Parables 67

¹ He showed me a [great] willow, overshadowing plains and mountains, and under the shadow of the willow all have come who are called by the name of the Lord. (HER) ² And by the willow there stood an angel of the Lord, glorious and very tall, having a great sickle, and he was lopping branches from the willow, and giving them to the people that sheltered beneath the willow; and he gave them little rods about a cubit long. (HER) ³ And after all had taken the rods, the angel laid aside the sickle, and the tree was sound, just as I had seen it. (HER) ⁴ Then I marvelled within myself, saying, "How is the tree sound after so many branches have been lopped off?" The shepherd saith to me, "Marvel not that the tree remained sound, after so many branches were lopped off but wait until thou seest all things, and it shall be shown to thee what it is." (HER) ⁵ The angel who gave the rods to the people demanded them back from them again, and according as they had received them, so also they were summoned to him, and each of them returned the several rods. But the angel of the Lord took them, and examined them. (HER) ⁶ From some he received the rods withered and eaten as it were by grubs: the angel ordered those who gave up rods like these to stand apart. (HER) ⁷ And others gave them up withered, but not grub-eaten; and these again he ordered to stand apart. (HER) ⁸ And others gave them up half-withered; these also stood apart. (HER) ⁹ And others gave up their rods half-withered and with cracks; these also stood apart. (HER) ¹⁰ And others gave up their rods green and with cracks; these also stood apart. And others gave up their rods one half withered and one half green; these also stood apart. (HER) ¹¹ And others brought their rods two parts of the rod green, and the third part withered; these also stood apart. And others gave them up two parts withered, and the third part green; these also stood apart. (HER) ¹² And others gave up their rods nearly all green, but a very small portion of their rods was withered, just the end; but they had cracks in them; these also stood apart. (HER) ¹³ And in those of others there was a very small portion green, but the rest of the rods was withered; these also stood apart. (HER) ¹⁴ And others came bringing their rods green, as they received them from the angel; and the most part of the multitude gave up their rods in this state; and the angel rejoiced exceedingly at these; these also stood apart. (HER) ¹⁵ And others gave up their rods green and with shoots, these also stood apart; and at these again the angel rejoiced exceedingly. (HER) ¹⁶ And others gave up their rods green and with shoots; and their shoots had, as it were, a kind of fruit. And those men were exceeding gladsome, whose rods were found in this state. And over them the angel exulted, and the shepherd was very gladsome over them. (HER)