Second Baruch

And the eleventh dark waters that you saw,

this is the calamity that is now befalling Zion.

Or

did you think

that the angels have no sorrow before the Mighty One

that Zion was delivered up in this manner,

and that, behold, the nations boast in their hearts and assemble

before their idols

and say:

'She who trod down for a long time has been trodden down,

and she who subjugated has been subjugated'?

Do you think

that in these things the Most High rejoices,

or that his name is glorified?

How then will it be for his righteous judgment?

Yet after these things they will be seized with distress,

those who have been scattered among the nations,

and they will dwell in reproach in every place.

For as long as Zion is delivered up and Jerusalem is desolate,

and idols prosper in the cities of the nations,

and the fragrant smoke of the spices of righteousness that is from

the law has been quenched from Zion,

and in place of Zion everywhere,

behold, there is the smoke of wickedness in it.

Yet the king of Babylon, he who has now overthrown Zion, will arise

and boast over the people,

and speak great things in his heart before the Most High.

Yet he too will fall in the end.

These are the black waters.