The Epistle of Barnabas
Translated By Jonathan Mitchell
INTRODUCTION
The Epistle of Barnabas is a Greek general letter (or: essay) that has been divided into twenty-one chapters, preserved in the 4th century Codex Sinaiticus where it appears at the end of the New Testament, following the book of Revelation. It is traditionally ascribed to Barnabas who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, although current scholarship ascribes it to another Apostolic Father of the same name.
A form of the Epistle, 850 lines long, is noted in the Latin list of canonical works in the 6th century Codex Claromontanus. The author uses symbolic exegesis that is similar to that of Paul in Gal. 4:21-31, and that of Philo of Alexandria. "[It] is a good early example of what became the dominant method of interpreting the Bible in the early and medieval church" (The Apostolic Fathers, 2nd Ed., translated by J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer, Edited and Revised by Michael W. Holmes, Baker Book House, 1994 pp 159-60). Internal evidence (16:3-4, below) places the time of the writing to pre-AD 70, post-AD 70, or at least before Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem in AD 132-35. John Dominic Crossan places the date as prior to the end of the 1st century AD (The Cross That Spoke p 121). John A.T. Robinson (Redating the New Testament, Westminster Press, 1976 p 352) sets the date as circa AD 75.
The reader of this letter will observe the author's educated familiarity with the Hebrew Scriptures (OT), since the entire work is filled with quotes of, or allusions to, those Scriptures. Scholars lean toward an early date of the writing from the fact that there are no quotes from the New Testament - it is an original work. My own conclusions are that it was a Jewish author who assumed that his audiences would be familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures. It was first quoted by Clement of Alexandria. The style of teaching may reflect what is suggested by Lu. 24:27, "And so, beginning from Moses, and then from all the prophets, He continued to fully interpret and explain to (or: for) them the things pertaining to (or: the references about) Himself within all the Scriptures."
BARNABAS
Chapter 1
1. Be continuously rejoicing (or: = Greetings), O sons and daughters, centered in (in union with) [the] Name of [the] Lord - the One unrestrictedly accepting us, unambiguously driving toward reunion with us, fully Self-giving to us, and unconditionally loving us - centered in (in union with) peace-of-the-joining!
2. Indeed, from the results of God's just deed (or: the effects of God's rightwising act of setting things right, in the Way pointed-out) continuously being great and rich unto you folks (into your midst), on behalf of which - and on the level of an extreme degree - I continually enjoy pleasure and make merry at your happy (or: blessed) and inwardly glorious breath-effects (or: esteemed spirits). In this way, you have received and now continue to sustain and apprehend engrafted (or: implanted) grace and favor of, and from, the spiritual gift!
3. Because of this I share the joy in myself - even more - repeatedly (or: continuously) expecting to be delivered (rescued; kept safe; made whole), because I truly continue seeing within you folks (or: among you folks) a spirit (or: [the] Breath-effect) having been poured out (or: forth) upon you from the rich Fountain of (or: spring from) [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh]. Thus (or: In this way), upon - from you folks - your appearance, [which was] much desired by me, struck me with overwhelming awe and amazement.
4. Therefore, having been persuaded and convinced of this and sharing knowledge within myself (being conscious in myself; inwardly knowing from having perceived), that after saying much among you folks, I continue knowing (am progressively versed in [the fact]) that [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] journeyed with me on the Path of eschatological deliverance (within the Road of the Way pointed-out; centered in the Way of rightwised relationships and justice; in union with the Path of being turned in the right direction and covenant participation). And so I continue wholly constrained and compelled with compressed necessity - even I, myself - unto this: to continuously love and unconditionally accept you folks with a drive toward reunion [with you] - over and above my own soul (life; person) - because great trust (faith; faithfulness) and love (unrestricted acceptance, with the urge for union) is continuing settled down to dwell within, and among, you folks, based upon expectation from, and which is, His Life - considering this, therefore,
5. that if it should continue being an object of care for me, concerning you folks, at some point to impart (or: transfer; sharing a communication) something from the part from which I received, because that will come to be unto a reward for me (or: it will exist in me for a reward), for having rendered helpful service and assistance to such spirits. I am eager and diligent to send a little [something] (or: along the line of a small [teaching]) to you folks, to the end that along with the trust possessed by you folks (or: by means of the faith from, and pertaining to, you folks) you would (could) continue having (holding; possessing) complete, finished, mature and perfected knowledge (intimate, personal insight that is based upon experience).
6. Therefore, there are three results from [the] Lord's appearance (or: effects of what seems to be from [the] Lord; results of the thinking and opinion of [the] Lord; effects of [the] imagination which is [the] Lord):
a) expectation from Living (expectation which is Life); a start (beginning) and a goal (completion; finishing; ending) from our trust (of our faith and loyalty; which is faithfulness);
b) also, eschatological deliverance into the Way pointed-out, in rightwised relationships of covenant participation - which is a beginning and goal (end) of evaluating and deciding (judging; a separating off) to make things right;
c) and then, love (unambiguous acceptance; urge for reunion) [experienced in] joy and exultation: a witness (evidence; a testimony) of eschatological deliverance in rightwised existence on the Way pointed out.
7. For you see, the Sovereign Master made known to (for; in) us, through the prophets, the things having passed by, as well as those things having stood within the midst and are now here, and then giving to us firstfruits of a taste (flavor) of, and about, things progressively being about to be - which continuing in seeing these things severally (according to each one; one thing after aother) operating and inwardly working, just as He said, we continue obligated (we ought repeatedly), [being] richer and higher, to progressively bear forward and approach face-to-face in the respectful reverence of Him (or: by His pious fear).
8. Now I, myself, not as a teacher (instructor), but rather as one from among you folks, will progressively indicate and suggest (or: fully point out and show) a few things through which, in the midst of the present circumstances, you folks will increasingly be caused to have a good attitude and a healthful frame of mind.
Chapter 2
1. To go on, with days continuing in being misery-gushed (worthless; unprofitable; harmful; malicious; painful; evil), and yet The Active Worker, Himself, continuously having the right from out of Being (constantly holding the privilege and authority), we ought, owe it, and continue indebted, to, for and in ourselves - while continually staying focused (holding ourselves toward, with attentive care and devotion) to be progressively seeking out the effects of [the] Lord's Rightful Act (the results of [the] Lord's Act of Justice; or: the just-effects from [the] Lord; the results of righting and equity, in relation to [the] Lord; the effects of rectification, which are [the] Lord).
2. Accordingly then, [the] aids and assistants from our faithfulness (or: Consequently, then, helpers of our trust and faith) are Reverent Respect (or: Fear) and Remaining-under-to-give-support (or: Patient Endurance), and the allies for us (or: the fellow-contestants with us; the people constantly fighting at our side; the confederates in and among us) [are] Holding-strong-feelings-at-a-distance (or: Waiting-long before rushing with passion; Long-suffering) and Inner Strength (Discipline; Control of the self).
3. So with these things continually remaining purely, face-to-face with [the] Lord (or: Then from these things constantly dwelling sincerely, with a view to [the] Lord) - Wisdom, Understanding (the ability to make things flow together), Skill (Mastery in knowing and acquaintance; Scientific insight), Intimate, experiential Knowledge - they are continuously caused to celebrate together in them from being caused to keep on having a good, corporate attitude with joined, healthy frames of mind, with them.
4. For you see, He has set in clear Light, so that it remains manifested to us (for us; among us; in us), through all the folks with Light ahead of time (the prophets), that He continues desiring neither sacrifices, nor whole burnt offerings nor a bearing-forward of approach presents (or: oblations; general offerings), saying, at one time, indeed,
5. "[The] LORD is now (or: continues) saying,
'What, to or for Me, [are] a plethora of your sacrifices (or: [the] mass and abundance of the sacrifices from you folks)? I am full of whole burnt offerings, and I do not continue desiring fat of sheep (or: from lambs) and blood of (or: from) bulls and goats - not even if you folks would repeatedly come to be seen by Me! For who sought out or required these thing from your hands? You people will not continue to set foot on or tread My temple court. If you should continue bringing an offering of the finest wheat flour, it is worthless, useless and ineffective.'" [Isa. 1:11-13, LXX]
6. Incense continues being disgusting to Me (an abomination and a detestable thing for Me) - [and] your new moon [feasts]. [Lightfoot, from other MSS adds: These things therefore He annulled (abolished), in order that the new law of our Lord], Jesus Christ, being far away from (without; = free of) a yoke of compulsion and obligation, would continue having a bearing-forward [that is] not man-made (an approach- present [that is] not human-formed, human-created or humanistic).
7. And now, again, He continues saying to them,
"As for Me, I did not at any point implant a finished goal in (impart an inner directive to; set an inner destiny among; invest as an end in view for) your fathers - when progressively journeying forth out of the Land of Egypt - to bear-forward (bring an approach present) to (for) Me the effects of whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. [Jer. 7:22-23, LXX]
8. "To the contrary, this I implanted as the goal in them (imparted as the inner directive to them; set for the inner destiny among them; gave as the end in view for them):
'Let each of you folks continue to bear no grudge or malice against his associate (near one; neighbor), in ugliness and bad form (or: badness) within the midst of his own heart - as well as not habitually loving or accepting a false oath.'" [Zech. 8:17, LXX]
9. Consequently, we - [since] not being without understanding - continue obliged (are constantly indebted; habitually ought) to keep on taking notice, and thus constantly perceive the mind-set, the intention and the disposition of the goodness (moral excellence) of our Father, that He is continually speaking to, and in, us, desiring, willing and intending us to be habitually seeking how we should keep on approaching Him, drawing near to be face-to-face with Him - not repeatedly wandering or being led astray, like them.
10. To us, then, thus He continues saying,
"A sacrifice to and for [the] Lord [is] a heart having been crushed, broken in pieces and remaining torn and shattered: a sweet fragrance to the Lord (in the Lord; for the Lord). A heart continuously highly-esteeming and bringing glory to the One having made it." [cf Ps. 51:17]
Consequently, O brothers (folks from the same womb), we continue obliged (are constantly indebted; habitually ought) to continually make careful inquiry concerning (or: thoroughly investigate about and pay strict attention with regard to; display consummate execution round about) our deliverance (the salvation pertaining to us; the health and wholeness from among us), to the end that the misery-gushed person or situation (the useless, laborsome, unprofitable, pain-flowing, malevolent person or situation) may not slip into the midst from the side, producing a straying (wandering) among us (within us; in the midst of us), [and thus] would fling us out (or: sling us from the midst), away from our Life.
Chapter 3
1. Then He continues saying to them (progressively lays it out toward them), again, concerning these things:
"To what end are you folks habitually fasting for Me," says [the] LORD, "so that your voice is to be heard, today, in an outcry (or: in the midst of, and in union with, crying)? This is not the fast that I, Myself, laid out (selected; or: choose) - not a person repeatedly bringing down and abasing his soul (habitually bowing low and humbling or humiliating himself)," says [the] LORD.
2. "Not even though you folks should at some point bend your neck as a hoop or a ring and then would put on (clothes yourselves in) sackcloth and would spread ashes under yourselves (= make ashes your bed) - not even in this way will you folks proceed in calling a fast [that is] acceptable (or: a received fast)." [Isa. 58:4-5, LXX]
3. Now (But; Yet) He continues laying it out toward us (or: is still saying to us):
"Look and consider (Behold; See) this fast which I, Myself, have chosen," says [the] LORD. "Progressively loose, and one-after-another untie, every band (fetter; joined deal; conspiracy) of injustice. Progressively fully-untie and dissolve intricate knots of violent contracts or forced agreements (or: keep on untying the tightened cords of forcible effects of covenants). Continually send away (or: off), in a release from captivity, people having been shattered and now continuing broken and then one-after-another tear in pieces every unjust writing or contract. Habitually break your bread with (or: to; for) [the] hungry, and should you see a naked person, at once clothe [him or her]. Habitually bring unsheltered, homeless people into your house, and should you see a humble (or: oppressed; deprived; of-no-account; lowly; afflicted) person, you will not overlook (disregard; despise; disdain; neglect) him or her - neither [shall anyone] among the household [or] from your seed (offspring). [cf Mat. 25:35-36]
4. "At that time (or: Then; Next) your Light will progressively be caused to break forth early, and your healing will progressively spring up (or: grow again; rise above the horizon; dawn) quickly, and the eschatological deliverance (rightwising into the Way pointed out in equitable relationships of covenant participation for justice) will continuously and progressively journey forth in front of you, and the glory of God will continually environ you (or: the assumed appearance from God will habitually surround you in a set and equipped arrangement; the manifestation from God, while calling forth praise, will progressively wrap you and cover you).
5. "Then you will cry out, and God will continually listen and fully hear you. While you are still speaking, He will proceed in saying, 'Look and consider: I am here, at [your] side!' - if you would at some point separate, remove and take away [the] yoke from you, as well as [the] pointing of the finger (or: scornful gesture) and [the] effect of the flow of muttering complaint (or: a spoken word of murmuring), and then, from the midst of your soul (inner being) would give your bread to, and for, [the] hungry and would show compassion and extend mercy to [the] lowered and abased soul (or: a person having been humbled)." [Isa. 58:6-10, LXX]
6. Unto this end, therefore, O brothers (folks from the same womb; = fellow believers), in [His] seeing beforehand [that] the People - whom He had prepared and made ready in union with Beloved One (centered within the midst of the Person having been accepted and now remaining unambiguously Loved, and who is from Him), as in [that which is] unmixed, unshattered, simple and pure - will progressively trust, be habitually faithful to, and continue believing the (or: This) Long-suffering One (the One that puts rushing emotion and wrath far away from Him; the One who waits long before rushing with passion), He showed in advance, and in clear Light, to us (manifested for us, ahead of time; revealed in us, and among us, beforehand) concerning all humans, and about all things, to the end that we would not, like foreigners (or: as incomers), crash on (or: shipwreck and break into pieces in; be wrecked by) their Law (or: the custom of those folks).
Chapter 4
1. It continues binding and necessary for us, therefore, while investigating deeply and carefully (to an added great extent) concerning the present [events and situations], to continuously and progressively search out (fully seek, investigate and scrutinize) the things continuing able (progressively having power) to keep on delivering us (to progressively save us; to continue making us whole and healthy). We should, therefore, at once fully flee and completely take refuge from all the works (activities; deeds) of the lawlessness, lest the works of (or: from; which are) the lawlessness may take us down and seize us. Furthermore, we should hate the error and abhor the straying (wandering) of the present season (from this now fitting situation), to the end that we would continue being accepted (received with a drive toward union in unambiguous love) into that which is progressively (or: continuously) about to be.
2. We should not at any point give our own soul (or: self) relaxation from custody, so that it proceeds to have from its being (or: continues to possess a privilege) to repeatedly (or: constantly) run together (associate or be in league) with deviating, missing-the-goal people and misery-gushed (or: harmful; painful; malicious; unprofitable) people; at no time should we (or: lest, perhaps, we would) be made like them.
3. The last (final) trap-stick of the trap (snare) has drawn near and is now at hand (close enough to touch; in effect), concerning which it has been written, just as Enoch says,
"You see unto this purpose the Master has cut short the seasons (fitting situations; fertile moments) and the days, so that His beloved and accepted one can hurry and would arrive upon the enjoyment and possession of the allotted inheritance." [cf Mat. 24:22]
4. Now thus says also the prophet:
"Ten reigns (or: kingdoms) will one-after-another (or: one-beside-another) reign upon the Land (or: region; earth; ground) and then following [them] a little king will rise up from the midst who will proceed in subjugating three of the kings under one." [Dan. 7:24]
5. Similarly (In like manner), Daniel speaks concerning him (or: the same):
"And I saw the fourth little wild animal - evil (pain-causing; unserviceable; causing toilsome labor) and strong, even more dangerous (cruel; harsh; intractable) than all the little wild animals of (or: from) the sea [Lightfoot reads: earth; land] - and how (or: even as) from out of it rose up ten horns, and how (or: even as) it brought low (humbled; abased) under one, three of the great horns." [Dan. 7:7, 8]
6. Therefore, you folks continue obliged (or: progressively ought) to understand (to make things flow together and comprehend). But still (or: Now yet) also this: I am proceeding in requesting of (or: continue to entreat) you folks - as continuing being one of you (of your [community]; from among you people), and yet constantly loving and accepting (urging toward reunion with) you all, in a special and particular way, more than my own soul (above myself) - now (at the present time; as things now stand) to constantly pay attention to and take care of yourselves (hold-toward, focus on and guard one another) and not to liken yourselves to (or: be like) certain folks [who], in piling error upon error (heaping up with the sins, accumulating with the mistakes and adding to the failures) among you, [are] repeatedly saying that their covenant (arrangement) [is; should be] also ours. Ours, indeed! (or: Ours, in fact, [it is].) But to the contrary, those folks, when already receiving [it] from Moses, in [the] end (or: finally) lost it in this way (or: thus loosed it away and destroyed it, on into a final act):
7. You see, the Writing (Scripture) continues saying,
"And then Moses continued being in the midst of (or: on) the mountain, continuing in fasting [for] forty days and forty nights, and he received (took in hand) the covenant (arrangement) from the LORD (= Yahweh) - stone tablets having been written by the finger of the LORD's hand." [Ex. 31:18; 34:28]
8. However, in (or: by; when) turning back upon the idols, they destroyed and lost it. For [the] Lord says, thus:
"Moses, Moses, at once descend (walk down) without delay (or: quickly), because your people, whom you led and brought out of the land of Egypt, act lawlessly (behave without a custom or culture)." [Ex. 32:7; Deut. 9:12]
Then Moses understood (made it flow together), and threw the two tablet out of his hands. And so their covenant (arrangement) was broken together, into pieces, to the end that the [covenant; arrangement] of, from, and which is, the Beloved Jesus would be sealed down within our heart - in expectation of His faithfulness!
9. Now though I am presently wishing to continue writing many things, not as a teacher, but rather as is fitting and continues suitable for a person continually loving and accepting with a drive toward union, not to fall short or lag behind from that which we continue having: I, your off-scoured, wiped-off filth and scum, am filled with zeal, making every effort to continue writing, on account of which, we should constantly pay attention, take care, hold-toward, focus on and be on guard within the midst of these last days, for it follows that the whole time of our trust, faith, loyalty and faithfulness will proceed in profiting (continue benefitting) us nothing (not in one thing), unless now - within this lawless season (or: in the fertile moment that is apart from law or custom), and in (or: with; by) an imminent (progressively about to exist) bait-stick of a trap, as is fitting and continues suitable for (with; in) sons of God - we continue standing in an opposing position (or: we habitually stand on the opposite side to lend a hand) so that the dark or obscure person or situation would (or: can) not at any point have an entrance at the side (an opportunity of stealthily slipping in).
10. We should at once flee away from all emptiness and futility; we should fully abhor (hate to the end; completely detest) the works and deeds of the misery-gushed road (the worthless and unserviceable path). When privately entering in, to retire into your own homes, do not separate yourselves as though living alone, as if being folks having already been made right, just, guiltless, fair, equitable and set in righted relationships. But rather, upon the very gathering together, you folks should seek together and inquire about the common, continuing mutual interest and advantage (the corporate ongoing profitable work; the public common good; the general common-welfare).
11. You see, the Writing (Scripture) continues saying:
"Alas (Tragic will be the case) [for] those [who are] intelligent in (by; for) themselves, and [are] educated, knowing folks - in their own eyes" [Isa. 5:21]
We should come to be spiritual folks! We should come to be a finished temple (a mature, completed inner sanctuary that embodies the goal) in God (for God; with God; by God)! From as much is (exists) within and among you folks, we should meditate on, study, practice and cultivate the reverent respect (scruple; fear) of, from, and which is God, and we should strive, as in the public games, to constantly watch over in order to guard, observe, keep and maintain His implanted goals (imparted inner directives; centered destinies) - to the end that we would have a good attitude and a healthy frame of mind, within and in union with the effects of His just Act (in union with the results of the Right Deed that is Him).
12. The LORD (= Yahweh, or Christ) will continue evaluating, repeatedly make decisions about, and keep on judging, the cosmos (the aggregate of humanity; the world of religion, economics, culture and government; the domination System) impartially: each person will receive just as he or she did (according as he or she produced): if it should be good and virtuous [Lightfoot's text adds: his {right deeds; just actions} shall go before him in the way; -- brackets, mine], but if misery-gushed (worthless; pain-causing; unprofitable), his reward (recompense; wage) from the misery-gushed-ness (the worthlessness; the unprofitability; the caused pain) is before [him].
13. See that, lest - as called people, [then becoming] folks resting upon [this] - we may proceed in falling asleep to our deviations (or: with our mistakes; by our sins; in our mistakes), and then the "misery-gushing chief" (or: the worthless ruler) - the person at some point receiving authority (the right; the privilege of his being), in regard to us (or: against us) - may force us away from the reign (sovereign activities and influences; kingdom) of, and from, [the] Lord,
14. Yet still, my brothers, think about and consider this, also. When you folks are seeing that after so many signs and wonders had occurred (happened) in Israel, and yet, as follows: they were abandoned (left down within the midst of [their situation]), we should constantly pay attention and take care (hold-toward, focus on and guard), lest we would be found, as it has been written:
"Many [were] called, yet few [were] picked out and chosen." [cf 1 Sam. 18:8b; Isa. 41:9b; Mat. 22:14]
Chapter 5
1. It follows that unto this end the Lord remained under, giving support and enduring, to at one point give over (deliver; commit; transmit; pass on) the Flesh unto a downfall (into the midst of the sphere of complete withering, decay and ruin), to the end that we would be cleansed and purified by the flowing away of the deviations (in the release from the errors and mistakes; with the divorce from the sins) which exists in (continues being in union with; is in the midst of) the blood, from the effect of His sprinkling (or: His blood, which is the result of sprinkling; the blood of the effect of the sprinkling of Him).
2. You see, it has been, and now remains, written concerning Him which, on the one hand, [is] toward Israel, which, on the other hand, [is] toward, and face-to-face with, us, and it says it this way:
"He was wounded and traumatized on account of (through) the lawless acts from us (or: with a view to our conducts which were lawless), and He had been made weak on account of the deviations from us (through the times of our missing the target; with a view to the errors and mistakes among us); in His bruise (with and by His stripe), we ourselves were suddenly, at one point, healed. As a sheep, He was at one point led upon a slaughter, and as a lamb without a voice (or: silent) before the one continuing in shearing it." [Isa. 53:5, 7]
3. Are we not then constantly obliged (continually owing it) to be continuously offering extreme thanks (showing exceeding gratitude for the goodness of [His] grace) to, for and in the Lord (= Christ or Yahweh)? Because He has both made known the things having come to be present to, within, and for us (or: the having come and now remaining beside us and with us), and has made us wise in union with the things having stood within the midst (centered in the present things), and so unto the things continuing about to be (presently imminent) we are not folks void of intelligence (people without understanding from being able to make things flow together).
4. Now the Writing (Scripture) continues saying,
"Not unjustly are nets normally stretched and spread out (deployed) for birds." [Prov. 1:17; comment: a subtle reference to the Roman eagles?]
This is saying (This means) that a person will justly progressively lose himself or rightly destroy himself, who, continuing in possessing (habitually holding or having) experiential insight and intimate knowledge of a Way of eschatological deliverance (a Path from being turned into the Way pointed out, with rightwised relationships in covenant participation in [the] Road of justice and equity), progressively encloses himself away (shuts himself off) into a way (path; road) of darkness. [cf chapter 20, below]
5. But still, also this, my brothers (folks from the same womb; = fellow believers): Since the Lord [= Christ] remained under and endures suffering concerning our souls, [though] continuing being Lord of all the aggregate of humanity (the domination System; the world of religion, culture, economy and government; the cosmos) - the One to whom (or: for Whom; concerning, or with a view to, Whom; into Whom; with Whom; about Whom) God said, from the foundations (or: casting down) of an ordered System ([an] aggregate of humanity; a world of culture, religion, economy and government),
"We should make (form; produce; construct; create) humanity, according to (corresponding to; to the level of; in the sphere of; along the line of) our image and likeness," [Gen. 1:26]
How then, did He endure and remain under to suffer under [the] hand of humans? You folks must learn!
6. The prophets (The folks with light ahead of time), from continually having His grace (or: while habitually holding the favor from Him), prophesied with a view to Him (or: proclaimed Light, ahead of time, into the midst of Him). Yet He Himself remained under for support, and endured, to the end that He would idle-down (render discharged, unemployed and useless; make barren; cause to cease the activity of; or: abolish) the Death and would point out, demonstrate and display the resurrection from out of the midst of dead people, so that it remains necessary for Him at one point to be set in clear Light and manifested in Flesh,
7. to the end that He could give away or award (or: give back; pay off; reward) the Promise to (or: in; among; with regard to; for) the fathers, and He, Himself, while preparing, equipping and making ready the New (new in kind and character) People in Himself (or: for Himself; unto Himself; with Himself), He being upon the Land (or: earth) could and would display and point out that, in making (from producing; while creating) the resurrection, He Himself will be progressively evaluating, deciding about and judging.
8. Although continuously teaching Israel a conclusion (an end; a termination), and after constantly doing (performing; creating; producing) so many wonders and signs, He kept on proclaiming and preaching - and He continued dearly (exceedingly) loving and accepting him, urging toward reunion with him.
9. Now when He chose His own sent-forth folks - those continuing about to progressively preach and proclaim His message of goodness, ease and well-being - [they] were being (existing) lawless people, above all failure (error; deviation; sin), so that He could point out (exhibit; demonstrate),
"that he did not come to call just and righteous folks, but to the contrary, outcasts (sinners; folks in error; deviators; people that were failures)." [Mat. 9:13] [Lightfoot's text adds: then He manifested Himself to be the Son of God (or: God's Son).]
10. So then, if He had not been manifested (made visible; shown in clear light) in union with Flesh (within flesh), how were the people saved (rescued; made whole; delivered) by (or: while) looking at Him (or: while seeing or in beholding Him), when it is not to be, when being about to continue looking at the sun [and] not continuing strong to look face to face into its rays - a work of His hands being continuously there (or: present), and under-originating [it]? [cf Nu. 21:8b, 9b; Jn. 3:14, 15; 12:32; Lu. 9:56]
11. So accordingly the Son of God came into this, in union with Flesh (within flesh; in a flesh [system]), to the end that He would bring up to a head (or: sum up) the completion (the final act; the finished product) of the sins (deviations; failures; mistakes) in and for (or: BY) those centered in death that were, in union with death, pursuing and persecuting His prophets (those with light ahead of time).
12. Thus accordingly, He remained under and patiently endured into the midst of this, for you see, God continues saying [that] the blow of His flesh that [came] from them:
"When they would strike (beat) their shepherd, at that time the sheep of the flock will be progressively lost." [Zech. 13:7; Mat. 26:31]
13. Now He Himself set His will and intent in this way: to suffer! For you see, it continued binding and necessary that He would suffer upon a tree (wooden pole or beam), for the person prophesying said about Him:
"Spare My soul (person; self) from [the] sword," [Ps. 22:20]
And further,
"Drive pierce and drive nails through My flesh, because synagogues (congregations) of misery-gushed folks stood up upon Me" [Ps. 22:16; 86:14]
14. And then again, He says:
"Look and consider! I have placed, and so it continues set, My back unto a scourging, and the cheeks into the effects of a slap and a blow. Yet I set my face as a firm rock." [Isa. 50:6, 7; Ps. 129:3; Ezk. 3:8]
Chapter 6
1. Now when He produced (made; created; formed) the implanted, finished goal (the imparted inner directive; the inner destiny; the investment as an end in view), what does He go on saying?
"Who is normally making evaluations and decisions for Me (or: Who is continually judging with Me; Who is now judging Me)? Let him stand against Me (resist Me; be opposed to Me; stand on the opposite side to assist, with Me). Or, who is the person habitually deciding what is right for Me (or: repeatedly making things right to Me; or: continually doing things justly, by Me)? Let him draw near to the Lord's Child (or: by the Servant from [Yahweh]).
2. Tragic is the fate for you folks (Woe to you people), because you people will all, as wool, progressively grow old, and a moth will gradually eat you down." [Isa. 50:8-9, LXX]
And then, again, the prophet continues saying, given that He was, as a hard, strong stone (or: a powerful, weighty piece of rock), placed for and set unto crushing (with a view to breaking [something] together, into pieces),
"Look and consider! I will proceed in-setting into the foundation of Zion a very precious (expensive), selected (choice and picked out; chosen) Stone - a prime Foundation Stone (or: a top, extreme Cornerstone) invested (imbued) with honor, respect, as well as with great worth and value." [Isa. 28:16]
3. So then he continues saying,
"And the person who will continue setting (be habitually placing) expectation upon Him will continue living on into the Age [of Messiah]." [Ps. 9:18]
Is our expectation (or: expectant hope), then, upon a stone (or: a rock)? May it not come to be (Certainly not)! Nevertheless, since [the] Lord set His flesh in strength, it follows that He continues saying,
"And so He set (placed) Me as a hard, solid rock." [Isa. 50:7]
4. Now again the prophet continues saying,
"A stone which the people building the House rejected as unworthy and unfit, in this way came to be Head (was birthed [the] Source) of the Corner." [Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; 1 Pet. 2:7]]
Then again he goes on saying,
"This One is (or: This exists being) the great and wonderful Day which the LORD (= Yahweh) made (produced; created; formed)." [Ps. 118:24; note: therefore, Christ IS the Day]
5. I - myself [being] an off-scouring from your love - am now writing straightforwardly (more simply and frankly) to you folks, so that you can make things flow together and understand:
6. So what, then, is the prophet again saying?
"A continuously misery-gushed synagogue surrounded Me (or: A gathering together of worthless, pain-inducing people held a circle around Me); they encompassed me like bees [swarming] a honeycomb." [Ps. 22:12; 118:12]
And,
"Upon my garment they cast a lot (= gambled)." [Ps. 22:18]
7. Therefore, being about to be set in clear Light and manifested, and then to proceed suffering, in His flesh (or: in union with the Flesh that pertained to, and belonged to, Him) - the suffering shown beforehand - it follows that the prophet continues saying upon Israel,
"Tragic will it be (Alas; Woe) to, for and in their soul, because they have deliberated and now determine a misery-gushed (worthless; painful; malicious) resolve against themselves (or: in accord with themselves; along the line of themselves), at one point saying, 'We should bind this 'just one,' because he continues being an inconvenient hindrance for us (an annoying difficulty to us).'" [Isa. 3:9, 10; LXX]
8. What does the other prophet, Moses, continue saying to them?
"Look and consider! These things [the] LORD (= Yahweh) God continues saying, 'You folks at once enter into the midst of the Good Land (the virtuous, well-born territory), which [the] LORD (= Yahweh) affirmed with an oath to (or: for) Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and then you people at once fully enjoy the allotment as heirs, possessing it - a Land continuously flowing in streams of milk and honey.'" [Ex. 33:1-3]
9. But what does the Knowledge (the intimate, experiential Insight; the Gnosis) continue saying? You folks at once learn! It continues saying,
"In one blow, put your expectation upon Jesus, the One repeatedly about to be set in clear Light and manifested among you folks (or: within you; by you people; to you folks), in union with Flesh (centered in flesh; within flesh)."
"You see, humanity is, and continues being, dirt (soil; earth), continuously experiencing and suffering; for he came to exist (was birthed) from the forming of Adam from the face of the earth (ground; Land) (or: for it happened from the formation of the Land (or: earth), which is the countenance and presence of Adam)." [Gen. 3:19]
10. What, then, does He continue saying (or: What does He now mean),
"Into the midst of the Good Land (the virtuous, well-born territory), a land (territory) continuously flowing in streams of milk and honey"? [Ex. 33:3]
Our [Yahweh] [is] a Word of goodness, ease and well-being (or: The LORD {= Yahweh} [is] blessed and well thought-of by us), brothers, at one point placing (setting; establishing) within the midst of us the wisdom and mind (intelligence; understanding; disposition) of, and from, His hidden things (or the secret things that are Him). You see, the prophet continues speaking a parable (something cast alongside for comparison) from [the] Lord (or: concerning [Yahweh]): who will progressively direct his mind to think carefully about, imagine, perceive, consider and then comprehend except a wise person, even one progressively skilled (versed; proficient; prudent) and constantly loving (accepting and urging toward union with) his or her LORD (= Yahweh, or Christ).
11. Therefore, since making us new again, in kind and character - another hammered-out image and model with patterned, archetypal content, as of little children - to progressively hold the soul; as if, at this point already His, forming and molding us again (or: as to continuously possess the inner life of children, as if by now already forming and creating us back up, from Him)!
12. You see, the Writing (Scripture) continues saying, concerning us, just as it continues saying to the Son (or: by the Son; for the Son; with the Son; in the Son),
"We should form (make; construct; produce; create) the human according to an image and according to a likeness of Us, and then they should be heading (ruling) the little wild animals of the land (earth; territory) and the flying critters of the sky (atmosphere), as well as the fishes of the sea."
And then, upon seeing the beautiful, fine and ideal result of our form (or: effect of the form of us), [the] Lord said,
"You people be caused to progressively grow (continuously increase) and be repeatedly caused to multiply (continuously swarm), and then be caused to progressively fill and complete the earth (land; territory)." [Gen. 1:26, 28]
These things [He said] to (or: face to face with) the Son (or: These [words] refer to the Son).
13. Now again I will continue completely pointing out to you (or: I will proceed fully displaying for you) how He [another MS reads: the Lord] continues speaking to (or: face to face with; in reference to) us: He produced (made; formed; created; built) a second formation (creation; molding), upon (or: at; added to) last [days; times; folks]. Now [the] Lord continues saying,
"Look and consider (See)! I am progressively (or: repeatedly; habitually) producing (making; forming; building; creating; doing) the last things as the first things." [cf Mk. 10:31; Rev. 21:5]
In reference to this, then, the prophet proclaimed,
"You folks at once enter into the midst of a Land continuously flowing in streams of milk and honey, and then you people at once correspondingly function as its owners (perform on the level as its masters and lords)." [cf Ex. 33:3]
14. Observe, then: we ourselves have been created (formed) again, and now continue being a new creation (formation), just as, in a different prophet, He again continues saying,
"Look and consider, [the] LORD (= Yahweh) continues saying, 'I will pull and draw out from (breathe out of) these folks' - that is, from those whom the Spirit (Breath-effect) of, and from, [the] LORD foresaw (or: saw beforehand) - 'the stony hearts, and then I will inset (or: put within) [them hearts] of flesh," [Ezk. 11:19]
because He Himself was about to be manifested (set in clear Light) in union with Flesh (within the midst of flesh; centered in flesh) and also to continuously take permanent residence (be "housed-down" to continuously dwell and abide) within and among us (in union with us; centered in us).
15. You see, our heart (or: the heart of us) [is] a set-apart (sacred) temple (inner sanctuary; holy place and holy-of-holies), the habitation (the abode; the permanent dwelling-place) for the LORD (= Yahweh, or Christ).
16. For [the] Lord again continues saying,
"Then within what will I continue being seen by (or: be made to appear to, or with) the LORD (= Yahweh), my God, and will I continue having an assumed appearance (will I progressively be given a manifestation which calls forth praise and be glorified; will I continue being given a good reputation)?"
He continues saying,
"I will repeatedly speak forth the same word (message; thought; idea; information) to, for, by and with You, in the midst of a called-out congregation of my brothers; then I will continue singing to, for, by and with You, again in the midst of a called-out community of set-apart (sacred; holy) folks." [Ps. 22:22; 42:2]
So accordingly we ourselves are (continue being) they whom He at one point brought into the midst of the Good Land!
17. What, then, [is; = means] the milk and the honey? Because the child is first kept alive by honey, and then next by milk. Thus, then, also we ourselves, being continuously made and kept alive in, by and with the trust from (or: the faith of; the faithfulness which is) the Promise, and then by (with; in) the Logos (Word; Idea; thought; conveyance of patterned Information; message), will continue living... continuously functioning as complete owners of the earth (or: habitually performing accordingly as lords, with regard to the Land).
18. Now as we previously said, above,
"And so let them progressively grow (continuously increase) and repeatedly multiply (continuously swarm) and then continuously regulate (govern) fish or birds (flying creatures) of the sky," it follows that we ought to understand (comprehend) that "to regulate (govern)" is (= means) "privilege from out of being (right; authority)," so that the person who is imposing an arranged order or adds dispositions would function as a lord (can perform as a master or owner). [cf Gen. 1:26, 28]
19. Therefore, if this now is not presently happening (occurring; coming to birth or existing), until when (at what time)? When even we ourselves will proceed being made complete and fully developed (or: being matured, finished and brought to the goal): to become heirs of the Lord's covenant (possessors and enjoyers of the arrangement of, from, and which is, [the] Lord). [cf Gal. 4:1-7; Eph. 4:12-13]
Chapter 7
1. So accordingly, you folks continue intellectually perceiving (understanding with your mind), O children of a healthy frame of mind and a good attitude, that our beautiful (fine; ideal; sound) Lord has in advance shown everything in clear Light, to the end that we could and would intimately and experientially know (have insight), in Whom (for Whom; to Whom; with Whom; by Whom), we continue with an obliged duty (or: are habitually under obligation; ought constantly) to continuously offer praise - repeatedly expressing the goodness, ease and well-being of grace and favor, while constantly giving thanks in accord with (down from; in line with; in correspondence to) all things!
2. Since, therefore, the Son of God - while continuously being Lord (Master; Owner) and continuously being about to continue evaluating, repeatedly deciding about and habitually judging living folks and dead folks - suffered, to the end that His blow (wound) would give Life to us (could create Life for us and make us live), we should at once trust (can faith-it in confident belief and loyalty) that the Son of God was not being able (could not continue) to progressively suffer, except on account of (with a view to) us!
3. But also, when crucified He was given vinegar (or: sour wine) and bile to drink. You folks at once listen and hear... how, concerning this, the priests of the temple have been shown (revealed; become visible) in their true character. The imparted inner directive (set implanted destiny; given end in view) having been written [is]:
"'Whoever would not fast (i.e., observe) the fast will proceed being rooted out and destroyed in (or: by) death,' [the] Lord implanted as a directive (set as an end in view)." [Lev. 23:29]
Given that, also, He Himself was about to bear forward to offer the vessel of the Breath-effect (Spirit) as a sacrifice concerning our failures and deviations (mistakes; errors; sins) to the end that the type - the one being birthed (coming to be) on Isaac when being held close and entangled upon the altar of burnt offering - would be brought to its goal and fulfilled (be carried out and completed; be accomplished; come to its destined end).
4. What, then, is it saying in [the book of] the prophet?
"And so, they must eat from the goat which is normally being offered in (or: at; during) the fast over (on behalf of) all of the deviations (failures; sins; mistakes; times of missing the target)." [cf Lev. 6:25-30; 10:16-17]
You folks keep on paying close attention and holding this to yourselves:
"And so the priests alone must eat all the unwashed entrails (gut; bowel) with vinegar (or: sour wine)." [cf Lev. 1:13; 16:7ff]
5. Why (Toward what end)?
"In as much as (Since) you folks continue about to give bile with vinegar to Me to drink, when being about to bear forward and offer My flesh over (on behalf of) deviations (failures; sins; mistakes; times of missing the target) of My new people. You folks, yourselves, must eat it alone, while the people continues fasting and lamenting (mourning), in sackcloth [and] on ashes,"
So that He could point out and exhibit that it continues binding and necessary for Him to proceed suffering under (by) them.
6. You folks keep on paying close attention and holding this to yourselves, which He implanted as the end in view (imparted as an inner directive; set with as the goal):
"You folks take two goats, fine (ideal; sound) and alike, and then bring them close and offer [them] and the priest must take the one into the midst of a whole burnt offering, over (on behalf of) deviations (errors; mistakes; sins; times of missing the goal)." [Lev. 16:7-9]
7. But what will they proceed doing with the other one?
"He proceeds saying (declaring) a down-prayer (a corresponding prayer; an imposed-sphere, accorded prayer) upon that one." [Lev. 16:28]
You folks keep on paying close attention and holding this to yourselves, how the type of Jesus is shown in clear Light and made apparent.
8, "And then all you folks proceed spiting upon it and then keep on goading it so as to stab and pierce it, and place a scarlet wool thread around its head, and so, in this manner, you folks must impel (cast) it on into a desert or wilderness." [Lev. 16:10]
So when it would happen in this way, the person lifting up and ennobling (or: bearing; carrying) the goat continues leading it into the desert or wilderness, and then he takes off (removes) the wool thread and he continues by placing it upon a bush or shrub - the one normally being called Rachia [note: possibly a thorn-hedge, a briar, or a species of blackberry bush]: whereof, also, we are normally accustomed to eat the buds or blossoms (or: chew on the shoots or offspring) when finding them in the field or countryside. Accordingly, from only the fruits of the Rachia is it sweet and pleasant.
9. What, then, is this (does this mean)? You folks keep on paying close attention and holding this to yourselves:
"On the one hand, the One [is] upon the altar; yet on the other hand, that One [is] the one [receiving] the laid-on-down-prayer (or: the imposed-sphere prayer; the added corresponding prayer; the accorded prayer)," and for that reason, the One [receiving] the accorded, corresponding, imposed down-prayer is being the One having been given the Victor's wreath. Inasmuch as (or: When; Since) they will one-after-another be (or: will continue) seeing Him continuing in having the full-length (reaching the feet) scarlet robe around the flesh, then on that Day they will also repeatedly say,
"Is not this he whom we ourselves then, upon setting at naught (in finding worthless; when scorning; while disdaining), crucified (impaled on a stake), also stabbing (piercing) and spitting on [him]? This one was truly being the one then progressively laying himself out to be (repeated saying himself to be) [the] Son of God!" [Mat. 27:27-28]
10. Come now, you say, How [is] that one like [the other]? In this view, and in this respect [are] the goats alike: "fine (ideal; beautiful; sound); equal" - so that when they would see Him, at that time [He would be like] [the] goat. Accordingly then, you must look, see and perceive the type and pattern of Jesus: one Who was being about to proceed suffering.
11. Now why [is it] that they normally (habitually) place the wool in the midst of the thorn-plant? It is a type and pattern of Jesus placing Himself in the called-out community (or: setting Himself with, and for, the called-out congregation), so that whoever may wish, or would intend, to take up and carry the scarlet wool, it continues binding and necessary for him to experience as well as to suffer many things, on account of the thorn-plant being of a fearful nature - and yet through pressured hardship, oppression or affliction to gain mastery of it. Thus He continues saying,
"Those continuously wanting or progressively intending at some point to see Me and at some point to grasp and take hold of My reign (kingdom; sovereign influence) continue under obligation and necessity to receive Me (or: take hold of Me) through repeated pressing of having it hard (continual oppressing and affliction; habitual squeezing and troubling) and repeated experiencing as well as periodic suffering." [cf Acts 14:22]
Chapter 8
1. Now what are you folks normally thinking or assuming [this] type and pattern to be, [where] it had been imparted as an inner directive to (or: had been implanted and then continued as a goal for) Israel that those men - within and among whom are full-grown sins (completed failures; finished deviations; perfect errors; entire mistakes) - are to repeatedly lead toward and offer a heifer, and after slaughtering [it] to continue completely burning [it] up. And next, children are habitually to take up the ashes and to cast [them] into a container, and then continue to twist the scarlet wool upon a tree (or: put it around, and on, a stick, pole or stake)? Look, see and perceive the type of the cross! And then the scarlet wool and the hyssop - and in this way the children are habitually to sprinkle the people, one by one, so that they would be cleansed and purified, away from the mistakes (deviation; errors; failures to hit the target; sins).
2. You folks are continuing to notice and consider, and are progressively perceiving with the mind, how, in frank simplicity, He progressively lays this out to you (or: how He continues speaking to you in plainness): The calf is Jesus; the folks deviating and missing the target (the sinners) [are] the men proceeding in leading [it; Him] forward as an offering, those bearing Him face-to-face, upon the slaughter. So then, the glory (the manifestation which calls forth praise; the reputation; the assumed appearance) [is] no longer men; no longer from, or belonging to, deviating folks (those missing the target). (or: After this, [it is] no more men [who offer]; the glory [is] no more of, from among, or pertaining to, sinners.)
3. The children progressively sprinkling [are] the folks bringing to us, and proclaiming for and among us, the message of goodness, ease and well-being (the Good News): the flowing away of the sins (the liberation from the deviations; the divorce from mistakes and errors; the sending-away of failures to hit the goal) and the cleansing (purifying) of the heart - to and among whom, being twelve, unto a witness of and from the tribes because twelve [were] the tribes of Israel, He gave from the message of goodness and wholeness, the right, from out of Being, into the [situation] to be constantly and progressively making public proclamation as heralds (or: He gave the Gospel's privilege and the authority of Good News, with a view unto habitual preaching)!
4. But on account of what (or: Now why) [were] three children the ones normally sprinkling? Unto a witness of (or: testimony to) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because these men [were] great in God (important to God; mighty by God).
5. Now in that the wool [is] upon the tree (stake; pole), that [signifies that; means] the reign (sovereign influence and activities; kingdom) of Jesus [is] upon the tree (stake; pole; = the cross), and that those placing expectation upon Him will continue living on into the midst of the Age [of Messiah].
6. But on account of what (or: Now why) [are] the wool and the hyssop together, at the same time? Because in His reign (in union with His sovereign activities; centered in His kingdom) misery-gushed (worthless; unserviceable; pain-causing) and soiled (dirty) days will continue being healed and progressively made whole (keep on being saved; constantly be kept safe; repeatedly delivered), in which we ourselves will continue being healed and progressively made whole (keep on being saved; constantly be kept safe; repeatedly delivered) - and because the person continually feeling pain or hardship, [in the] flesh, progressively heals through the soil (dirt; or: uncleanness; foulness) of (or: from) the hyssop.
7. And so through this thus coming to be (happening; occurring; being birthed), it is to (for; with; in) us, on the one hand, clearly seen (apparent; evident; visible), yet on the other hand, to (for; with; among) them, [it is] dark and obscure - because they did not listen to (hear and obey) [the] Voice of [the] Lord ([the] Lord's voice; [the] Voice, which was [the] Lord).
Chapter 9
1. It follows that He repeatedly lays it out (or: For you see, He continues saying), again, concerning the ears, how He circumcised our heart. [The] LORD repeatedly lays it out (continues saying) within the prophet,
"They paid attention and fully listened to Me, unto (as far as) a hearing of (from) [the] ear." [Ps. 18:44]
And again He is saying,
"'Those at a distance, being far off, will progressively (or: repeatedly) hear for (or: in) themselves, with an ability to hear (or: in a report; by listening; for hearing obedience): they will come to know by experience what I do (or: did; make; produced; form; constructed; create; created).' 'And so, you folks should circumcise your hearts,' [the] LORD continues saying." [Isa. 33:13; Jer. 4:4]
2. And again He repeatedly lays it out (or: continues saying),
"Hear, O Israel, because [the] LORD (= Yahweh), your God, is now laying this out (repeatedly says this)." [Deut. 6:6; Isa. 44:1; Jer. 7:2-3; 10:2; Ezk. 6:6]
Also again, the Breath-effect (Spirit) of [the] Lord (= Yahweh?) continues giving Light ahead of time (prophecies),
"Who is the person constantly wanting (progressively intending) that he or she might live on into the Age [of Messiah]? He or she must listen and hear with an ability to hear (or: in a report; by listening; for hearing obedience) from the Voice of My Child (or: Servant)!" [Ps. 34:12; Isa. 50:10]
3. Then again He repeatedly lays it out (or: continues saying),
"Hear, O heaven (sky; atmosphere), and give ear, O earth (Land; soil), because [the] LORD (= Yahweh) spoke these things for a testimony (as a witness; [inserting] evidence and proof)." [Isa. 1:2]
And yet again He keeps saying,
"You folks must listen, hear and pay attention to a Word of [the] LORD (a message from [Yahweh]; [the] Logos, which is the Lord), [you] rulers of this people." [Isa. 1:10]
Next He again keeps saying,
"You folks must listen, hear and pay attention, O children: continual crying of a voice in the wilderness (or: repeated crying out, from a voice within the midst of, and centered in, the desert!)" [Isa. 40:3]
Accordingly then, He circumcised our abilities to hear, to the end that in hearing a Word (a message; patterned information; a thought; an idea) we could, and would, trust, believe, faith-it and be loyal.
4. And yet, in contrast, the circumcision upon which they had been convinced and persuaded, and now continue confident, has been rendered useless and unemployed (completely idled-down, made barren and abolished)! For you see, He had said not to produce (give birth to; bring into being) a circumcision of, from, or which pertains to, flesh. However, they walked to the side [of the path] (deviated; transgressed), because a misery-gushed agent (a worthless, disadvantageous, harmful, malicious messenger; a person with a bad message) played the "wise man" and, with clever device, deluded (or: beguiled) them.
5. He continues to lay it out for them (progressively says to them) - [and] here I am finding an implanted end in view (imparted goal; inner directive):
"You people should not sow seed upon thorny plants (or, as present tense: not continue sowing among thorn-bushes); you people must at some point be circumcised by your LORD [Yahweh] (or: in your Lord [Christ]; for your Lord)." [Jer. 4:3, 4]
And so, what does it continue saying?
"You folks must be circumcised [in] your heart, and so you will not progressively stiffen (keep on hardening) your neck." [Deut. 10:16]
At once receive, again,
"'Look, and consider,' [the] LORD (= Yahweh) continues saying: 'All the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the non-Israelite; the pagans) [have] an uncircumcised foreskin, but this People [i.e., Israel] [has] an uncircumcision of [the] heart (from [the] heart).'" [Jer. 9:26]
6. However, you folks will keep on saying,
"In spite of that, indeed (or: And yet, surely) the People have been circumcised for a seal!"
However, so also (or: Nevertheless, even so) [have] every Syrian and Arabian, and even the priests of the idols! Consequently then, those people are belonging to their covenant (or: continuously exist from the midst of their arrangement)! Even more than that, the Egyptians also are in union with [the] Circumcision (or: exist centered in circumcision).
7. Therefore, O children of Love (or: from reunion-oriented Acceptance), you must continue learning abundantly about all people (or: you must progressively learn, concerning the abundance of all things), because Abraham - [the] first one giving circumcision - in union with a Breath-effect (or: centered in [the] Spirit) was seeing ahead unto Jesus. He circumcised [people] upon receiving results of an appearance of three letters (or: the effects of an opinion, which are three letters).
8. You see, it continues saying,
"And Abraham circumcised eighteen and three hundred men from out of his household." [cf Gen. 14:14; 17:23]
What knowledge and insight is being given in it (or: to him; by him; with it)? Learn! Because the eighteen [were] first, and then, after making an interval, he continues in saying three hundred. [In] the 18, I (= 10), H (= 8), you have IHSOUS [Jesus]. Now because the cross, in the T (the first letter of the Greek work for 300), was continuing about to possess (have; hold) the grace and favor, He also goes on to say the three hundred. Therefore, indeed, he (= Abraham) manifested (revealed; showed) Jesus in the two letters (IH) and the cross (execution stake) in the one (T).
9. He (= Abraham) had seen, and then continued knowing the One placing (setting) the innate, inborn, natural gift of the teaching [other MSS: covenant; arrangement] within us. No one learned a more genuine Logos (legitimate Word; reliable patterned-message; thought belonging to the Race and Family). But I have seen, and now know, that you folks are worthy (exist of equal value).
Chapter 10
1. But in that Moses said,
"You people will not continue to eat swine (pig; hog), nor eagle (or: vulture), nor hawk, nor raven (or: crow), nor all fish which do not have scales on them," [Lev. 11:7ff; Deut. 14:8ff]
he laid hold of (took; or: received) three results of an appearance (or: effects from an opinion, or how it seemed) within the understanding (in union with [his] faculty of intelligence which could make things flow together).
2. And furthermore (or: So finally) he said to them in Deuteronomy,
"And so I will progressively fully-place, set-throughout and establish through the midst, My effects of what is right and in the Way that I point with a view to this People (or: I will keep on establishing, face-to-face with this People, the results of the things, from Me, that are just)." [Deut. 4:10, 13]
Consequently, then, God's implanted goal (the imparted end in view, from God; the inner directive, which is God) is not [about; concerning] the thing not to crunch on or to chew, but you see, Moses spoke in union with [the] Spirit (or: centered in the midst of Spirit; within the midst of a Breath-effect).
3. He mentioned the swine with this intent [and] He continues affirming:
"You will not continue being joined to such people (or: caused to adhere with folks of this kind) - anyone who continues being like pigs (as swine), that is, whenever they are in luxury and are given to pleasure, they completely escape notice of, and forget, the Lord. Yet when they continue lacking, being in need or in poverty, they keep on fully noticing, recognizing, acknowledging and experientially knowing the Lord. And so, just as the pig does not see or know the owner, or master, whenever it normally crunches and chews [its food], yet when it continues hungry it repeatedly cries out (squeals), then upon receiving again, it continues silent (or: and then with receiving, it continues silent, again)."
4."Neither will you continue eating the eagle (or: vulture), nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven (or: crow)." [Lev. 11:14]
He continues affirming,
"Under no circumstances will you continue being joined to, or be caused to adhere to, nor continue being made like such people (people of this kind) - anyone who has not seen, and so does not know how to continue providing (or: procure) the food and provision for themselves through hard labor and sweat."
But to the contrary, as also, in their lawlessness, they continually seize, snatch away and steal the things belonging to another person (they repeatedly plunder), and then they continue lying in wait and watching upon, as if in sincere harmlessness (inviolate, unmixed purity), while constantly walking around (= living their lives) and continually looking around for whom they will proceed in stripping (ripping off), on account of this insatiable greed (desire to overreach so as to take advantage and have more; inordinate desire for wealth) - just as, also, these birds alone continue procuring no food or nourishment for them, but instead, while continuously sitting idle and without work: it keeps on searching and seeking out how it can eat down [the] flesh (or: meat) belonging to (or: from) another - [these] are continuously being folks diseased by (pestilential in and with) their misery-gushed worthlessness (malicious baseness; unsound condition).
5. Also, He continues affirming,
"You will not continue eating sea-eel (or: lamprey) nor octopus, nor cuttlefish (or: squid)." [Lev. 11:10-12]
He is saying [that] in no way will you be progressively made like such people (folks of this kind) by being habitually joined to and caused to adhere to those who continue being utterly irreverent (profane; without proper awe toward God) on unto an end (into [their] final performance), and being folks who were already separated, evaluated and are now judged in the Death (by the Death; to, and with, the Death) - just as, also, these fish, alone imposed with a negative wish (or: having an added down-prayer; fully prayed against), habitually swim within the midst of the Deep (or: deep [water]), not swimming up on the surface and diving down or being suspended, as the remaining ones (the rest of them), but instead in the muck and mud down under the depth of the sea it will continue settled and dwelling.
6. But also,
"You will not at any point eat the rabbit (hare)." [Lev. 11:6]
Toward what end (Why)? He continues affirming,
"You are in no way to at any point come to be a corrupter of children (a pedophile), neither proceed being made like such people (folks of this kind), because the rabbit keeps on gaining more anuses (or: having more voiding of excrement) each year, for as many years as it continues living, it continues having just so many orifices (= it has as many openings, or anuses, as years)."
7."But neither will you at any point eat the hyena" [Lev. 11:27]
He continues affirming,
"You are in no way to at any point come be an adulterer nor a seducer, neither proceed being made like such people (folks of this kind)."
Toward what end (Why)? Because this living being (= person) continues changing [its] nature, year by year, and so repeatedly coming to be, at one time, male, yet, at another time, female!
8."But further, He ideally abhors (beautifully regards with ill-will) the weasel."
He continues saying,
"In no way at any point be made to exist like this, of what sort we repeatedly hear of women repeatedly producing (practicing; constructing; creating; doing) lawlessness with their mouth."
For it follows that this living creature (= person) is constantly conceiving, being pregnant and bringing forth by (with; in) the mouth!
9. Indeed, Moses, upon receiving results of an appearance of three letters (or: the effects of an opinion, which are three letters; or: = three precepts), thus spoke in [the] Spirit (centered in and in union with a Breath-effect) concerning the foods. But they, according to the over-desires (strong passions and added rushing emotions) of, and from, the flesh, kept on receiving [them] on face value (or: face to face), as though being about [actually] eating food!
10. Now David continued receiving intimate knowledge and insight of the results of an appearance of these three letters (or: the effects of an opinion, which are these three letters [or: = precepts]), and so he continues saying,
"Blessed and happy [is] a man who does not travel (journey on; pass from one place to another) in counsel from impious and profane folks" - just as also the fishes progressively make their way (pass from place to place) within darkness, into the depths; just as the folks continually appearing or pretending to be fearing the LORD (= Yahweh), as (or: like) the swine, continue failing to hit the target (keep on making mistakes; constantly deviate into error; progressively sin) - "and do not sit upon [the] seat of diseased and pestilential folks," [Ps. 1:1]
- just as the birds constantly perch with a view to a seizure and a snatching away. You folks continue completely holding (or: holding maturely) also [the teaching] concerning foods.
11. Again, Moses continues saying,
"You folks will continue eating everything [with a] dividing hoof and normally chewing the cud." [Lev. 11:3]
What is he saying? That the one continuously receiving the food and nourishment has seen, and thus knows, the One continually feeding and nourishing him, and upon Him, being habitually rested and refreshed, he normally seems (appears) to continue being in a healthy frame of mind, and with a good attitude. He spoke well (fitly; beautifully), while seeing and perceiving (or: in observing and considering) the implanted goal (the imparted destiny; the inner directive). What, then, does he continue saying?
"You folks continue being joined, glued and caused to adhere with the people continuously respectfully reverencing the LORD (= Yahweh, or Christ), with those constantly meditating on, thinking about, studying and paying careful attention to the result of the distinct contrast of the gush-effect (or: the effect of the difference from the result of the flow of what was spoken) [that] you folks received in the midst of [your] heart, with the folks habitually speaking (telling; discussing) and maintaining (guarding; preserving; watching over) the effects of the rightwising, rightful, just deed of, and which is, [the] Lord, and the results of the equity and righted relationships from [the] Lord, with those seeing and knowing that the focused meditation and attentive study is a work (action) of a good attitude with a healthy frame of mind, as well as continually ruminating (progressively chewing over again) the Logos (Word; thought; idea; patterned information; message; reason) of, and which is, [the] Lord."
Now what [is] this "dividing hoof"? That the just (righted; fair; equitable; aligned-with-the-pointed-out-Way) person continues walking about (= living his or her life) in this domination System (world of religion, culture, economics and government) and yet continually receives from out of The set-apart and sacred Age [of Messiah]. You folks are constantly seeing how Moses beautifully established the Law (set the custom; placed the instruction; or: functioned as a law-giver).
12. Nevertheless, how and in what way [is it possible] for those folks to at some point direct their minds (use their intellect to conceive) or to make things flow together (understand) these things? Now we, ourselves, while rightly perceiving the implanted goals (imparted destinies; inner directives), continue speaking as the Lord (or: the LORD) willed and intends. On account of these things, He circumcised (or: circumcises) our ears and hearts, to the end that we could make these things flow together and understand them.
Chapter 11
1. Now let us seek, investigate and enquire whether it was a care to the LORD (a concern for [Yahweh]; of interest with the LORD) to set in clear Light and make visible and disclosed beforehand concerning the water and concerning the cross (execution stake). Indeed, concerning the water, it has been, and now stands, written upon (in reference to) Israel: how they will continue by no means accepting or receiving to themselves the effect of the immersion (baptism) which continues bringing (bearing; carrying) a flowing-away of (a release, a divorce and a dismissal from) failures to hit the target (mistakes; sins; errors; deviations)! But to the contrary, they will continue erecting a building for themselves! (or: In contrast, they will keep on constructing and establishing [the substitute] among themselves, and by themselves.)
2. You see, the prophet continues saying,
"Be amazed and removed from your place, O heaven (atmosphere; sky)! And let the earth (or: the Land) shudder and quake even more, at this! And that is because this People did two worthless, misery-gushed things: ME! The Fountain (or: Spring) of Life, they abandoned (left down within the midst), and then they dug for themselves a pit of death (or: dug out among themselves a cistern from death; prepared by themselves a hole that is death)!" [Jer. 2:12, 13]
3."Is Sinai, My set-apart (sacred) mountain, a desolate rock in the wilderness? You see, you folks will progressively be as when a nest has been taken away from young (fledgling) birds." [Isa. 16:1f]
4. Then, again, the prophet continues saying,
"I Myself will continue going from one place to another (or: will keep on journeying on) in front of you, in your presence, and I will make level and even [the] mountains and I will continue crushing and breaking in pieces bronze or copper gates (or: two-winged doors), and I will repeatedly disjoint-together (shatter; burst) bars made of iron. Then I will proceed giving to (or: for) you treasures [that are] dark (or: obscure treasures), hidden (concealed) [and] invisible (or: unseen) - to the end that you folks can come to know by experience (or: would gain insight) that I, Myself, [am the] LORD (=Yahweh) God!" [Isa. 45:2, 3]
Also,
"You will proceed in settling down and continue dwelling as a permanent resident in the midst of a high cave (or: centered in a den or place of refuge) of a strong Rock." [Isa. 33:16a]
5. And then,
"His water [is] faithful (dependable; reliable; or: full of trust, faith and conviction). You folks will continue seeing [the] King, with an assumed appearance (with a manifestation which calls forth praise; with glory and a good reputation), and your soul (the inner being of you folks) will continue caring for, meditating on, heeding, paying attention to, and studying [the] respectful reverence from [the] LORD [= Yahweh or Christ] (or: a fear which is [Yahweh]; a respect from [the] Lord).
6. And further, in another prophet, He continues saying,
"And thus, he will continue existing, being like the Tree [that] has been planted beside the divided-out paths of the Waters (or: outlets of water through [the orchard]; or: rivulets of the waters that pass through), - [which will give (yield; = produce) its Fruit in its season (or: fitting situation) and] whose [leaf] will not proceed in falling off (slipping away; flow from [it]). And so, everything that he should continue doing (or: all things - however much he can make or produce) will proceed to be thoroughly prospered (continuously led down an easy path, or along a good road)!" [cf Ps. 1:3; brackets reading from LXX, cf vs. 8, below]
7. "Not thus [for] the profane and irreverent folks who lack awe and respect for God - no, not thus [is their] way! Rather, in contrast, [they are] like the dust or chaff which the wind habitually tosses out and scatters away from the face (= surface) of the ground (or: land; earth). Through this (or: Therefore) the profane and irreverent people will not continue standing up (or: proceed to take a stand again; or: repeatedly arise) in the midst of an evaluation (a sifting and separating for a decision; a judging), nor yet folks who normally fall short of the goal (miss the target; fail; err) within a counsel (or: determination) of folks who are just, equitable and in accord with the way pointed out. Because [the] Lord (= Yahweh), by intimate experience and insight, constantly knows the path (way; road) of the just, equitable and rightwised folks who live in the way pointed out. And yet, the path (way; road) of the profane and irreverent people will progressively lose and destroy itself (of itself repeatedly come to ruin)." [Ps. 1:4-6, LXX]
8. You folks normally notice and perceive how He defined and explained the water and the cross at the same time and on the same basis, for you see, this is [what] He proceeds laying out (or: continues saying):
"Happy and blessed are the people [who], having placed [their] expectation upon the cross, step down and descend into the midst of the Water," because, indeed, He continues saying, "the reward (recompense; wage), 'in its season (or: fitting situation; fertile moment),'" and then goes on saying, "I will continue progressively repaying (giving back; recompensing; giving away),"
But now He continues saying,
"the leaves will not proceed in falling off (slipping away; flow from [it])." [Ps. 1:3]
He is saying (= meaning) this: that every result of the flow (gush-effect; or: saying; that which flows or falls) which will continue going (or: coming) forth, from out of you folks, through your mouth, in Trust and Love (in union with faith and acceptance; centered in faithfulness and an urge toward reunion) will continue being with a view to (will constantly exist unto) a turning-around and an expectation for many people (or: a conversion and a return, as well as expectant hope, in many folks; or: a turning-upon in order to pay attention, and then expectation, with many and by many).
9. Then again, a different prophet continues saying,
"So the Land [which] continued belonging to Jacob (or: the soil and earth [that] was progressively existing from, and was pertaining to, Jacob) continues being praised beyond all that territory (or: alongside of and in the presence of all the earth)." [cf Zeph. 3:19]
This is what he is saying: He continuously glorifies (progressively gives a good reputation to; repeatedly creates a manifestation which calls forth praise for; keeps on giving an assumed appearance in) the vessel of His Spirit (the container of His Breath-effect; the instrument or utensil from the Spirit).
10. What does he continue saying afterward?
"And there was (continued being) a river, continually drawing (unsheathing; pulling; dragging) from out of the right hand, and forth from it continued growing up (was stepping up, growing back and mounting again) beautiful, well-formed trees, and whoever will continue eating from out of them will continue living on into the midst of the Age [of Messiah]." [cf Ezk. 47:12; Rev. 22:2]
11. He keeps on saying this because we ourselves, indeed, keep on, one after another, stepping down and descending into the Water fully loaded with deviations (from failures to hit the target, sins, errors, mistakes) and pollution (and from filth and defilement; dirt; uncleanness), and then we, one after another, keep on stepping back up (continue ascending again), progressively bearing fruit in union with the Spirit (centered in the Breath-effect), while continuing in having, holding, and possessing [it]. Also:
"Whoever will continue eating for these, will continue living on into the midst of the (or: that) Age [of Messiah]."
He keeps on saying (and meaning) this:
"Whoever," He continues saying, "will continue listening and hearing (or, as a subjunctive: can or would listen and hear) these sayings (proclamations) that are being repeatedly spoken and sounded out, and then would trust and be faithful (or: believe and faith-it), will go on living - on into the midst of the (or: that) Age [of Messiah]."
Chapter 12
1. Likewise (Similarly; In like manner), He continues defining and progressively explains again, concerning (about) the cross - in another prophet, continuing in saying,
"And so when will these things be joined together at the goal (be mutually accomplished; be consummated in a common end; be brought to their joint-destiny)? [The] LORD (or: Lord; Master) proceeds saying: 'When a tree would at some point trickle (pour down; stream; drop) blood." [cf 4 Ezra 4:33; 5:5]
Again, you continue possessing [that teaching] concerning the cross (stake) and the One continuing about to be crucified (impaled).
2. Now He continues saying, again, in Moses, when war was continuously being waged, and battles were repeatedly fought against Israel, by the other tribes (races; nations), and so that He might remind them, during the battling and waging of war, that through (or: in the course of) their deviations (failures to hit the goal; mistakes; errors; sins) they would at some point be given over into death.
The Spirit (Breath-effect) continued saying into the heart of Moses that
he should make (form; construct) a type (mark from a blow; pattern; hammered image) of [the] cross and of the One being about to suffer. He continued saying that should they not (or: unless they) place expectation upon it (or: Him), war will continue being waged [against them] on into the Age [of Messiah].
Therefore Moses progressively placed (or: stacked) one weapon upon another within the middle of the fight (or: proceeded putting one spear on the midst of [his] fist), and then being placed on a high place and standing higher than all [the] people, he stretched out his hands, and in this way Israel was again victorious. And then, whenever he let, or put, [them] down (or: lowered [them]), they continued being put to death. [Ex. 17:8-13]
3. Toward what end (Why)? So that they would come to know that a person continues without power (unable) to at any point be delivered (rescued; made whole; healed; kept safe; saved) unless they would place (or: set) [their] expectation (or: expectant hope) upon Him.
4. And again, in a different prophet, He continues saying,
"The whole day long I have stretched out and spread forth My hands toward an unpersuaded, unconvinced, uncompliant, and thus, disobedient People - even those continually speaking against and repeatedly contradicting My pointed-out Path (My just Road; a Right Way, which is Me)." [Isa. 65:2; comment: spread out hands may symbolize crucifixion, in the author's context]
5. Again Moses proceeds building (crafting; constructing; creating; producing) a type of (or: hammered image and pattern with reference to) Jesus, because it continues binding and necessary for Him to proceed to suffer, and that He Himself - whom they continued supposing to have destroyed - will one-after-another continue producing life in a sign (or: centered in a pointing denotation) for those of Israel who continue falling. You see, [the] LORD made every snake to bite them, and then they died off - inasmuch as The Deviation and Transgression [Lightfoot text adds: of Eve was through a snake] - through their deviation and transgression, they will one-after-another (or: progressively) be given over into death's compression (or: entrusted unto a squeezing pressure from death; or: delivered into the midst of an affliction of death).
6. In the end, though, even Moses himself, after implanting the goal (imparting this intended end; giving an inner directive),
"There will not continue being for you folks neither a molten and cast image, nor a graven or carved image, into being a god for or among you people," [Lev. 26:1; Deut. 27:15]
he himself proceeded making (constructing; producing) one so that he could display a type and point out a pattern of Jesus (show a model in a hammered image, with reference to Jesus). Therefore, Moses proceeded progressively making (producing) a copper snake (or: a bronze serpent), continues in setting [it] conspicuously (placing it gloriously, with honor and splendor; setting it in a seemly and apparent way), and then progressively calls the People for (or: by; with; in) a proclamation.
7. Then, upon coming upon that very place, they make request of Moses, that he would hold (bear; carry) up an urgent petition (prayer request to meet a need) concerning them - concerning their healing. So Moses said to them,
"Whenever any of you folks may be bitten," he went on saying, "he must come (or: go) on to the serpent (snake; viper) - the one lying (pressed; placed) upon the tree (stake; wooden pole) - and in trusting and while faithing-it (believing) he must at once expect (or: have expectation) that it, being dead, continues able (keeps on having power) to make alive (to produce life), and immediately he will be healed (made whole; saved; delivered). So in this way, thus, they performed (they did)," [Nu. 21:4-8; Jn. 3:14-15]
So again you folks continue having, also in these things, the glory of Jesus (the manifestation which calls forth praise, in the assumed appearance, of Jesus), because all [are] in union with Him (or: that all things [exist] within the midst of Him; because all [is] centered in Him) and [proceeds] into the midst of Him.
8. So why does Moses, being a prophet (existing as one having light ahead of time), again continue speaking about Joshua (in Greek = Jesus), son of Nun, when putting on him this name [cf Nu. 13:16], that all the People should hear, and listen to, [him] alone? Because the Father [made/makes] all things clear, evident and apparent concerning the Son, Jesus.
9. Therefore Moses continues saying to Joshua, son of Nun, when setting this name, when he sent him [as] a spy of the Land,
"Take a scroll into your hands and write what [the] LORD is saying, that the Son of God will cut out from the roots all the house of Amalek, upon [the] last of the days." [cf Ex. 17:4]
10. See again Jesus - not a son from humanity (or: a son of a human), but rather, a Son of, or from, God - now being set in clear Light (being caused to be seen; being made visible; being manifested; being presented in view) in a type (for a pattern; by a model; with a beaten image) in flesh (centered in flesh; in union with flesh), since therefore they continued about to say that "Christ is [the] Son of David" (or: a descendant of David), David himself prophesies, when fearing and yet understanding the straying and wandering (or: the delusion and deception) of the folks deviating (from the people failing to hit the target; concerning sinners; which are the ones making mistakes and errors):
"[The] LORD (= Yahweh) said to my Lord (Master), "Be continuously sitting from out of (or: = at) My right-hand [parts] until I should place (or: put) Your alienated ones (or: folks filled with hate and hostility; enemies) a footstool of Your feet." [Ps. 110:1; Mat. 22:44]
11. And again, Isaiah continues speaking in this way,
"[The] LORD (= Yahweh) said to my Anointed Master (or: for my Christ, the Lord) - from Whom, from His right hand, I prevail and am strong to rule - [that the] ethnic multitudes (nations; pagans; Gentiles) are to hear, listen and obey (= act appropriately), before Him, in His presence, and so, I will continue breaking through [the] strength of kings." [cf Isa. 45:1]
See how David continues calling Him Lord (Master), and is not saying, ''son."
Chapter 13
1. Now we should see whether this people or the first (or: former [People]) continues enjoying and possessing the allotted inheritance, and whether the covenant [is] unto us, or unto them (or: if the arrangement had reference to us, or to them).
2. You folks listen and hear, then, what the Writing (Scripture) continues saying concerning the People:
"Now Isaac kept on making a request (was repeatedly asking [God]) concerning Rebecca, his wife, because she continued being infertile (barren) - and then she conceived (became pregnant)! And then (or: Next) Rebecca went out to inquire (seek information and learn) from beside [the] LORD (or: at the side of [Yahweh]), and [the] LORD said to her, 'Two nations (ethnic groups) [are] within your belly, and two peoples within your uterus (womb), and thus, a people will progressively hold above and continue excelling over [the other] people, and then the greater (= the elder) will continue performing as a slave to the lesser (smaller; fewer; = younger).'" [Gen. 25:21-23]
3. You folks continue making it your obligation (or: You continuously ought) to keep on discerning, perceiving and progressively understanding who Isaac [represents] and who Rebecca [represents], and thus upon whose case He has pointed out and demonstrated that this people [is] greater than that one.
4. And then, in another prophecy, Jacob continues saying, more clearly (in a way that is easier to see; more evidently), to Joseph, his son, by saying,
"Look, and consider, [the] LORD (= Yahweh) did not deprive me of your face (or: from your presence)! Bring your sons toward me (or: face-to-face with me) to the end (for the purpose) that I will proceed in speaking words of goodness, ease and well-being for (or: will be blessing) them." [Gen. 48:11, 9]
5. And so he brought forward Ephraim and Manasseh, desiring and intending that Manasseh would be blessed (spoken well upon), because he was older - for you see, Joseph brought him forward unto the right hand of his father, Jacob. Now Jacob saw in, and by, the Spirit (Breath-effect) a type and a pattern of the afterward (in between; middle) people. And so what does it continue saying?
"And then Jacob made (did) his hands crossways and placed the right one upon the dead of Ephraim, the second and newer one, and then he blessed (spoke words of goodness, ease and well-being upon) him. Then Joseph said to Jacob, 'Change (or: Transfer) your right hand to [be] upon the head of Manasseh, because he is my firstborn son.' And yet Jacob said to Joseph, 'I see and know, child, I see and know. But rather, the greater (= older) will continue performing as a slave to the lesser (smaller; fewer; = younger). Even yet, this one also will continue being blessed.'" [cf Gen. 48:14-19]
6. You folks look at, see and consider upon which ones [it is that] He has placed and set this people to be (to continue existing) first, and thus [the] heir (enjoyer of the allotted inheritance) of the covenant (arrangement).
7. Since, then, it is still mentioned and called to attention through Abraham, we continue receiving in full and possessing from the perfection (the intended goal; the completion; the final phase) of our personal knowledge and insight. What, then, does He continued saying in Abraham (or: to Abraham; with the case of Abraham; for Abraham)? That only with trusting and faithing and being loyal was he placed, set and established into the midst of eschatological deliverance (being turned unto the right direction of the Way pointed out, with rightwised relationships of the justice and fairness of covenant participation):
"Look and consider! I set (placed; established) you, Abraham: a father of ethnic multitudes (nations) of folks constantly trusting God (habitually being faithful to God; progressively believing by God; repeatedly faithing, in God; continuing loyal, for God), even though uncircumcised!" [cf Gen. 15:6; 17:5; Rom. 4:11ff]
Chapter 14
1. Yes, indeed. Nevertheless, let us see whether the covenant (arrangement) - one which He swore to the fathers, to give to the People - whether He [actually] has given [it]. He has given it! Yet they themselves (or: those folks) did not come to be worthy to receive [it], on account of their deviations (sins; failures to hit the target; errors; mistakes).
2. You see, the prophet continues saying,
"And Moses was continuing in fasting, within Mount Sinai, forty days and forty nights, so as to receive the covenant of and from [the] LORD (or: [Yahweh's] arrangement) toward (or: with a view to) the People. And thus, Moses received the two tablets - the ones having been written in Spirit by (with) the finger of the LORD's hand - from the presence of [the] LORD (or: at the side of [the] LORD). And so, upon receiving [them], Moses began bringing [them] down, to give [them] to the People.
3. "And then [the] LORD said to Moses, 'O Moses! Moses! Descend quickly, because your People, whom you led out from the Land of Egypt, are without a law, and act lawlessly! And then Moses made things flow together, perceived and understood that they had again made (formed; constructed) for themselves the results of casting metal, and so he hurled (cast) the tablets of the covenant (arrangement) of, and from, [the] LORD, and they were at once broken in pieces!" [cf Ex. 24:18; 31:18; 32:7-8, 19]
4. Now how did WE, ourselves, receive [it]? Learn! Moses, being an attending aid, received [it]. But the LORD (or: Lord; Master) gave [it] to, and for, US - unto a people of an inheritance (or: with a view to [being the] people of [His] inheritance; into the midst of a people which are enjoyers of an allotment) - by staying behind, patiently enduring, and remaining under to give support, on account of US!
5. Now He was set in clear Light and caused to be seen (made visible and thus publicly known; manifested) so that THOSE folks would be caused to reach the end with regard to the sins (or: be finished with the failures to hit the target; be brought to the goal by [their] deviations; be caused to reach the end of the course, so as to receive the fulfillment for the errors), and yet WE, ourselves, would receive the inheritance (allotment enjoyment) of [the] Lord's covenant (or: the arrangement from [the] Master; the covenant which is [the] Lord), through Jesus, who was made ready and prepared unto this, to the end that, by He Himself appearing - already by having consumed our heart in, by and with death and by paying back for the lawlessness from the straying deception (the error of wandering), by releasing and liberating and setting [us] free from out of the Darkness - it was fully arranged and established within and among us: an arrangement (a covenant) by [the] Logos, with a Word of patterned information, and in a Message that transferred the conveyance of reasoned Meaning!
6. For you see, it has been, and now stands, written how the Father implanted a goal (imparted an end in view; gave an inner directive): after releasing, liberating and setting us free from out of the midst of the Darkness, to prepare and make ready a set-apart (sacred; holy) people in Himself (with Himself; for Himself; to Himself).
7. Therefore the prophet continues saying,
"I [the] LORD (= Yahweh), your God, have called You in eschatological deliverance (centered in the Way pointed out; in union with rightwised relationships of the justice of covenant participation), and I will continue being strong so as to prevail from Your hand, and I will continually give (progressively impart to) You inner strength. So I have given You for a covenant (unto an arrangement) of Family (pertaining to [the] race; from [the] species; which are kindred), for a Light of [the] ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles); to open up the eyes of blind people and then to bring out of chains folks having been bound, and out of a house of guarding (or: from a prison house) those constantly sitting within Darkness." [Isa. 42:6-7]
We continue knowing, then, by intimate experience, from where we were released, liberated and set free.
8. Again, the prophet continues saying,
"Look and consider! I have placed (set and established) You for a Light of ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles), with a view for You to be for deliverance (salvation; rescue; safety; healing; wholeness) as far as [the] farthest part (last point) of the earth - thus continues saying [the] LORD, the One repeatedly releasing, progressively liberating and habitually setting you free: God." [Isa. 49:6, 7]
9. And again the prophet continues saying,
"[The] Spirit (or: A Breath-effect) of [the] LORD [is] upon Me, for which purpose He anointed Me to bring and announce a message of goodness, ease and well-being: to humble, unimportant people of low status - grace and favor. He sent Me off to heal the folks with the heart having been crushed and continuing broken in pieces; to make public proclamation of release, a letting-go and a sending-off to captives, and a recovery of sight to blind folks; to summon (call) a received and acceptable year of, or from, [the] LORD (=Yahweh) and a day of reward and recompense (paying back); to call to My side for aid, encouragement and comfort all the people continuously sad, repeatedly sorrowful or presently mourning." [Isa. 61:1, 2; Mat. 5:3]
Chapter 15
1. Then yet, also, concerning the sabbath, it has been written within the ten Words (Thoughts; Ideas; Messages; Patterned Information; Transferred Conveyance of Reasoned Meaning) in which He spoke face-to-face with Moses, within Mount Sinai:
"And so, you people set-apart as sacred (holy) the sabbath (rest) of, and from, [the] LORD (= Yahweh) with (or: by) clean hands and with (or: by) a clean heart!" [Ex. 20:8; Deut. 5:12; Ps. 24:4]
2. And in a different place He goes on saying,
"If My sons would guard, keep watch over and maintain the sabbath (rest), then (at that point) I will continue applying (setting added; fully placing) My mercy upon them." [Ex. 31:13-17; Jer. 17:24; Isa. 56:2ff]
3. He proceeds speaking [of] the sabbath within a beginning of the creation:
"And God made (formed; produced) the works of His hands within six days, and next brought the goal together (finished-and-ended-together; jointly-completed the project; closed-together the final act; consummated the finished product) within the midst of (or: centered in) the seventh day, and then He completely stopped and rested down within it (or: gave complete rest centered in it; ceased along the line of, and in union with, it), and so He set it apart." [Gen. 2:2, 3]
4. Progressively hold toward, and pay attention, children, to what He is saying:
"He brought the goal together (finished-and-ended-together; jointly-completed the project; closed-together the final act; consummated the finished product) within six days!"
THIS He continues saying: that within six thousand years [the] LORD (= Yahweh) will progressively bring to the goal together (finish-and-end-together; jointly-complete the project of; close the final act of; consummate the finished production of) the joining together of all things (the corporate, finished production of all; the whole, together), for you see, the Day beside Him (or: with Him; by Him) shows by a sign (signifies; indicates as a mark) a thousand years. Now He Himself continues testifying (progressively witnesses) to me, repeatedly saying:
"Look and consider! A Day of, or from, [the] LORD will continue being as a thousand years!" [cf 2 Pet. 3:8]
Consequently, children, within six days, that is, within the six thousand years, the joining together of all things (the corporate, finished production of all; the whole, together) will progressively be brought to the goal together (finished-and-ended-together; jointly-completed; closed for the final act; consummated with the finished production).
5. THIS He repeatedly says:
"And then He completely stopped and rested down within (or: gave complete rest centered in; ceased along the line of, and in union,) within the midst of (or: centered in) the seventh day."
When coming, His Son will proceed causing the season (or: situation) of the lawless (or: the lawless person) to be progressively idle and useless (to continue being discharged and out of work), and He will proceed evaluating and deciding about (or: continue judging) those without awe of God (the irreverent), and then He will progressively change the sun and the moon and the stars. [comment: a reference to Gen. 37:9-10; thus, in this figure, Israel being changed]
At that time He will continue beautifully giving complete rest and will proceed to ideally stop within that sphere - within the seventh Day!
6. In the end, though, He continues saying,
"You folks will set it apart with (or: by) clean hands and with (or: by) a clean heart." [Ex. 31:12ff]
In all [these] things we have been deceived and led astray if, then, now anyone - even though being clean in the heart - continues able (with power) to set apart a day which God has [already] set apart! [comment: no human decision or work can set anything apart, or consecrate it; this is all God's decision and God's work; we only enter into His work, as the next verse explains]
7. Look, then, and take note! Then, in now being folks continuing in completely resting beautifully (habitually having fully stopped in an ideal way), we will continue setting it apart while we will continue able (having power) - ourselves at one point having been set right (being made just; being eschatologically delivered and turned in the right direction; being put in rightwised relationships of covenant participation) and while taking away from the Promise (obtaining, recovering, and receiving-off-from the Promise) [and] NO LONGER constantly being of (or: belonging to) the lawlessness (existing from that which is lawless), but with ALL humans (people) HAVNG BEEN BIRTHED ANEW, and now existing new, and with all things having now come to be new, by [the] Lord, while we will continue with power and ability to progressively set it apart, with we ourselves first being set apart! [cf Rev. 21:5; 2 Cor. 5:17]
8. In the end, though, He continues saying to them,
"Your new moons and the sabbaths I cannot continue holding up to (keep on tolerating, enduring, putting up with, bearing, accepting or standing)." [Isa. 1:13]
You folks see how He keeps on saying,
"The sabbaths [are] not acceptable to Me, but in contrast (or: rather) the one I have made (constructed; produced; formed) in which, when fully stopping the whole and completely resting all things, I will continue progressively making (creating; forming; constructing; producing) a beginning of an eighth Day, which is a beginning of another aggregate of Humanity (or: another ordered and arranged System; or: another world).
9. On account of this, also, we continue bringing, and leading, the eighth Day into a good attitude and a healthy frame of mind, centered in (or: in union with) which also Jesus rose back up from out of the midst of dead folks, and then, after being set in clear Light (manifested; made to appear publicly), He stepped up into an atmosphere (or: He ascended into heaven).
Chapter 16
1. Now yet also, I will proceed telling you folks concerning the sanctuary of the temple (shrine; = the holy place and the holy of holies), seeing that these miserable (distressed; wretched) men, being continuously deceived and led astray, place their expectation (or: placed expectant hope) into the building, as being a House of God, and not upon their God - the One making (forming; producing) them! [note: the aorist tenses of this passage can be rendered in English as either simple present tenses, or as simple past tenses (the aorist is characterized as an "indefinite" or "fact" tense, or one that gives a point of time "snapshot" of the action); if read as present, then this passage may indicate a pre-AD 70 date as the period of the letter's origin; if read as past, then it would indicate a post-AD 70 date]
2. You see, almost like the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the pagans; the Gentiles), they officiate(d) as priests and consecrate(d) Him within the sanctuary (centered in the shrine; in union with the holy place). In contrast, how is [the] Lord then speaking of proceeding in idling it down to be useless (making it unemployed; discharging it as barren; abolishing it; nullifying it)? You folks must learn.
"Who measured the sky (heaven; atmosphere) with a span, or the earth with a hand? [Is it] not I, Myself?" [the] LORD continues saying. "The sky (atmosphere; heaven) [is] a throne for Me, but the earth [is] a footstool of My feet. What sort of house will you folks proceed building for Me, or what [is] a place of My stopping and resting?" [cf Isa. 40:12; 66:1]
You folks have come to know by experience that their hope and expectation [is/was] groundless and fruitless.
3. In the end, though, He again continues saying,
"Look and consider! The people at some point pulling the sanctuary of this temple (= holy place and holy of holies) down will themselves be progressively building it (or: will keep on building it as a house)."
4. It is progressively happening (occurring; coming to be; birthing itself). You see, because of the [situation for] them to go to war, it is (or: was) pulled down by the hated people (or: hostile forces; = Gentiles?). Now even the very servants (or: subordinates) from among the hated people (or: hostile forces; = Gentiles?) will progressively rebuild (or: will continue building [it] up again).
5. And so it was shown in clear Light (or: is caused to be seen; made visible; made to appear; manifested): the sanctuary of the temple of Israel (Israel's shrine: the holy place) is to be progressively given over [comment: note the present infinitive], for the Writing (Scripture) continues saying,
"And so [the] LORD (= Yahweh) will proceed handing over the sheep of the pasture and the sheep-fold, even their tower, into complete destruction and ruin."
And thus it comes to be (or: it happened) according to what [the] LORD spoke. [comment: note the aorist infinitive]
6. Now we should inquire whether there is a sanctuary of the temple (shrine and holy place) of God. There is! Wherever He Himself continues saying to continue producing and to keep on calving (or: to progressively create and to continue knitting together; to keep on doing and to repeatedly adjust)! For you see, it has been, and now continues, written:
"And there will continue being, during the bringing of the ends of the goal (consummation; joint-accomplishing and concluding) of the week together, [that] a sanctuary (shrine; holy place and holy of holies) of, and from, God will progressively be formed gloriously (built as a House in a manifestation of praise and in an assumed appearance) upon the Name of [the] Lord." [Dan. 9:24]
7. Therefore, I continue finding that there is (there continues being) a sanctuary of the temple. How, then, will it be progressively formed (built as a House) upon the Name of [the] Lord? You folks must learn!
Before the [situation for] us to continue trusting (faithing in loyalty) in, and by, God, the settled dwelling place of our heart continued being subject to ruin, decay and corruption (perishable) and without strength (weak; feeble) - truly (really) like a sanctuary (shrine) being built by hand that continues being full (or: filled), indeed, with idolatry - and continued being a house of demons (from animistic influences; [note: a Hellenistic concept and term from animistic religions]) through the [situation or tendencies] to keep on doing as much as continued being contrary, and in a position opposed, to God.
8. Yet, it will continue being built upon the Name of [the] Lord. Now hold yourselves toward this and pay attention: that the sanctuary (temple shrine; holy places) of the Lord is being built gloriously (in a manifestation which calls forth praise; with an assumed appearance). How? You must learn! In and by receiving the flowing away of failures to hit the target (the divorce from sins and release from mistakes; the liberation from deviations), and with placing expectation upon the Name, we were birthed to be new people (or: we have come to be new folks), from the midst of a beginning: people formed and created again from a state of disorder and wildness and framed to be founded and established! Because of this, in union with our settled habitation (centered in our permanent dwelling place), God truly and really continues permanently dwelling and living His life within us (centered in us; in union with us; in our midst)!
9. How? The Logos of His faithfulness (or: His Word from the Trust; The patterned Information which is His Faith; The Conveyance of the Message of His loyalty); His calling of and from the Promise (or: the calling which is His promise); the wisdom of the results from the Way pointed out (the effects of being turned in the right direction and placed in rightwised relationships of covenant participation); the imparted goals (implanted destinies; inner directives) of, and from, the teaching; He Himself continuously giving Light ahead of time (prophesying) within us; He Himself continuously dwelling within (in union with and centered in) us, as His permanent abode, while continuously opening up in us, to us, and for us - the ones having been enslaved in the Death (with and by the Death) - the Gate of the sanctuary (the Door of the temple shrine, or, holy place), which is a Mouth, [and then] in giving to us, and by granting for us, a change of mind (perspective; way of thinking; attitude), He progressively leads and brings us into the incorruptible (into the midst of the imperishable) sanctuary of the temple which cannot be ruined.
10. It follows that the person continually desiring and intending to be delivered (made whole; rescued; saved; kept safe) CONTINUES LOOKING not unto the human (or: to mankind), BUT RATHER unto the ONE within him (in union with and centered in him) - [Who is] continuously abiding (being permanently settled down to live) and constantly speaking upon him - while REPEATEDLY BEING AMAZED at the thing never (not even at any time) heard: neither the gush-effects (results from the flow; things spoken) of (from; with regard to) patterned information being laid out (thoughts, ideas or a message being spoken) from the mouth, nor yet [what] he at some time fully desired to continue hearing! THIS is (continually exists being) a spiritual sanctuary of the temple (a set-apart, sacred and holy place or sphere having the quality, character and essence of a Breath-effect) being continuously built (progressively erected as a House) in, by, with and for the Lord!
Chapter 17
1. In so far as I was being in union with ability and simplicity (centered in power and frankness) to explain and clarify to, and for, you folks, my soul, in my full, rushing passion, continues expectantly hoping that I have not left aside (omitted) anything pertaining (relating) unto deliverance (salvation; rescue; wholeness; safety; healing).
2. You see, if I continue writing to you folks concerning the things continuing in standing within the present (the now), or of imminent things (things progressively about to be), under no circumstances could you folks direct your minds so as to perceive or understand through the thing normally (or: presently; habitually) lying (or: stored; situated) within the midst of (or: centered in) parables (illustrations cast at the side). These things [are] indeed thus (this way).
Chapter 18
1. Now let us change our steps and pass on, even upon a different intimate, experiential knowledge (or: insight; gnosis) and teaching. There continue being two roads (paths; ways) of teaching (instruction; training) and privilege from out of Being (or: right from authority) [cf Didaché chapters 1-5] - the one of the Light, and the one of the Darkness. Now [the] differences of the two roads (paths; ways) [are] much (abundant). You see, upon which, on the one hand, there continue being folks having been stationed (placed and arranged} [that are] God's agents that bring Light to the path, and guide with Light (or: folks with the Message who bear the Light from God. Yet on the other hand [is the road or path] upon which [are] agents of, and folks with the message from, the adversary (opponent; or, traditionally, satan).
2. And so, on the one hand, is the Lord - from [the] ages, on into the midst of the Age [of Messiah] - yet on the other hand, [is] the ruler of the present (now) season (or: situation) of the lawlessness.
Chapter 19
1. Therefore, the Road (Path; Way) of the Light is THIS: should someone continue wanting, keep on intending and be repeatedly willing to progressively journey [the] Route and make one's way on to the Place (or: region; position; space; location; occasion) marked out and determined (bounded, fixed and appointed), he or she should urge on industriously, with eager haste, in (with; for; to; by) his or her works (deeds; actions). Consequently, the knowledge and insight being given to, for and in us, with a view to progressively walking about (= living our lives) within it, is such as (or: like) this:
2. You will continue urging toward reunion with, and will be progressively loving the One producing (forming; creating; making) you. You will be made to keep on revering and to continue respecting (or: fearing) the One fashioning and shaping you. You will continue giving a good reputation to (glorifying; having a positive opinion of; producing a manifestation which calls forth praise to) the One releasing you out of death. You will continue being single (without folds; simple; non-complex; open; sincere; guileless; straightforward) in the heart, and yet wealthy in spirit and with Breath-effect. You will not continue being closely joined or glued or united with the folks habitually traveling in a road (or: way) of death (or: a path from Death).
You will continue hating (regarding with ill-will) everything that is not pleasing to God or satisfying for God. You will continue hating (regarding with ill-will) all judging from a low position (hypercriticism; hair-splitting legalistic nit-picking; pedantic behavior; or, a later meaning: hypocrisy). You should by no means abandon (leave down within the midst) implanted goals from [the] Lord (imparted, purposed-ends which pertain to [the] Lord; inner directives of, and from, [the] Master). [note: most of the verbs in this chapter are in the future indicative (a durative tense), not in the imperative; thus these are promises, not commands]
3. You will not keep on lifting (exalting; elevating) yourself up high, but you will continue being humble-minded in relation to all things (oriented toward the lowly, with respect to all people). You will not keep on lifting or taking up glory (a reputation; credit; an appearance; a presumption; something imagined) upon yourself. You will not continue taking or receiving a misery-gushed resolution (a worthless design; an unsound decision; a bad plan) against your associate (neighbor; near one). You will not keep on giving arrogance, insolent boldness or rashness to your soul.
4. You will not continue being sexually promiscuous, prostituting yourself, being unfaithful (fornicating) or participate in idolatry. You will not keep on committing adultery. You will not continue abusing or molesting children. Under no circumstances should the Logos (Word; conveyance of the Message; patterned Information; Thought; Idea) of, or from, God go forth from any folks centered in what is not lifted from having been down (in union with uncleanness, defilement or un-lifted down-ness or contrariness; or: come out of any people within the midst of worthless waste or impureness [such as decayed flesh]).
You will not continue receiving the face (showing favoritism or making a difference between people; using a double standard) to reprove or correct someone, upon the result of a fall to the side (on the effect of a false step or a stumbling aside; at an offense or a trespass). You will continue being gentle and considerate. You will keep on being quiet, tranquil and at rest! You will habitually tremble with awe at the words (logoi; conveyances of information; messages; thoughts; ideas) which you heard. You will not continue remembering anything ugly, of bad quality, or as it ought not to be, about your brother (or: bearing a grudge about the one from the same womb as you).
5. Under no circumstance should you be two-souled (double-minded; undecided; wavering; doubting) whether a thing will proceed being (something will continue existing), or not.
"Under no circumstance should you take the Name of [the] LORD (= Yahweh) on a meaningless, useless, fruitless or unprofitable [matter or situation]." [Ex. 20:7]
You will progressively urge toward reunion with your associate (continuously accept your neighbor; habitually love the one near you) over (or: more than) your soul! You will not proceed (or: keep on) killing a child, in abortion (or: in corruption, damage or deterioration), nor even, again, after being born, kill it off. Under no circumstance should you remove, or take away, your hand from your son or your daughter, but to the contrary, you will, from [their] youth, progressively teach respect of God (or: reverential fear, from God).
6. "Under no circumstance should you come to be progressively rushing upon (continuously overly-passionate about; constantly having strong impulse toward or over-desire for) the things of, or belonging to, your associate (neighbor; person near you)." Under no circumstance should you come to be a person who has more than another (or: someone with more than his or her share; greedy; or: one who defrauds for the sake of gain). Neither will you, from out of your soul, continue joined to, or glued with, proud or haughty people, or with folks of high cultic position, but in contrast, you will continue being turned back to engage with lowly folks and to be involved with just folks. You will continue receiving, accepting and welcoming the results of experiences (the effects from inner operations and implanted workings) repeatedly walking together with you (or: constantly happening to you) as good, fair and virtuous, from having seen, and thus knowing, that apart from God nothing comes to be (or: that not even one thing is happening or transpiring without God).
7. You will not continue being with divided-knowing or existing from a divided will (or: decision), nor [being] of a double tongue (or: from deceit). You will habitually station (set; place) under, to give submissive support to masters (for owners; among lords; with employers), as a copy of God (a type and pattern from God; a beaten image, which reflects God): centered in shame and respectful fear (in union with modesty and respect). Under no circumstance in bitterness set upon (give instructions or orders centered in harshness or animosity to) your slave or female servant - for those folks continually place expectation (or: expectant hope) upon the same God - lest in some way they will proceed not caused to fear or respect the God [that is] upon both parties, because He did not come to call with respect of persons (corresponding to surface presentation; according to a face; with regard to reputation), but to the contrary, [to call] upon those whom the Spirit prepared (or: whom the Breath-effect made ready).
8. You will progressively have common being and existence with your associate in all things (or: will continue sharing, fellowshipping and being in alliance with your neighbor), and so you will not continue saying things to continue being your own. For since you folks continue being partners of a common existence (sharers of common being) within the incorruptible and imperishable, how much more within the corruptible and perishable? You will not continue being talkative or quick to speak, for it follows that the mouth [is] a snare of death (or: a trap from death, and which is death). So far as you continue able and with power, you will progressively be clean over [situations; areas] of your soul (or: will continue pure, on behalf of your inner person).
9. "Do not continue becoming on the one hand a person constantly stretching out the hands to repeatedly receive (or: take), yet on the other hand a person constantly pulling back and drawing the hands together toward the [situation for] giving." [Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 4:31]
You will continue urging toward reunion with, and habitually accept with constant love - as an apple of your eye - all people continuing in speaking the Logos from [the] Lord to you (or: constantly proclaiming the Word of [the] Lord for you; repeatedly telling the patterned Information of the Message with you).
10. Night and day you will continue remembering (calling to mind, thinking about, giving careful consideration to and mentioning) a day of examining, deciding about, or judging (or: a deciding day), and so daily keep on seeking out and searching for the faces (= personal presence) of the set-apart folks. Or, through a word (or: by means of a thought or a conveyance of patterned information), after continuing tired and weary from laboring and then progressively journeying on into the midst of release from your failures (mistakes; failures to hit the target), you will not keep on hesitating from [receiving] a reward from an ideal Recompenser (a beautiful One who gives away something instead; a fine Rewarder; an ideal One who gives back, in return or replacement). [note: in the second half of the verse, the text may be defective; Lightfoot reads:
"Thou shall not hesitate to give, neither shalt thou murmur when giving, but thou shalt know who is the good paymaster of thy reward."]
11. You will continue guarding, watching over and taking care of that which you take to your side, neither adding nor taking away. You will constantly hate the misery-gushed (the unsound; the painful; the unprofitable; the bad condition; the unserviceable), on unto maturity (into the midst of [the] final act; unto an end; unto a finished product). You will continually decide justly and in accord with the Way pointed out (or: You will repeatedly evaluate from a rightwised paradigm; You will habitually be judging fairly and from being in covenant).
12. You will not continue making an effect of tearing apart (a result of splitting; a division; a schism), but you will keep on joining and progressively bringing or making peace, while constantly bringing together those continually fighting, quarreling or disputing. You will go on making grateful acknowledgements upon your failures to hit the target (or: admitting and giving thanks upon your mistakes, errors and sins; speaking from sameness with a view to your deviations). You will not continue approaching upon a thought, word or act with a view toward having goodness, ease or well-being (or: come to prayer) in a misery-gushed (unsound; unserviceable; painful; bad-conditioned) conscience.
THIS is, and continues being, the Road (Path; Way) of the Light!
Chapter 20
1. Now the road (path; way) of the dark and murky is (continues being) crooked (bent; winding) and filled with (or: full of; thoroughly characterized by) negative prayers (down-oriented wishes; curses). It is (continues being) a road (path; way) of death for an unspecified period of time (or: of life-long death; or: which is death with regard to the Age [of Messiah]; or: from death characterized by this age), together with corresponding retribution (or: accompanied by compensating help on the side of, and with aid for, those who have been attacked or have suffered injury), within (or: on) which are, and continue being, the things constantly loosing-away of (or: repeatedly destroying; progressive losing from) their soul: idolatry; arrogant boldness (rash insolence; recklessness); pride of ability (exaltation or haughtiness of power); judging from a low position (hyper-criticism; hair-splitting legalistic nit-picking; pedantic behavior); double-heartedness (duplicity); adultery; murder; seizure (snatching-away; plunder; rape); conceit (or: over-display); sorcery (magic art); desire for advantage so as to gain more; a lack of reverence of, and a lack of respect for, God (or: without fear from God).
2. [Such folks are] pursuers and persecutors of good and virtuous people; [they are] haters of truth and reality - folks constantly accepting what is false, and habitually loving a lie (or: [the] Lie), while not continuing on to experientially know a reward from the Way pointed out (a recompense from eschatological deliverance and being pointed in the right direction; a compensation which is justice in rightwised, covenantal relationships), while not continually joining themselves to [the] good, being glued into virtue, or associating with a well-born person; no deciding for right or justice (no interpreting within the Way pointed out; no evaluating with rightwisedness; no judging by the right Path).
[They are] not habitually holding themselves toward, nor paying attention to, nor being concerned about (= ignoring) widow and orphan; not continuing awake and watchful unto God's reverence and respect (or: a reverent fear from God), but rather (but to the contrary) [watchful] upon the misery-gushed and useless (the bad condition and unserviceable), from whom gentleness (mildness; meekness) and patient remaining-under, to give support, [are] distant (or: aloof) and far away. [They are] constantly accepting and loving empty and meaningless things (vain, worthless and "nothing" things), while habitually pursuing the effect of repayment (the result of a rendering in return), [yet] not normally being merciful to (doing acts of mercy for) [the] destitute and impoverished.
[They are] not normally working hard or toiling on behalf of a person that is oppressed, weary and born-down from toil, or a situation that is worn out or oppressed, [and yet are] easily inclined, and prone, in negative talking (or: slander; gossip; down-saying), yet not normally knowing the person making (or: fabricating; producing) them. [They are] murderers of children; decayers and corruptors of a result of a molding of God (or: ruiners of God's formed image), folks continually turning away from the person in need, while constantly oppressing the distressed (squeezed; troubled; restricted and afflicted) person. [They are] paracletes of rich folks (lawyers, advocates, aids and encouragers of wealthy people); unjust judges of poor folks; folks missing the mark (deviating; failing; erring; sinning) in all things!
Chapter 21
1. Therefore, after progressively learning the effects of the Way pointed out (the results of what is right and just; the effects of relationships that are turned in the right direction) from the LORD (= Yahweh; or: which are the Lord [= Christ]; or: the Lord's Way-effects and Path-results), it is, and continues being, beautiful, fine and ideal to habitually walk about (= constantly live one's life) centered in them (in union with them) - as many as have been written, [above]. For it follows that the person habitually doing (continually performing; constantly producing) these things will progressively be esteemed within God's reign (or: will repeatedly be given an assumed appearance in the sovereign activities of God; will constantly be given a manifestation which calls forth praise, within the midst of the kingdom of God; will progressively be given a good reputation, in union with the sovereign influence from God).
The person constantly choosing (repeatedly selecting) those [other] things will keep on mutually destroying himself, along with his works (or: will progressively lose himself, together with the deeds from him). Through this one [is] resurrection (a standing back up, again); through that one [is] a result of a corresponding giving back in repayment (or: On account of this [is] resurrection; on account of this [is] an effect of a reward, or a requital).
2. I repeatedly ask those continuing in having a higher station (or: constantly holding [position or power] above [others]): if you folks continue receiving any advice or counsel of good intention from me (or: of virtuous motive and purpose from me), continue holding with yourselves those unto whom you folks can perform the ideal (or: habitually keep among you those in the midst of whom you folks would yourselves cultivate the beauty; keep on possessing with yourselves the fine, unto which you folks should work) - do not leave [them] out, or leave [this] undone.
3. The LORD (= Yahweh; or: the Lord [=Christ]) [is] near (close enough to touch, and available), and the reward which is Him (or: and so [is] His reward, or the wages from Him). [Isa. 40:10; Rev. 22:12]
4. Yet also, I keep on asking of you folks: progressively come to be good custom-setters (virtuous placers of normal patterns; excellent lawgivers) among yourselves. You continue remaining faithful advisors and trusted counselors of yourselves: eliminate all judging from a low position (hyper-criticism; hair-splitting legalistic nit-picking; pedantic behavior) from among you folks.
5. Now may God, the One constantly functioning as (or: being; performing as) Lord and Master of all the aggregate of humanity and of all the ordered system (or: from all the arranged universe), give to you folks wisdom, understanding, skill from being versed in knowing how, insight and intimate, experiential knowledge of the effects of His Way that has been pointed out (the results of what is right and just from Him; the effects of relationships that are turned in the right direction, which is Him), [and] patience (remaining under [situations] in order to give support).
6. So continue coming to be folks instructed and taught by God, constantly seeking out what [the] Lord continually seeks, or desires, from you folks, and then keep on doing (progressively produce; habitually perform) to the end that you folks would be found in union with a day from a deciding (or: centered in a day of evaluation; resident within [the] Day, which is judging).
7. Now if there continues being any remembrance of good (or: from [the] excellent; which is virtue), you folks call me to mind (remember me) when taking thought of, studying, attending, exercising or practicing these things, so that also the full-rushing passion and complete desire - as well as the wakeful care - can lead unto, and would reach into, something good and excellent. I continue asking you folks, begging a favor!
8. So long as the beautiful, ideal vessel (= the body) continues being with you folks, do not leave even one of them out, or leave even one of them undone, but further, embracingly (in holding together with accompanying maintenance; with keeping [things; yourselves] from falling apart; with sequestering) keep on seeking and searching out these very things and progressively make complete (make full; fill up; fulfill) every implanted goal (impartation of the finished product, within; internal directive), for it follows that He is worthy (or: for you see, this is of equal value and comparable worth).
9. Because of this, I was more eager to write [to you], from what I was made able, unto (with a view to) the [situation for] you to be in a healthy frame of mind, with a good attitude. O children of love (or: from the drive toward accepted reunion, which is from the full giving of Self to you) and of peace from the Joining, you folks are being progressively delivered (repeatedly rescued and kept safe; continuously saved; habitually made whole).
The LORD of the glory and of all grace (The Master of the manifestation which calls forth praise and of every favor; The Owner, from this assumed appearance and entire act producing happiness; [= Yahweh] who has the good reputation as well as every grace) [is] with your [corporate] spirit (or: [is] in the company of, in the presence of, and [is] with the spirit of you folks; [continues being] on the side of the breath-effect from you folks)!
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