Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (2 Bar 1-77) (eng)

3 Since you were astonished by what has befallen Zion – for this reason, you will be preserved until the end of times, so that you may be a testimony,4 so that, if the prosperous cities ever say: “Why has mighty God brought this punishment upon us?”5 you may say to them – you and those who are like you, who have seen this evil and punishment which have come upon you and your people in due time: “So that the nations may be fully chastised.” ^{1The exact extent of the answer to the prosperous cities is unclear. Klijn translates the answer as follows: “Ihr sahet dieses Unheil kommen über euch und diese Strafe – sie kamen über euch und über euer Volk in jener Zeit, damit die Völker vollständig gezüchtigt werden.” By contrast, Charles translates: “<This is the evil> and retribution which is coming upon you and upon your people in its (destined) time, that the nations may be thoroughly smitten.“}