"All who are in the heavens know the work.
"They know that the heavenly luminaries change not their paths; that each rises and sets regularly, every one at its proper period, without transgressing the commands which they have received. They behold the earth, and understand what is there transacted, from the beginning to the end of it.
"They see that every work of God is invariable in the period of its appearance. They behold summer and winter; perceiving that the whole earth is full of water; and that the cloud, the dew, and the rain refresh it.
"They consider and behold every tree, how it appears to wither, and every leaf to fall off, except of fourteen trees, which are not deciduous; which wait from the old, to the appearance of the new leaf, for two or three winters.
"Again they consider the days of summer that the sun is upon it at its very beginning; while you seek for a covered and shady spot on account of the burning sun; while the earth is scorched up with fervid heat, and you become incapable of walking either upon the ground or upon the rocks in consequence of that heat.
"They consider how the trees, when they put forth their green leaves, become covered, and produce fruit; understanding every thing, and knowing that He lives for ever does all these things for you.
"That the works at the beginning of every existing year, that all his works, are subservient to him, and yet as invariable; yet as God has appointed, so are all things brought to pass.
"They see, too, how the seas and the rivers together complete their respective operations:
"But you endure not patiently, nor fulfill the commandments of the Lord; but you transgress and caluminate his greatness; and malignant are the words in your polluted mouths against his Majesty.
"Ye withered in heart, no peace shall be to you!
"Therefore your days shall you curse, and the years of your lives shall perish; perpetual execration shall be multiplied, you shall not obtain mercy.
"In those days shall you reign your peace with the eternal maledictions of all the righteous, and sinners shall perpetually execrate you;
"Shall execrate you with the ungodly.
"The elect shall possess light, joy, and peace; and they shall inherit the earth.
"But you, ye unholy, shall be accursed.
"Then shall wisdom be given to the elect, all of whom shall live, and not again transgress by impiety or pride; but shall humble themselves, possessing prudence, and shall not repeat transgression.
"They shall not be condemned the whole period of their lives, nor die in torment and indignation; but the sum of the days of their life shall be completed, and they shall grow old in peace; while the years of their happiness shall be multiplied with joy, and the peace for ever, the whole duration of their existence."
-The Book of Enoch, from the Ethiopic, Chapters 3-6.
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