4 Baruch

Chapter 1

  1. 1 It came to pass, when the children of Israel were taken captive by the king of the Chaldeans, that God spake unto Jeremiah: Jeremiah, my chosen one, arise and go forth from this city, thou and Baruch; for I will destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of them that dwell therein.
  2. 2 For your prayers are as a firm pillar in the midst of it, and as a wall of adamant compassing it about.
  3. 3 Now therefore arise and go forth, before the host of the Chaldeans compass it about.
  4. 4 And Jeremiah answered, saying: I beseech thee, Lord, suffer me thy servant to speak before thee.
  5. 5 And the Lord said unto him: Speak, my chosen one Jeremiah. And Jeremiah spake, saying: Lord Almighty, dost thou deliver the chosen city into the hands of the Chaldeans, that the king may boast with the multitude of his people and say, I have prevailed against the holy city of God?
  6. 6 Not so, my Lord; but if it be thy will, let it be destroyed by thine own hands.
  7. 7 And the Lord said unto Jeremiah: Since thou art my chosen one, arise and go forth from this city, thou and Baruch; for I will destroy it because of the multitude of the sins of them that dwell therein.
  8. 8 For neither the king nor his host shall be able to enter into it, unless I first open its gates.
  9. 9 Arise therefore and go unto Baruch, and tell him these words.
  10. 10 And at the sixth hour of the night arise and come upon the walls of the city, and I will shew you that, unless I first destroy the city, they cannot enter into it.
  11. 11 When the Lord had said these things, he departed from Jeremiah.