1
After these things, I, Baruk, was standing upon Mount Tziyon. Behold, a voice came from the heights and said to me:
2
Stand upon your feet, Baruk, and hear the Word of the mighty Elohim.
3
Because you were astonished at what befell Tziyon, you shall surely be preserved until the completion of the times, to be a witness.
4
If at any time the cities that prosper say, “Why has the mighty Elohim brought this retribution upon us?”
5
You and those like you who saw this evil shall say to them: This is the retribution coming upon you and your people in the time when the nations are fully disciplined.
6
Then they shall waste away.
7
And if they say at that time, “When?”
8
You shall say to them: You who drank the strained wine, drink also its dregs; for the Judgment of Elyon is without partiality.
9
Therefore He did not first spare His own sons, but afflicted them as though they were His enemies, because they sinned.
10
They were disciplined so that they might be shown compassion.
11
But now, you peoples and nations are guilty, because all this time you trampled the earth and used creation without Righteousness.
12
For I continually did good to you, but you continually denied the Goodness.