1
When I had spoken these things, I fell asleep there and saw a vision in the night.
2
Behold, a forest of trees was planted in a valley, surrounded by high, rugged, rocky mountains; and the forest occupied a vast place.
3
Opposite it a vine arose, and from beneath it a peaceful spring went out.
4
The spring reached the forest and became great waves. The waves overflowed that forest, suddenly uprooted most of it, and overthrew all the mountains surrounding it.
5
The height of the forest was humbled, and the summits of the mountains were lowered. The spring became so strong that it left nothing of that great forest except one cedar.
6
It also cast down that cedar and destroyed and uprooted the whole forest, so that nothing remained and even its place was unknown. But the vine came with the spring in great quietness and peace to a place not far from the fallen cedar, and they brought the cedar near to it.
7
Behold, the vine opened its mouth and said to the cedar: Are you not the cedar remaining from the forest of evil? Through you evil persisted and all these years was accomplished, but good never.
8
You strengthened yourself over what was not yours and never showed compassion even upon your own. You extended your rule over those far from you, trapped those drawing near in the snares of your wickedness, and continually exalted yourself as one who could not be uprooted.
9
But now your time has hastened and your appointed season has arrived.
10
Therefore go, cedar, after the forest that departed before you. Become dust with it, and let your dust be mingled together. Sleep now in distress and rest in torment until your last time comes, when you shall return and be tormented still more.