Chapter 135

¹ That four hundred and thirty-four years passed from the return of the people from Babylon until the birth of Christ is easy to grasp from what has been set forth.

² For since the first covenant was given to the sons of Israel after four hundred and thirty-four years, it was necessary that the second likewise be marked off by the same span of time, so that it might be awaited by the people and easily recognized by those who believe.

³ And for this reason Gabriel says, “and to anoint the Holy of Holies.”

⁴ But none is Holy of Holies except the Son of God alone, who being present and showing himself to be the one anointed by the Father and sent into the world, said to them: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for which cause he anointed me; he has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

⁵ As many, then, as believed in the heavenly Priest were cleansed by that Priest himself, and their sins were wiped away; but as many as disbelieved in him, setting him at nought as a mere man, their sins were sealed up as irremovable.

⁶ Whence the angel, foreseeing that not all would believe in him, said: “to bring sins to their full end and to seal up sins.”

⁷ For as many as disbelieved him to the end, their sins were brought to their full end and sealed up, kept for judgment; but as many as were to believe in him and to confess to him as one able to forgive sins, their sins were wiped away.