1. In those days the angels shall descend into places of concealment,
and gather together in one spot all who have assisted in crime.
2. In that day shall the Most High rise up to execute the great judgment
upon all sinners, and to commit the guardianship of all the righteous
and holy to the holy angels, that they may protect them as the apple of
an eye, until every evil and every crime be annihilated.
3. Whether _or not_ the righteous sleep securely,[277] wise men shall
then truly perceive.
4. And the sons of the earth shall understand every word of that book,
knowing that their riches cannot save them in the ruin of their crimes.
5. Woe to you, ye sinners, when you shall be afflicted on account of the
righteous in the day of the great trouble; shall be burnt in the fire;
and be recompensed according to your deeds.
6. Woe to you, ye perverted in heart, who are watchful to obtain an
accurate knowledge of evil, and to discover terrors. No one shall assist
you.
7. Woe to you, ye sinners; for with the words of your mouths, and with
the work of your hands, have you acted impiously; in the flame of a
blazing fire shall you be burnt.
8. And now know ye, that the angels shall inquire into your conduct in
heaven; of the sun, the moon, and the stars, _shall they inquire_
respecting your sins; for upon earth you exercise jurisdiction over the
righteous.
9. Every cloud shall bear witness against you, the snow, the dew, and
the rain: for all of them shall be withholden from you, that they may
not descend upon you, nor become subservient to your crimes.
10. Now then bring gifts of salutation to the rain; that, not being
withholden, it may descend upon you; and to the dew, if it has received
from you gold and silver. But when the frost, snow, cold, every snowy
wind, and every suffering belonging to them, fall upon you, in those
days you will be utterly incapable of standing before them.
Footnote 277:
_a deep sleep._