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← Odes of Solomon

Chapter 23 · English

Odes of Solomon

1Joy is for the holy ones. And who shall put it on but they alone?

2Grace is for the elect ones. And who shall receive it but they who trusted in it from the beginning?

3Love is for the elect ones. And who shall put it on but they who possessed it from the beginning?

4Walk in the knowledge of the Lord, and you will know the grace of the Lord generously; both for His exultation and for the perfection of His knowledge.

5And His thought was like a letter, and His will descended from on high.

6And it was sent like an arrow which from a bow has been forcibly shot.

7And many hands rushed to the letter, in order to catch it, then take and read it.

8But it escaped from their fingers; and they were afraid of it and of the seal which was upon it.

9Because they were not allowed to loosen its seal; for the power which was over the seal was greater than they.

10But those who saw the letter went after it; that they might learn where it would land, and who should read it, and who should hear it.

11But a wheel received it, and it came over it.

12And a sign was with it, of the kingdom and of providence.

13And everything which was disturbing the wheel, it mowed and cut down.

14And it restrained a multitude of adversaries; and bridged rivers.

15And it crossed over and uprooted many forests, and made an open way.

16The head went down to the feet, because unto the feet ran the wheel, and whatever had come upon it.

17The letter was one of command, and hence all regions were gathered together.

18And there was seen at its head, the head which was revealed, even the Son of Truth from the Most High Father.

19And He inherited and possessed everything, and then the scheming of the many ceased.

20Then all the seducers became headstrong and fled, and the persecutors became extinct and were blotted out.

21And the letter became a large volume, which was entirely written by the finger of God.

22And the name of the Father was upon it; and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to rule for ever and ever.

23Hallelujah.

Public-domain English translation