• Torah (T): Shemot (Exodus) 7:1-25
• Prophets (P): Joel 3:9-21
• Apostolic (A): Revelation 11:1-19
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 48:4-8

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Revelation 16:1-7 (T)
• Exodus 17:1-7 (T)
• Deuteronomy 32:12-14; John 2:1-11 (T)
• Psalms 78:32-45 (T)
• Psalms 105:26-31 (T)
• 1 Chronicles 16:12-26 (T)
• Psalms 135:9-18 (T)
• Revelation 11:4-6 (T)
• 1 Kings 13:1-6 (T)
• Exodus 31:1; Deuteronomy 9:10; Luke 11:14-20 (T)
• John 3:1-2; Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15 (T)
• Romans 9:1-32 (A)
• Genesis 15:13-14 (ADD)

RELATED ADDITIONAL READINGS

• 2 Esdras 15:1-27 (T)
• Judith 5:1-12 (T)
• Letter of Jeremiah 1:48-49 (T)
• 2 Maccabees 9:1-12 (T)
• Exodus 7:19 – 8:19 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 2.14.1-3 (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

Shemot (Exodus) 7:1-25

7:1 YHWH said to Moses, “Behold, I have made you as Elohim to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you; and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. 3 I will stiffen Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will lay my hand on Egypt, and bring out my armies, my people the sons of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am YHWH when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the sons of Israel out from among them.” 6 Moses and Aaron did so. As YHWH commanded them, so they did. 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh. 8 YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform [a sign or a]^(LXX) miracle!' then you shall tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a tannin.' ” 10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as YHWH had commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a tannin. 11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments. 12 For they each cast down their rods, and they became tanninim; but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. 13 Pharaoh's heart was strengthened, and he didn't listen to them, as YHWH had spoken. 14 YHWH said to Moses, “Pharaoh's heart is heavy. He refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning. Behold, he is going out to the water. You shall stand by the river's bank to meet him. You shall take the rod which was turned to a nachash in your hand. 16 You shall tell him, ‘YHWH, the Elohim of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. Behold, until now you haven't listened.” 17 YHWH says, “In this you shall know that I am YHWH. Behold: I will strike with the rod that is in my hand on the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. 18 The fish that are in the river will die and the river will become foul. The Egyptians will loathe to drink water from the river.” 7:19 YHWH said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood. There will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.' ” 20 Moses and Aaron did so, as YHWH commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 The fish that were in the river died. The river became foul. The Egyptians couldn't drink water from the river. The blood was throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 The magicians of Egypt did the same thing with their enchantments. So Pharaoh's heart was strengthened, and he didn't listen to them, as YHWH had spoken. 23 Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he didn't even take this to heart. 24 All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they couldn't drink the river water. 25 Seven days were fulfilled, after YHWH had struck the river.

Prophets Portion (P)

Joel 3:9-21

3:9 Proclaim this among the nations: “Prepare for war! Stir up the mighty men. Let all the warriors draw near. Let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ 11 Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves together.” Cause your mighty ones to come down there, YHWH. 12 “Let the nations arouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. 13 Put in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full, the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.” 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of YHWH is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. 16 YHWH will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the land will shake; but YHWH will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. 17 “So you will know that I am YHWH, your Elohim, [who dwells]^(LXX) in Zion, my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and no strangers will pass through her any more. 18 It will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters; and a fountain will flow out from the house of YHWH, and will water the valley of Shittim. 19 Egypt will be a desolation and Edom will be a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. 20 But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. 21 I will [avenge]^(LXX)(Syr) their blood that I have not avenged, for YHWH dwells in Zion.”

Apostolic Portion (A)

Revelation 11:1-19

11:1 A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said,^{^} “Rise and measure the temple of Elohim, and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. 3 I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord^{^}of the earth. 5 If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. 7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord^{^} was crucified. 9 From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations, people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.^{^} 10 Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 After the three and a half days, the breath of life from Elohim entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In that hour^{^} there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the Elohim of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly. 15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah. He will reign forever and ever!” 16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before the throne of Elohim, fell on their faces and worshiped Elohim, 17 saying: “We give you thanks, Lord Elohim, the Almighty, the one who is and who was,^{^} because you have taken your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the holy ones and those who fear your name, to the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” 19 The temple of Elohim that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of His^{^} covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.

Additional Portion (ADD)

Jubilees 48:4-8

Between 1947 and 1956 approximately 15 Jubilees scrolls were found in five caves at Qumran, all written in Hebrew. The large number of manuscripts (more than for any biblical books except for Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Exodus, and Genesis, in descending order) indicates that Jubilees was widely used at Qumran. A comparison of the Qumran texts with the Ethiopic version, performed by James VanderKam, found that the Ethiopic was in most respects an accurate and literalistic translation. Scholars have dated Jubilees to have been written sometime around 160-150 B.C.

48:4 And I delivered thee out of his hand, and thou didst perform the signs and wonders which thou wast sent to perform in Egypt against Pharaoh, and against all his house, and against his servants and his people. 5. And the Lord executed a great vengeance on them for Israel’s sake, and smote them through (the plagues of) blood and frogs, lice and dog-flies, and malignant boils breaking forth in blains; and their cattle by death; and by hail-stones, thereby He destroyed everything that grew for them; and by locusts which devoured the residue which had been left by the hail, and by darkness; and (by the death) of the first-born of men and animals, and on all their idols the Lord took vengeance and burned them with fire. 6. And everything was sent through thy hand, that thou shouldst declare (these things) before they were done, and thou didst speak with the king of Egypt before all his servants and before his people. 7. And everything took place according to thy words; ten great and terrible judgments came on the land of Egypt that thou mightest execute vengeance on it for Israel. 8. And the Lord did everything for Israel’s sake, and according to His covenant, which He had ordained with Abraham that He would take vengeance on them as they had brought them by force into bondage.

Related Scriptures

16:1 I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of Elohim on the land!” 2 The first went, and poured out his bowl into the land, and it became a harmful and painful sore on the people who had the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his image. 3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man. Every living thing in the sea died. 4 The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 I heard the angel of the waters saying, “You are righteous, who are and who were, O Holy One, because you have judged these things. 6 For they poured out the blood of holy ones and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve this.” 7 I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord Elohim, the Almighty, true and righteous are your judgments.”

17:1 All the congregation of the sons of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, starting according to the commandment of YHWH, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test YHWH?” 3 The people were thirsty for water there; so the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” 4 Moses cried to YHWH, saying, “What will I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 YHWH said to Moses, “Walk on before the people, and take the elders of Israel with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You will strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the sons of Israel quarreled, and because they tested YHWH, saying, “Is YHWH among us, or not?”

Deuteronomy 32:12 YHWH alone led him. There was no foreign elohim with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the land. He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil out of the flinty rock; 14 butter from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the finest of the wheat. From the blood of the grape, you drank wine.

John 2:1 The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Yeshua’s mother was there. 2 Yeshua also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding. 3 When the wine ran out, Yeshua’s mother said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 Yeshua said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. 7 Yeshua said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew, the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This beginning of his signs Yeshua did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

78:32 For all this they still sinned, and didn’t believe in his wondrous works. 33 Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror. 34 When he killed them, then they inquired after him. They returned and sought Elohim earnestly. 35 They remembered that Elohim was their rock, the Most High Elohim, their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouth, and lied to him with their tongue. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant. 38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again. 40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert! 41 They turned again and tested Elohim, and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 42 They didn’t remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary; 43 how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan, 44 he turned their rivers into blood, and their streams, so that they could not drink. 45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; and frogs, which destroyed them.

105:26 He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 27 They performed miracles among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark. They didn’t rebel against his words. 29 He turned their waters into blood, and killed their fish. 30 Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the rooms of their kings. 31 He spoke, and swarms of flies came, and lice in all their borders.

16:12 Remember his marvelous works that he has done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, 13 you seed of Israel his servant, you children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14 He is YHWH our Elohim. His judgments are in all the land. 15 Remember his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 16 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his oath to Isaac. 17 He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18 saying, “I will give you the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance,” 19 when you were but a few men in number, yes, very few, and foreigners in it. 20 They went about from nation to nation, from one reign to another people. 21 He allowed no man to do them wrong. Yes, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22 “Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm!” 23 Sing to YHWH, all the land! Display his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples. 25 For great is YHWH, and greatly to be praised. He also is to be feared above all elohim. 26 For all the elohim of the peoples are idols, but YHWH made the heavens.

135:9 He sent signs and wonders into the middle of you, Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his servants. 10 He struck many nations, and killed mighty kings— 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the reigns of Canaan— 12 and gave their land for a heritage, a heritage to Israel, his people. 13 Your name, YHWH, endures forever; your renown, YHWH, throughout all generations. 14 For YHWH will judge his people and have compassion on his servants. 15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they can’t speak. They have eyes, but they can’t see. 17 They have ears, but they can’t hear, neither is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them.

11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the land. 5 If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the heavens, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the land with every plague, as often as they desire.

13:1 Behold, a man of Elohim came out of Judah by the word of YHWH to Bethel; and Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. 2 He cried against the altar by the word of YHWH, and said, “Altar! Altar! YHWH says: ‘Behold, a son will be born to David’s house, Josiah by name. On you he will slaughter the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and they will burn men’s bones on you.’ ” 3 He gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which YHWH has spoken: Behold, the altar will be split apart, and the ashes that are on it will be poured out.” 4 When the king heard the saying of the man of Elohim, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam put out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him!” His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself. 5 The altar was also split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of Elohim had given by the word of YHWH. 6 The king answered the man of Elohim, “Now intercede for the favor of YHWH your Elohim, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again.” The man of Elohim interceded with YHWH, and the king’s hand was restored to him again, and became as it was before.

Exodus 31:18 When he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, he gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant, stone tablets, written with Elohim’s finger.

Deuteronomy 9:10 YHWH delivered to me the two stone tablets written with Elohim’s finger. On them were all the words which YHWH spoke with you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly.

Luke 11:14 He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 16 Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from the heavens. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every reign divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his reign stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if I by Elohim’s finger cast out demons, then the reign of Elohim has come to you.

John 3:1-2; Matthew 4:12-17; Mark 1:14-15 (T)

John 3:1 In those days, Yochanan the Immerser came, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the Reign of Heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make the way of YHWH ready! Make his paths straight!” (cf. Isaiah 40:3)

Matthew 4:12 Now when Yeshua heard that Yochanan was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Nations, 16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.” (cf. Isaiah 9:1-2) 17 From that time, Yeshua began to proclaim, and to say, “Repent! For the Reign of Heaven is at hand.”

Mark 1:14 Now after Yochanan was taken into custody, Yeshua came into Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of Elohim, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the reign of Elohim is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”

Romans 9:1-32 (A)

9:1 I tell the truth in Messiah. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Messiah for my brothers’ sake, my relatives according to the flesh 4 who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Messiah as concerning the flesh, who is over all, Elohim-blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of Elohim has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel. 7 Neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children. But, “your seed will be accounted as from Isaac.” (cf. Genesis 21:12) 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are counted as heirs. 9 For this is a word of promise: “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” (cf. Genesis 18:10; Genesis 18:14) 10 Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. 11 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of Elohim according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.” (cf. Genesis 25:23) 13 Even as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (cf. Malachi 1:2-3) 14 What will we say then? Is there unrighteousness with Elohim? May it never be! 15 For he said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (cf. Exodus 33:19) 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of Elohim who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the land.” (cf. Exodus 9:16) 18 So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires. 19 You will say then to me, “Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against Elohim? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” (cf. Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9) 21 Or hasn’t the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor? 22 What if Elohim, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory— 24 us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Nations? 25 As he says also in Hosea, “I will call them ‘my people,’ which were not my people; and her ‘beloved,’ who was not beloved.” (cf. Hosea 2:23) 26 “It will be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living Elohim.’ ” (cf. Hosea 1:10) 27 Isaiah cries concerning Israel, “If the number of the sons of Israel are as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant who will be saved; 28 for he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work upon the land.”(cf. Isaiah 10:22-23) 29 As Isaiah has said before, “Unless the Lord of Hosts† had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have been made like Gomorrah.” (cf. Isaiah 1:9) 30 What will we say then? That the Nations, who didn’t follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith; 31 but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 even as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed.” (cf. Isaiah 8:14; Isaiah 28:16)

15:13 He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your seed will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years. 14 I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth.”

Additional Readings​

2 Esdras, consisting of chapters 3-14, (also called 4 Esdras, Latin Esdras, or Latin Ezra) is the name of a book in many English versions of the Bible. Its authorship is ascribed to Ezra, a scribe and priest of the 5th century B.C., although modern scholarship places its composition between 70 and 218 A.D. It is reckoned among the apocrypha by Roman Catholics, Protestants, and most Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Ethiopian Church considers 4 Ezra to be canonical, written during the Babylonian captivity, and calls it “Izra Sutuel” (ዕዝራ ሱቱኤል). It was also often cited by the Fathers of the Church. In the Eastern Armenian tradition it is called 3 Ezra.

15:1 Behold, speak you in the ears of my people the words of prophecy, which I will put in your mouth, says the Lord: 2 and cause you them to be written in paper: for they are faithful and true. 3 Don’t be afraid of their imaginations against you, don’t let the unbelief of them that speak against you trouble you. 4 For all the unbelievers will die in their unbelief. 5 Behold, says the Lord, I bring evils upon the whole land; sword and famine, and death and destruction. 6 For wickedness has prevailed over every land, and their hurtful works are come to the full. 7 Therefore says the Lord, 8 I will hold my peace no more as touching their wickedness, which they profanely commit, neither will I suffer them in these things, which they wickedly practice: behold, the innocent and righteous blood cries to me, and the souls of the righteous cry out continually. 9 I will surely avenge them, says the Lord, and will receive to me all the innocent blood from among them. 10 Behold, my people is led as a flock to the slaughter: I will not suffer them now to dwell in the land of Egypt: 11 but I will bring them out with a mighty hand and with a high arm, and will strike Egypt with plagues, as aforetime, and will destroy all the land thereof. 12 Let Egypt mourn, and the foundations thereof, for the plague of the chastisement and the punishment that Elohim will bring upon it. 13 Let the farmers that till the ground mourn: for their seeds will fail and their trees will be laid waste through the blasting and hail, and a terrible star. 14 Woe to the world and those who dwell therein! 15 for the sword and their destruction draws near, and nation will rise up against nation to battle with weapons in their hands. 16 For there will be sedition among men; and waxing strong one against another, they will not regard their king nor the chief of their great ones, in their might. 17 For a man will desire to go into a city, and will not be able. 18 For because of their pride the cities will be troubled, the houses will be destroyed, and men will be afraid. 19 A man will have no pity upon his neighbor, but will make an assault on their houses with the sword, and plunder their goods, because of the lack of bread, and for great suffering. 20 Behold, says Elohim, I call together all the kings of the land, to stir up those who are from the rising of the sun, from the south, from the east, and Libanus; to turn themselves one against another, and repay the things that they have done to them. 21 Just as they do yet this day to my chosen, so I will do also, and recompense in their bosom. The Lord Elohim says: 22 My right hand will not spare the sinners, and my sword will not cease over those who shed innocent blood upon the land. 23 And a fire is gone forth from his wrath, and has consumed the foundations of the land, and the sinners, like the straw that is kindled. 24 Woe to those who sin, and keep not my commandments! says the Lord. 25 I will not spare them: go your way, you° rebellious children, defile not my sanctuary. 26 For the Lord knows all those who trespass against him, therefore has he delivered them to death and destruction. 27 For now are the evils come upon the whole land, and you will remain in them: for Elohim will not deliver you, because you have sinned against him.

The Book of Judith relates the story of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people. This was accomplished “by the hand of a female”—a constant motif meant to recall the “hand” of God in the Exodus narrative. The work may have been written around 100 B.C., but its historical range is extraordinary.

5:1 Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Asshur, was told that the sons of Israel had prepared for war, had shut up the passages of the hill country, had fortified all the tops of the high hills, and had set up barricades in the plains. 2 Then he was exceedingly angry, and he called all the princes of Moab, the captains of Ammon, and all the governors of the sea coast, 3 and he said to them, “Tell me now, you sons of Canaan, who are these people who dwell in the hill country? What are the cities that they inhabit? How large is their army? Where is their power and their strength? What king is set over them, to be the leader of their army? 4 Why have they turned their backs, that they should not come and meet me, more than all who dwell in the west?” 5 Then Achior, the leader of all the children of Ammon, said to him, “Let my lord now hear a word from the mouth of your servant, and I will tell you the truth concerning these people who dwell in this hill country, near to the place where you dwell. No lie will come out of the mouth of your servant. 6 These people are descended from the Kasdim. 7 They sojourned before this in Mesopotamia, because they didn’t want to follow the elohim of their fathers, which were in the land of the Kasdim. 8 They departed from the way of their parents, and did bow down to the Elohim of the heavens, the Elohim whom they knew. Their parents cast them out from the face of their elohim, and they fled into Mesopotamia and sojourned there many days. 9 Then their Elohim commanded them to depart from the place where they sojourned, and to go into the land of Canaan. They lived there, and prospered with gold and silver, and with exceedingly much cattle. 10 Then they went down into Egypt, for a famine covered all the land of Canaan. They sojourned there until they had grown up. They became a great multitude there, so that one could not count the population of their nation. 11 Then the king of Egypt rose up against them, and dealt subtly with them, and brought them low, making them labor in brick, and made them slaves. 12 They cried to their Elohim, and he struck all the land of Egypt with incurable plagues; so the Egyptians cast them out of their sight.

The Letter of Jeremiah, also known as the Epistle of Jeremiah, is included in Catholic Bibles as the final chapter of the Book of Baruch. It is also included in Orthodox Bibles as a standalone book. Some scholars claim that the title of this work is misleading, as they consider it to be neither a letter nor written by the prophet Jeremiah. The date of this work is uncertain. Most scholars agree that it is dependent on certain biblical passages, notably Isaiah 44:9–20, 46:5–7, and thus can be no earlier than 540 B.C. Since a fragment (7Q2) was identified among the scrolls in Qumran Cave 7, it can be no later than 100 B.C.

1:40 How should a man then think and say that they are elohim, when even the Kasdim themselves dishonour them? 41 Who if they will see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and entreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand. 42 Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge. 43 The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken. 44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are elohim? 45 They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be. 46 And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be elohim? 47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after. 48 For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them. 49 How then cannot men perceive that they be no elohim, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?

Unlike 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees was written in Koine Greek, probably in Alexandria, Egypt, c. 124 B.C. It presents a revised version of the historical events recounted in the first seven chapters of 1 Maccabees, adding material from the Pharisaic tradition, including prayer for the dead and a resurrection on Judgment Day.

9:1 Now about that time it befell that Antiochus had returned in disorder from the region of Persia. 2 For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and he assayed to rob a temple and to hold down the city. Whereupon there was an onset of the multitudes, and Antiochus and his men turned to make defense with arms; and it came to pass that Antiochus was put to flight by the people of the country and broke up his camp with disgrace. 3 And while he was at Ecbatana, news was brought him what had happened to Nicanor and the forces of Timotheus. 4 And being lifted up§ by his passion he thought to make the Jews suffer even for the evil-doing of those that had put him to rout. Wherefore, the judgment from the heavens even now accompanying him, he gave order to his charioteer to drive without ceasing and despatch the journey; for thus he arrogantly spoke: I will make Jerusalem a common graveyard of Jews, when I come there. 5 But the All-seeing Lord, the Elohim of Israel, struck him with a fatal and invisible plague; and as soon as he had ceased speaking this word, an incurable pain of the bowels seized him, and bitter torments of the inner parts; 6 and that most justly, for he had tormented other men’s bowels with many and strange sufferings. 7 But he in no wise ceased from his rude insolence; no, still more was he filled with arrogance, breathing fire in his passion against the Jews, and commanding to haste the journey. But it came to pass moreover that he fell from his chariot as it rushed along, and having a grievous fall was racked in all the members of his body. 8 And he that but now supposed himself to have the waves of the sea at his bidding, so vainglorious was he beyond the condition of a man, and that thought to weigh the heights of the mountains in a balance, was now brought to the ground and carried in a litter, showing to all that the power was manifestly Elohim’s; 9 so that out of the body of the impious man worms swarmed, and while he was still living in anguish and pains, his flesh fell off, and by reason of the stench all the army turned with loathing from his corruption. 10 And the man that a little before supposed himself to touch the stars of the heavens, no one could endure to carry for his intolerable stench. 11 Therefore he began in great part to cease from his arrogance, being broken in spirit, and to come to knowledge under the scourge of Elohim, his pains increasing every moment. 12 And when he himself could not stand his own smell, he said these words: It is right to be subject to Elohim, and that one who is mortal should not be minded arrogantly.

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Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 AD in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 AD he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 AD to find the country in revolt against Rome. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the ‘entire world’. His prophecy became true in 68 AD when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Rome and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 AD, the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 AD. The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews contain two references to Yeshua of Nazareth (18.3.3. and 20.9.1.) and one reference to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (18.5.2.).

2.4.1. But when the king despised the words of Moses, and had no regard at all to them, grievous plagues seized the Egyptians; every one of which I will describe, both because no such plagues did ever happen to any other nation as the Egyptians now felt, and because I would demonstrate that Moses did not fail in any one thing that he foretold them; and because it is for the good of mankind, that they may learn this caution—Not to do anything that may displease Elohim, lest he be provoked to wrath, and avenge their iniquities upon them. For the Egyptian river ran with bloody water at the command of Elohim, insomuch that it could not be drunk, and they had no other spring of water neither; for the water was not only of the color of blood, but it brought upon those that ventured to drink of it, great pains and bitter torment. Such was the river to the Egyptians; but it was sweet and fit for drinking to the Hebrews, and no way different from what it naturally used to be. As the king therefore knew not what to do in these surprising circumstances, and was in fear for the Egyptians, he gave the Hebrews leave to go away; but when the plague ceased, he changed his mind again, end would not suffer them to go.

2.4.2. But when Elohim saw that he was ungrateful, and upon the ceasing of this calamity would not grow wiser, he sent another plague upon the Egyptians:—An innumerable multitude of frogs consumed the fruit of the ground; the river was also full of them, insomuch that those who drew water had it spoiled by the blood of these animals, as they died in, and were destroyed by, the water; and the country was full of filthy slime, as they were born, and as they died: they also spoiled their vessels in their houses which they used, and were found among what they eat and what they drank, and came in great numbers upon their beds. There was also an ungrateful smell, and a stink arose from them, as they were born, and as they died therein. Now, when the Egyptians were under the oppression of these miseries, the king ordered Moses to take the Hebrews with him, and be gone. Upon which the whole multitude of the frogs vanished away; and both the land and the river returned to their former natures. But as soon as Pharaoh saw the land freed from this plague, he forgot the cause of it, and retained the Hebrews; and, as though he had a mind to try the nature of more such judgments, he would not yet suffer Moses and his people to depart, having granted that liberty rather out of fear than out of any good consideration.

2.4.3. Accordingly, Elohim punished his falseness with another plague, added to the former; for there arose out of the bodies of the Egyptians an innumerable quantity of lice, by which, wicked as they were, they miserably perished, as not able to destroy this sort of vermin either with washes or with ointments. At which terrible judgment the king of Egypt was in disorder, upon the fear into which he reasoned himself, lest his people should be destroyed, and that the manner of this death was also reproachful, so that he was forced in part to recover himself from his wicked temper to a sounder mind, for he gave leave for the Hebrews themselves to depart. But when the plague thereupon ceased, he thought it proper to require that they should leave their children and wives behind them, as pledges of their return; whereby he provoked Elohim to be more vehemently angry at him, as if he thought to impose on his providence, and as if it were only Moses, and not Elohim, who punished the Egyptians for the sake of the Hebrews: for he filled that country full of various sorts of pestilential creatures, with their various properties, such indeed as had never come into the sight of men before, by whose means the men perished themselves, and the land was destitute of husbandmen for its cultivation; but if any thing escaped destruction from them, it was killed by a distemper which the men underwent also.