1 Clemente 43

1E que admira, se os que foram incumbidos em Cristo, por Deus, de tal obra constituíram as pessoas acima mencionadas? visto que até o bendito Moisés, que foi servo fiel em toda a Sua casa, registrou como sinal nos livros sagrados todas as coisas que lhe foram ordenadas. E a ele também seguiram os demais profetas, dando testemunho com ele das leis que por ele foram ordenadas.

1And what marvel, if they which were entrusted in Christ with such a work by God appointed the aforesaid persons? seeing that even the blessed Moses who was a faithful servant in all His house recorded for a sign in the sacred books all things that were enjoined upon him. And him also the rest of the prophets followed, bearing witness with him unto the laws that were ordained by him.

2Pois ele, quando surgiu ciúme a respeito do sacerdócio, e houve dissensão entre as tribos sobre qual delas era adornada com o nome glorioso, mandou os doze chefes das tribos lhe trazerem varas inscritas com o nome de cada tribo. E tomou-as e atou-as e selou-as com os anéis de sinete dos chefes das tribos, e as pôs no tabernáculo do testemunho sobre a mesa de Deus.

2For he, when jealousy arose concerning the priesthood, and there was dissension among the tribes which of them was adorned with the glorious name, commanded the twelve chiefs of the tribes to bring to him rods inscribed with the name of each tribe. And he took them and tied them and sealed them with the signet rings of the chiefs of the tribes, and put them away in the tabernacle of the testimony on the table of God.

3E, tendo fechado o tabernáculo, selou as chaves e também as portas.

3And having shut the tabernacle he sealed the keys and likewise also the doors.

4E lhes disse: Irmãos, a tribo cuja vara florescer, esta Deus escolheu para serem sacerdotes e ministros d'Ele.

4And he said unto them, Brethren, the tribe whose rod shall bud, this hath God chosen to be priests and ministers unto Him.

5Ora, quando veio a manhã, convocou todo Israel, isto é, os seiscentos mil homens, e mostrou os selos aos chefes das tribos, e abriu o tabernáculo do testemunho e retirou as varas. E a vara de Arão foi achada não somente com botões, mas também dando fruto.

5Now when morning came, he called together all Israel, even the six hundred thousand men, and showed the seals to the chiefs of the tribes and opened the tabernacle of the testimony and drew forth the rods. And the rod of Aaron was found not only with buds, but also bearing fruit.

6Que pensais, amados? Não sabia Moisés de antemão que isto aconteceria? Certamente o sabia. Mas, para que não surgisse desordem em Israel, assim fez, a fim de que o Nome do verdadeiro e único Deus fosse glorificado: a quem seja a glória para todo o sempre. Amém.

6What think ye, dearly beloved? Did not Moses know beforehand that this would come to pass? Assuredly he knew it. But that disorder might not arise in Israel, he did thus, to the end that the Name of the true and only God might be glorified: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.