nd now I swear to you, crafty, as well as simple ones; that you, often contemplating the earth,     Compare

2. you who are men, clothe yourselves more elegantly that married women, and both together more so than unmarried ones, ⁽¹³⁸⁾ everywhere arraying yourselves in majesty, in magnificence, in authority, and in silver: but gold, purple, honour, and wealth, like water, flow away.  (138) Than married women... unmarried ones. Or, "than a woman and more coloured (garments) than a girl..." (Knibb, p. 230).  Compare

3. Erudition therefore and wisdom are not theirs. Thus shall they perish, together with their riches, with all their glory, and with their honours; While with disgrace, with slaughter, and in extreme penury, shall their spirits be thrust into a furnace of fire.    Compare

4. I have sworn to you, sinners, that neither mountain nor hill has been or shall be subservient ⁽¹³⁹⁾ to woman. Neither in this way has crime been sent down to us upon earth, but men of their own heads have invented it; and greatly shall those who give it efficiency be execrated.  (139) Subservient. Literally, "a servant." Perhaps in furnishing them with treasures for ornaments (Laurence, p. 159).  Compare

5. Barrenness shall not be previously inflicted on woman; but on account of the work of her hands shall she die childless.     Compare

6. I have sworn to you, sinners, by the holy and the Great One, that all your evil deeds are disclosed in the heavens; and that none of your oppressive acts are concealed and secret.     Compare

7. Think not in your minds, neither say in your hearts, that every crime is not manifested and seen. In heaven it is daily written down before the Most High.     Compare

8. Henceforwards shall it be manifested; for every act of oppression which you commit shall be daily recorded, until the period of your condemnation.     Compare

9. Woe to you, simple ones, for you shall perish in your simplicity. To the wise you will not listen, and that which is good you shall not obtain.     Compare

10. Now therefore know that you are destined to the day of destruction; nor hope that sinners shall live; but in process of time you shall die; for you are not marked for redemption; But are destined to the day of the great judgment, to the day of distress, and the extreme ignominy of your souls.     Compare

11. Woe to you, obdurate in heart, who commit crime, and feed on blood. Whence is it that you feed on good things, drink, and are satiated? Is it not because our Lord, the Most High, has abundantly supplied every good thing upon earth? To you there shall not be peace.     Compare

12. Woe to you who love the deeds of iniquity. Why do you hope for that which is good? Know that you shall be given up into the hands of the righteous; who shall cut off your necks, slay you, and show you no compassion.     Compare

13. Woe to you who rejoice in the trouble of the righteous; for a grave shall not be dug for you.     Compare

14. Woe to you who frustrate the word of the righteous; for to you there shall be no hope of life.     Compare

15. Woe to you who write down the word of falsehood, and the word of the wicked; for their falsehood they record, that they may hear and not forget folly.     Compare

16. To them there shall be no peace; but they shall surely die suddenly.     Compare