The Book Of The Secrets Of Enoch
1926 anthology, complete selected publisher reading text
Rutherford H. Platt
2 The Lord said: ‘There is no oath in me, nor injustice, but truth.’
3 If there is no truth in men, let them swear by the words ‘yea, yea,’ or else, ‘nay, nay!
4 And I swear to you, yea, yea, that there has been no man in his mother’s womb, but that already before, even to each one there is a place prepared for the repose of the soul, and a measure fixed how much it is intended that a man be tried in this world.
5 Yea, children, deceive not yourselves, for there has been previously prepared a place for every soul of man.
L.
Of how none born on earth can remain hidden nor his work remain concealed, but he (sc. God) bids us be meek, to endure attack and insult, and not to offend widows and orphans.
I HAVE put everyman’s work in writing and none born on earth can remain hidden nor his works remain concealed.
2 I see all things.
3 Now therefore, my children, in patience and meekness spend the number of your days, that you inherit endless life.
4 Endure for the sake of the Lord every wound, every injury, every evil word and attack.
5 If ill-requitals befall you, return them not either to neighbour or enemy, because the Lord will return them for you and be your avenger on the day of great judgement, that there be no avenging here among men.
6 Whoever of you spends gold or silver for his brother’s sake, he will receive ample treasure in the world to come.
7 Injure not widows nor orphans nor strangers, lest God’s wrath come upon you.
LI.
Enoch instructs his sons, that they hide not treasures in the earth, but bids them give alms to the poor.
STRETCH out your hands to the poor according to your strength.
2 Hide not your silver in the earth.
3 Help the faithful man in affliction, and affliction will not find you in the time of your trouble.
4 And every grievous and cruel yoke that come upon you bear all for the sake of the Lord, and thus you will find your reward in the day of judgement.
5 It is good to go morning, midday, and evening into the Lord’s dwelling, for the glory of your creator.
6 Because every breathing thing glorifies him, and every creature visible and invisible returns him praise.
LII.
God instructs his faithful. how they are to praise his name.
BLESSED is the man who opens his lips in praise of God of Sabaoth and praises the Lord with his heart.
2 Cursed every man who opens his lips for the bringing into contempt and calumny of his neighbour, because he brings God into contempt.
3 Blessed is he who opens his lips blessing and praising God.
4 Cursed is he before the Lord all the days of his life, who opens his lips to curse and abuse.
5 Blessed is he who blesses all the Lord’s works.
6 Cursed is he who brings the Lord’s creation into contempt.
7 Blessed is he who looks down and raises the fallen.
8 Cursed is he who looks to and is eager for the destruction of what is not his.
9 Blessed is he who keeps the foundations of his fathers made firm from the beginning.
10 Cursed is he who perverts the decrees of his forefathers.
11 Blessed is he who implants peace and love.
12 Cursed is he who disturbs those that love their neighbours.
13 Blessed is he who speaks with humble tongue and heart to all.
14 Cursed is he who speaks peace with his. tongue, while in his heart there is no peace but a sword.
15 For all these things will be laid bare in the weighing-scales and in the books, on the day of the great judgement.
LIII.
[Let us not say: ‘Our father is before God, he will stand forward for us on the day of judgement,’ for there father cannot help son, nor yet son father.]