108:3.6

“O Lord, you who remain forever, whose eyes are exalted, and whose chambers are in the air, whose throne is beyond measure, whose glory is beyond comprehension, before whom the army of angels stand with trembling, at whose bidding they are changed to wind and fire, whose word is sure, and sayings constant, whose ordinance is strong, and commandment fearful, whose look dries up the depths, and whose indignation makes the mountains to melt away, and whose truth bears witness— hear, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, and give ear to the petition of your handiwork. Attend to my words, for as long as I live, I will speak, and as long as I have understanding, I will answer. Don’t look at the sins of your people, but on those who have served you in truth. Don’t regard the doings of those who act wickedly, but of those who have kept your covenants in affliction. Don’t think about those who have lived wickedly before you, but remember those who have willingly known your fear. Let it not be your will to destroy those who have lived like cattle, but look at those who have clearly taught your law. Don’t be indignant at those who are deemed worse than animals, but love those who have always put their trust in your glory. For we and our fathers have passed our lives in ways that bring death, but you are called merciful because of us sinners. For if you have a desire to have mercy upon us who have no works of righteousness, then you will be called merciful. For the just, which have many good works laid up with you, will be rewarded for their own deeds. For what is man, that you should take displeasure at him? Or what is a corruptible race, that you should be so bitter toward it? For in truth, there is no man among those who are born who has not done wickedly, and among those who have lived, there is none which have not done wrong. For in this, O Lord, your righteousness and your goodness will be declared, if you are merciful to those who have no store of good works.”

“Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they will be separated from their mortal body. In the time that they lived in it, they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly. Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: First of all they will see with great joy the glory of him who takes them up, for they will have rest in seven orders. The first order, because they have labored with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was fashioned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them. The third order, they see the testimony which he who fashioned them gives concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust. The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaits them in the last days. The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and that they will inherit that which is to come, while they see in addition the difficulty and the pain from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they will receive with joy and immortality. The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face will shine like the sun, and how they will be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. The seventh order, which is greater than all the previously mentioned orders, because they will rejoice with confidence, and because they will be bold without confusion, and will be glad without fear, for they hurry to see the face of him whom in their lifetime they served, and from whom they will receive their reward in glory. This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is announced to them. Previously mentioned are the ways of torture which those who would not give heed will suffer from after this.”

O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you heavens, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all for ever! O you angels of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O all you waters that are above the sky, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O all you powers of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you sun and moon, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you stars of heaven, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O every shower and dew, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O all you winds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you fire and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you dews and storms of snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you nights and days, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you light and darkness, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you cold and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you frost and snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O let the earth bless the Lord! Let it praise and exalt him above all forever! O you mountains and hills, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O all you things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O sea and rivers, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you springs, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you whales and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O all you birds of the air, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O all you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you children of men, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O let Israel bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever. O you priests of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you servants of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you spirits and souls of the righteous, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O you who are holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! O Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever; for he has rescued us from Hades, and saved us from the hand of death! He has delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame. He has delivered us out of the midst of the fire. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy is forever. O all you who worship the Lord, bless the God of gods, praise him, and give him thanks; for his mercy is forever!”