Posted by PS on December 22, 2004 at 21:20:05:
We'll be in AZ for a few days. Use my mobile number to reach me. :-)
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Try not to worship the giving and receiving nor serve the holiday. Worship the One who descended from on high to humbly suffer for us.
Here are some oldy-moldy selections (literally) for your reading pleasure. Ellipses indicate lacuna (holes in the scrolls). They are indeed very holey...
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Through the crashing waves of death she delivers a male child; through the pains of Sheol there bursts forth from the womb of the pregnant one a Wonderful Counselor with his strength. A male child is safely delivered from the crashing waves.
1QHa - Hodayoth (Thanksgiving Hymns)
Dead Sea Scrolls, Wise Abegg Cook translation
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He will atone for all the children of his generation, and he will be sent to all the children of his people. His word is like the word of the heavens, and his teaching, according to the will of God. His eternal sun will shine, and his fire will burn in all the ends of the earth; above the darkness his sun will shine. Then, darkness will vanish from the earth, and gloom from the globe. They will utter many words against him, and an abundance of lies; they will fabricate fables against him, and utter every kind of disparagement against him. His generation will change the evil... established in deceit and violence. The people will go astray in his days and they will be bewildered.
Do not mourn for him... And God will notice the failings...the uncovered failings... Examine, ask, and know what the dove has asked; do not punish one weakened because of exhaustion and from being uncertain... Do not bring the nail near him. And you will establish for your father a name of joy, and for your brothers you will make a tested foundation rise. You will see it and rejoice in eternal light. And you will not be of the enemy.
4Q541 - Testament of Levi
Dead Sea Scrolls, F. G. Martinez translation
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For the heavens and the earth shall listen to his Messiah, and all that is in them will not turn away from the holy precepts. Be encouraged, you who are seeking the Lord in his service. Will you not, perhaps, encounter the Lord in it, all those who hope in their heart? For the Lord will observe the devout, and call the just by name, and upon the poor he will place his spirit, and the faithful He will renew in His strength. For he will honor the devout upon the throne of eternal royalty, freeing prisoners, giving sight to the blind, straightening out the twisted. Ever shall I cling to those who hope. In his mercy he will judge, and from no-one shall the fruit of good deeds be delayed, and the Lord will perform marvellous acts such as have not existed, just as he said, for he will heal the badly wounded and will make the dead live, he will proclaim good news to the meek and give lavishly to the needy, lead the exiled and enrich the hungry...
4Q521 - Messianic Apocalypse
Dead Sea Scrolls, F. G. Martinez translation