E — Wisdom Literature

A Parable of Warning (4Q302)

1This text comprises eighteen badly damaged papyrus fragments palaeographically dated to the end of the second century BCE. The topic of the first fragment seems to be the giant 'good' tree which produces thorns. For the editio princeps, see B. Nitzan, DJD, XX, 135-41. Fr. 2 ii II Sages, reflect on this. If a man has a good tree [which grows] as far as heaven [and its branches reach (?)] to the ex[tremitie]s of the lands, yet it [pr]oduces thorny fruits (?) ... former rain and latter rain ... and in thirst ... ... Fr. 3 ii ... God will avenge Himself on you for your transgression ... your designs and He does not stand up against you to rebuke you, and to dispute with you. God's seat is in heaven and His dominion is over the lands and seas ...