Column 1
1 Midrash for the instructor concerning the men of the Torah who volunteer to turn back from all evil and to hold fast to all that he commanded, 2 and to separate from the congregation of the men of iniquity, and to be together in the Torah and in property, answering to the many in every matter 3 of Torah and property; and to practice humility and righteousness and justice and loving [kindness and] walking modestly in all their ways, 4 [so that] no one shall walk in the stubbornness of his heart to go astray, but rather to lay a [foundation] of truth for Israel, for a community for everyone 5 who volunteers for holiness in Aaron and for a house of truth for Israel, and for those who join them for community. And everyone who enters the council of 6 the community shall take upon himself by a bond to [return to] the Torah of Moses with all his heart and with all his soul, everything that is revealed from 7 the Torah, according to the counsel of the men of the community, [and to separate from all the men of] iniquity; and that they shall not touch the purity of the men of 8 holiness, and he shall not eat with him in [community; and that no] man of the men of the community [shall answer] at their word in any 9 [instruction] or judgment; and that [he shall not be joined with him in property or in] work. And no man of the men of holiness shall eat 10 [of their property, and he shall not take anything from their hand.] And they shall not rely on [any] works of vanity, for vanity are all who [do not know] 11 [his covenant. And all who spurn] his word he will destroy from the world, and their works are impurity [before him, and uncleanness is in all their property.] 12 […] … nations, and oaths and bans and vows in their mouth […] 13 […] … […] … […]
Column 2
1 and their deeds in the Torah, at the word of the sons of Aaron who volunteer to establish his covenant and to keep all his statutes that he commanded 2 to be done, at the word of the majority of Israel who volunteer to return in community. And they shall be written each before his fellow in order, each according to his understanding 3 and his deeds in the Torah, so that all obey, each his fellow, the lesser the greater. And they shall examine their spirit and their deeds 4 in the Torah year by year, to promote each according to his understanding or to set him back according to his failings; to reprove each his fellow, and loving kindness. 5 And no one shall speak to his fellow in anger or in complaint or in wicked jealousy. And also, no one shall bring a matter against his fellow before the many 6 unless it is with reproof before witnesses. In these ways they shall walk in all their dwelling places, everyone who is found with his fellow. And [the lesser] shall obey 7 the greater in work and in property. [Together] they shall eat, together they shall bless, and together they shall take counsel. And in every [place where there are ten] 8 men of [the council of the community, there shall not be lacking from] them a priest, [and each] according to his rank shall sit [before him, and so they shall be asked for their counsel in every matter.] 9 And when [they set the table to eat, or the new] wine [to drink, the] priest shall stretch out [his hand first to bless the first portion of the bread] 10 and the new wine. [And there shall not be lacking a man who studies the Torah continually, and the many shall keep] watch [together for a third of all the nights of the year, to read the book]
Column 3
1 each his knowledge [to the council of the community. No one shall speak in the middle of his fellow’s words, and he shall not speak before his rank. And in the session of] 2 the many, no one shall speak [any word that is not at the pleasure of the many. And every man who has a word to speak] 3 to the many, who [is not in the position of the man who asks the counsel of the community …] 4 … […]
Column 5
1 [… and whoever brings out] his hand from [under his garment …]
Column 6
1 [… and] to repay the wicked 2 [their reward. It is the tested wall, the precious cornerstone; its foundations shall not shake nor move from] their place; a most holy dwelling 3 [for Aaron, with the knowledge of them all for a covenant of justice, and to offer a pleasing aroma; and a house of perfection and truth in] Israel, to establish a covenant for eternal statutes. 4 [And they shall be accepted to atone for the land and to decide the judgment of wickedness. When these are established in the] foundation of the community for two years 5 [in perfection of way, with no iniquity, they shall be set apart as holy in the midst of the council of the men of] the community. [And every matter hidden from] Israel and found 6 by the man [who seeks, he shall not hide it from these out of fear of a backsliding spirit.] And when these are [in Israel] they shall separate from [the midst of the dwelling of] 7 the men of [iniquity to prepare the way of him in the wilderness. This is the study of the] Torah which he commanded by the [hand of Moses, to] do all [that is revealed] 8 [time by time, and as the prophets revealed by his holy spirit. And every] man of the men of the covenant of the [community who turns aside from any commandment] 9 [in anything, with a high hand …] 10 [… And according to this judgment for all] 11 [who are added] to the community. [And these are the judgments by which the men of perfect holiness shall walk, each with] 12 [his fellow.] Everyone who [enters the holy council …]
Column 7
1 and they shall separate him from the purity and from the council and from the judgment for two years, and he shall return to study and to council if he has not gone again 2 in error, until two years are complete for him. For one error he shall be punished two years, but for one of a high hand he shall not return again. Only 3 for two years shall he be tested as to the perfection of his way and as to his counsel, at the word of the many, and he shall be written in his rank for the holy community. 4 When these are in Israel for a community according to these rules, to found a spirit of holiness for eternal truth, to atone for the guilt of transgression 5 and the unfaithfulness of sin, and for acceptance for the land, [more than the flesh of] burnt offerings and the fat of sacrifices, and the offerings and the freewill gift of the lips for judgment, like a pleasing aroma of 6 [righteousness, and perfection of] way like a freewill gift [of an acceptable offering]. At that time the house of Aaron shall be set apart for holiness for all … […] God 7 [and a community for] Israel, those who walk in perfection. [Only the sons of] Aaron [shall rule in] judgment and in property. And the property of [the men of holiness] 8 who walk in perfection, [their property] shall not be mixed [with] the property of [the men of deceit] who have not purified [their way …] 9 […] … to walk in [perfection of way, and from any counsel of the Torah they shall not depart,] and they shall be judged by the [first judgments …] 13 [… and a man] according to the purity of [his hands, to bring him near]
Column 8
1 and according to his understanding, to advance him; and so shall be his love along with his hatred. And that no one shall reprove or dispute with the men of the pit, 2 but shall hide his counsel in the midst of the men of iniquity; and shall reprove with true knowledge and righteous judgment the chosen of the way, each according to his spirit and according to the rule of 3 the time, to [guide] them with knowledge, and so to give them insight into the mysteries of wonder and truth in the midst of the men of the community, to walk perfectly each with 4 [his fellow in all that is] revealed to them. That is the time of preparing the way to the wilderness, to give them insight into all that is found to be done. At 5 [this time, to separate] from every man who has not turned his ways from all iniquity. And these are the rules of the way for the instructor in the times, 6 [these, for his love along with] his hatred: eternal hatred toward the men of the pit in a spirit of concealment; and to leave to them property and gain 7 [and the labor of hands, like a slave to the one who rules] over him, and humility before the one who lords over him. And each shall be zealous for the statute and its time, for the day of [vengeance, to do] 8 [what is acceptable in every undertaking of the hands and in] all his dominion, as [he commanded. And all] that is done to him he shall accept as a freewill gift, and apart from the will of [God] 9 [he shall desire nothing; and in all the words of his mouth he shall delight, and he shall not crave anything that] he has not [commanded. And for the judgment of] God he shall watch [always.] 10 [… he shall bless his maker, and in all that happens he shall] recount [… and with the offering of the lips he shall] bless him, with [the times] 11 [that God decreed: at the beginning of the dominion of light, with its turning, when it is] gathered to its decreed dwelling; at the beginning of [the watches of] 12 [darkness, when he opens his storehouse and sets it above; and at its turning, when it is gathered before] the light; when [the lights] shine forth [from the holy] height;
Column 9
1 when they are renewed, a great day for the holy of holies, and a sign for the opening of his eternal kindnesses, 2 at the heads of the seasons in every age that comes to be; at the beginning of months for their seasons, and the holy 3 days in their order, as a memorial in their seasons. [With the offering of] the lips I will bless him, as a statute 4 engraved forever. At the heads of years and at the turning [of their seasons, when the] statute of 5 their order is fulfilled, each day by its rule, one after another: the season [of harvest to summer, and the season of] sowing to the season of 6 grass; the seasons of years to their weeks, [and at the head of] their weeks to the seasons of release. 7 And in all my existence the engraved statute shall be on [my tongue as a fruit of] praise and the portion of my lips. I will sing 8 with knowledge, and all my music shall be for the glory of God, and I will strike my lyre to the order of [his holiness, and the flute of] 9 [my lips I will] raise to the measure of his judgment. With [the coming of] day and night I will enter the covenant of 10 [God, and with the going out of evening and morning I will recite his statutes.] And while they exist I will set 11 [my boundary without turning back. And I will declare his judgment right, according to my perversity, and] my transgressions are before my eyes 12 [like an engraved statute. And to God I will say, “My righteousness,” and to the Most High, “Foundation] of my goodness, source of
Column 10
1 as he teaches [me, and I will be content as he judges me. At the beginning of the undertaking of my hands] 2 and my feet I will bless [his name, and I will bless him before I lift my hand to enrich myself] 3 with the delights of the [produce of the world. At the beginning of fear and dread, and in the place of distress] 4 with [desolation, I will bless him. For his wondrous deeds I will give thanks, and on his might I will meditate, and on his kindnesses] 5 I will lean [all the day. And I know that in his hand is the judgment of every living thing, and truth are all his works.] 6 And when [distress breaks out I will praise him, and in his salvation I will rejoice as well. I will not repay anyone] 7 with an [evil] reward; [with good I will pursue a man. For with God is the judgment of every living thing, and he] 8 will repay [a man his reward …]
Column 12
4 [… and he gave them] an inheritance in the lot [of the holy ones …]
Column 13
1 [… he will] atone 2 [for all] my [iniquities, and in his righteousness he will cleanse me from the impurity of humankind and the sin of the] sons of Adam, 3 [to give thanks to God for] his righteousness […]
Intertextual Commentary on 4Q258
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