Assumption of Moses 2:1-9

¹For thus the Lord speaks: he created the world on behalf of his people, but he was not pleased to reveal this purpose of creation from the beginning of the world, so that the Gentiles might thereby be convicted, indeed that to their own humiliation they might by their arguments convict one another.

²Accordingly he designed and devised me, and he prepared me before the foundation of the world, that I should be the mediator of his covenant.

³And now I declare to you that the time of the years of my life is fulfilled, and I am passing away to sleep with my fathers, even in the presence of all the people.

⁴Receive this writing, that you may know how to preserve the books which I shall deliver to you.

⁵You shall set these in order and anoint them with oil of cedar and put them away in earthen vessels in the place which he made from the beginning of the creation of the world.

⁶For the Lord has made this known to me, saying: Moses, the books of my law shall be kept and shall be renewed and guarded by the holy people.

⁷But when the time of his coming draws near, he will arise and go into the holy land and will exercise judgment there.

⁸And he shall judge all the peoples as I have told you, just as it is written in the books concerning all that shall befall this people and the land.

⁹And after these things the Lord will appear to punish the Gentiles, and he will destroy all their idols.