Chapter XCVII Summary
The righteous are told to believe that sinners will be shamed and destroyed on the day of judgement. The Most High is aware of the sinners' fate, and the angels rejoice over it. Sinners are asked what they will do and where they will run when they hear the prayers of the righteous on that day. They will be treated like those who are testified against as companions of sinners. The prayers of the righteous will be heard by the Lord, and the sinners' days of judgement will come. All their unrighteous deeds will be read out before the Great Holy One, and they will be filled with shame. Their faces will be covered, and all their unrighteous works will be rejected. Woe is declared upon the sinners, both those on the sea and on land, whose memories are evil. Woe is also declared upon those who gain wealth through unrighteousness. They boast about their riches and possessions, but their wealth will not last. Their lies will flow away like water, and their riches will quickly leave them. They acquired everything unjustly and will be given over to a great curse.
Trust, you who are righteous, that the wicked will be disgraced and destroyed on the day of evil.
2You sinners should know that the Most High is aware of your coming destruction, and the angels in heaven are happy about it.
3What will you do, you sinners, and where will you run on the day of judgment, when you hear the voice of the righteous praying?
4You will be like those who this message is about: "You have been friends with sinners."
5In those days, the prayers of the righteous will reach God, and your time of judgment will arrive.
6All the things you have done wrong will be read out in front of the Great Holy One. You will feel so ashamed that you cover your faces. He will reject everything you have done that is based on wrongdoing.
7Woe to you, you sinners, who live on the islands and on the mainland, whose reputation is terrible.
8"Trouble is coming to those who gain wealth dishonestly and say, 'We've become rich, we own plenty, and we've got everything we've ever wanted.'"
9And now let's do what we planned. We've gathered plenty of silver, and many workers tend to our fields. Our storehouses are full to the brim. But your lies will wash away like water, because your wealth won't last. It will quickly leave you, as you've gained it all through injustice. You will be given over to a great curse.