In the days of Noah, when wickedness was great in the earth. Noah's brother Nir was a priest in service
of the Lord. The wife of Nir was Sopanim who was of old
age, and in the last days of her life. Sopanim was barren and had never given birth
to a child. Nir had not slept with her since the day he
was appointed to conduct the liturgy for the people. However the Lord saw fit that she should conceive
a child. When Sopanim saw her pregnancy she was greatly
ashamed and hid herself away for 282 days. No one knew of the pregnancy but as the day
of birth approached, Nir thought of his wife and called to her. Sopanim came to her husband and behold she
was pregnant with the day of birth drawing near. Nir saw her, was ashamed and said, O wife,
What have you done? How could you disgrace me in front of all
the people? Depart from me, return to where you disgraced
your womb. I do not want to defile my hands on account
of you and your sin. Sopanim replied, Oh Lord! Look at me. I am in my old age, and the day of my death
has arrived. I do not understand how the baroness of my
womb has been reversed. Nir did not believe his wife and said for
a second time, Depart from me, or else I might assault you and commit a sin in the
eyes of God. After Nir said this, Sopanim fell down at
the feet of her husband and deceased. Nir became extremely distressed and said to
himself, Could this be because of me and my words? Merciful is our Lord for my hand was not upon
her. The archangel Gabriel appeared to Nir and
said, Do not think that your wife has died due to your error. The child which is to be born from her, is
a righteous fruit, and one whom I shall receive into paradise so that you shall not be the
father of a gift from God. Nir ran from his house, slamming the door
and went to his brother Noah. Nir told Noah everything that had happened
and both of them returned to Nir's house. Sopanim's body appeared lifeless and dead,
however her womb was still contracting and giving birth. Noah said to his brother, Don't be sorrowful
Nir. Today the Lord has covered up our scandal. None of the people know about this, so let's
quickly bury her and be rid of our shame. They placed Sopanim's body on the bed, Wrapped
her in black garments and closed the door. As Nir and Noah left to secretly dig the grave,
a child was born from Sopanim's dead body and sat on the bed at her side. When Nir and Noah returned to bury Sopanim
they saw the child sitting by her side cleaning himself. Nir and Noah were terrified and struck with
great fear because the child was fully developed and spoke, praising the Lord. The brothers looked at him closely and said
to each other This is from the Lord, the glorious badge of the priesthood is on his
chest. Noah said, God is renewing the priesthood
from blood related to us. Nir and Noah hurried to wash the child, dress
him in the garments of the priesthood and give him bread which he ate. They named him Melchizedek. Nir and Noah lifted up the body of Sopanim,
removed the black garments and washed her. They clothed her in extravagant, bright, colorful garments and built a grave for her. Nir, Noah and Melchizedek then buried her
publicly with the honor she deserved. Noah said to his brother, Take care of this
child in secret until the proper time comes, all the people of this age are growing treacherous and turning away from God. Having become completely ignorant they will
put him to death when they see him. Noah returned to his home and as time past
there came a great lawlessness which became abundant on the earth. Nir began to worry greatly for Melchizedek
saying "What will I do with him?" Nir stretched out his hands towards heaven
and called out to God, Eternal Lord, it is miserable for me that lawlessness has become abundant over all the earth during my lifetime! I realize how much closer our destruction
is because of people's lawlessness. What is the vision about this child? What is his destiny? What will I do so that he does not join us
in our destruction? The Lord took notice of Nir and appeared to
him in a night vision. God said to him, Nir, I will no longer tolerate
the wickedness that has come upon the earth. I plan to send down a great destruction to
cleanse the earth, but do not worry for the child. In a little while I will send my archangel
Gabriel who will take the child and put him in the paradise of Eden. He will not parish along with those who must
parish. As I have revealed, Melchizedek will be my
priest to all the holy priests. I will sanctify and establish him so that
he is the head of all priests in the future. Nir arose from his sleep and praised the
Lord. Saying, Blessed be the Lord, The God of my
fathers, for he has approved of my priesthood and the priesthood of my fathers. By his word the Lord has created a great priest
in the womb of my wife. I have no descendants, so let this child be
my descendant and become as my own son. Counting him as one of your servants and honoring him as an archpriest. Melchizedek will be head of the priesthood
in future generations. I know that great confusion has come, within
confusion this generation will come to an end and everyone will perish. Except for my brother Noah who will be preserved for procreation. From Noah's tribe will arise numerous people
and Melchizedek will guide those royal people to serve God. When the child had completed 40 days in Nir's home, the Lord said to the archangel Gabriel, Go down to the earth, to the home of Nir
the priest, and take the child Melchizedek, Take him to the paradise of Eden for preservation. For the time is approaching when I will pour
out all the water onto the earth. Everything on the earth will perish, then
I will raise it up again. Melchizedek will be the head of the priesthood in future generations. Gabriel rushed and flew down to Nir's home
in the darkness of night while Nir was sleeping. Gabriel appeared to Nir and declared, The
Lord says, Nir! Restore the child to me who I have entrusted
to you. Nir was confused and did not realize who
was speaking to him. Nir said, The hearts of the people are deceitful, when people find out about the child, they will seize him and kill him. Nir replied to Gabriel, The child is not
with me and I don't know who is speaking to me. Gabriel answered, Nir, do not be afraid. I am the archangel Gabriel and the Lord has
sent me to take the child. I will go with him and place him in the paradise of Eden. Nir remembered his dream and believed Gabriel. Praising the Lord he said, Blessed be the
Lord who sent you. Bless your servant and do with the child as
you have been instructed. That night Gabriel took the child Melchizedek
on his wings and placed him in the paradise of Eden. Nir woke in the morning and did not find the
child. Because he felt the child was his, there was
great joy and grief for Nir. The Lord said to Noah, Make an ark that is
300 cubits in length, 50 cubits in width, 30 cubits in height. Put the entrance to the ark in its side and
make it two stories in the middle. The Lord God opened the doors of Heaven. Rain came onto the earth and all flesh died. Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. He went into the ark in his six hundredth
year. After the flood, he lived three hundred and
fifty years. He lived a total of nine hundred and fifty
years as the Lord wills. To God be glory. Now and eternally. AMEN.
