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the antiquities of the jews-1-第8章

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grievous to his posterity; when they should be in Egypt; for four
hundred years; (20) during which time they should be afflicted;
but afterwards should overcome their enemies; should conquer the
Canaanites in war; and possess themselves of their land; and of
their cities。

4。 Now Abram dwelt near the oak called Ogyges;the place belongs
to Canaan; not far from the city of Hebron。 But being uneasy at
his wife's barrenness; he entreated God to grant that he might
have male issue; and God required of him to be of good courage;
and said that he would add to all the rest of the benefits that
he had bestowed upon him; ever since he led him out of
Mesopotamia; the gift of children。 Accordingly Sarai; at God's
command; brought to his bed one of her handmaidens; a woman of
Egyptian descent; in order to obtain children by her; and when
this handmaid was with child; she triumphed; and ventured to
affront Sarai; as if the dominion were to come to a son to be
born of her。 But when Abram resigned her into the hand of Sarai;
to punish her; she contrived to fly away; as not able to bear the
instances of Sarai's severity to her; and she entreated God to
have compassion on her。 Now a Divine Angel met her; as she was
going forward in the wilderness; and bid her return to her master
and mistress; for if she would submit to that wise advice; she
would live better hereafter; for that the reason of her being in
such a miserable case was this; that she had been ungrateful and
arrogant towards her mistress。 He also told her; that if she
disobeyed God; and went on still in her way; she should perish;
but if she would return back; she should become the mother of a
son who should reign over that country。 These admonitions she
obeyed; and returned to her master and mistress; and obtained
forgiveness。 A little while afterwards; she bare Ismael; which
may be interpreted Heard of God; because God had heard his
mother's prayer。

5。 The forementioned son was born to Abram when he was eighty…six
years old: but when he was ninety…nine; God appeared to him; and
promised him that he Should have a son by Sarai; and commanded
that his name should be Isaac; and showed him; that from this son
should spring great nations and kings; and that they should
obtain all the land of Canaan by war; from Sidon to Egypt。 But he
charged him; in order to keep his posterity unmixed with others;
that they should be circumcised in the flesh of their foreskin;
and that this should be done on the eighth day after they were
born: the reason of which circumcision I will explain in another
place。 And Abram inquiring also concerning Ismael; whether he
should live or not; God signified to him that he should live to
be very old; and should be the father of great nations。 Abram
therefore gave thanks to God for these blessings; and then he;
and all his family; and his son Ismael; were circumcised
immediately; the son being that day thirteen years of age; and he
ninety…nine。
CHAPTER 11。

How God Overthrew The Nation Of The Sodomites; Out Of His Wrath
Against Them For Their Sins。

1。 About this time the Sodomites grew proud; on account of their
riches and great wealth; they became unjust towards men; and
impious towards God; insomuch that they did not call to mind the
advantages they received from him: they hated strangers; and
abused themselves with Sodomitical practices。 God was therefore
much displeased at them; and determined to punish them for their
pride; and to overthrow their city; and to lay waste their
country; until there should neither plant nor fruit grow out of
it。

2。 When God had thus resolved concerning the Sodomites; Abraham;
as he sat by the oak of Mambre; at the door of his tent; saw
three angels; and thinking them to be strangers; he rose up; and
saluted them; and desired they would accept of an entertainment;
and abide with him; to which; when they agreed; he ordered cakes
of meal to be made presently; and when he had slain a calf; he
roasted it; and brought it to them; as they sat under the oak。
Now they made a show of eating; and besides; they asked him about
his wife Sarah; where she was; and when he said she was within;
they said they would come again hereafter; and find her become a
mother。 Upon which the woman laughed; and said that it was
impossible she should bear children; since she was ninety years
of age; and her husband was a hundred。 Then they concealed
themselves no longer; but declared that they were angels of God;
and that one of them was sent to inform them about the child; and
two of the overthrow of Sodom。

3。 When Abraham heard this; he was grieved for the Sodomites; and
he rose up; and besought God for them; and entreated him that he

would not destroy the righteous with the wicked。 And when God had
replied that there was no good man among the Sodomites; for if
there were but ten such man among them; he would not punish any
of them for their sins; Abraham held his peace。 And the angels
came to the city of the Sodomites; and Lot entreated them to
accept of a lodging with him; for he was a very generous and
hospitable man; and one that had learned to imitate the goodness
of Abraham。 Now when the Sodomites saw the young men to be of
beautiful countenances; and this to an extraordinary degree; and
that they took up their lodgings with Lot; they resolved
themselves to enjoy these beautiful boys by force and violence;
and when Lot exhorted them to sobriety; and not to offer any
thing immodest to the strangers; but to have regard to their
lodging in his house; and promised that if their inclinations
could not be governed; he would expose his daughters to their
lust; instead of these strangers; neither thus were they made
ashamed。

4。 But God was much displeased at their impudent behavior; so
that he both smote those men with blindness; and condemned the
Sodomites to universal destruction。 But Lot; upon God's informing
him of the future destruction of the Sodomites; went away; taking
with him his wife and daughters; who were two; and still virgins;
for those that were betrothed (21) to them were above the
thoughts of going; and deemed that Lot's words were trifling。 God
then cast a thunderbolt upon the city; and set it on fire; with
its inhabitants; and laid waste the country with the like
burning; as I formerly said when I wrote the Jewish War。 (22) But
Lot's wife continually turning back to view the city as she went
from it; and being too nicely inquisitive what would become of
it; although God had forbidden her so to do; was changed into a
pillar of salt;(23) for I have seen it; and it remains at this
day。 Now he and his daughters fled to a certain small place;
encompassed with the fire; and settled in it: it is to this day
called Zoar; for that is the word which the Hebrews use for a
small thing。 There it was that he lived a miserable life; on
account of his having no company; and his want of provisions。

5。 But his daughters; thinking that all mankind were destroyed;
approached to their father; (24) though taking care not to be
perceived。 This they did; that human kind might not utterly fail:
and they bare sons; the son of the elder was named Moab; Which
denotes one derived from his father; the younger bare Ammon;
which name denotes one derived from a kinsman。 The former of whom
was the father of the Moabites; which is even still a great
nation; the latter was the father of the Ammonites; and both of
them are inhabitants of Celesyria。 And such was the departure of
Lot from among the Sodomites。

CHAPTER 12。

Concerning Abimelech; And Concerning Ismael The Son Of Abraham;
And Concerning The Arabians; Who Were His Posterity。

1。 Abraham now removed to Gerar of Palestine; leading Sarah along
with him; under the notion of his sister; using the like
dissimulation that he had used before; and this out of fear: for
he was afraid of Abimelech; the king of that country; who did
also himself fall in love with Sarah; and was disposed to corrupt
her; but he was restrained from satisfying his lust by a
dangerous distemper which befell him from God。 Now when his
physicians despaired of curing him; he fell asleep; and saw a
dream; warning him not to abuse the stranger's wife; and when he
recovered; he told his friends that God had inflicted that
disease upon him; by way of punishment; for his injury to the
stranger; and in order to preserve the chastity of his wife; for
that she did not accompany him as his sister; but as his
legitimate wife; and that God had promised to be gracious to him
for the time to come; if this person be once secure of his wife's
chastity。 When he had said this; by the advice of his friends; he
sent for Abraham; and bid him not to be concerned about his wife;
or fear the corruption of her chastity; for that God took care of
him; and that it was by his providence that he received his wife
again; without her suffering any abuse。 And he appealed to God;
and to his wife's conscience; and said that he had not any
inclination at first to enjoy her; if he had known she was his
wife; but since; said he; thou leddest her about as thy sister; I
was guilty of no offense。 He also entreated him to be at peace
wit
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