Apocryphal New Testament — Historical English Collection

Apocryphal New Testament — Hone/Wake/Jones — Section 66

53 These were the several kinds of those stones which were not found proper in the build- ing ; all which the Lord com- manded to be taken out of the tower, and laid near it, and other stones to be brought and put in their places. 54 And they that built, asked him from which of the moun- tains he would have stones brought to put in the place of those that were laid aside. But he forbad them to bring any from the mountains, and com- manded that they should take out of a certain field that was near. 55 So they digged in the field, and found many bright square stones, and' some also that were round. Howbeit, all that were found in that field were taken away, and carried through the gate by those virgins ; and those of them that were square were fitted and put into the places of those that were pulled out. 56 But the round ones were not put into the building, because they were hard, and it would have required too much time to cut them ; but they were placed about the tower, as if they should hereafter be cut square, and put into the buildiug ; for they were very white. 57 Tf When he who was chief in dignity, and lord of the whole tower saw this, he called to him the shepherd that was with me and gave him the stones that were rejected and laid about the tower and said unto him ; cleanse these stones with all care, and fit them into the building of the tower, that they may agree with the rest ; but those that will not suit with the rest, cast away afar ofi* from the tower. 58 When he had thus com- manded him, he departed, with all those that came with him to the tower : but those virgins still stood about the tower to keep it. 59 And I said unto that shep- herd. How can these stones, see- ing they have been rejected, re- turn into the building of this tower ? He replied ; I will cut off* the greatest part from these stones, and will add them to the building, and they will agree with the rest.