypt and will fill all the earth. In that year there will be wheat and abundant rains, but the nobles of the land, and of all the surrounding region, will destroy the crops. The rain of this year will not fall for three months, and afterwards produce will be very expensive for thirty-six days. And many will die from diseases of the throat; then leanness will cease. The first grain will vanish in the same way, but the last will be harvested. Devils will attack men but will not, in any way, harm them. Two kings will oppose each other. The large Nile River will rise over its banks. Those who are on a ship in the middle of the sea, or people who are on the sea, will be in severe misery. However, at the end of the year there will be great blessing.
3 If the year begins in Gemini, the moon will be beautiful and a north wind will blow and rain will come from it. And everyone whose name has a T, H or M will have leprosy or a mark on his face. In the start of the year there will be a harsh war. There will be spring rains and grain will be good and beautiful; especially the grain that has been irrigated. Mice will multiply on the earth. The Romans and the Parthians will make terrible wars with each other. The Romans will proceed by ships on the sea; then they will cause a war and destroy the Parthians. Evil people will proceed in the world and do evil; then there will be anxiety and terrible misery. However, at the end of the year there will be that which is good – even the Nile will overflow exceedingly.
4 If the year begins in Cancer, the start of the year will have a sufficiency of produce and people will be well. The Nile will overflow half its normal rate. Alexandria will be afflicted, and misery from the plague will be in it. The stars will shine wonderfully because the moon will eclipse. Many ships will be wrecked in the sea. In the start of the year wheat and barley will cost much. Winds will increase; then many will be sick from sties of the eyes and from coughing and vomiting. Wine will be plenteous, but bulls, sheep and small cattle will vanish – even dried peas will consume away; but oil will compensate for them. At the end of the year the harvest will be a burden for nine days, but there will be rain afterwards – and great blessing will be in this year.
5 If the year begins in Leo, there will be spring rains; then the soil will be deprived of the north winds. Grain will be enjoyed, for surely the food of men will be good. Wheat, rice and dried peas will be costly, and wheat must be irrigated. Oil and dates will be costly. There will be disease among men. Pregnant females and small cattle will die. The king will strive with a king. The large locusts will come and will not subside; but they will somewhat gradually swirl in circles and shrink back together. The Nile River will overflow at its highest level. People will have headaches. At the conclusion of the year there will be a lot of rain.
6 If the year begins in Virgo, everyone whose name contains more than one I, or an S, and a B, and an N will be diseased and robbed, and will flee from his house. This unfortunate thing will happen at the start of the year. Shortage of water will be in every circle. The first grain will not prosper. People will suffer numerous miseries in summer and winter. However, the last grain will be harvested and it will be good. Produce will be costly in Hauran and Bithynia, but will be affordable at the conclusion of the year. Wine will even be affordable and pleasing. Dates will be abundant. However, oil will cost much. Barley and wheat will be valued, but dried peas will be the opposite. Rain will be late and will not fall upon the earth until thirty days before the Passover. The king will slay a king after striving with him. Alexandria will be lost. The Nile will not overflow well. Many ships will be wrecked. However, there will be sufficiency about everything at the conclusion of the year.
7 If the year begins in Libra, there will be spring rains. The year will be transformed. People will be spared from the east wind. Fig trees will not bear fruit. However, there will be plenty of dates and oil. Wine will be costly. Wheat will be valued greatly. The locust will appear. A severe war will take place in Africa. People will have severe diseases. Rain will not fall for twenty days in the middle of the year. Cultivated wheat will not ripen well. All lands will be good. Everyone whose name has an I or B will be ill, have anxiety and go into captivity from his land. Wine will be harmed. Adultery will increase – along with perverted desire. The king will stay in one place. Power will abandon the land. Nobles will flee unto the sea, and there will be terrible war between them there. There will be a great earthquake in Galilee. Robbers will gather in Hauran and Damascus. The Nile will overflow at its highest level. A great plague will happen in Egypt, and also in Galilee as in Beth Bardune. People will be worried because of the lack of rain.
8 If the year begins in Scorpio, the north wind will blow at the start of the year, and there will be many spring rains. At the end of the year everything will be costly. Rain will diminish until people give petition and prayers, and beg with alms the living God. There will be disease among pregnant women. Many men will migrate from their countries on account of affliction. Dried peas will be harvested, but wheat and barley will be harvested very little. There will be enough oil and wine. Ulcers will grow in the bodies of men but will do them no harm. The Nile will overflow half its normal level. There will be whispers of hope for small cattle. Everyone whose name has a T or I will become ill, but will recover. Everyone born in Scorpio will survive his birth, but at the conclusion of the year he will be killed.
9 If the year begins in Sagittarius, everyone whose name contains a B or P will have misery and a serious disease, and in the start of the year it will increase in seriousness. Men in many places will be worried. There will be sown only a very little in the land of Egypt. In the middle of the year there will be a lot of rain. However, men will hoard produce into store-houses because of the coming drought. Grain will not be pleasing – even at the end of the year it will not be good. However, oil and wine will be considered good. Adultery will increase and small cattle will perish.
10 If the year begins in Capricorn, everyone whose name contains a Q will become ill, and be plundered and wounded with the sword. The east wind will rule the year. Everyone should plant seed early; the last to plant will not be successful. At the start of the year everything will be costly. Waves and storms will increase and cause death to those in the sea. In the middle of the year produce will be costly. Thieves will increase. Officials in government will be cruel. Wasps and small reptiles of the earth will increase and harm many. Many will move from one place to another because of the existing war. Wars will increase. At the conclusion of the year rain will diminish. In some places grain will be harvested, but in others it will perish. There will be a disease in Damascus and Hauran. Along the sea-coast there will be a famine. Adultery will increase. People will offer petition and prayers and observe a fast and give alms in hope for rain. Irrigated grain will be good.
11 When the year begins in Aquarius, everyone whose name contains an L or P will become ill or be completely ruined by marauders. At the start of the year rain will increase. The Nile will overflow at its full level. Egypt will rule over Palestine. Barley will be harvested. Lambs and sheep will prosper. The west wind will rule the year. The king will fight with a king. The first grain will prosper; but dried peas will not sprout much although will be harvested. Merchants will seek assistance from the living God.
12 If the year begins in Pisces, everyone whose name contains a K or M will become ill and eventually killed. The year will be good. Grains will be healthy and good. There will be spring rains. Fishing in the sea will be prosperous. Ships will be wrecked when the sea billows. People will become ill. Oil, wine and wheat will be pleasing. Grain will be good. There will be wars and great desolation in cities; and villages will be transferred and displaced from one place to another. Robbers will come from Palestine and many will wage a great war against three cities. The Romans will, at times, be victorious and at other times easily defeated. There will be a great disease among men. A black man will come forth who seeks the kingdom. The house of the kingdom will perish. The king will seek to understand what men are saying, and will lay waste many cities. No one will be able to stop him; and the fear of God and his mercies will not be in him. Then at the conclusion of the year there will be peace and prosperity among men – and love and harmony among all the kings upon the whole earth.