UNIT 1. ENTRANCE INTO THE COMMUNITY

INTRODUCTION OF UNIT I

I. 11 ) For [the man of understanding that he may instruct the sai]nts to li[ve according to the ru]le of the community; to seek (2) God with [all their heart] and [all their scull [anal do what is good and right before Him, as (3) He commanded by the hand of Moses and all His servants the Prophets; and to love all 14) that He has chosen and hate all that He has despised; and to depart from all evil (5) and cling to all good works; and to practice truth and righteousness and justice [+A] (6) on earth, and to walk no more in the stubbornness of a guilty heart, nor with lustful eyes (7) committing every kind of evil [-A]; and to cause all the volunteers to enter who wish to practice the precepts of God (8) in the Covenant of Grace, that they may be united in the council of God and behave perfectly before Him <according> to all(9)the revelations concerning their regular feasts; and that they may love all the sons of light, each (10) according to his lot in the Council of God; and that they may hate all the sons of darkness, each according to his faulty (11 ) in the Vengeance of God.

And all the volunteers that cling to His truth shall bring all their understanding and powers and (12) possessions into the Community of God, to purify their understanding in the truth of the precepts of God [+B], and to order their powers (13) according to the perfection of His ways, and all their possessions according to His righteous Counsel. And they shall make no single step (14) from all the words of God concerning their times, they shall not anticipate their times, nor delay them (15) for any of their feasts. And they shall not depart from His precepts of truth [-Bl to walk either to right or to left.

THE CEREMONY. OF ENTRY INTO THE COVENANT

(16) And all who decide to enter into the rule of the Community shall pass into the Covenant in the presence of God, (undertaking) to act (17) according to all His commands [+C] and not to turn back from Him [-C] on account of fear, or fright, or any affliction whatever, (18) if tempted by the dominion of Belial.

And when they pass into the Covenant, the priests {19) and Levites shall bless the God of deliverances and all His works of truth. And all (20)who pass into the Covenant shall say after them, Amen, Amen!

(21) And the priests shall recount the deeds of God in His mighty works(22) and proclaim all the favours of (divine) mercy towards Israel. And the Levites shall recount

(23) the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their guilty rebellions and the sins (which they have committed) under the dominion (24) of Belial.

And all who pass into the Covenant shall make their confession after them, saying: We have been sinful, (25) we have rebelled [-D], we have sinned [-D], we have been wicked, we and our fathers before us, by going (26) against the precepts of truth. And just is God who has fulfilled His judgment against us and against our fathers.

II. (1) But He extends His gracious mercy towards us for ever and ever. And the priests shall bless all [+E](2) the men of the lot of Gad who walk perfectly in all His ways [+D], and shall say: May He bless thee with all (3) goodness, and keep thee from all evil! May He enlighten thy heart with understanding of life, and favour thee with everlasting Knowledge! (4) May He lift His gracious face towards thee to grant thee eternal bliss!

And the Levites shall curse the men (S) of the lot of Belial, and shall speak and say: Be thou cursed in all the works of thy guilty thou cursed in all the works of thy guilty ungodliness! (6) May God make of thee an object of dread by the hand of all the Avengers of vengeance! May He hurl extermination after thee by the hand of all the Executioners (7) of punishment! Cursed by thou, without mercy, according to the darkness of thy deeds! Be thou damned (8) in the night of eternal fire! May God not favour thee when thou callest upon Him, and may He be without forgiveness to expiate thy sins! (9) May He lift His angry face to avenge Himself upon thee, and may there be for thee no (word) of peace on the lips of all who cling (to the Covenant) of the Fathers! (10) And all who pass into the Covenant shall say after those that bless and those that curse, Amen, Amen!

(11) And the priests and Levites shall say again: Cursed be he when he passes, together with the idols of his heart, (12) who enters into this Covenant leaving before him whatever causes him to fall into iniquity and to turn away (from God)l Behold, (13) as he listens to the words of this Covenant, he blesses himself [-en in his heart, saying: May peace be with me(14) when I walk in the stubbornness of my heart [-D]! But his spirit shall be torn out, the dry with the humid, without (15) forgiveness. May the Wrath of God and the Zeal of His judgment burn him in eternal destruction! May there cling to him all (16) the curses of this Covenant! May God set him apart for evil, and may he be cut off from the midst of the sons of light, because he has turned away (17) from God on account of his idols and of that which causes him to stumble into sin! May He place his lot among the eternally damned! (18) And all who enter into the Covenant shall speak after them and say, Amen, Amen!

The Annual Census

(19) This is what they shall do, year by year, during all the time of the dominion of Belial. The priests shall pass (20) first, in order [+FI, according to (the degree of the excellence of) their spirits, one after another, and the Levites shall pass after them [+F]; (21) and thirdly, all the people shall pass, in order [+F], one after another, by Thousands and Hundreds (22) and Fifties and Tens, that every man of Israel may know the place he must occupy [+Fl in the Community of God, (23) that of the eternal Counsel. And no man shall go down from the place [-F] he must occupy, nor raise himself above the place [-F] to which his lot assigns him. (24) For they shall all be in the Community of truth and virtuous humility and loving charity and scrupulous justice (25) one towards another, in the Council of holiness as sons of the everlasting Company. But whoever scorns to enter (26) the ways of God [-G] in order to walk in the stubbornness of his heart, he shall not pass into His Community of truth.

For III. (1) his soul has loathed the teachings of Knowledge, he has not established (within him) the ordinances of righteousness [-H] by conversion of his life. Therefore he shall not be counted among upright men, (2) and his understanding and powers and possessions shall not be brought into the Council of the Community. For his silence (is invaded) by confusion of wickedness and defilements (3) (are hidden) within his calm. When he dissembles the stubbornness of his heart he shall not be justified, nor when he beholds the ways of light (being himself) darkness; and <among> the perfect (4) he shall not be counted. He shall not be absolved by atonement, nor purified by lustral waters, nor sanctified by seas (5) and rivers, nor cleansed by all the waters of washing. Unclean, unclean shall he be for as long as he scorns the ordinances (6) of God [-G] and allows not himself to be taught by the Community of His Council. For by the Spirit of true counsel concerning the ways of man shall all (7) his sins be atoned when he beholds the light of life. By the Holy Spirit of the Community, in His truth, shall he be cleansed of all (8) his sins; and by the Spirit of uprightness and humility shall his iniquity be atoned. By his soul's humility towards all the precepts of God shall (9) his flesh be cleansed when sprinkled with Astral water and sancitified in flowing water. And he shall establish his steps to walk perfectly (10) in all the ways of God [+H], according to His command concerning His regular feasts; and he shall step aside neither to right nor to left [-H], and (11) shall make no single step from all His words [-H]. Then will he please God [+G] with agreeable expiation, and it will obtain for him the Covenant (12) of the eternal Community.

THE INSTRUCTION ON THE NATURE OF HUMAN BEINGS

INTRODUCTION OF UNIT II

(13) For the man of understanding, that he may instruct and teach all the sons of light concerning the nature of all the sons of men: (14) all the spirits which they possess, with their distinctive characters; their works, with their classes; and the Visitation in which they are smitten, together with (15) the times when they are blessed.

Prologue: God and Creation

From the God of Knowledge comes all that is and shall be, and before (beings) were, He established all their design. (16) And when they are, they fulfil their task according to their statutes, in accordance with His glorious design, changing nothing within it. In His hand (17) are the laws of all (beings) and He upholds them in all their needs. It is He who made man that he might rule (18) over the earth. And He allotted unto man two Spirits that he should walk in them until the time of His Visitation; they are the Spirits (19) of truth and perversity.

ORIGIN OF THE SPIRITS OF TRUTH AND PERVERSITY

The ORIGIN of Truth is in a fountain of light, and the ORIGIN of Perversity is from a fountain of darkness. (20) Dominion over all the sons or righteousness is in the hand of the Prince of light; they walk in the ways of light [+I]. All dominion over the sons of perversity is in the hand of the Angel of (21) darkness; they walk in the ways of darkness [-I]. And because of the Angel of darkness (22) all the sons or righteousness go astray; and all their sin and iniquities and faults, and all the rebellion of their deeds, are because of his dominion, (23) according to the Mysteries of God until the end appointed by Him. And all the blows that smite them, (and) all the times of their distress, are because of the dominion of his malevolence. (24) And all the spirits of his lot cause the sons of light to stumble [-J]; but the God of Israel and His Angel of truth succour all (25) the sons of light [+J].

Truly, the Spirits of light and darkness were made by Him; upon these (spirits) He has founded every work, (26) upon their [counsels] every service, and upon their ways [every Visit]ation. The one, God loves [IV] (1) everlastingly, and delights in all his deeds for ever, but the counsel of the other He loathes, and He hates all his ways for every) And these are the ways of these (Spirits) in the world. It is <of the Spirit of truth> to enlighten the heart of man, and to level before him the ways of true righteousness, and to set fear in his heart of the judgment (3) of God. And (to it belong) the spirit of humility and forbearance, of abundant mercy and eternal goodness, of understanding and intelligence, and almighty wisdom with faith in all (4) the works of God and trust in His abundant grace, and the spirit of knowledge in every design and zeal for just ordinances, and holy resolution (5) with firm inclination and abundant affection towards all the sons of truth, and glorious purification from hatred of all the idols of defilement, and modesty (6) with universal prudence, and discretion concerning the truth of the Mysteries of Knowledge. Such are the counsels of the Spirit to the sons of truth in the world.

And as for the Visitation of all who walk in this (Spirit) [+K], it consists of healing (7) and abundance of bliss, with length of days and fruitfulness, and all blessings without end, and eternal joy in perpetual life, and the glorious crown (8) and garment of honour in everlasting light.

THE SPIRIT OF PERVERSITY IN HUMAN BEINGS: EFFECTS AND PUNISHMENT

(9) But the Spirit of perversity belong cupidity, and slackness in the service of righteousness, impiety and falsehood, pride and haughtiness, falsity and deceit, cruelty (10) and abundant wickedness, impatience and much folly, and burning insolence, (and) abominable deeds committed in the spirit of lust, and the ways of defilement in the service of impurity, (11 ) and a blaspheming tongue, blindness of eye and hardness of ear, stiffness of neck and heaviness of heart causing a man to walk in all the ways of darkness [-K], and malignant cunning.

And as for the Visitation (12) of all who walk in this (Spirit) [-K], it consists of an abundance of blows administered by all the Angels of destruction in the everlasting Pit by the furious wrath of the God of vengeance, of unending dread and shame (13) without end, and of the disgrace of destruction by the fire of the regions of darkness. And all their times from age to age are in most sorrowful chagrin and bitterest misfortune, in calamities of darkness till (14) they-are destroyed with none of them surviving or escaping.

(15) In These (two Spirits) walk the generations of ail the sons of men, and into their (two) divisions all their hosts are divided from age to age. They walk in their (two) ways; and all the reward (16) of their works is by their (two) classes, according to the share of each, according to whether he has much or little, throughout the ages. For God has allotted these (two Spirits) in equal parts until the (17) final end, and has set between their divisions eternal hatred. An abomination to Truth are the deeds of Perversity, and an abomination to Perversity are all the ways of Truth. And a fighting (18) ardour (sets one against the other) on the subject of all their ordinances, for they walk not together.

But in His Mysteries of understanding and in His glorious Wisdom God has set an end for the existence of Perversity; and at the time (19) of the Visitation He will destroy it for ever. Then Truth shall arise in the world for ever; for (the world) has defiled itself in the ways of wickedness [-Ll under the dominion of Perversity until (20) the time of final Judgment. Then God will cleanse by His

Rule of the Community of Qumran

Truth all the works of every man, and will purify for Himself the (bodily) fabric of every man, to banish all Spirit of perversity from his (21) members, and purify him of all wicked deeds [+L] by the Spirit of holiness; and He will cause the Spirit of Truth to gush forth upon him like lustral water. All lying abominations shall come to an end, (and) defilement (22) by the Spirit of defilement. The just will comprehend the Knowledge of the Most High, and the perfect of way will have understanding of the wisdom of the sons of Heaven. For God has chosen them for an everlasting Covenant (23) and all the glory of the Man is theirs. Perversity will exist no more: shame upon all the works of deceit!

CONCLUSION OF UNIT II

Till now the Spirits of truth and perversity battle in the hearts of every man; (24) (they) walk in Wisdom and Folly. And according to each man's share of Truth and Righteousness, so does he hate Perversity [ + Ml. And according to his portion in the lot of Perversity, and (according to) the wickedness (which is) in him, so does (25) he abominate Truth [-M]. For God has allotted these (Spirits) in equal parts until the final end, the time of Renewal. He knows the reward of their works throughout all (26) ages, and He has divided these (Spirits) among the sons of men that they may know Good [and Evil] [and that] the destiny of every creature [may be] decreed in accordance with his spirit on [the day of Judgment ana] Visitation.

The Rule of the Community: Obedience

INTRODUCTION TO UNIT III

V. (1) And this is the rule for the members of the Community, for those who volunteer to be converted from all evil and to cling to all His commands [+N] according to His will; to separate themselves from the congregation (2) of perverse men [+O], to become a Community in the Law and with regard to property and <laws> under the authority of the sons of Zadok the priests who keep the Covenant [+P], and under the authority of the majority of the members (3) of the Community, they who cling to the Covenant [+P]. Under their authority shall destiny be decreed in all things, whether it concern the Law, or property, or justice. They shall practice truth [+O] in common, and humility, (4) and righteousness and justice and loving charity, and modesty in all their ways. Let no man walk in the stubbornness of his heart to stray by following his heart [N] (5) and eyes and the thoughts of his (evil) inclination. But in the Community they shall circumcise the foreskin of the (evil) inclination and disobedience in order to lay a foundation of truth for Israel, for the Community of the (6) everlasting Covenant; that they may atone for all who are volunteers for the holiness of Aaron and for the House of truth in Israel, and for those who join them to live in community and to participate in trials and judgments (7) destined to condemn all those who transgress a precept [Q].

THE OATH OF ADMISSION INTO THE COVENANT

And this is the norm of their conduct concerning all these precepts. When they join the Community, let whoever comes to the Council of the Community (8) enter into the Covenant of God in the presence of all the volunteers, and let him undertake by oath of obliation to be converted to the Law of Moses according to all His commands, with all {9) his heart and all his soul, following all that is revealed of it to the sons of Zadok the priests who keep the Covenant and seek His will [+R], and to the majority of the members of their Covenant, (10) they who volunteer together for His truth and to walk in His will [+S]. And let him undertake by the Covenant to be separated from all perverse men who walk (11) in the way of wickedness [-S].

For they are not counted in His Covenant: for they have not inquired nor sought Him concerning His precepts [-R] in order to know the hidden matters in which they have (12) guiltily strayed; and they have treated with insolence matters revealed that Wrath might rise unto Judgment and Vengeance be exercised by the curses of the Covenant, and (13) solemn judgment be fulfilled against them unto eternal destruction, leaving no remnant. Let not (the wicked) enter the water to touch the Purification of the holy, for a man is not pure (14) unless he be converted from his malice. For he is defiled for as long as he transgresses His word. Let no man join him [-O] in work or possessions lest he cause him to bear (15) the iniquity of a fault, but in all things let him keep far from him. For thus it is written: Keep far from every false thing. And let no member (16) of the Community answer their questions concerning any law or ordinance; and let him neither eat nor drink anything of theirs. And let him receive nothing at all from their hand (17) unless he pay its price, according to that which is written: Turn away from the main in whose nostrils is nothing but breath, for of what account is he? For (18) all who are not counted in His Covenant shall be set apart, together with all that is theirs; and the holy shall not rely on any work (19) of vanity. For they are all vanity who know not His Covenant [-P]. and He will destroy from the world all them that despise His word [-T]; all their deeds are defilement (20) before Him, and their possessions wholly unclean.

Classification of the Members of the Community

And if any man enters the Covenant to act according to these precepts [+T] by joining the holy Congregation, they shall examine (21) his spirit in common, (distinguishing) between one and the other according to his understanding and his works with regard to the Law. The decision shall lie with the sons of Aaron who volunteer in common to establish (22) His Covenant and to attend to all the commandments which He has commanded, together with the majority of Israel who volunteer to be converted in common to His Covenant [+P]. (23) And they shall inscribe them in order, one before the other, according to their intelligence and their works, that they may all obey each other, the lower (obeying) the higher. And they (24) shall examine their spirit and works year by year, in order to promote each man according to his understanding and the perfection of his conduct, or to demote him according to the faults which he has committed.

Concerning Reproof

CONCERNING REPROOF

They shall (25) reprove each other in truth and humility and loving charity one towards the other [+U]. Let no man speak to his (brother) with anger, or ill-temper, (26) or disrespect, or impatience, or a spirit of wickedness [-U]. And let no man hate him [in the perver]si[ty] of his heart; he shall be reproved on the very same day. And thus a man [VI] (1) shall not bear a fault because of him. Also, let no cause be brought before the Many, by one man against another, unless reproof has been made before witnesses.

The Common Life

In these (precepts) (2) shall walk those that are together in all their dwelling-places. And in whatever concerns work or property, the lower shall obey the higher. And they shall eat in common, (3) bless in common, and deliberate in common. And in every place where there are ten persons of the Council of the Community, let there not lack among them a man 14) who is a priest. And let them sit before him, each according to his rank, and in the same order let them ask their advice in everything. And then when they set the table to eat, or Prepare) the wine (5) to drink, the priest shall first stretch out his hand to pronounce a blessing on the first-fruits of bread and wine < >. (6) And in the place where the ten are, let there not lack a man. who studies the Law night and day, (7) continually, concerning the duties of each towards the other. And let the Many watch in common for a third of all the nights of the year, to read the Book and study the law (8) and bless in common.

THE ASSEMBLIES

This is the rule for an assembly of the Many. Let each man sit according to his rank! Let the priests sit in the first (place), and the elders in the second, and then the rest (9) of all the people; let them sit according to their ranks! And let them likewise inquire concerning the law and concerning every kind of counsel and matter to do with the Many, each man bringing his knowledge (10) to the Council of the Community. Let no man interrupt [-V] the words of another before he has finished speaking. Also, let no man speak out of turn [-V]. Let whoever is inscribed (11) before one, the man who is questioned, speak in his turn [+V]. And let no man speak a word in the assembly of the Many without the consent of the Many unless he is (12) the overseer of the Many. And unless he is in office, whoever has something to say to the Many, whoever desires to put a question to the Council (13) of the Community, shall rise to his feet and say: I have something to say to the Many.

If they order him to speak, he shall speak.

REGULATIONS CONCERNING NEW MEMBERS

And whoever, born of Israel, volunteers (14) to join the Council of the Community, he shall be examined on his intelligence and deeds by the man who is the overseer at the head of the Many; and if he is suited to the discipline, he will bring him (15) into the Covenant that he may be converted to the truth and turn away from all perversity: he shall instruct him in all the ordinances of the community. And when he later comes to present himself to the Many, they shall (16) all consider his case, and according to whatever fate decrees, following the decision of the Many he shall either approach or depart.

And when he approaches the Council of the community, he shall not touch the Purification (17) of the Many until he has been examined concerning his spirit and deeds, and until he has completed one full year. Also, let him no mingle his property with that of the Many. (18) Then when he has completed one year within the Community, the Many shall consider his case concerning his intelligence and deeds with regard to the Law, and if fate decrees (19) that he approach the Company of the Community, following the decision of the priests and the majority of the members of their Covenant, his property and also his wages shall be handed over the (20) overseer of the revenues of the Many; but it shall be inscribed to his credit [+W], and shall not be spent to the profit of the Many [-W]. He shall not touch the Banquet of the Many until (21) he has completed a second year in the midst of the members of the Community.

When he has completed the second year, they shall examine him. According to the decision of the Many, and if fate decrees (22) that he approach the Community, he shall be regularly inscribed in his rank among his brethren in whatever concerns the Law and justice and Purification and the mingling of his property; and he may give his opinion (23) to the Community together with his judgment.

THE PENAL CODE

(24) And these are the ordinances by which they shall judge in an inquiry of the Community, according to the decision of the texts.

If there is a man among them who lies [-X] (25) in matters of property, and does this knowingly, he shall be separated from the midst of the Purification of the Many for one year, and shall be punished with regard to one quarter of his food.

And whoever answers (26) his fellow disrespectfully [-Y], or speaks (to him) impatiently [-Y], going so far as to [vio]late his brother's formal order [-Y] by refusing to obey his fellow inscribed before him, (27) (or (whoever) metes] out justice with his own hand, shall be punished for one year [and separated].

And whoever makes any mention whatever of the name of the Being venerated above all other venerated beings, [shall be put to death!.

[VII] (1) But if he has blasphemed [-X] from fright, or under the blow of distress, or for any other reason whatever while reading the Book or pronouncing the Blessings, he shall be separated (2) and shall return no more to the Council of the Community. And if he speaks irritably against one of the priests [-Y] inscribed in the book, he shall be punished for one year (3) and set apart by himself from the Purification of the Many. But if he has spoken inadvertently [-Y]. he shall be punished for six months. And whoever lies [-X] knowingly 14) shall be punished for six months. And the man who insults his fellow [-Y] unjustly (and) knowingly shall be punished for one year (5) and separated. And whoever speaks to his fellow arrogantly [-Y], or knowingly deceives, shall be punished for six months. And if (6) he shows himself negligent to the detriment of his fellow, he shall be punished for three months. And if he shows himself negligent to the detriment of the property of the Community to the point of causing its loss, he shall reimburse them (7) entirely. (8) And if his hand is unable to reimburse them, he shall be punished for sixty days. And whoever bears malice towards his fellow [-Y] unjustly shall be punished for six months. (9) and likewise for whoever takes revenge for any reason whatever. And whoever utters a foolish word from out of his mouth: three months. And for whoever interrupts the words of another [-Y]: (10) ten days. And whoever stretches out and sleeps during the assembly of the Many: thirty days. And likewise for whoever leaves the assembly of the Many (11) without permission and without reason: for up to three times during the assembly, he shall be punished for ten days, but if he is called to order(?)(12)and leaves, he shall be punished for thirty days. And whoever goes naked before his fellow without being gravely ill shall be punished for six months. (13) And the man who spits in the midst of the assembly of the Many shall be punished for thirty days. And whoever allows his hand to protrude from beneath his garment, if this garment (14) is in rags and reveals his nakedness he shall be punished for thirty days. And whoever laughs stupidly (and) loudly shall be punished for thirty (15) days. And whoever brings out his left hand to describe his thoughts with it shall be punished for ten days. And the man who goes about calumniating his fellow [-Y] (16) shall be separated from the Purification of the Many for one year. And whoever goes about calumniating the Many [-Y] shall be sent away from them (17) and shall not return. And the man who murmurs against the Institution of the community [-Y] shall be sent away and shall not return. But if it is against his fellow that he murmurs (18) unjustly [-Y], he shall be punished for six months. And the man whose spirit fears the Institution of the Community to the point of betraying the Truth [-X] (19) and of walking in the

stubbornness of his heart [-X], if he returns he shall be punished for two years: during the first year he shall not touch the Purification of the Many, (20) and during the second year he shall not touch the Banquet of the Many and shall be seated after all the members of the community. Then when the two years are accomplished (21 ) for him, day for day, the Many shall consider his case, and if he is directed to approach, he shall be inscribed in his rank, and afterwards he may question concerning the law.

(22) And no man who is in the council of the Community for more than ten whole years (23) and whose spirit turns back to the point of betraying the Community [-Y. and who goes out from before the (24) Many to walk in the stubbornness of his heart [-XI, shall return again to the Council of the community. And whoever among the members of the commun[ity] mingles (25) with him in his purification and possessions with(out the permissions of the Many, his case shall be the same as his: he shall be s[ent away and shall not return].

The Twelve and the Three

VIII. (1) In the Council of the Community (there shall be) twelve men and three priests, perfect in all that is revealed of all (2) the Law, to practice truth, righteousness, justice, loving charity, and modesty [+X] one towards the other, (3) to guard the faith upon earth with a firm inclination and a contrite spirit, and to expiate iniquity among those that practice justice [+X] (4) and undergo distress of affliction, and to behave towards all men according to the measure of truth and the norm of the time [+Y].

Holiness of the Community

When these things come to pass in Israel, (5) the Council of the Community shall be established in truth as an everlasting planting. It is the House of holiness for Israel and the Company of infinite (6) holiness for Aaron; they are the witnesses of truth unto Judgment and the chosen [=Z] of Loving-kindness appointed to offer expiation for the earth and to bring down (7) punishment upon the wicked. It is the tried wall, the precious corner-stone; (8) its foundations shall not tremble [-Z] nor flee from their place [-Z]. It is the Dwelling of infinite holiness (9) for Aaron in <eternal> KNowledge unto the Covenant of justice and to make offerings of sweet savour; (it is) the House of perfection and truth in Israel (10) to establish the Covenant according to the everlasting precepts. And they shall be accepted as expiation for the earth and to decree the judgment of wickedness with no perversity remaining.

Communication of Secret Doctrine during the Novitiate

When they have established them in the Institution of the Community, inperfection of way, for two years day for day, (11} they shall be set apart (as) holy (persons) within the Council of the members of the Community; and let nothing of that which was hidden from Israel, but found by the Man (12) who sought, be hidden from them out of fear of the spirit of apostasy.

Retreat into the Desert

And when these things come to pass for the Community in Israel (13) et these appointed times, they shall be separated from the midst of the habitation of perverse men to go into the desert to prepare the way of 'Him': (14) as it is written, In the wilderness prepare the way of.... Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (15} This (way) is the study of the Law which He has promulgated by the hand of Moses, that they may act according to all that is revealed, season by season, and (16) according to that which the Prophets have revealed by His Holy Spirit.

And no man among the members < > of the Covenant (17) of the Community who has turned aside from all that is laid down [-AA], in any way whatever, shall touch the Purification of the men of holiness (18) or know anything of all their Council until his deeds are purified of all perversity and he walks in perfection of way [+AA]. Then he shall be made to approach (19) the Council, following the decision of the Many, and afterwards inscribed in his rank. And it shall be according to this ordinance for all those who join the Community.

Faults against the Law: expulsion, or in the case of inadvertence, exclusion for two years

(20) And these are the ordinances in which the men of perfect holiness shall walk, one beside the other.

(21) Among all those who have entered the Council of holiness to walk in perfection of way according to His command [+AB], any man (22) who deliberately, or through slackness, sins against the Law of Moses [-AB], shall be expelled from the Council of the Community (23) and shall not return. And no man among the men of holiness shall mingle with his possessions or counsel in any (24) matter.

But if he has acted through inadvertence, he shall be separated from Purification and from the Council. Then the case shall be examined. (25) Let him judge no man, nor question any decision for two years day for day. If his conduct is perfect, (26) (it shall be considered) in assembly, at an inquiry and in the Council, whether, according to the decision of the Many, he has committed any inadvertence before the two years were accomplished for him (27) day for day. IX. (1 ) For one inadvertence alone, he shall be punished fro two years; but any man who has acted deliberately shall not return. Only the man who has committed an inadvertence (2) shall be tried for two years day for day concerning the perfection of his conduct and counsel, according to the decision of the Many. And afterwards, he shall be inscribed in his rank in the holy Community.

Spiritual Cult

(3) When these things come to pass in Israel according to all the appointed times for the Institution of the Spirit of holiness (founded) in accordance with (4) eternal Truth, they shall expiate guilty rebellion and sinful infidelity and (procure) Loving-kindness upon earth without the flesh of burnt offering and the fat of sacrifice, but the offering (5) of the lips in accordance with the law shall be as an agreeable odour of righteousness, and perfection of way shall be as the voluntary gift of a delectable oblation.

In those days, they shall separate the members (6) of the Community (into) the House of holiness for Aaron that infinite holiness may be assembled together, and (into) the House of community for Israel for those that walk in perfection. (7) The sons of Aaron alone shall command in matters of justice and property, and it is under their authority that fate shall be decreed in every decision concerning the members of the Community.

Separation of the Property of the Perfect

(8) Concerning the property of the men of holiness who walk in perfection [+AC], let their possessions not be mingled with those of the men of deceit who (9) have not purified their way [-AC] to be separated from perversity and walk in perfection off way.

And they shall not depart from any maxim of the Law to walk (10) in all the stubbornness of their heart [-AC]. And they shall be governed by the first ordinances in which the members of the Community began their instruction, (11 ) until the coming of the Prophet and the Anointed of Aaron and Israel.

Duties of the Instructor: Seasons and Spirits

(12) These are the precepts for the man of understanding that he may walk in them in the company of all the living in accordance with the rule proper to every season and the weight of every man.. (13) He shall do the will of God according to all that has been revealed, season by season, and he shall teach all understanding discovered throughout time, together with (14) the Decree of Time.

VOCATION OF THE MAN OF UNDERSTANDING IN SOCIETY

He shall separate and weigh the sons of righteousness according to their spirits, and he shall cling to the elect of the time in accordance with the decision (15) of His will, according to His command. He shall judge each man according to his spirit, and shall cause each man to approach according to the purity of his hands; and according to (their) understanding (16) shall he cause them to go forward. And as his love is, so shall his hatred be. And let him not rebuke the men of the Pit [-AD] nor dispute with them [-AD]; (17) let him conceal the maxims of the Law from the midst of the men of perversity [+AD]. And let him keep true Knowledge and right Justice for them [+AD] that have chosen (18) the Way. He shall guide each man in Knowledge [+AD] according to his spirit (and) according to the appointed moment of time; and likewise! he shall instruct them in the marvellous and true Mysteries [+AD] in the midst (19) of the members of the Community, that they may walk with one another in perfection in all that has been revealed to them. This is the time to prepare the way (20) to go into the desert [+AE]. And he shall instruct them in all that has been found that they may do it at this time, and that they may be separated [+AE] from all who have not departed (21) from all perversity [-AE].

Contempt for Riches

CONCLUSION OF UNIT IV

And these are the norms of conduct for the man of understanding in these times, concerning what he must love and how he must hate. Everlasting hatred (22) for all the men of the Pit because of their spirit of hoarding [-AF]! He shall surrender his property [+AF] to them and the wages of the work of his hands, as a slave to his master and as a poor man in the presence (23) of his overlord. But he shall be a man full of zeal for the Precept, whose time is for the Day of Vengeance.

Submission to the Will of God

He shall do the will of God in every enterprise of his hands, (24) that He may reign over all things according to His command; and he shall gladly delight in all that He has made, and beyond the will of God he shall desire nothing [+AF]. (25) [Anal he shall delight [in all] the words of His mouth, and shall covet nothing [+AF] of that which He has not command[ed]. And he shall constantly watch for the Judgment of God. (26) [And in all that be]falls, he shall bless Him who did it, and in all that befalls, he shall tell [of His deeds] and shall bless Him [with the offering] Of the lips.