Second Baruch

And it happened after these things, that I, Baruch,

was standing on Mount Zion.

And behold, a voice came from the heights and said to me:

“Stand upon your feet, Baruch,

and hear the word of the Mighty God.

Because you were astonished at what happened to Zion,

for this reason you shall surely be preserved until the consummation of the times,

that you may be for a testimony.

For if ever the cities should say,

those that prosper: ‘Why has God brought upon us

the Mighty

this retribution?’—

say to them, you and those who are like you,

who have seen

evil

this, and the retributions that are coming

upon you

and upon

your people.

In its time,

that completely they will be chastised,

the nations.

And then they will remain.

And if they say at that time, ‘When?’

you shall say to them: ‘You who have drunk the strained wine,

drink also from its dregs!’

For the judgment

of the Most High

is impartial.

Therefore, he did not spare his sons first,

but afflicted them

as though enemies, because they sinned.

Then, therefore, they were chastised that they might be pardoned.

Now, however, you nations and peoples,

you are guilty, because all this time you have trodden the earth

and used

creation

unjustly.

For at all times I was doing good to you,

and you were denying the grace at all times.”