Apocryphal New Testament — Historical English Collection

Apocryphal New Testament — Hone/Wake/Jones — Section 51

7 Others gave in their rods half dry ; these also were set apart. Others gave in their rods half dry and cleft ; these too were set by themselves. Others brought in their rods half dry and half green, and these were in like manner placed by them- selves. 8 Others delivered up their rods two parts green, and the third dry ; and they too were set apart. Others brought their rods two parts dry, and the third green ; and were also placed by themselves. 9 Others delivered up their rods less dry, (for there was but a very little, to wit, their tops dry) but they had clefts, and these were set in like manner by themselves. In the rods of others there was but a little green, and the rest dry ; and these were set aside by themselves. 10 Others came, and brought their rods green as they had re- 16 ceived them, and the greatest part of the people brought their rods thus ; and the messenger greatly rejoiced at these, and they also were put apart by themselves. 11 Others brought in their rods not only green, but full of branches ; and these were set aside, being also received by the angel with great joy. Others brought their rods green with branches, and those also some fruit upon them. 12 They who had such rods, were very cheerful ; and the angel himself took great joy at them ; nor was the shepherd that stood with me, less pleased with them. 13 T[ Then the angel of the Lord commanded crowns to be brought: and the crowns were brought made of palms ; and the angel crowned those men in whose rods he found the young branches with fruit; and com- manded them to go into the tower. 14 He also sent those into the tower, in whose rods he found branches without fruit, giving a seal unto them. For they had the same garment, that is, one white as snow ; with which he bade them go into the tower. And so he did to those who re- turned their rods green as he had received them ; giving them a white garment, and so sent them away to go into the tower.