Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered - The Preterist Archive

e covered, but by your arbitration (4) [he will go forth] from prison, like . . . And if he receives a loan,
he [repays] (it) quickly in full. O ye, recompense him, for your purse (5) of treasures belongs to the
one you are obliged to, (even if only) for the sake of your neighbors. You will . . . all of your life with
him. (Therefore), quickly return (him) whatever (6) belongs to him; otherwise he will take your purse.
In your affairs, do not compromise your Spirit. Do not exchange your Holy Spirit for any Riches, (7)
because no price is worth [your soul.] Willingly seek the face of him who has authority over your
storehouse, and in his own tongue (8) [speak with him.] In that way will you find satisfaction . . . Do
not forsake your Laws, and keep (secret) your Mysteries. (9) . . . If He assigns His service to you . . .
(don't allow) sleep (to enter) your eyes until you have done it (10) [all . . . d]o not add. If th[ey] are
needy . . . and do not be generous to him. Also, Riches without (11) . . . your [eye] shall see because of
the abundant zeal of (12) . . . By His will, devote yourself to His service, and the Wisdom of His
storehouse (13) . . . you will advise him, and become for him a firstborn son, and he shall love you as a
man loves his only child. (14) Because you . . . [O y]e, do not rely on that . . . and do not stay awake at
night because of your money, (15) [and during the night], continue su[ffer]ing because of it.
Furthermore, do not demean your soul on account of someone who is not worth it, but rather be (16) to
him . . . Do not strike someone who does not have your strength, lest you stumble and greatly
humiliate yourself. (17) . . . your soul with the Goodness of Riches. You will be tilling the wind, and
will serve your lord in vain; so, (18) do not sell your Glory for money, and do not transfer it as your
inheritance, lest your bodily heirs be impoverished. Do not promise them (19) . . . If there are no cups,
do not drink wine, and if there is no food, do not request delicacies. O ye, (20) [. . . If you] lack bread,
do not glory in your poverty. You are needy . . . (21) [Do not] plunder to stay alive, and also, do not
water down (the contents of) a vessel . . . [yo]ur Laws . . .
All the Ways of Truth
Fragment 10 Column 2 (3) So remember that you are needy . . . what you want (4) you shall not find.
In your unfaithfulness, you will . . . He has appointed for you. (5) Do not reach your hand out for it,
lest you be burned, [and] your body be consumed in His fire like . . . Thus He repaid him. (6) But there
will be joy for you if you purify yourself of it. Also, do not take Riches from a man you do not know,
(7) lest it only add to your poverty. If (God) has ordained that you should die in [you]r poverty, so He
has appointed it; but do not corrupt your Spirit (8) because of it. Then you shall lie down with the
Truth, and your sinlessness will He clearly proclai[m to th]em (the recording Angels). As your destiny,
you will inherit (9) [Eternal] bliss. [For] though you are Poor, do not long for anything except your
own portion; and do not be swallowed up by desire, lest you backslide (10) because of it. And if He
restores you, conduct yourself honorably. And inquire among His chidren about the Mystery of
Existence; then you will gain Knowledge of (11) His inheritance and walk in Righteousness, for He
will . . . Do not . . . in all your Ways. Do homage to those who give you Glory, (12) and praise His
Name continually, because out of poverty has He lifted your head, seating you among nobles. (13) He
has given you authority over an inheritance of Glory, so seek His favor continuously. Though you are
Poor, do not say, 'I am penniless, so I cannot (14) seek out Knowledge.' (Rather,) bend your back to all
discipline, and through al[1 Wisdo]m, purify your heart, and in the abundance of your (15) intellectual
potential, investigate the Mystery of Existence. And ponder all the Ways of Truth, and consider all the
roots of Evil. (16) Then you will know what is bitter for a man, and what is sweet for a person. Honor
your father in your poverty (17) and your mother by your behavior. For a man's father is like his arms,
and his mother is like his legs. Surely (18) they have guided you like a hand, and just as He has given
them authority over you and appointed (them) over (your) Spirit, so should you serve them. And just