The Book of Enoch 102
Book V The Epistle of Enoch Chapters 91–108 · 2nd - 1st century BCE
Enoch's testament to his children: woes against the wicked and rich, comfort for the righteous, the Apocalypse of Weeks, and a closing appendix on the miraculous birth of Noah.
Dating & manuscripts. The Apocalypse of Weeks is one of the earliest datable parts. Chapters 106-107 (the Birth of Noah) are a later appendix drawn from a separate Noah tradition.
In the manuscripts the Apocalypse of Weeks runs 93:1-10 then 91:11-17; Charles rearranged the verses to restore that order, which is why some editions number these chapters differently.
1 Enoch is an anthology of five distinct works, composed over roughly three centuries.
Terrors of the Day of Judgment
All the luminaries will be affrighted with great fear, and the entire earth will tremble and be alarmed. Themes: Divine Judgment and the Flood
1n those days when He hath brought a grievous fire upon you, Whither will ye flee, and where will ye find deliverance ? And when He launches forth His Word against you Will you not be affrighted and fear ?
2 And all the luminaries shall be affrighted with great fear, And all the earth shall be affrighted and tremble and be alarmed.
3 And all the angels shall execute their commandst And shall seek to hide themselves from the presence of the Great Glory, And the children of earth shall tremble and quake; And ye sinners shall be cursed for ever, And ye shall have no peace.
4 Fear ye not, ye souls of the righteous, And be hopeful ye that have died in righteousness.
5 And grieve not if your soul into Sheol has descended in grief, And that in your life your body fared not according to your goodness, But wait for the day of the judgement of sinners And for the day of cursing and chastisement.
6 And yet when ye die the sinners speak over you: " As we die, so die the righteous, And what benefit do they reap for their deeds ?
7 Behold, even as we, so do they die in grief and darkness, And what have they more than we ? From henceforth we are equal.
8 And what will they receive and what will they see for ever ? Behold, they too have died, And henceforth for ever shall they see no light."
9 I tell you, ye sinners, ye are content to eat and drink, and rob and sin, and strip men naked, and acquire wealth and see good days.
10 Have ye seen the righteous how their end falls out, that no manner of violence is found in them till their death ?
11 "Nevertheless they perished and became as though they had not been, and their spirits descended into Sheol in tribulation."
Did You Know?
All the luminaries will be affrighted with great fear, and the entire earth will tremble and be alarmed.
Angels shall seek to hide themselves from the presence of the Great Glory as the children of earth tremble and quake.
Souls of the righteous who have died in righteousness are urged to fear not and be hopeful despite descending into Sheol in grief.
Sinners speak over the dead righteous claiming that both die in grief and darkness and henceforth remain equal with no light.
Sinners are content to eat and drink, rob and sin, strip men naked, acquire wealth, and see good days.
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Commentary
In brief
The chapter recounts the coming terror for sinners at the fire and Word of judgment when luminaries, earth and angels quake in fear and the wicked are cursed without peace. It comforts righteous souls not to grieve their death in Sheol or the mockery claiming no reward but to await the day of sinners' chastisement.