1qsb-rule-blessingsdead-sea-scrolls
Rule of Blessings 3
The Master of the Community pronounces a formal blessing upon the Prince of the Congregation — a figure who holds the covenant of the kingdom and governs with righteousness toward the poor and meek. The blessing draws verbatim on Isaiah 11's portrait of the Davidic Servant: the rod of his mouth, the breath of his lips slaying the wicked, the Spirit of counsel and knowledge and fear of God resting upon him. Iron horns, bronze hooves, nations bowing, an everlasting throne — these are not liturgical ornament but covenant investiture language marking the Prince as the anointed bearer of the Holy Order, raised by Jehovah to stand as ensign and rod over the gathered remnant.
1
Words of blessing pertaining unto the Master — that he may bless the Prince of the Congregation, with whom is the covenant of the Community, that he may renew the covenant of the kingdom of His people for ever, and that he may judge in righteousness the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth, and walk before Him in perfection in all the ways of His commandment.
2
May the Lord raise thee up to an everlasting height; even as a strong tower upon a high wall. May He smite the peoples with the strength of His mouth. With the breath of His lips may He slay the wicked. May He give thee a counsel of strength and an everlasting spirit. May He gird thee with knowledge and faith and truth. May He give upon thy head a diadem in the holy of holies.
3
May He glorify thee with raiment of holiness. May He make horns of iron unto thee, and hooves of bronze. May thy feet trample upon them that hate thee, even upon all the peoples. May thy land flow with all manner of fatness. May the heavens give their dew, and the earth her fruit.
4
May He establish the covenant of the kingdom for ever. May the saints round about thee bless thee. May the kings of the earth make supplication unto thee; and may the great nations bow down unto thy feet.
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May He make thee one that hath authority over the nations; that thou mayest break the wicked from off the earth, with the rod of thy mouth, and the breath of thy lips. May the Spirit of counsel and of everlasting power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of God, rest upon thee.
6
May righteousness be the girdle of thy loins; and faithfulness the girdle of thy waist. May He set thy horns of iron, and thy hooves of bronze. May the heavens be opened unto thee, and the eternal rivers run unto thee. May thy days be without end; and may thy throne stand fast for ever and ever.
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Glory be unto the Lord of hosts, who hath raised up the Prince. Glory be unto the High Priest, who blesseth the people. Glory be unto the holy congregation, that standeth fast in the covenant. Forever and ever. Amen.
