2001 Translation

1

‘Enoch’ Receives His Parable

¹The word of blessing from Enoch, who blessed the chosen righteous ones who will survive the day of distress — when all enemies are removed, and the righteous are saved.

²Enoch ([a] righteous man whose eyes The God opened), received his parable. He saw visions of the Holy One and heaven, and said:

‘He showed me mysteries,
And I heard the words of holy ones.
When I heard all this from them,
I knew what I was seeing.

But about this current generation, I wasn’t thinking,
I’m speaking about [a] distant future.

³‘About the chosen ones,
Now I’ll say my parable:
Out from his dwelling,
My great Holy One will come.

⁴‘The God of eternity will walk upon earth,
Even upon Mount Sinai, he’ll appear from his camp.
Yes, from the heaven of the heavens,
In his power and strength.

⁵‘All the watchers will tremble and believe!
Hidden things they will sing,
In the farthest parts of the earth.
Then earth will quake to its ends,
And [a] great terror will seize them to the ends of the earth!

⁶‘High mountains will crumble and collapse;
Dissolving mountains will be humbled into hills,
They will melt like wax near fire.’

⁷‘The earth will split open,
Everything on it will be destroyed.
Judgment will come upon everyone.

⁸‘But with the righteous,
He will make peace.
Upon chosen ones,
There’ll be protection and peace.

‘He’ll show them mercy,
And to The God they’ll all belong.
He’ll give them his approval,
Bless them all, care for them, and help us.
He’ll reveal light to them
And establish peace over them.

⁹‘Because he’s coming…
With his thousands and his holy ones
To judge everyone.
The godless, he’ll wipe out.

‘He’ll convict all flesh
Of the ungodly deeds they’ve committed,
And cruel words they’ve spoken…
Everything the ungodly sinner has said against him.

2

Consider God’s Works

¹‘Consider all the works in the sky:
How the stars never change their paths!
Each one rises and sets on time,
Following their schedule and festivals.
From their assigned paths, they never stray.

²‘Look at the earth and consider,
From start to finish, everything that happens.
Though everything on earth decays,
Nothing on the earth changes.
But you can see God’s works in it all.

³‘Look at summer and winter!

[Editor note: The Greek text is missing the rest of this verse (and this verse ends the chapter). In the Ethiopic text, it briefly mentions that, ‘in winter the whole earth is full of water, and clouds and dew and rain lie upon it.’]

3

¹‘Carefully observe all the trees…

[Editor note: There rest of chapter 3 (which is only one verse) has not survived in Greek. In Ethiopic, it briefly says how Enoch observes that trees lose their leaves in winter, except for 14 species which don’t.]

4

[Editor note: The Greek text is missing this chapter, which is only one verse long. The Ethiopic text reports: ‘And again I observed the days of summer, how the sun is above the earth, over against it. And you seek shade and shelter from the heat of the sun, and the land also burns with glowing heat, and so you can’t walk upon the land, or on a rock, because of its heat.’]

5

¹‘[Notice] how the green leaves shelter the trees,
And all their fruit brings honor and glory.

‘Think deeply and know about all his works.
Understand that [a] living God made them this way,
And he lives into all ages!

²`Everything He made lasts through the ages.
Year after year, they all come to be,
And all do whatever they need for him.
Their activities don’t change;
It all just happens, as if they were commanded.

³‘See the sea and rivers,
How they fulfill it too!
They don’t change their activity,
[They don’t deviate] from his words.

Contrasted With the Unrighteous

⁴‘But you? According to his commands,
You didn’t live nor act.
Instead, you turned away!

‘With [an] unclean mouth,
You spoke harsh, arrogant words
Against his majesty.

‘Because in your lies you spoke against [him],
There’ll be no peace for you hard-hearted ones.

⁵‘Because of this, you’ve cursed your own days.
The years of your life will vanish,
And under eternal curses,
Your years of ruin will multiply.
You will have no mercy, no peace.

⁶‘Then to all righteous ones,
Your names will become [an] eternal curse.
Everyone who curses will curse by you!
All sinners and ungodly ones will be with you,
While the blameless will rejoice.

‘They’ll get forgiveness, mercy, peace, and kindness,
They will get salvation, good light,
And they’ll inherit the land.
But for you sinners? No salvation.
Just total destruction… [A] never-ending curse.

⁷‘For the chosen ones, there’ll be light, favor, and peace —
They’ll inherit the land.
But for you, the ungodly, there’ll be [a] curse.

⁸‘Then, light and favor will be given to the chosen ones,
And they’ll inherit the land.
Wisdom will be given to all of them;
They’ll live and never sin again —
Not in truthlessness or arrogance.

‘The enlightened will shine with light,
And the knowledgeable will have insight;
They’ll never do anything wrong.

⁹‘They won’t sin at all during their life,
And they won’t die in fiery anger.
Instead, they’ll live out their full days…
Their lives will grow in peace,
And their years of joy will multiply with gladness —
[They’ll have] endless peace all the days of their lives.’

6

The Messengers’ Plan

¹During that time, when humans had multiplied, beautiful and lovely girls were born.

²Well, the messengers (the sons of heaven) saw these girls and longed for them. So then they said to each other:

‘Come on, let’s choose women from the humans and produce our own children!’

³But Semiazas (their leader) spoke up:

‘I’m worried you might not go through with this plan, and I’ll end up being the only one blamed for this huge sin!’

⁴Well, everyone answered him:

‘Let’s all swear an oath and curse anyone who backs out of this idea until we finish what we’ve started!’

⁵So they all swore together and cursed each other over it.

⁶[Editor note: The Greek text is missing this verse. The Ethiopic text says: ‘And in the days of Jared, they descendend upon the summit of Mount Hermon. And they called it Mount Hermon because this is where they’d sworn and bound themselves by mutual curses.’]

⁷Here’s the names of their leaders:

• Semiaza (their chief)
• Arathak
• Kimbran
• Sammane
• Daneiel
• Arearos
• Semiel
• Iomeiel
• Chochariel
• Ezekiel
• Batriel
• Sathiel
• Atriel
• Tamiel
• Barakiel
• Ananthna
• Thoniel
• Rhamiel
• Aseal
• Rakeiel
• Touriel

⁸Yes, these are their chiefs-of-tens.

7

The Messengers Take Human Women

¹Then they took women for themselves… Each one chose [a] woman, and they started sleeping with them, corrupting themselves. They taught these women magic spells, enchantments, and how to cut roots [for potions], revealing the secrets of plants to them.

²Well, the women became pregnant and gave birth to [babies who grew into] giants — three thousand cubits [4,500 feet / 1,370m] tall! ³These devoured everything humans worked hard to produce. But when people couldn’t keep up with supplying enough for them, ⁴the giants dared to attack and eat humans themselves!

⁵Then they started sinning against birds, wild beasts, reptiles, and fish. They even began eating each other’s flesh and drinking their blood.

⁶Finally, the earth itself cried out against these lawless ones.

8

The Messengers Teach Humans

¹AzaEl taught humans to make swords, weapons, shields, and armor — [the] teachings of messengers. He showed them metals and how to use them, [how to make] bracelets, jewelry, anklets and makeup, even all kinds of precious stones and dyes.

²Soon, great wickedness and sexual immorality spread. They were led astray and became totally corrupt in everything they did.

• ³Semiazas taught spells and cutting roots [for magic]
• Armaros [taught] counter-spells
• RhakiEl [taught] astrology
• ChochiEl [taught] the signs [of the zodiac?]
• SathiEl [taught] star-gazing
• SeriEl [taught] guidance from the moon

⁴As people kept dying, their desperate cries went up to the heavens.

9

MichaEl and Others Plead for God’s Help

¹Then MichaEl, OuriEl, RaphaEl, and GabriEl looked down from heaven and saw all the blood being poured out across the earth!

²Well, they said to each other:

‘The cries from the earth are reaching up to heaven’s very gates!’

³The souls of the people kept pleading:

‘Present our case before The God!’

⁴Then they said to the Lord:

‘Aren’t You the Lord of lords,
The God of gods,
And King of the ages?

‘Your throne of glory
Lasts through generations of eternity,
Your holy, great, and blessed name
Endures to all ages!

⁵‘You’re the One who made everything;
And You have all authority,
To you, everything’s visible and uncovered!

⁶You see everything AzaEl has done —
He’s taught every kind of wickedness on earth
And exposed the secrets of eternity —
Things they practice in the sky,
[Are now] known by humans!

⁷‘And to Semiazas, You gave authority
To rule over those with him.
⁸They went to females on earth,
Slept with them, and became defiled.
They also taught them all kinds of sins.

⁹‘The women gave birth to Titans,
By whom bloodshed and injustice
Has filled the whole earth.

¹⁰‘The lives of those who died
Are pleading up to heaven’s gates.
Their groans keep rising,
It’s not possible to escape
The lawless deeds happening on earth.

¹¹‘You know everything before they happen;
You see them and let them be.
Yet You don’t tell us
What we should do about it!’

10

God Responds

¹Then, in response, the Most High, the Great and Holy One spoke and ordered IstraEl to go to [Noah] the son of Lamech. ²He told him:

‘In my name, [tell him] ‘hide yourself!’ Tell him that the end is coming, because all the land is will soon be destroyed by a flood that’s about to come across the entire earth, destroying everything in it!’

³‘And teach him how to escape, so that his offspring will remain among all the future generations.’

⁴Then he said to Raphael:

‘Bind AzaEl’s hands and feet, and throw him into the darkness! Open up [some ground] in the wilderness in the Dudael [region] and throw him into it!’

⁵‘And place him under rough and sharp stones, covering him in darkness, and let him stay there into the ages… Completely cover him over, don’t let any light shine on him! ⁶In the day of the great judgment, he’ll be taken away into the fire!’

⁷‘The land will be healed from the ruin the messengers caused. Tell them about this healing of the land, so that the wound will be healed, and that humanity won’t all perish thanks to all the secret things that the watchers taught their sons.’

⁸‘All the land was left empty and ruined because of AzaEl’s actions and teachings. So write down all his sins!’

⁹Then the Lord told Gabriel:

‘Go after the bastards, the corrupt ones, and the sons of prostitution. Destroy the Watchers’ offspring among humans! Send them into [a] war of destruction… They won’t live long!

¹⁰‘Their fathers won’t question anything concerning them, because they hope to live forever, and because each of them will live to be 500 years old.’

¹¹Then he told MichaEl:

‘Go and confront Semiaza and his allies…
Those who slept with women
And became defiled in their uncleanness.

¹²‘When their sons are slaughtered
And they see their loved ones destroyed,
Tie them up in the earth’s valleys
For 70 generations.

‘Keep them there until their day of judgment and their end…
Until the eternal judgment is completed.

¹³‘Then they’ll be taken into [the] chaos of fire,
Into torment and [the] locked prison of the age.
¹⁴Whoever’s burned up and destroyed from now on
Will be locked up with them until the end of [the] age.

¹⁵‘Destroy all the breaths of the corrupt
And the sons of the Watchers…
Because they wronged mankind!

¹⁶‘Wipe out all injustice from the earth;
Let every wicked work vanish.
May the plant of righteousness and truth bloom forever…
Planted with joy!

¹⁷‘Now all the righteous will escape
And live until they’ve produced thousands [of descendants].
They’ll fill their days of youth
And keep their Sabbaths in peace.

¹⁸‘Then the whole earth will work in righteousness,
Planted with trees and filled with blessings.

¹⁹‘All the trees of the earth will rejoice!
They’ll plant vineyards, and every vine they grow
Will overflow with wine.
Each seed sown will yield [a] thousand measures [of grain],
[An] olive tree will make up to ten baths [58 gallons / 220 liters] [of oil].

²⁰‘Clean the earth from all dirt,
From all unrighteousness,
From all sin and godlessness,
And all uncleanness happpening on the land,
Wipe it away!

²¹‘All the peoples will be serving me,
Blessing me,
And bowing down to me.

²²‘The earth will be clean again
Free from pollution, filth,
Anger, and disaster.
I’ll never again send these troubles
For all the generations of the age.

11

¹‘I will open the storehouses of blessing in heaven
And pour them out upon the works,
Upon the labor of human beings.

²‘Then truth and peace will live together
For all the days of the age,
And for every generation of mankind.’

12

Enoch is Taken to the Holy Ones

¹Before all these things happened, Enoch was taken away… And no human knew where he’d been taken, where he was, or what had happened to him.

²His activity was with the watchers, and his days were spent with the holy ones.

[He said:]

³‘Then, I, Enoch, stood there, blessing the Lord of majesty — the King of the ages. {Look!} The watchers of the holy and great ones called out to me:

⁴‘Enoch, scribe of righteousness, go and say the watchers of heaven who abandoned the high heaven — the sacred dwelling of eternity — who defiled themselves with women and acted just like humans do, taking women for themselves:

‘You’ve brought [a] great ruin to the earth!

⁵‘Because of this, you’ll get neither peace nor forgiveness!’

‘And as for the sons they’re so proud of, ⁶they’ll watch their beloved ones be slaughtered. They’ll groan [in pain] over their destruction and beg forever… But they’ll find no mercy or peace.’

13

Enoch Delivers the Message

¹Enoch said to AzaEl [and the others]:

‘Go! You’ll have no peace. [A] severe judgment has been issued against you to tie you up, ²and you won’t get any relief or chance to ask forgiveness for the wrongs you’ve displayed — all those godless acts, injustices, and sins you’ve shown to men.’

³Then upon telling them this, they were terrified — shaking with fear!

⁴[Enoch relates:]

‘They begged me to write a petition for them, something they could use to ask for mercy, and for me to read it aloud before [the] Lord of Heaven. ⁵You see, they couldn’t speak anymore or lift up their eyes to heaven — they were too ashamed of their sins and condemnation!

⁶‘So I wrote down their petition — their desperate pleas for their lives and what they needed — asking for forgiveness and loving-kindness.

⁷‘Then I went and sat by the waters of [the River of] Dan in the land of Dan, which is to the right of Hermon in the west. Then I started reading the record of their petitions… ⁸And I fell asleep.

‘And notice this: I started having dreams and visions overwhelmed me. I saw angry visions, and [a] voice came, saying:

‘Speak to the sons of heaven to rebuke them!’

⁹‘So when I fully woke up, I went to them. They were all gathered, mourning in EbelSata (between Lebanon and Senisel), with their faces covered… ¹⁰Right in front of them, I reported all the visions I saw in my sleep. Then I started speaking the words of justice, rebuking the watchers of heaven.’

14

The Book of Righteous Words and the Rebuke of the Watchers

¹[This is the] Book of Righteous Words and the Rebuke of the Watchers — those from ancient times — given by the command of the Holy and Great One through this vision.

²[Enoch tell us:]

‘In my sleep, I saw what I’m now declaring in [a] human language, spoken by the breath in my mouth, which the Great One gave mankind — so they can speak and comprehend ³those whom he created and appointed to rebuke the watchers (the sons of heaven).

⁴[Enoch tells the watchers:]

‘I wrote down your petition, messengers… And in this vision, here’s what was shown:Your plea wasn’t accepted!

⁵‘So you’ll never return to heaven!
In the bonds of the earth,
It was said to bind you,
Into all generations of the age.

⁶‘Regarding all this,
You may see your beloved sons destroyed,
They’ll be no benefit to you,
Instead, they’ll die in front of you.

⁷‘Your questions won’t be about them — or even about yourselves. Instead, you’ll weep, beg, and refuse to speak [a] single word from what I wrote.

⁸‘In my vision, here’s what I saw:

‘Clouds called out to me,
Mist shouted for me;
Shooting stars and lightning
Rushed toward me and made me panic!
Winds in this vision swept me up!

⁹‘They carried me into the sky
Until I reached [a] wall built of hailstones,
Encircled by tongues of fire.
And they started terrifying me!

¹⁰‘Then I stepped into the flames
And approached [a] massive house —
Built from hailstones,
With the snow walls like stone,
And floors of ice.

¹¹‘The roof shimmered like star-trails
And [flashed with] lightning.
Between them, fiery cherubim;
Above, [a] sky of water.

¹²‘Blazing fire wrapped the walls,
And every door burned with flames.

¹³‘I entered that house,
It was hot as fire and cold as snow.
No life-sustaining food was in it!
Fear overwhelmed me; trembling seized me.

¹⁴‘I shook violently, my body trembling…
Then I collapsed.
But my vision,
I kept watching…

¹⁵‘Suddenly another door opened opposite me,
Revealing [a] house even larger than this…
All built with tongues of fire,
¹⁶Radiating glory, honor, and majesty beyond words.

‘I can’t even begin to describe its splendor and grandeur to you!

¹⁷‘Its floor blazed with fire;
Its ceiling [flashed with] lightning and shooting stars;
Its roof burned with flames.

¹⁸‘Then I saw [a] towering throne—
Its appearance like crystal,
With wheels bright as [the] shining sun,
And a mountain of cherubim.

¹⁹‘Underneath the throne,
Poured out rivers of blazing fire…
But I couldn’t bear to look.

²⁰‘The great Glory sat upon it!
His robe shone brighter than the sun,
Whiter than fresh snow.

²¹‘No [spirit] messenger could enter this place
And gaze at his face,
His honor and splendor were overwhelming.
No mortal could look at his ²²blazing fire surrounding him.

[A] great fire stood by his side.
No one approaches him!
Countless thousands stand before him,
And every word he speaks becomes [a] deed.

²³‘The holy messengers who serve him
Never leave his side, day or night.

²⁴‘Then I — still lying face down and trembling — heard the Lord call me with his own voice:

‘Come here, Enoch! Listen to My words.’

²⁵‘Then one of the holy ones approached me, lifted me up, and stood me on my feet. He led me all the way to the door… But I kept my face bowed down.

15

The Lord’s Message to the Watchers

¹‘Then he answered and asked me:

‘Are you the true man, the man of truth, the scribe?’

‘And I heard him say:

‘Don’t be afraid, Enoch… You’re [a] truthful man and [a] scribe of truth! Come here and listen to what I have to say.’

²‘Go and tell those who sent you:

‘You were supposed to ask questions about humans, not have them ask questions about you!

³‘Why did you abandon the high, holy, eternal heaven?
You slept with women, defiled yourselves with human daughters,
You took wives for yourselves, you acted just like humans…
Conceiving children and fathering giant sons!’

⁴‘You were holy, living, eternal spirits!
But you’ve defiled yourselves with the blood of women,
You conceived children through fleshly blood, and craved human blood—just like them!
They’re flesh and blood, mortal, they die and rot away!’

⁵‘That’s why I gave them females:
So they may reproduce with them,
And by them, they might father children.
This way, their work on earth won’t stop.’

⁶‘But you—you were living, eternal spirits,
Never dying for all generations of time!
⁷That’s why I didn’t create females among you.
The spirits of heaven belong in heaven, their home!’

⁸‘But now, these giants,
Born from spirits and flesh,
Are powerful spirits on the earth.
The ground will be their home.’

⁹‘Evil spirits came out of their bodies,
Because they came from higher ones.
Their origin and creation is by the holy watchers,
Yes, they’ll be called ‘evil spirits.’

¹⁰‘Heavenly spirits…
They will live in heaven;
Earthly spirits (those born on the earth)…
On the earth, their place will stay.’

¹¹‘The spirits of giants are like destructive clouds,
They destroy, attack, fight, and throw [people] down upon the earth.
These harsh spirits of giants cause chaos;
Spirits eating nothing, fasting, thirsting, and stumbling.’

¹²‘They’ll rise up against the offspring of men and women…
Because they came from them.’

16

¹‘From the day of slaughter, ruin, and death,
When the breaths leave their dead flesh,
Will they keep destroying [everything] without judgment?
[No.] They’ll destroy until the final day — the great judgment day,
When this great age will come to its end!’

²‘So now, [speak to] the Watchers who sent you to ask about them — the ones who once lived in heaven:

³‘You were in heaven, and every hidden mystery,
Even secrets learned from The God,
In your stubbornness, you shared with women.
Because of this secret, men and women spread evil across the earth.

⁴‘So tell them plainly:

‘There’s no peace [for you]!’

17

Enoch’s Journey

¹‘Next, they took me to [a] place where the beings there were like blazing fire, and when they wanted to, they could appear like humans. ²Then, they led me into [a] shadowy place and up to [a] mountain whose peak touched the sky!

³‘There, I saw the realm of the [celestial] lights, the stars, the treasuries of thunder, and the depths of the air — where [a] fiery bow, arrows, quivers, and all the lightning flashes [were stored].

⁴‘They then led me to the running waters, and as far as the fire of the west (which creates all the sunsets).

⁵‘Finally, we came to [a] river of fire! Its flames rushed like water and poured into [a] great western sea.

⁶‘Yes, I saw the mighty rivers, traveled to the greatest river, and reached the vast darkness… Then I entered [a] place where no human walks — ever. ⁷I saw the winds of the winter mists, and the abyss pouring out all its waters… ⁸I saw the mouth of all the earth’s river sources, and the opening of the abyss!

18

Enoch Sees the Winds

¹‘I saw the treasuries of all the winds… I saw how through them, he has adorned all creation, and established the earth’s foundation. ²I even saw the cornerstone of the earth!

‘Then, [I saw] the four winds holding up the earth and the firmament of the sky; ³they stand between the earth and the sky.

⁴‘Then, I saw the winds turning the sun and the stars in their paths…

⁵‘I saw the winds on the earth carrying the clouds… I saw the farthest reaches of the earth, where it supports the sky [dome] above.

Enoch Sees Seven Mountains

⁶‘Then I came upon [a] place that burns day and night… There, seven mountains stood, made of precious stones, with three to the east and three to the south. ⁷Indeed, those to the east are made of colored stones (but one was made of pearls and another from [dark metalic] streaked stone), while those to the south were of a red stone.

⁸‘At their center rose [another mountain] all the way to heaven, like [a] throne of God, crafted from [metalic] kohl stone, its peak [a] shimmering [blue] sapphire.

⁹‘Beyond those mountains I saw [a] blazing fire… ¹⁰That place marks the farthest edge of the great earth, where the sky reaches its end.

¹¹‘I also saw [a] massive chasm with fiery pillars plunging down — there was no way to measure their depth or height! ¹²Beyond that chasm lay [a] desolate space: no sky above, no ground below, no water or birds… Just barren, terrifying emptiness.

¹³‘There I saw seven stars, like huge burning mountains! So I asked the messenger about them, ¹⁴and he told me:

‘This is the place where heaven and earth end. It’s become [a] prison for the stars and the powers of the heavens.

¹⁵‘Those stars rolling in fire, they’re the ones who broke [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”'s command when they started shining. That’s why they don’t come out [to shine] when they’re supposed to, because this place outside the sky is empty.

¹⁶He was furious with them and bound them until the time [of punishment for] their sin is complete — 10,000 years!’

19

Uriel Speaks

¹‘Then Uriel said to me:

‘The messengers who slept with women will be put here. Their spirits became twisted, taking many shapes, and they started harming people, they’ll lead humanity to chase after demons until the great Judgment Day, when they’ll be fully judged.’

²‘The wives of those rebellious messengers will turn into sirens.’

³‘So only I, Enoch, saw these visions, yes, up to the farthest edges of everything! Nobody will ever see what I’ve seen… Not one.’

20

The Messengers of the Powers

¹[Here are the] messengers of the powers:

[Editor: The Ethiopic it says: ‘And these are the names of the holy angels who watch:’]

²OuriEl:

The one of the holy messengers who is appointed over the world and Tartarus.

³RaphaEl:

The one of the holy messengers who is appointed over the breaths of humans.

⁴RagouEl:

The one of the holy messengers who is tasked with avenging the world of the heavenly bodies.

⁵MichaEl:

The one of the holy messengers in charge of God’s people’s good works and over Chaos.

⁶SariEl:

The one of the holy messengers who is appointed over the spirits who sin [against God’s holy] breath.

⁷GabriEl:

The one of the holy messengers who oversees Paradise, the dragons, and the Cherubim.

[These are the] seven names of the chief messengers.

[Editor note: The Ethiopic text does not include that last statement about the ‘seven names,’ which makes sense considering there are only six!]

21

Enoch Sees Stars Falling

¹[Enoch continues:]

‘So I continued on to the unbuilt [void].

²‘There, I saw [a] terrifying sight: no sky above me, no solid ground established beneath me… Just [a] chaotic, horrifying place!

³‘In that place, I saw seven stars from heaven, bound and thrown down. They looked like massive mountains, burning with fire!

⁴‘Then I asked:

‘Why were they tied up? Why were they thrown down here?’

⁵‘So Uriel — one of the holy messengers with me (their leader) — responded:

‘Enoch, why are you asking about this? Why push so hard for answers?’

⁶‘He continued:

‘These stars rebelled against the Lord’s command. They’ll stay bound here for 10,000 years— the full time [of punishment] for their sins.’

Enoch Sees a Firey Chasm

⁷‘From there, I moved on to another place — even scarier than the last! I saw terrifying sights: [A] massive fire blazing and raging, with [a] huge chasm stretching down to the abyss. The whole area was filled with huge columns of fire crashing down! I couldn’t even see it all, nevermind guess its size or width.

⁸‘Then I cried out:

‘This place is terrifying! It looks horrifying!’

⁹‘At that, one of the holy messengers who was with me replied:

‘Enoch, why are you so scared and shaken?’

‘I answered:

‘I’m scared because of this terrifying place and how dreadful it looks!’

¹⁰‘So he said:

‘This is [a] prison for the messengers. They’ll be held here from age to age.’

22

The Four Hollows

¹‘From there, I traveled to another place. Then, [the angel] showed me [a] huge, towering mountain in the western region, made of solid rock… ²In it were four hollowed-out areas— deep, very smooth. Three looked dark, while one was bright. A spring of water flowed through the middle.

‘So I asked:

‘Why are these hollows so smooth, deep, and dark?’

³‘Then Raphael, one of the holy messengers who was with me, replied:

‘These hollows were created to gather the spirits of dead humans. This is where all the breaths of life belonging to dead people may be gathered. It was decided to gather all the lives of humans here.’

⁴‘You see, these places were made to store them until their day of judgment, until the appointed and determined time when they’ll experience the great judgment.’

⁵‘Well, I saw dead humans pleading [for justice]. Their voices rose all the way to heaven! ⁶So I asked Raphael, the messenger beside me:

‘This breath here, whose is it? [I ask] because its voice is so loud and it’s plea is even rising to heaven!’

⁷‘He answered:

‘This is the breath that came out from Abel — the one his brother Cain murdered. Abel keeps petitioning about him until his descendants are wiped off the earth’s surface… Until his family line disappears from humanity.’

⁸‘Then I asked about all these hollows [in the rock], asking why they were separated from each other.

⁹‘He answered me:

‘These three were made to separate the breaths of the dead. This [first] division exists for the breaths of the righteous. [They are kept] where [a] bright spring of water flows.

¹⁰‘[The second] is for sinners who die and are buried in the earth without facing judgment during their lives.

¹¹‘Here, [the third] is for breaths who are separated [to experience] this great torment until the great day of judgment… With whips and punishments for the cursed ones! Their breaths will stay bound here forever, until full justice is done!

¹²‘This [fourth one] is separated for the [different] breaths who make pleas, testifying about their murders during the days of sinners.

¹³‘You see, it was created for the breaths of those humans who won’t be holy but remain sinners, yes, the ungodly, those who’ll be partners with criminals… But because their breaths are afflicted here, they’ll be punished less than [their murderers], yes, they won’t be punished on the day of judgment, nor will they be raised up from here.’

¹⁴‘So then I praised the Lord of glory, and I said:

¹⁴‘Praised are you, [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, the one of righteousness, ruler of the age.’

23

Enoch Sees a Moving Fire

¹‘From there, I traveled to another place in the west, at the farthest edges of the earth… ²I saw [a] fire that kept racing nonstop. Day and night, it never rested or paused its path.

³‘So I asked:

‘What is this thing that never stops?’

⁴‘Then RhagouEl, the one of the holy messengers who was with me, answered:

‘These flames are the course of the western fire. It drives the lights [in their paths across] the sky.’

24

Enoch Sees Seven Mountains and God’s Throne

¹‘He then showed me mountains of fire burning through the night.

²‘Then I went beyond them and saw seven mountains — all glorious, each distinct from the others. Their stones were precious and beautiful, every one splendid and majestic. Three stood firm on the east side, and three on the south. Deep, rugged valleys lay between them — none touching the others.

³‘The seventh mountain rose in the center, towering like a throne. Around it grew beautiful trees.

⁴‘Among them stood [a] tree unlike any I’d ever smelled — no one else enjoyed it, and there was nothing like it! Its fragrance was sweeter than any spice. Its leaves, blossoms, and wood never faded. And its fruit hung in clusters like dates.

⁵‘I gasped:

‘This tree is stunning! Its scent, its leaves, its blossoms — all so beautiful to see!’

⁶‘Then Michael — one of the holy messengers with me (and their leader) — answered me…

25

¹‘He said to me:

‘Enoch, why are you asking [all these questions]? Why are you so amazed by the tree’s scent? Why do you want to uncover the truth?’

²‘I replied:

‘Well, I want to understand everything—but especially about this tree!’

³‘He answered:

‘This tall mountain, with its peak shaped like God’s throne, is where the Great Lord, the Holy One of Glory, the King of the Age, sits when he comes down to visit the earth [to do] good.

⁴‘This fragrant tree—no living being can touch it until the great judgment. That’s when justice will finally come, and everything will be completed for eternity. After that, [its fruit] will be given to the righteous and loyal ones. ⁵Yes, the chosen will eat its fruit for life, and then it’ll be replanted in a holy place near the God’s house — [the home] of the Eternal King.

⁶‘Then they’ll celebrate with joy and enter the holy place! The tree’s scent will fill their bones, and they’ll live much longer than your ancestors did. The trials, plagues, and suffering they had back in their days will never touch them [again]!’

⁷‘Then I praised The God of glory — the King of the age who prepared these things for righteous humans, who created them, and promised to give to them!

26

Enoch Goes to the Trees

¹‘From there, I traveled to the middle of the land and saw [a] really praiseworthy place… There, trees had branches that stayed alive and sprouted even after being cut down.

²‘Then I saw [a] holy mountain. Under it, water flowed from the east westward before heading south.

³‘To the east, I saw another mountain — higher than the first. Between them lay [a] deep, narrow valley with water running through it at the base of the mountain.

⁴‘To the west of this was another, shorter mountain, between them stretched [a] dry, deep valley. There was also another deep, dry valley at the far ends of the three mountains.

⁵‘All these valleys were carved from solid rock. Not [a] single tree grew there.

⁶‘I was completely amazed by the valleys — utterly astonished!

27

Enoch Asks About the Trees

¹‘Then I asked:

‘Why is this land — so praiseworthy and full of trees — still cursed with this valley?’

²[‘And he responded:]

‘This is a cursed land, meant for the accursed, forever. All the cursed ones will be gathered here—those who speak inappropriate words against [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” and say harsh things about his glory. They will be gathered here, and this will be their home.

³‘During the final age, during the days of true judgment, the righteous will see this forever. The devout will praise the Lord of glory, the King of the age!

⁴‘Yes, during their judgment, they will praise him with loving kindness, in the same way he has gave to them.’

⁵‘Then I praised the Lord of glory, and I declared his splendor, singing his praises with all my heart!

28

Enoch Goes to a Deserted Wilderness

¹‘Well, from there, I traveled to the heart of the Mandobara [wilderness?], and I saw that it was abandoned and isolated… ²Yet it was full of trees from this kind.

‘Water (not rain) was carried there from above, ³as there was [something] like [a] vast aqueduct coming from the north to the west, bringing up water and dew from every direction.

29

Enoch Sees ‘Judgment Trees’

¹‘Yet, from there, I went to another place in the Babdera, toward the east of this mountain.

²‘There, I saw Judgment trees that gave off the scents of frankincense and myrrh. These trees looked like walnut trees.

30

Enoch Sees a Ravine Filled with Water

¹‘Beyond these [things], I traveled far to the east and saw another large area, [a] ravine filled with water… ²In it was [a] tree, the color of which resembled aromatic mastic.

³‘Along the edges of these ravines, I saw aromatic cinnamon. After this, I continued further east…

31

Enoch Sees Other Mountains with Trees

¹‘Then I saw other mountains with groves of trees. From them flowed nectar called ‘sarhran’ and ‘chalbane’.

²‘Beyond those mountains, I saw another mountain in the east — at the farthest edges of the earth. Every tree there was covered in what looked like almonds. ³When they’re crushed, they’re more fragrant than any other aroma.

32

¹‘I looked north and eastward, and I saw seven mountains covered with fragrant nard, aromatic resin, cinnamon, and pepper.

²‘Then I traveled beyond these mountain ranges, far to the eastern edge of the land. I crossed over the Red Sea and reached its farthest shores. From there, I passed over the [messenger] ZotiEl.

Enoch Arrives in Paradise

³‘When I arrived at the Paradise of Righteousness, I saw many large trees among the others. Two of them were truly enormous, very beautiful, splendid, and magnificent. There was also the Tree of Wisdom, whose fruit grants great wisdom when eaten by holy ones.

⁴‘That tree was similar in height to a pine tree, and its leaves similar to carob pods; its fruit was like very cheerful clusters of grapes, and its fragrance spread far from the tree.

⁵‘Then I said:

‘Wow! This tree is stunning — [a] real feast for the eyes!’

⁶‘Then RaphaEl, the holy messenger accompanying me, answered:

‘This is the Tree of Wisdom… The same one your ancestor [Adam] ate from.’

[Editor: The Greek sources are missing the rest of this verse. The Ethiopic says: ‘And they learned wisdom, and their eyes were opened, and they saw that they were naked, and they were expelled from the garden.’]

[Editor: The Greek sources are missing chapters 33 to 88. These chapters include Enoch’s final journeys, the Book of Parables (about the Son of Man and judgment), the Astronomical Book (on heavenly bodies and a solar calendar), and the start of Dream Visions (allegorical history of Israel after the Flood).]

89

Noah’s Descendants

[Editor: The Greek sources are missing the first 41 verses of this chapter. In the Ethiopic, these verses allegorically cover the history from Noah’s descendants, through the patriarchs and the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt, up to the Exodus.]

⁴²The dogs began to eat the sheep, while the pigs and foxes also ate them, until the sheep’s Lord chose one ram from among the sheep. ⁴³This ram started to butt and chase with his horns, throwing them against the foxes, and then against the pigs. He killed many pigs, and then he hurt the dogs.

⁴⁴The sheep whose eyes were opened watched the ram among them until he left his path and began to wander off course. ⁴⁵So, the sheep’s Lord sent this lamb to another lamb, to make him a ram at the head of the sheep, replacing the ram who had gone astray.

⁴⁶He went to him and spoke to him privately and quietly, and he made him a ram, a ruler, and a leader of the sheep. Despite all this, the dogs continued to trouble the sheep.

⁴⁷The first ram chased the second ram, who ran away from him. Then, they watched the first ram until he fell before the dogs. ⁴⁸The second ram then leaped up and led the sheep. ⁴⁹The sheep grew in number and multiplied, and all the dogs and foxes fled from him and feared him.

[Editor: The Greek sources are missing the remaining verses (to verse 77) of this chapter.]

[Editor: The Greek sources are missing chapters 90 to 96, which are only recorded in the Ethiopic version of the book. These chapters include the end of the Dream Visions (an allegorical history and future judgment) and the beginning of the Epistle of Enoch (wisdom literature and the Apocalypse of Weeks).]

97

Woe to the Sinners

[Editor: The Greek sources are missing verses 1-5. In the Ethiopic, these verses pronounce woes on those who follow falsehood and pervert truth, mention the prayers of the righteous as a testimony against sinners, the overthrow of nations, and a time when mothers will abandon their children.]

⁶Everything you did that was against the law will be read out to the great Holy One, right in front of you. Then he will undo all the effects of your lawlessness.

⁷Woe to you, sinners, wherever you are, on land or sea! Your memory will be [a] terrible one.

⁸Woe to you who get gold and silver unfairly! For you say:

⁸‘We’ve become rich, and we’ve gathered many possessions.’

⁹‘We can do whatever we want, because we’ve stored up silver in our vaults and a lot of wealth in our homes.’

¹⁰But it will be poured out like water. You’re mistaken, because your wealth won’t last at all; instead, it’ll quickly disappear from you, since you got everything unfairly. You yourselves will face [a] great curse.

98

¹Now, I promise you, the wise (not the foolish), that you’ll see much lawlessness on earth; ²Men will decorate themselves beautifully, like women, even more splendidly than virgins, in their kingdoms, power, and authority. They’ll treat silver and gold like common food, and in their homes, they’ll waste it like water, ³because they have no knowledge or understanding.

So, you’ll completely perish, along with all your possessions, your glory, and your honor. Your breaths will be thrown into the fiery furnace, bringing great dishonor, ruin, and slaughter.

⁴[Editor: The Greek is missing some text here. In the Ethiopic it says: ‘I have sworn to you, you sinners, as a mountain hasn’t become a slave, and a hill doesn’t become a woman’s handmaid, in the same way, sin…’]

…wasn’t sent to earth, but people created it themselves, and those who do these things will face a great curse.

⁵Slavery wasn’t given to [a] woman, but came from human actions; it wasn’t meant for [a] woman to be [a] slave. It didn’t come from above; it arose from oppression.

Similarly, lawlessness didn’t come from above; it arose from wrongdoing.

Also, [a] barren woman wasn’t created that way, but suffered childlessness because of her own unrighteous deeds, and she’ll die childless.

⁶I promise you, sinners, by the Holy and Great One, that your wicked deeds will be shown in heaven; none of your unrighteous deeds will stay hidden. ⁷Don’t imagine in your inner person or mind that they don’t know or see your unrighteous deeds, or that they aren’t observed or recorded before the Most High. From this moment, know that all your unrighteous deeds are being recorded day by day until your judgment!

⁹How terrible for you, foolish ones!

You’ll perish because of your foolishness, and you won’t listen to the wise!

Good things won’t come your way; instead, evil will surround you!

¹⁰Now, know that [a] day of destruction has been prepared for you. Don’t hope to be saved, you sinners; go away and die, knowing that [a] day of great judgment and even greater distress has been prepared for your spirits.

¹¹How terrible for you, stubborn-minded ones, who do evil and eat blood!
Where will you find good things to eat…?

[Editor: The Greek has a gap here. The Ethiopic says: ‘…and drink and to be filled? From all the good things that the Lord Most High has placed in abundance on the earth; therefore, you’ll have no peace. (12) Woe to you who love…’]

¹²…unrighteous deeds!
Do you have good hopes for yourselves?

Now, know that you’ll be handed over to the righteous,
And they’ll kill you without mercy!

¹³How terrible for you who celebrate the troubles of the righteous!
Your grave won’t be dug!

¹⁴How terrible for you who want to cancel the words of the righteous!
There will be no hope of salvation for you.

¹⁵How terrible for you who write false and deceptive words!
They write them, and with their lies, they’ll mislead many!

¹⁶You yourselves are misled, and there’s no joy for you;
Instead, you’ll quickly perish!

99

¹Woe to you who lead others astray,
And who gain honor and glory through your false deeds!
You’re lost; your good deeds won’t bring you salvation.

²Woe to you who alter true words,
Who distort the eternal Sacred Agreement,
And who consider yourselves sinless!
You’ll be swallowed up by the earth.

The Day of Destruction

³Then, you righteous ones, prepare yourselves and present your petitions as a memorial. Give them as a testimony before the messengers, so they may bring the sins of the unrighteous before the Most High God as a memorial; ⁴then they’ll be thrown into confusion on the day of the destruction of unrighteousness.

⁵At that very time, women giving birth will abandon their infant children; pregnant women will miscarry, and nursing mothers will cast away their children! They won’t turn back to their infants, nor to those they’re nursing, nor will they spare…

[Editor: There’s missing text here, and the Ethiopic version is worded very differently and so can’t fill the gap.]

⁷Those who carve images of silver and gold, of wood and stone and earthenware, and bow down to:

• phantoms
• demons
• abominations
• evil spirits
• and all deceptions not based on knowledge…

…you’ll find no help from them!

⁸They’ll be led astray by their hearts’ foolishness, ⁹and the visions of dreams will lead you astray — you and your false works… You’ll perish at once!

¹⁰Then blest are all who’ve heard wise words and who learn them to do the Most High’s commandments. ¹¹They’ll walk in the ways of his righteousness. ¹²They won’t mislead others, nor will they be misled by those who do, and they’ll be saved.

¹³Woe to those who build their houses not from their own labor!

You make every building from stones and bricks for which you receive no loving kindness.

¹⁴Woe to those who despise the foundation and their fathers’ eternal inheritance!

For [a] spirit of deception will pursue you; you’ll find no rest.

¹⁵Woe to those who practice lawlessness and assist unrighteousness, murdering their neighbor until the great day of judgment!

¹⁶Then he’ll crush your glory, and he’ll unleash his wrath against you; He’ll destroy all of you by the sword, and all the righteous will remember your unrighteous deeds.

100

¹Then, in one place…

[Ethiopic: ‘…the fathers together with their sons,…’]

…their blood will flow.
No one will spare his own son,
Or his beloved from being killed.

²A sinner won’t even spare an honorable person
Nor even his own brother.
From dawn until sunset,
They’ll be slaughtered together.

³[A] horse will wade through the sinners’ blood up to its chest,
And [a] chariot will sink up to its axles!
⁴Messengers who had been helping injustice will descend,
Plunging into the hidden depths.

On [a] certain day,
They’ll be gathered into one place.
Then, the Most High will rise on [a] day of judgment
To carry out [a] great judgment on everyone.

⁵He’ll set [a] guard of holy messengers
Over all the righteous and holy people.
They’ll be guarded very carefully,
Like the apple of an eye, until evil and sin stop.

From that time on, the pious will sleep [a] sweet sleep,
And no one will frighten them anymore.

⁶Then, the wise among people will see,
And the earth’s children will understand the words of this letter.
They’ll know that their wealth can’t save them
When injustice happens.

⁷Woe to you, unrighteous people, when you oppress the righteous on [a] day of great need and expose them to fire.
You’ll be repaid according to your actions.

⁸Woe to you, hard-hearted people, who stay awake to plan evil!
Fear will surround you, and no one will help you.

⁹Woe to you, all you sinners, for what you say and for what your hands do;
Because you were led astray from holy deeds…

[Ethiopic: ‘…on account of these, you will burn in blazing flames worse than fire! (10) And now, know that he in heaven will ask the angels about your deeds, and [he will ask] the sun and the moon and the stars about your sins, because you judge the righteous on the earth. (11) And he will summon to testify against you…’]

¹¹…every cloud, mist, dew, and rain;…

[Ethiopic: ‘…for they will all be withheld from descending upon you because of you, and they’ll be mindful…’]

…of your sins.

¹²So, give gifts to the rain, dew, cloud, and mist,
So they won’t be stopped from coming down to you.
Pay out gold so they’ll come down!

¹³Because, if snow, frost, and its cold are cast upon you,
Along with the winds, their ice, and all their punishments,
You won’t be able to stand against the cold and their punishments.

101

Fear Doing Wrong

¹So, everyone, understand the Most High’s actions and be afraid to do wrong in his presence.

²If he closes the sky’s windows and stops the dew and rain from falling because of you, what will you do?

³If he unleashes his anger on you and your actions, won’t you plead with him?

Why do you speak so arrogantly and harshly against his greatness?

⁴Look at the ship captains who sail the sea, whose ships are thrown around by the waves and storms… ⁵When the storm batters them, they all become afraid. Also, they throw all their valuable goods and belongings overboard into the sea, fearing in their hearts that the sea will swallow them and they’ll die in it.

⁶Well, isn’t the entire sea and all its waters the Most High’s creation? And didn’t he himself set its boundaries, control it, and surround it with sand? ⁷And when he roars, they tremble and dry up, and the fish…

[Ethiopic: ‘…die and everything in it; but you sinners on the earth don’t fear him! Did he not make the…’]

⁸…earth and everything in it? And who gave understanding to all the creatures moving in the sea?

[Yes, and] the ship captains fear the sea.

102

The Wicked Doomed

¹When he unleashes the raging fire that consumes you,
Where will you flee for safety?
And when he speaks, ²you’ll be shaken,
And filled with fear by [a] mighty sound!

The entire earth will be shaken,
Trembling, and deeply disturbed.
³The messengers will carry out their commands,
And the heavens and celestial bodies will be shaken and tremble.

All the earth’s inhabitants,
Especially you sinners,
Will be accursed into the age;
You’ll have no reason for joy.

⁴So, take courage, you righteous
And pious souls who have died.
⁵Don’t grieve that your souls
Went down into the place of the dead [literally, Hades] in sorrow.

Nor that your physical bodies didn’t receive
What your holiness deserved during your lifetime.
That’s because the days you lived
Were days of sinners and the accursed on earth.

⁶When you die, the sinners will claim that the pious
Simply died by chance.
And they’ll ask:

‘What good did their actions bring them?’
⁷For they died just like us!’

Well, then, see how they die in sorrow and darkness,
And what extra benefit did they get?
⁸From now on, the righteous will rise and be saved.
And the sinners will see us eating and drinking into the age.

⁹So, [they thought they could] seize, sin, rob, and acquire…

[Ethiopic: ‘wealth’]

…and see good days.

¹⁰So, you who justify yourselves,
See what kind of destruction happened to them;
Because no righteousness was found in them
Until they died and perished…

¹¹They became as if they had never existed,
And their souls went down into the place of the dead [literally, Hades] with pain.

103

¹I swear to you…

[Ethiopic: ‘…the righteous, by the glory of the Great and Honored and Mighty One in dominion, and by his greatness, I swear to:’]

²I understand this mystery because I’ve read the heavenly tablets, seen the essential writing, and learned what was written and engraved in them about you, ³that good things, joy, and honor have been prepared and inscribed for the pious souls who have died. ⁴They will rejoice; their spirits certainly won’t perish, nor will their memory vanish from the Great One’s presence throughout all generations of the ages. So, don’t fear their criticism.

As for you, the sinful dead, when you die, it will be said of you:

⁵‘Blest are the sinners, for they lived out all their days…’ and they died gloriously, ⁶‘and no judgment happened in their lifetime!’

⁷You know that your souls will be led down into the Place of the Dead, ⁸and there they’ll be in great distress, in darkness, trapped, and in a burning flame. Your souls will face great judgment in all the generations of the age.

Woe to you!

You have no reason to be joyful.

But for you, righteous ones, who were holy in life, don’t say:

⁹‘We suffered through days of hardship; we were worn out and reduced, and we found no helper. ¹⁰We were crushed and died; we despaired, no longer seeing any hope of salvation day after day.

¹¹‘We hoped to become the head, but we became the tail. We toiled, yet we didn’t become masters of our own earnings. We became prey for sinners; the lawless ones burdened us with their oppression

¹²‘Our rulers, our enemies, attack us and surround us. We looked for [a] place to flee from them, so we could find relief.

[Editor: The Greek text has a gap here, but the Ethiopic text is too different to fill it.]

¹⁴‘We cried out to those who brought us down and oppressed us, but they didn’t accept our pleas, nor would they listen to us.

¹⁵‘They didn’t help us, nor did they find [a] way to stand against those who oppressed and destroyed us; instead, they strengthened our enemies against us. They killed us and reduced our numbers. And they don’t acknowledge our murdered ones, nor do they remember the sins of their own sinners.’

104

¹I swear to you that the messengers in heaven remember you favorably before the glory of the Great One. ²Therefore, be confident now, because you’ve been worn out by troubles and hardships. You’ll shine brightly, appearing like the stars in heaven, and heaven’s ‘windows’ will be opened for you, ³and your cry will be heard. The judgment you’ve called for will be revealed ⁴concerning all the issues brought up on your behalf about your suffering, and against everyone who acted violently and harmed you.

⁵Don’t fear the troubles on the day of the great judgment, because you certainly won’t be found among the sinners. But as for you, sinners, you’ll be stripped of everything, and eternal judgment will come upon you into all the generations of the ages. ⁶Don’t be afraid, righteous ones, when you see sinners succeeding and doing well. Don’t become partners with them, but stay far away from all their wicked actions.

⁷Don’t say, sinners, that your sins certainly won’t be uncovered, even after a long time. ⁸Now, I reveal to you that light and darkness, day and night, oversee all your sins.

⁹Don’t let your mind mislead you. Don’t lie, don’t change the words of truth, and don’t speak falsely against the words of the Holy One. And don’t bow down to your idols, because all falsehoods and all error don’t lead to righteousness…

[Ethiopic: ‘…but to great sin.’]

¹⁰Sinners change and copy the words of truth, and they mislead many people. They lie and make up big stories, and they write their own versions in their names. ¹¹I wish they would write all my words truthfully in their names, and neither take away from nor change these words, but write everything truthfully, just as I’ve testified to them.

¹²Also, I know [a] second mystery:

My books will be given to the righteous, the holy, and the wise, for truth’s joy, ¹³and they’ll believe them and rejoice in them. All the righteous will greatly rejoice to learn all truth’s ways from them.

[Editor: The very short chapter 105 has not survived in Greek. In Ethiopic, it reads: ‘(1) In those days, the Lord commanded them to gather and bear witness to the inhabitants of the earth regarding their wisdom: ‘Show it to them; for you are their guides and a blessing to the entire earth. (2) For I and My Son will be united with them forever in their righteous lives; and you will have peace. Rejoice, you children of righteousness. Amen.’ This may be a later, Christian addition to the text.]

106

Fragment of the Book of Noah

¹[Enoch says:]

‘Some time later, Methuselah, my son, married [a] woman, and she gave birth to [a] son, whom he named Lamech. People had become less righteous until that day. When Lamech grew up, he also married [a] woman, and she gave birth to [a] child.

²‘When the child was born, its skin was whiter than snow and redder than [a] rose; its hair was completely white, like white wool, and it was curly and glorious! When it opened its eyes, the house shone as brightly as the sun. ³It rose from the midwife’s hands, opened its mouth, and blessed the Lord.

⁴‘Now, Lamech was afraid of the child and fled to his father Methuselah, and said:

⁵‘I’ve had [a] strange child born to me. It’s not like humans, but like the children of heaven’s messengers! Its appearance is stranger, not like ours; its eyes are like sunbeams, and its face is glorious.

⁶‘I suspect it’s not my child, but from [an] messenger, and I’m worried that something terrible might happen on earth during its lifetime.’

⁷‘Father, please, I beg you, go to our father Enoch and ask…

[Ethiopic: ‘…him what’s really happening, for he lives among the messengers.’]

⁸‘So he came to me at the earth’s ends, where he found me, and said:

‘My father, listen to me and come.’

‘I heard his voice, went to him, and said:

‘Look! I’m here, my child; why have you come to me?’

⁹‘He replied:

‘Father, I came here because of [a] great need.’

¹⁰‘Now, my son Lamech has had [a] child born to him. His form and appearance are not like humans, and his skin color is whiter than snow and redder than [a] rose! The hair on his head is whiter than white wool, and his eyes are unlike sunbeams!

¹¹‘He rose from the midwife’s hands, opened his mouth, and blessed the Lord of the Age. ¹²My son Lamech was afraid and fled to me. He doesn’t believe the child is his son, but that it’s from messengers…

[Ethiopic: ‘…so look, I’ve come to you so you can tell me…’]

‘…the exact knowledge you possess, and the truth.’

¹³Then I replied:

‘The Lord will issue [a] new decree upon the earth, and in the same way, my child, I’ve seen and revealed this to you; because in the generation of my father Jared, they disobeyed [Jehovah’s][Yahweh’s]“Lord’s” word, breaking heaven’s agreement.’

¹⁴‘Look, they’re sinning and breaking the custom; they associate with women, sin with them, and have married from among them, and they bear children who are not like breaths, but are physical beings.’

¹⁵‘There will be great wrath upon the earth, and [a] Downpour, and there will be great destruction for one year.’

¹⁶‘This child who has been born will be spared, and three of his children will be saved from those who die on the earth; ¹⁷and he will bring peace to the earth from the corruption within it.’

¹⁸‘Now, tell Lamech that this child is truly and rightfully his, and name him Noah. He will be your remnant, and through him, you and his sons will find relief from the earth’s corruption, from all sinners, and from all the earth’s destructions…

[Ethiopic: ‘…which will come upon the earth because of all the sin and unrighteousness, which will be brought to completion on the earth in his days. (19) And after that, there will be even more unrighteousness than what was first carried out on the earth; for I know the mysteries of the holy ones; for he, the Lord,…’]

¹⁹‘…he showed and revealed them to me, and I read them in heaven’s tablets.’

107

¹‘Then I saw what was written there: that [a] generation would be worse than the next, and I saw this continue until [a] generation of righteousness would appear. Evil would disappear, sin would leave the earth, and good things would come to the earth for them.

²‘Now, go, my child, and tell your son Lamech that this child who was born is truly his son, not someone else’s.’

³‘Well, when Methuselah heard his grandfather Enoch’s words — Enoch had told him this in a mysterious way — he [went back and told Lamech]. The child was named Noah, bringing joy to the earth and saving it from destruction.’

[Editor: No copy of the last chapter, 108, has survived in Greek.]