The Babylonian Exile

And over the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of the firmament, the appearance of crystal terrible to behold, and stretched out over their heads above.

And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other, every one with two wings covered his body, and the other was covered in like manner.

And I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, as it were the voice of the most high God: when they walked, it was like the voice of a multitude, like the noise of an army, and when they stood, their wings were let down.

For when a voice came from above the firmament, that was over their heads, they stood, and let down their wings.

And above the firmament that was over their heads, was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of the sapphire stone, and upon the likeness of the throne, was the likeness of the appearance of a man above upon it.

And I saw as it were the resemblance of amber as the appearance of fire within it round about: from his loins and upward, and from his loins downward, I saw as it were the resemblance of fire shining round about.

As the appearance of the rainbow when it is in a cloud on a rainy day: this was the appearance of the brightness round about.

This was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the Lord, and I saw, and I fell upon my face, and I heard the voice of one that spoke, and he said to me: Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak to thee.

And the spirit entered into me after that he spoke to me, and he set me upon my feet: and I heard him speaking to me,

And saying: Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious people, that hath revolted from me, they, and their fathers, have transgressed my covenant even unto this day.

And they to whom I send thee are children of a hard face, and of an obstinate heart: and thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord God:

If so be they at least will hear, and if so be they will forbear, for they are a provoking house: and they shall know that there hath been a prophet in the midst of them.

And thou, O son of man, fear not, neither be thou afraid of their words: for thou art among unbelievers and destroyers, and thou dwellest with scorpions. Fear not their words, neither be thou dismayed at their looks: for they are a provoking house.

And thou shalt speak my words to them, if perhaps they will hear, and forbear: for they provoke me to anger.

But thou, O son of man, hear all that I say to thee: and do not thou provoke me, as that house provoketh me: open thy mouth, and eat what I give thee.

And I looked, and behold, a hand was sent to me, wherein was a book rolled up: and he spread it before me, and it was written within and without: and there were written in it lamentations, and canticles, and woe.

And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

And he said to me: Son of man, eat all that thou shalt find: eat this book, and go speak to the children of Israel.

And I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that book:

And he said to me: Son of man, thy belly shall eat, and thy bowels shall be filled with this book, which I give thee, and I did eat it: and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.

And he said to me: Son of man, go to the house of Israel, and thou shalt speak my words to them.

For thou art not sent to a people of a profound speech, and of an unknown tongue, but to the house of Israel:

Nor to many nations of a strange speech, and of an unknown tongue, whose words thou canst not understand: and if thou wert sent to them, they would hearken to thee.

But the house of Israel will not hearken to thee: because they will not hearken to me: for all the house of Israel are of a hard forehead and an obstinate heart.

Behold I have made thy face stronger than their faces: and thy forehead harder than their foreheads.