2 Baruch 6

1And it came to pass on the morrow that, lo! the army of the Chaldees surrounded the city, and at the time of the evening, I, Baruch, left the people, and I went forth and stood by the oak.

2And I was grieving over Zion, and lamenting over the captivity which had come upon the people.

3And lo! suddenly a strong spirit raised me, and bore me aloft overthe wall of Jerusalem.

4And I beheld, and lo! four angels standing at the four corners of the city, each of them holding a torch of fire in his hands.

5And another angel began to descend from heaven. and said unto them: 'Hold your lamps, and do not light them till I tell you.

6For I am first sent to speak a word to the earth, and to place in it what the Lord the Most High has commanded me.'

7And I saw him descend into the Holy of Holies, and take from there the veil, and holy ark, and the mercy-seat, and the two tables, and the holy raiment of the priests, and the altar of incense, and the forty-eight precious stones, wherewith the priest was adorned and all the holy vessels of the tabernacle.

8And he spoke to the earth with a loud voice: 'Earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the mighty God, And receive what I commit to you, And guard them until the last times, So that, when you are ordered, you may restore them, So that strangers may not get possession of them.

9For the time comes when Jerusalem also will be delivered for a time, Until it is said, that it is again restored for ever.'

10And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up.