Scriptural Savant

2 Baruch 13

Related ancient text — scholarly reference

Extra-canonical text — not LDS scripture and not in the KJV Apocrypha. Provided as scholarly reference for parallel literature of the Second Temple period and the early Christian era. Read with discernment; the Apostle Jude quotes 1 Enoch and Paul knew this material, but inclusion here is for study, not doctrine.

1And it came to pass after these things, that I, Baruch, was standing upon Mount Zion, and lo! a voice came from the height and said unto me:

2'Stand upon thy feet, Baruch, and hear the word of the mighty God.'

3Because thou hast been astonied at what has befallen Zion, thou shalt therefore be assuredly preserved to the consummation of the times, that thou mayst be for a testimony.

4So that, if ever those prosperous cities say: 'Why hath the mighty God brought upon us this retribution?'

5Thou and those like thee may say to them (even) ye who have seen: 'This (evil) and these retributions which are coming upon you and upon your people (are sent) in its time that the nations may be perfectly chastened.

6And then they will expect.

7And if they say at that time: When?

8Thou wilt say to them: 'Ye who have drunk the strained wine, drink ye also of its dregs, the judgement of the Lofty One who has no respect of persons.'

9On this account he had before no mercy on His own sons, But afflicted them as His enemies, because they sinned.

10They were therefore chastened then that they might receive mercy.

11But now, ye peoples and nations, ye are debtors because all this time ye have always trodden down the earth, and used the creation unrighteously.

12For I have always benefited you, and ye have always been denied the beneficence."

Public-domain text (R.H. Charles 1913 and equivalents). These works are not canonical, but several were widely read in antiquity and one (1 Enoch) is quoted by name in Jude 1:14–15. Useful for understanding the doctrinal landscape from which the apostles and earliest saints taught.