Chapter 48

1 In that place I beheld a fountain of righteousness, which never failed, encircled by many springs of wisdom. Of these 63 ["Shall expel him…the faithful." Or, "will be driven from the houses of his congregation, and of the faithful" (Knibb, p. 132; cp. Charles, p. 131).] 64 [That his patience…endure for ever." Or, "(that) their patience may not have to last for ever" (Knibb, p. 133).] 65 the number. The Book of Enoch the Prophet 47 all the thirsty drank, and were filled with wisdom, having their habitation with the righteous, the elect, and the holy. 2 In that hour was this Son of man invoked before the Lord of spirits, and his name in the presence of the Ancient of days. 3Before the sun and the signs were created, before the stars of heaven were formed, his name was invoked in the presence of the Lord of spirits. A support shall he be for the righteous and the holy to lean upon, without falling; and he shall be the light of nations. 4He shall be the hope of those whose hearts are troubled. All, who dwell on earth, shall fall down and worship before him; shall bless and glorify him, and sing praises to the name of the Lord of spirits. 5Therefore the Elect and the Concealed One existed in his presence, before the world was created, and for ever. 6 In his presence he existed, and has revealed to the saints and to the righteous the wisdom of the Lord of spirits; for he has preserved the lot of the righteous, because they have hated and rejected this world of iniquity, and have detested all its works and ways, in the name of the Lord of spirits. 7For in his name shall they be preserved;66 and his will shall be their life. In those days shall the kings of the earth and the mighty men, who have gained the world by their achievements,67 become humble in countenance. 8For in the day of their anxiety and trouble their souls shall not be saved; and they shall be in subjection to68 those whom I have chosen. 66 Acts 4:12; Romans 10:13 67 by the work of their own hands 68 in the hand of. The Book of Enoch the Prophet 48 9 I will cast them like hay into the fire, and like lead into the water. Thus shall they burn in the presence of the righteous, and sink in the presence of the holy; nor shall a tenth part of them be found. 10But in the day of their trouble, the world shall obtain tranquillity.69 11In his presence shall they fall, and not be raised up again; nor shall there be any one to take them out of his hands, and to lift them up: for they have denied the Lord of spirits, and his Messiah. The name of the Lord of spirits shall be blessed. Chapter 48A 70 1Wisdom is poured forth like water, and glory fails not before him for ever and ever; for potent is he in all the secrets of righteousness. 2But iniquity passes away like a shadow, and possesses not a fixed station: for the Elect One stands before the Lord of spirits; and his glory is for ever and ever; and his power from generation to generation. 3With him dwells the spirit of intellectual wisdom, the spirit of instruction and of power, and the spirit of those who sleep in righteousness; he shall judge secret things. 4Nor shall any be able to utter a single word before him; for the Elect One is in the presence of the Lord of Spirits, according to his own pleasure.