C — Calendars, Liturgies and Prayers

A Liturgical Work (4Q 392-3)

1This is a religious text, possibly liturgical, but strongly reminiscent of the language of the Thanksgiving Hymns. For the editio princeps, see D. Falk, DJD, XXIX, 23-44. Fr. 1 ... each to be united with [G]od and not to depart from a[ll] ... and their soul will cling to His Covenant and ... the words of the mouth of ... The Go[d] ... the heaven above and to search out the ways of the sons of man (leaving) no secret [in their heart(?)]. He created darkness [and l]ight is His, and in His dwelling is the most perfect light, and all gloominess ceases before Him. It is not for Himself the distinction between light and darkness, for He has distinguished them for the sons of man: light during the day by means of the sun; (and during the) night (by means of) moon and stars. The inscrutable light is with Him, and His knowledge is without [end, f]or all the works of God are multiple (?). We who are flesh, should we not consider this? With us ... for countless signs and wonders ... [wi]nds and lightnings ... [s]ervants of the most holy pla[ce]. From before Him proceed the lu[minaries] ... Frs. 2 and 5 (4Q393 1 i) ... [they did not lis]ten to the signs and wonders ... plagues [which no kingdom has seen] until this day and ... He has brought us out [of the

2land of Egypt] without being counted. In the mighty waters he made a path ... the great [abyss] [and He made] him [sin]k like stone in the deep ...

3D. Historical and Apocalyptic Works 'Conquest of Egypt and Jerusalem or Acts of a Greek King', Israel Antiquities Authority