Damascus Document

Opening call — Israel's apostasy, the Righteous Teacher (vv. 1-17)

1Now, therefore, hearken (unto me) all ye who know righteousness, And have understanding in the works of God.

2For He hath a controversy with all flesh, And will execute judgement upon all who despise Him.

3For because of the trespass of those who forsook Him, He hid His face from Israel and from His Sanctuary, And gave them over to the sword.

4But when He remembered the covenant of the forefathers, He left a remnant to Israel And gave them not over to destruction.

5And in the period of the wrath three hundred and ninety years after He had given them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon He visited them], And He made to spring forth from Israel and Aaron A root of His planting to inherit His land, And to grow fat through the goodness of His earth.

6And they had understanding of their iniquity, And they knew that they were guilty men, And had like the blind been groping after the way twenty years.

7And God considered their works; for they sought Him with a perfect heart And He raised them up a Teacher of righteousness To lead them in the way of His heart.

8And He made known to later generations What He had done [to a later generation] to a congregation of treacherous men: Those who turned aside out of the way.

9This was the time concerning which it was written: As a stubborn heifer So hath Israel behaved himself stubbornly:

10When there arose the scornful man, Who talked to Israel lying words, And made them go astray in the wilderness where there was no way, [to bring low the pride of the world].

11So that they should turn aside from the paths of righteousness, And remove the landmark which the forefathers had set in their inheritance:

12So as to make cleave unto them The curses of His covenant, To deliver them to the sword That avengeth with the vengeance of the covenant.

13Because they sought after smooth things, And they chose deceits, And kept watch with a view to lawless deeds.

14And they chose the best of the flock, And justified the wicked, And condemned the righteous:

15And transgressed the covenant, And violated the statute, And attacked the soul of the righteous.

16And all that walked uprightly their soul abhorred, And they pursued them with the sword, And rejoiced in the strife of the people.

17And so the wrath of God was kindled against their congregation, So that He laid waste all their multitude, And their deeds were uncleanness before Him.