1. But now I swear to you, ye righteous, by the greatness of his
splendour and his glory; by his illustrious kingdom and by his majesty,
to you I swear, that I comprehend this mystery; that I have read the
tablet of heaven, have seen the writing of the holy Ones, and have
discovered what is written and impressed on it concerning you.
2. _I have seen_ that all goodness, joy, and glory has been prepared for
you, and been written down for the spirits of them who die eminently
righteous and good.[286] To you it shall be given in return for your
troubles; and your portion _of happiness_ shall far exceed the portion
of the living.
3. The spirits of you who die in righteousness shall exist and rejoice.
Their spirits shall exult; and their remembrance shall be before the
face of the mighty One from generation to generation. Nor shall they now
fear disgrace.
4. Woe to you, sinners, when you die in your sins; and they, who are
like you, say respecting you, Blessed are these sinners. They have lived
out their whole period;[287] and now they die in happiness[288] and in
wealth. Distress and slaughter they knew not[289] while alive; in honour
they die; nor ever in their lifetime did judgment overtake them.
5. _But_ has it not been shown to them, that, _when_ to the receptacle
of the dead their souls shall be made to descend, their evil deeds shall
become their greatest torment? Into darkness, into the snare, and into
the flame, which shall burn to the great judgment, shall their spirits
enter; and the great judgment shall take effect for ever and for
ever.[290]
6. Woe to you; for to you there shall be no peace. Neither can you say
to the righteous, and to the good who are alive, In the days of our
trouble have we been afflicted; every _species of_ trouble have we seen,
and many evil things have suffered.[291]