Chapter 64

1 In those days Noah saw that the earth became inclined, and that destruction approached. 2Then he lifted up his feet, and went to the ends of the earth, to the dwelling of his great-grandfather Enoch. 3And Noah cried with a bitter voice, Hear me; hear me; hear me: three times. And he said, Tell me what is transacting upon the earth; for the earth labors, and is violently shaken. Surely I shall perish with it. 4After this there was a great perturbation on earth, and a voice was heard from heaven. I fell down on my face, when my great-grandfather Enoch came and stood by me. 5He said to me, Why have you cried out to me with a bitter cry and lamentation? 6A commandment has gone forth from the Lord against those who dwell on the earth, that their end may come; for they know every secret of the angels, every oppressive and secret power of the devils,100 and every power of those who commit sorcery, as well as of those who make molten images in the whole earth. 7They know how silver is produced from the dust of the earth, and how on the earth the metallic drop exists; for lead and tin are not produced from earth, as the primary fountain of their production. 8There is an angel standing upon it, and that angel struggles to prevail. 9Afterwards my great-grandfather Enoch seized me with his hand, raising me up, and saying to me, Go, for I have asked the Lord of spirits respecting this perturbation of the earth; who replied, On account of their impiety have their innumerable judgments been consummated before me. Respecting the moons have they inquired, and they have known that the earth will perish with those who dwell upon it,101 and that to these there will be no place of refuge for ever. 10They have discovered secrets, and they are those who have been judged; but not you my son. The Lord of spirits knows that you are pure and good, free from the reproach of discovering secrets. 11He, the holy One, will establish your name in the midst of the saints, and will preserve you from those who dwell upon the earth. He will establish your seed in righteousness, with dominion and great glory and from your seed shall go forth a spring of righteousness and holy men without number for ever.