¹

And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,

¹

Тогда̀ ѿвѣща̀ ко мнѣ̀ а҆́гг҃лъ, и҆́же по́сланъ бѣ̀ ко мнѣ̀, є҆мꙋ́же и҆́мѧ оу҆рїи́лъ,

²

and said to me, thy heart hath utterly failed thee in regarding this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the Most High?

²

и҆ речѐ мѝ: во оу҆́жасѣ и҆зстꙋпѝ се́рдце твоѐ въ вѣ́цѣ се́мъ, поне́же хо́щеши пости́гнꙋти пꙋти̑ вы́шнѧгѡ. А҆́зъ же ѿвѣша́хъ:

³

Then said I, Yea my Lord. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to show thee three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before thee:

³

та́кѡ є҆́сть, го́споди мо́й. Ѻ҆́нъ же ко мнѣ̀ речѐ си́це: трѝ пꙋти̑ по́сланъ є҆́смь показа́ти тебѣ̀ и҆ трѝ подѡ́бїѧ предложи́ти пред̾ тобо́ю:

⁴

whereof if thou canst declare me one, I also will show thee the way that thou desirest to see, and I will teach thee wherefore the heart is wicked.

⁴

ѿ ни́хже є҆гда̀ мѝ є҆ди́но и҆з̾ѧви́ши, и҆ а҆́зъ тѝ покажꙋ̀ пꙋ́ть, є҆го́же жела́еши ви́дѣти, и҆ наꙋчꙋ̀ тѧ̀, ѿкꙋ́дꙋ є҆́сть се́рдце лꙋка́во.

⁵

And I said, say on, my Lord. Then said he unto me, Go to, weigh me a weight of fire, or measure me a measure of wind, or call me again the day that is past.

⁵

И҆ реко́хъ: возвѣстѝ, го́споди мо́й. И҆ речѐ ко мнѣ̀: и҆дѝ и҆ и҆звѣ́си мѝ ѻ҆гнѧ̀ тѧ́гость, и҆лѝ и҆змѣ́ри дыха́нїе вѣ́тра, и҆лѝ возвратѝ вспѧ́ть де́нь, и҆́же мимои́де.

⁶

Then answered I and said, who of the sons of men is able to do this, that thou shouldest ask me of such things?

⁶

А҆́зъ же ѿвѣша́хъ и҆ реко́хъ: кто̀ ѿ человѣ̑къ мо́жетъ сотвори́ти, ѡ҆ ни́хже мѧ̀ вопроша́еши;

⁷

And he said unto me, If I had asked thee, saying, How many dwellings are there in the heart of the sea? or how many springs are there at the fountain head of the deep? or how many ways are above the firmament? or which are the outgoings of Hades? or which are the paths of paradise?

⁷

Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ ко мнѣ̀: а҆́ще бы́хъ вопроси́лъ тѧ̀, глаго́лѧ: ко́ль мно́гѡ жили́щъ є҆́сть въ се́рдцы морстѣ́мъ, и҆лѝ ко́ль мно́гѡ и҆сто́чникѡвъ въ нача́лѣ бе́здны, и҆лѝ ко́ль мно́гѡ жи̑лъ є҆́сть над̾ тве́рдїю небе́сною, и҆лѝ кі́и сꙋ́ть предѣ́лы ра́йстїи;

⁸

peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into Hades, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.

⁸

не́гли ѿвѣща́лъ бы мѝ є҆сѝ: въ бе́зднꙋ не снидо́хъ, ни во а҆́дъ є҆щѐ, нижѐ на небеса̀ когда̀ взыдо́хъ:

⁹

Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day, things wherethrough thou hast passed, and without which thou canst not be, and yet hast thou given me no answer of them.

⁹

нн҃ѣ же ѡ҆ се́мъ не вопроси́хъ тѧ̀, то́чїю ѡ҆ ѻ҆гнѝ и҆ ѡ҆ вѣ́трѣ и҆ ѡ҆ днѝ, въ ѻ҆́ньже є҆сѝ пребыва́лъ, и҆ без̾ си́хъ веще́й бы́ти не мо́жеши: и҆ ты̀ ѡ҆ си́хъ ничто́же мѝ ѿвѣща́лъ є҆сѝ.

¹⁰

He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, that are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;

¹⁰

И҆ речѐ мѝ: ты̀ си́хъ, ꙗ҆̀же твоѧ̑ сꙋ́ть и҆ съ тобо́ю возрасто́ша, позна́ти не мо́жеши:

¹¹

how then can thy vessel comprehend the way of the Most High? and how can he that is already worn out with the corrupted world understand incorruption?

¹¹

и҆ ка́кѡ сосꙋ́дъ тво́й возмо́жетъ вмѣсти́ти пꙋти̑ вы́шнѧгѡ, и҆ оу҆жѐ мі́рꙋ ѿвнѣ̀ растлѣ́ннꙋ сꙋ́щꙋ, оу҆разꙋмѣ́ти раслѣ́нїе ꙗ҆́вное пред̾ лице́мъ мои́мъ;

¹²

And when I heard these things I fell upon my face, and said unto him, It were better that we were not here at all, than that we should come hither and live in the midst of ungodliness, and suffer, and not know wherefore.

¹²

И҆ реко́хъ къ немꙋ̀: лꙋ́чше на́мъ дабы̀ є҆смы̀ не бы́ли, не́жели є҆щѐ живꙋ́щымъ жи́ти въ нече́стїихъ и҆ претерпѣва́ти и҆ не вѣ́дати, ко́еѧ ра́ди ве́щи.

¹³

He answered me, and said, The woods of the trees of the field went forth, and took counsel together,

¹³

Ѻ҆́нъ же ѿвѣща̀ мѝ и҆ речѐ: ше́дъ и҆до́хъ въ дꙋбра́вꙋ древе́съ по́льныхъ, и҆дѣ́же древа̀ совѣ́тъ сотвори́ша

¹⁴

and said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea, that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods.

¹⁴

глаго́люще: прїиди́те и҆ и҆́демъ и҆ дви́гнемъ бра́нь на мо́ре, да оу҆стꙋ́питъ на́мъ, и҆ да сотвори́мъ себѣ̀ и҆ны̑ѧ дꙋбра̑вы:

¹⁵

The waves of the sea also in like manner took counsel together, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the wood of the plain, that there also we may make us another country.

¹⁵

та́кожде и҆ вѡ́лны мѡрскі́ѧ совѣ́тъ сотвори́ша глаго́лющѧ: по́йдемъ и҆ дви́гнемъ бра́нь на лѣ́сы пѡ́льныѧ, да побѣди́вшѧ и҆̀хъ воспрїи́мемъ себѣ̀ та́мѡ и҆но́е мѣ́сто:

¹⁶

The counsel of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it:

¹⁶

и҆ бы́сть оу҆мышле́нїе дꙋбра́вы пра́здно, поне́же прїи́де ѻ҆́гнь и҆ пожжѐ ю҆̀,

¹⁷

likewise also the counsel of the waves of the sea, for the sand stood up and stopped them.

¹⁷

та́кожде и҆ оу҆мышле́нїе во́лнъ морски́хъ, поне́же ста̀ песо́къ и҆ оу҆держа̀ и҆̀хъ:

¹⁸

If thou wert judge now between these two, whom wouldest thou justify, or whom condemn?

¹⁸

и҆ є҆гда́ бы є҆сѝ бы́лъ сꙋдїѧ̀ и҆́хъ, ко́его бы є҆сѝ ѿ си́хъ ѡ҆правда́лъ, и҆лѝ ко́его ви́нна сотвори́лъ;

¹⁹

I answered and said, it is a foolish counsel that they both have taken, for the ground is given unto the wood, and the place of the sea is given to bear its waves.

¹⁹

Ѿвѣща́хъ а҆́зъ и҆ рѣ́хъ: вои́стиннꙋ въ совѣ́тъ сꙋ́етенъ вда́шасѧ, поне́же землѧ̀ дана̀ є҆́сть лѣсѡ́мъ, и҆ мо́рю мѣ́сто, є҆́же носи́ти вѡ́лны своѧ̑.

²⁰

Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, and why judgest thou not in thine own case?

²⁰

Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ ко мнѣ̀: пра́вѡ разсꙋди́лъ є҆сѝ: чесѡ́ же ра́ди себѐ не сꙋ́диши;

²¹

For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his waves, even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he only that dwelleth above the heavens may understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.

²¹

поне́же ꙗ҆́коже землѧ̀ дꙋбра́вамъ дана̀ є҆́сть и҆ мо́ре волна́мъ свои̑мъ (дано̀ є҆́сть): та́кѡ и҆̀же ѡ҆бита́ютъ на землѝ, то́кмѡ ве́щы назє́мныѧ разꙋмѣ́ти мо́гꙋтъ, а҆ сꙋ́щїи на нб҃сѣ́хъ, ꙗ҆̀же на высотѣ̀ нб҃съ.

²²

Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, wherefore is the power of understanding given unto me?

²²

И҆ ѡ҆вѣша́хъ и҆ реко́хъ: молю́тисѧ, го́споди, да мнѣ̀ да́стсѧ оу҆́мъ разꙋмѣ́нїѧ,

²³

For it was not in my mind to be curious of the ways above, but of such things as pass by us daily; because Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and the law of our forefathers is made of none effect, and the written covenants are nowhere regarded,

²³

не бо̀ хотѣ́хъ вопроси́ти ѡ҆ вы́шнихъ твои́хъ, но ѡ҆ си́хъ, ꙗ҆̀же всегда̀ въ на́съ быва́ютъ, чесѡ̀ ра́ди і҆и҃ль да́нъ въ порꙋга́нїе ꙗ҆зы́кѡмъ; и҆ чесѡ̀ ра́ди лю́дїе твоѝ возлю́бленнїи даны̀ ꙗ҆зы́кѡмъ нечєсти́вымъ; и҆ чесѡ̀ ра́ди зако́нъ ѻ҆тє́цъ на́шихъ въ па́гꙋбꙋ низведе́нъ бы́сть, и҆ оу҆строє́нїѧ пи̑саннаѧ нигдѣ̀ сꙋ́ть;

²⁴

and we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is as a vapor, neither are we worthy to obtain mercy.

²⁴

и҆ преидо́хомъ ѡ҆ вѣ́ка а҆́ки прꙋ́зи и҆ живе́мъ въ вели́цѣмъ стра́сѣ и҆ оу҆́жасѣ, и҆ недосто́йни є҆смы̀ ми́лости твоеѧ̀ наслѣ́дити:

²⁵

What will he then do for his name whereby we are called? Of these things have I asked.

²⁵

но что̀ сотвори́тъ и҆́мени своемꙋ̀, є҆́же мы̀ нарица́емъ; сїѧ̑ сꙋ́ть, є҆гѡ́же а҆́зъ вопроси́хъ.

²⁶

Then he answered me, and said, if thou be alive thou shalt see, and if thou livest long, thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteneth fast to pass away.

²⁶

Ѻ҆́нъ же ѿвѣща̀ ко мнѣ̀ и҆ речѐ: коли́кѡ бо́лѣе и҆спыта́ти бꙋ́деши, толи́кѡ бо́лѣе и҆ оу҆диви́шисѧ, поне́же ско́рѡ спѣши́тъ вѣ́къ преитѝ

²⁷

For it is not able to bear the things that are promised to the righteous in the times to come: for this world is full of sadness and infirmities.

²⁷

и҆ не мо́жетъ носи́ти, ꙗ҆̀же въ бꙋ̑дꙋщаѧ времена̀ пра́вєднымъ ѡ҆бѣща̑нна сꙋ́ть,

²⁸

For the evil whereof thou askest me is sown, but the gathering thereof is not yet come.

²⁸

поне́же непра́вды и҆спо́лнь вѣ́къ се́й и҆ не́мощей: а҆ ѡ҆ ни́хже вопроша́еши, возвѣщꙋ̀ тебѣ̀: насѣ́ѧно бо є҆́сть ѕло̀, и҆ не оу҆̀ прїи́де погꙋбле́нїе є҆гѡ̀:

²⁹

If therefore that which is sown be not reaped, and if the place where the evil is sown pass not away, there cannot come the field where the good is sown.

²⁹

а҆́ще оу҆́бѡ не преврати́тсѧ, є҆́же насѣ́ѧно є҆́сть, и҆ не оу҆стꙋ́питъ мѣ́сто, и҆дѣ́же насѣ́ѧно лꙋка́вство, не прїи́детъ, и҆дѣ́же насѣ́ѧно є҆́сть бла́го:

³⁰

For a grain of evil seed was sown in the heart of Adam from the beginning, and how much wickedness hath it brought forth unto this time! and how much shall it yet bring forth until the time of threshing come!

³⁰

поне́же ѕла́къ сѣ́мене ѕла́гѡ всѣ́ѧнъ є҆́сть въ се́рдце а҆да́мово и҆з̾ нача́ла, и҆ ко́ль мно́гѡ ѕла̀ родѝ и҆ донн҃ѣ и҆ ражда́етъ, до́ндеже прїи́детъ млаче́нїе;

³¹

Ponder now by thyself, how great fruit of wickedness a grain of evil seed hath brought forth.

³¹

разсꙋди́ же въ себѣ̀ ѕла́къ ѕла́гѡ сѣ́мене, коли́къ пло́дъ нече́стїѧ породѝ;

³²

When the ears which are without number shall be sown, how great a floor shall they fill!

³²

є҆гда̀ пожа́ти бꙋ́дꙋтъ кла́си, и҆̀мже нѣ́сть числа̀, ко́ль ве́лїю молотьбꙋ̀ начнꙋ́тъ твори́ти;

³³

Then I answered and said, How long? and when shall these things come to pass? wherefore are our years few and evil?

³³

И҆ ѿвѣща́хъ и҆ рѣ́хъ: ка́кѡ и҆ когда̀ сїѧ̑ (бꙋ́дꙋтъ); и҆ чесѡ̀ ра́ди кра̑тка и҆ ѕла̑ лѣ̑та на̑ша;

³⁴

And he answered me, and said, Thou dost not hasten more than the Most High: for thy haste is for thine own self, but he that is above hasteneth on behalf of many.

³⁴

И҆ ѿвѣща̀ ко мнѣ̀ и҆ речѐ мѝ: не спѣшѝ ты̀ вы́ше вы́шнѧгѡ, ты́ бо тщи́шисѧ всꙋ́е бы́ти вы́ше є҆гѡ̀, и҆́бо и҆зстꙋпле́нїе твоѐ мно́го:

³⁵

Did not the souls of the righteous ask question of these things in their chambers, saying, How long are we here? when cometh the fruit of the threshing time of our reward?

³⁵

є҆да̀ не вопроша́ша дꙋ́ши пра́ведныхъ ѡ҆ си́хъ въ затво́рѣхъ свои́хъ, глаго́люще: доко́лѣ та́кѡ надѣ́ющесѧ бꙋ́демъ; и҆ когда̀ прїи́детъ пло́дъ жа́твы мзды̀ на́шеѧ;

³⁶

And unto them Jeremiel the archangel gave answer, and said, Even when the number is fulfilled of them that are like unto you. For he hath weighed the world in the balance;

³⁶

и҆ ѿвѣща̀ на сїѧ̑ і҆еремїи́лъ а҆рха́гг҃лъ и҆ речѐ: є҆гда̀ и҆спо́лнитсѧ число̀ сѣ́менъ въ ва́съ, поне́же на мѣ́рилѣ и҆звѣ́силъ вѣ́къ

³⁷

and by measure hath he measured the times, and by number hath he numbered the seasons; and he shall not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled.

³⁷

и҆ мѣ́рою и҆змѣ́рилъ времена̀ и҆ число́мъ сочтѐ часы̀, и҆ не восколеба̀, ни возбꙋдѝ, до́ндеже и҆спо́лнитсѧ предрѣче́ннаѧ мѣ́ра.

³⁸

Then answered I and said, O Lord that bearest rule, yet even we all are full of impiety:

³⁸

И҆ ѿвѣща́хъ и҆ рѣ́хъ: ѽ, влⷣко гдⷭ҇и! но и҆ мы̀ всѝ и҆спо́лнени є҆смы̀ нече́стїѧ:

³⁹

and for our sakes peradventure it is that the threshing time of the righteous is kept back, because of the sins of them that dwell upon the earth.

³⁹

и҆ є҆да́ ли на́съ ра́ди не напо́лнѧтсѧ пра́ведныхъ жи̑тницы, за грѣхѝ ѡ҆бита́ющихъ на землѝ;

⁴⁰

So he answered me, and said, Go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she hath fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer within her.

⁴⁰

И҆ ѿвѣща̀ ко мнѣ̀ и҆ речѐ: и҆дѝ и҆ вопросѝ и҆мꙋ́щꙋю во чре́вѣ, є҆да̀ и҆спо́лнивши де́вѧть мцⷭ҇ей свои́хъ, є҆щѐ возмо́гꙋтъ ложесна̀ є҆ѧ̀ въ себѣ̀ оу҆держа́ти пло́дъ;

⁴¹

Then said I, No, Lord, that can it not. And he said unto me, in Hades the chambers of souls are like the womb:

⁴¹

И҆ а҆́зъ ѿвѣща́хъ: вои́стиннꙋ не мо́гꙋтъ, го́споди. Ѻ҆́нъ же ѿвѣща̀: во а҆́дѣ ѡ҆би́тєли дꙋ́шъ подѡ́бныѧ сꙋ́ть ложесна́мъ:

⁴²

for like as a woman that travaileth maketh haste to escape the anguish of the travail: even so do these places hasten to deliver those things that are committed unto them from the beginning.

⁴²

поне́же ꙗ҆́коже родѧ́щаѧ хо́щетъ вско́рѣ роди́ти, да и҆збѣжи́тъ нꙋ́жды рожде́нїѧ, та́кѡ и҆ сїѧ̑ тща́тсѧ и҆зда́ти ѡ҆́наѧ, ꙗ҆̀же вдана̑ и҆̀мъ сꙋ́ть:

⁴³

Then shall it be shown thee concerning those things which thou desirest to see.

⁴³

и҆з̾ нача́ла возвѣщꙋ̀ и҆ и҆з̾ѧвлю̀ тебѣ̀ ѡ҆ си́хъ, и҆̀хже жела́еши ви́дѣти.

⁴⁴

Then answered I and said, if I have found favor in thy sight, and if it be possible, and if I be meet therefore,

⁴⁴

И҆ ѿвѣща́хъ и҆ реко́хъ: а҆́ще ѡ҆брѣто́хъ благода́ть пред̾ тобо́ю, и҆ а҆́ще возмо́жно є҆́сть, и҆ а҆́ще досто́инъ є҆́смь,

⁴⁵

show me this also, whether there be more to come than is past, or whether the more part is gone over us.

⁴⁵

покажѝ мѝ, є҆да́ ли мно́жайшее є҆́сть вре́мѧ преше́дшее, не́жели и҆мꙋ́щее прїитѝ; и҆лѝ мнѡ́жайшаѧ преидо́ша, не́же бꙋ̑дꙋщаѧ сꙋ́ть;

⁴⁶

For what is gone I know, but what is to come I know not.

⁴⁶

вѣ́мъ бо, є҆́же пре́йде, а҆ тогѡ̀ не вѣ́мъ, є҆́же прейтѝ и҆́мать.

⁴⁷

And he said unto me, Stand up upon the right side, and I shall expound the similitude unto thee.

⁴⁷

Ѻ҆́нъ же речѐ: ста́ни ѡ҆деснꙋ́ю менє̀, и҆ и҆з̾ѧвлю̀ тебѣ̀ толкова́нїе при́тчи.

⁴⁸

So I stood, and saw, and, behold, a hot burning oven passed by before me: and it happened, that when the flame was gone by I looked, and, behold, the smoke remained still.

⁴⁸

И҆ ста́хъ и҆ ви́дѣхъ, и҆ сѐ, пе́щь горѧ́щаѧ про́йде предо мно́ю: и҆ бы́сть є҆гда̀ пре́йде пла́мень, ви́дѣхъ, и҆ сѐ, превзы́де ды́мъ.

⁴⁹

After this there passed by before me a watery cloud, and sent down much rain with a storm; and when the stormy rain was past, the drops remained therein still.

⁴⁹

По си́хъ про́йде предо мно́ю ѡ҆́блакъ и҆спо́лненъ воды̀, и҆з̾ негѡ́же и҆спꙋсти́сѧ до́ждь ве́лїй со оу҆стремле́нїемъ: и҆ є҆гда̀ про́йде стремле́нїе дождѧ̀, преꙋмно́жишасѧ въ не́мъ ка̑пли.

⁵⁰

Then said he unto me, Consider with thyself; as the rain is more than the drops, and the fire is greater than the smoke, so the quantity which is past did more exceed; but the drops and the smoke remained still.

⁵⁰

И҆ речѐ ко мнѣ̀: внима́й себѣ̀: ꙗ҆́коже расте́тъ до́ждь па́че не́же ка̑пли, и҆ ѻ҆́гнь, не́же ды́мъ, та́кѡ превзы́де преше́дшаѧ мѣ́ра: преꙋмно́жишасѧ же ка̑пли и҆ ды́мъ.

⁵¹

Then I prayed, and said, May I live, thinkest thou, until that time? or who shall be in those days?

⁵¹

И҆ моли́хсѧ и҆ рѣко́хъ: мни́ши ли, ꙗ҆́кѡ жи́ти и҆́мамъ да́же до дні́й ѻ҆́ныхъ; и҆лѝ что̀ бꙋ́детъ во дне́хъ ѻ҆́нѣхъ;

⁵²

He answered me, and said, As for the tokens whereof thou askest me, I may tell thee of them in part: but as touching thy life, I am not sent to show thee; for I do not know it.

⁵²

И҆ ѿвѣща́ ми глаго́лѧ: ѡ҆ зна́менїихъ, ѡ҆ ни́хже мѧ̀ вопроша́еши, ѿ ча́сти могꙋ́ ти глаго́лати, ѡ҆ животѣ́ же твое́мъ нѣ́смь по́сланъ повѣ́дати тебѣ̀, но не свѣ́мъ.