The Bible

 

Postanak 9

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1 Tada Bog blagoslovi Nou i njegove sinove i reče im: "Plodite se i množite i zemlju napunite.

2 Neka vas se boje i od vas strahuju sve životinje na zemlji, sve ptice u zraku, sve što se po zemlji kreće i sve ribe u moru: u vaše su ruke predane.

3 Sve što se kreće i živi neka vam bude za hranu: sve vam dajem, kao što vam dadoh zeleno bilje.

4 Samo ne smijete jesti mesa u kojem je još duša, to jest njegova krv.

5 A za vašu krv, za vaš život, tražit ću obračun: tražit ću ga od svake životinje; i od čovjeka za njegova druga tražit ću obračun za ljudski život.

6 Tko prolije krv čovjekovu, njegovu će krv čovjek proliti! Jer na sliku Božju stvoren je čovjek!

7 A vi, plodite se, i množite i zemlju napunite, i podložite je sebi!"

8 Još reče Bog Noi i njegovim sinovima s njim:

9 "A ja, evo, sklapam svoj Savez s vama i s vašim potomstvom poslije vas

10 i sa svim živim stvorovima što su s vama: s pticama, sa stokom, sa zvijerima - sa svime što je s vama izišlo iz korablje - sa svim živim stvorovima na zemlji.

11 Držat ću se ja svog Saveza s vama te nikada više vode potopne neće uništiti živa bića niti će ikad više potop zemlju opustošiti."

12 I reče Bog: "A ovo znamen je Saveza koji stavljam između sebe i vas i svih živih bića što su s vama, za naraštaje buduće:

13 Dugu svoju u oblak stavljam, da zalogom bude Savezu između mene i zemlje.

14 Kad oblake nad zemlju navučem i duga se u oblaku pokaže,

15 spomenut ću se Saveza svoga, Saveza između mene i vas i stvorenja svakoga živog: potopa više neće biti da uništi svako biće.

16 U oblaku kad se pojavi duga, ja ću je vidjeti i vjekovnog ću se sjećati Saveza između Boga i svake žive duše, svakog tijela na zemlji."

17 I reče Bog Noi: "To neka je znak Saveza koji sam postavio između sebe i svih živih bića što su na zemlji."

18 Sinovi Noini, koji su iz korablje izišli, bijahu: Šem, Ham i Jafet. Ham je praotac Kanaanaca.

19 Ovo su trojica Noinih sinova i od njih se sav svijet razgranao.

20 Noa, zemljoradnik, zasadio vinograd.

21 Napio se vina i opio, pa se otkrio nasred šatora.

22 Ham, praotac Kanaanaca, opazi oca gola pa to kaza dvojici svoje braće vani.

23 Šem i Jafet uzmu ogrtač, obojica ga prebace sebi preko ramena pa njime, idući natraške, pokriju očevu golotinju. Lica im bijahu okrenuta na drugu stranu, tako te ne vidješe oca gola.

24 Kad se Noa otrijeznio od vina i saznao što mu je učinio najmlađi sin, reče:

25 "Neka je proklet Kanaanac, braći svojoj najniži sluga nek' bude!"

26 Onda nastavi: "Blagoslovljen Jahve, Šemov Bog, Kanaanac nek' mu je sluga!

27 Nek Bog raširi Jafeta da prebiva pod šatorima Šemovim, Kanaanac nek' mu je sluga!"

28 Poslije Potopa Noa poživje trista pedeset godina.

29 U svemu poživje Noa devet stotina pedeset godina; potom umrije.

   

From Swedenborg's Works

 

True Christianity #687

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687. Baptism as the process of being regenerated is represented by many things both in heaven and in the world.

In heaven, it is represented by the clothes of white and clothes of red just mentioned. It is also represented by the marriage between the church and the Lord; by the new heaven and the new earth; and by the New Jerusalem coming down, about which the One sitting on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new" (). It is represented by the river of living water coming forth from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1-2). It is also meant by the five prudent young women who had both lamps and oil and who walked into the wedding with the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-2, 10). The person who has been baptized, that is, regenerated, is meant by the "creatures" [to whom the gospel is to be preached] (Mark 16:15) and by the "creation" (Romans 8:19-21), and the "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15); "creature" comes from the verb "to be created," which means to be regenerated (see Revelation Unveiled 254).

[2] In the world, the process of being regenerated is represented by various things. For example, by the flowering of all things on earth in springtime and the ensuing stages of growth to the point of bearing fruit. Likewise, by the stages of development that every type of tree, bush, and flower goes through from the first to the last warm month.

The process of being regenerated is also represented by the development of fruits of all kinds from initial stem to ripe fruit. It is represented by the morning and evening rains and the falling dew that cause flowers to open, as they also close themselves to the darkness of night. It is represented by the fragrances of gardens and fields; and by the rainbow in the cloud (Genesis 9:14-17). It is also represented by the radiant colors of sunrise.

The process of being regenerated is also represented in a general way by the constant renewal of all things in the body by chyle and animal spirits and then blood. Blood is constantly being purified of worn-out elements and renewed and in a sense regenerated.

[3] If we look even to the lowliest creatures on earth, we see an image of the process of regeneration in the miraculous transformation of silkworms, and of many other grubs and caterpillars into nymphs and butterflies, and of other creatures that in time are embellished with wings.

To these we might add a lighter example: the desire of some songbirds to splash in the water in order to wash and cleanse themselves before returning to their singing.

In brief, the whole world on every level of existence is full of symbols and emblems of regeneration.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Foundation for the permission to use this translation.