Showing posts with label luminaries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luminaries. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2024

The Book of Enoch: Chapters LXXVIII - LXXXI

Chapter LXXVIII

1. And now, my son Mathusala, I have shown thee everything ; and the account of every ordinance of the stars of heaven is finished.
2. He showed me every ordinance respecting these, which takes place at all times and in all seasons under every influence, in all years, at the arrival and under the rule of each, during every month and every week. He showed me also the decrease of the moon, which is effected in the sixth gate ; for in that sixth gate is its light consumed.
3. From this is the beginning of the month ; and its decrease is effected in the sixth gate in its period, until a hundred and seventy-seven days are completed ; according to the mode of computation by weeks, twenty-five weeJcs and two days.
4. Its period is less than that of the sun, according to the ordinance of the stars, by five days in one half year precisely.
5. When that their visible situation is completed. Such is the appearance and likeness of every luminary, which Uriel, the great angel who conducts them, showed to me.


Chapter LXXIX

1. In those days Uriel answered and said to me, Behold, I have showed thee all things, O Enoch;
2. And all things have I revealed to thee. Thou seest the sun, the moon, and those which conduct the stars of heaven, which cause all their operations, seasons, and arrivals to return.
3. In the days of sinners the years shall be shortened.
4. Their seed shall be backward in their prolific soil; and everything done on earth shall be subverted, and disappear in its season. The rain shall be restrained, and heaven shall stand still.
5. In those days the fruits of the earth shall be late, and not flourish in their season ; and in their season the fruits of the trees shall be withholden.
6. The moon shall change its laws, and not be seen at its proper period. But in those days shall heaven be seen ; and barrenness shall take place in the borders of the great chariots in the west. Heaven shall shine more than when illuminated hy the orders of light; while many chiefs among the stars of authority shall err, perverting their ways and works.
7. Those shall not appear in their season, who command them, and all the classes of the stars shall be shut up against sinners.
8. The thoughts of those who dwell on earth shall transgress within them ; and they shall be perverted in all their ways.
9. They shall transgress, and think themselves gods ; while evil shall be multiplied among them.
10. And punishment shall come upon them, so that all of them shall be destroyed.


Chapter LXXX

1. He said, O Enoch, look on the book which heaven has gradually dropped down; and,reading that which is written in it, understand every part of it.
2. Then I looked on all which was written, and understood all, reading the book and everything written in it, all the works of man;
3. And of all the children of flesh upon earth, during the generations of the world.
4. Immediately after I blessed the Lord, the King of glory, who has thus for ever formed the whole workmanship of the world.
5. And I glorified the Lord, on account of his long-suffering and blessing towards the children of the world.
6. At that time I said, Blessed is the man, who shall die righteous and good, against whom no catalogue of crime has been written, and with whom iniquity is not found.
7. Then those three holy ones caused me to approach, and placed me on the earth, before the door of my house.
8. And they said unto me, Explain everything to Mathusala thy son ; and inform all thy children, that no flesh shall be justified before the Lord ; for he is their Creator.
9. During one year we will leave thee with thy children, until thou shalt again recover thy strength, that thou mayest instruct thy family, write these things, and explain them to all thy children. But in another year they shall take thee from the midst of them, and thy heart shall be strengthened ; for the elect shall point out righteousness to the elect; the righteous with the righteous shall rejoice, congratulating each other; but sinners with sinners shall die,
10. And the perverted with the perverted shall be drowned.
11. Those likewise who act righteously shall die on account of the works of man, and shall be gathered together on account of the works of the wicked.
12. In those days they finished conversing with me.
13. And I returned to my fellow men, blessing the Lord of worlds.


Chapter LXXXI

1. Now, my son Mathusala, all these things I speak unto thee, and write for thee. To thee I have revealed all, and have given thee books of everything.
2. Preserve, my son Mathusala, the books written by thy father; that thou mayest transmit them to future generations.
3. Wisdom have I given to thee, to thy children, and thy posterity, that they may transmit to their children, for generations for ever, this wisdom in their thoughts ; and that those who comprehend it may not slumber, but hear with their ears ; that they may learn this wisdom, and be deemed worthy of eating this wholesome food.
4. Blessed are all the righteous ; blessed all who walk in the paths of righteousness; in whom no crime is found, as in sinners, when all their days are numbered.
5. With respect to the progress of the sun in heaven, it enters and goes out of each gate for thirty days, with the leaders of the thousand classes of the stars; with four which are added, and appertain to the four quarters of the year, which conduct them, and accompany them at four periods.
6. Respecting these, men greatly err, and do not compute them in the computation of every age ; for they greatly err respecting them ; nor do men know accurately that they are in the computation of the year. But indeed these are marked down for ever; one in the first gate, one in the third, one in the fourth, and one in the sixth:
7. So that the year is completed in three hundred and sixty-four days.
8. Truly has been stated, and accurately has been computed that which is marked down ; for the luminaries, the months, the fixed periods, the years, and the days, Uriel has explained to me, and communicated to me ; whom the Lord of all creation, on my account, commanded (according to the might of heaven, and the power which it possesses both by night and by day) to explain the laws of light to man, of the sun, moon, and stars, and of all the powers of heaven, which are turned with their respective orbs.
9. This is the ordinance of the stars, which set in their places, in their seasons, in their periods, in their days, and in their months.
10. These are the names of those who conduct them, who watch and enter in their seasons, according to their ordinance in their periods, in their months, in the times of their influence, and in their stations.
11. Four conductors of them first enter, who separate the four quarters of the year. After these, twelve conductors of their classes, who separate the months and the year into three hundred and sixty-four days, with the leaders of a thousand, who distinguish between the days, as well as between the four additional ones ; which, as conductors, divide the four quarters of the year.
12. These leaders of a thousand are in the midst of the conductors, and the conductors are added each behind his station, and their conductors make the separation. These are the names of the conductors, who separate the four quarters of the year, who are appointed over them : Melkel, Helammelak,
13. Meliyal, and Narel.
14. And the names of those who conduct them are Adnarel, Jyasusal, and Jyelumeal.
15. These are the three who follow after the conductors of the classes of stars ; each following after the three conductors of the classes, which themselves follow after those conductors of the stations, who divide the four quarters of the year.
16. In the first part of the year rises and rules Melkyas, who is named Tamani, and Zahay.
17. All the days of his influence, during which he rules, are ninety-one days.
18. And these are the signs of the days which are seen upon earth. In the days of his influence there is perspiration, heat, and trouble. All the trees become fruitful ; the leaf of every tree comes forth ; the corn is reaped ; the rose and every species of flowers blossoms in the field ; and the trees of winter are dried up.
19. These are the names of the conductors who are under them: Barkel, Zelsabel; and another additional conductor of a thousand is named Heloyalef, the days of whose influence have been completed. The other conductor next after them is Helemmelek, whose name they call the splendid Zahay.
20. All the days of his light are ninety-one days.
21. These are the signs of the days upon earth, heat and drought ; while the trees bring forth their fruits, warmed and concocted, and give their fruits to dry.
22. The flocks follow and yean. All the fruits of the earth are collected, with everything in the fields, and the vines are trodden. This takes place during the time of his influence.
23. These are their names and orders, and the names of the conductors who are under them, of those who are chiefs of a thousand : Gedaeyal, Keel, Heel.
24. And the name of the additional leader of a thousand is Asphael.
25. The days of his influence have been completed.

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Saturday, March 23, 2024

The Book of Enoch: Chapters LXXII - LXXVII

Chapter LXXII

1. After this law I beheld another law of an inferior luminary, the name of which is the moon, and the orb of which is as the orb of heaven.
2. Its chariot, which it secretly ascends, the wind blows ; and light is given to it by measure.
3. Every month at its exit and entrance it becomes changed ; and its periods are as the periods of the sun. And when in like manner its light is to exist, its light is a seventh portion from the light of the sun.
4. Thus it rises, and at its commencement towards the east goes forth for thirty days.
5. At that time it appears, and becomes to you the beginning of the month. Thirty days it is with the sun in the gate from which the sun goes forth.
6. Half of it is in extent seven portions, one half; and the whole of its orb is void of light, except a seventh portion out of the fourteen portions of its light. And in a day it receives a seventh portion, or half that portion of its light. Its light is by sevens, by one portion, and by the half of a portion. It sets with the sun.
7. And when the sun rises, the moon rises with it ; receiving half a portion of light.
8. On that night, when it commences its period, previously to the day of the month, the moon sets with the sun.
9. And on that night it is dark in its fourteen portions, that is, in each half ; but it rises on that day with one seventh portion precisely, and in its progress declines from the rising of the sun.
10. During the remainder of its period its light increases to fourteen portions.


Chapter LXXIII

1. Then I saw another progress and regulation which He effected in the law of the moon. The progress of the moons, and everything relating to them, Uriel showed me, the holy angel who conducted them all.
2. Their stations I wrote down as he showed them to me.
3. I wrote down their months, as they occur, and the appearance of their light, until it is completed in fifteen days.
4. In each of its two seven portions it completes all its light at rising and at setting.
5. On stated months it changes its settings ; and on stated months it makes its progress through each gate. In two gates the moon sets with the sun, viz. in those two gates which are in the midst, in the third and fourth gate. From the third gate it goes forth for seven days, and makes its circuit.
6. Again it returns to the gate whence the sun goes forth, and in that completes the whole of its light. Then it declines from the sun, and enters in eight days into the sixth gate, and returns in seven days to the third gate, from which the sun goes forth.
7. When the sun proceeds to the fourth gate, the moon goes forth for seven days, until it passes from the fifth gate.
8. Again it returns in seven days to the fourth gate, and completing all its light, declines, and passes on by the first gate in eight days;
9. And returns in seven days to the fourth gate, from which the sun goes forth.
10. Thus I beheld their stations, as according to the fixed order of the months the sun rises and sets.
11. At those times there is an excess of thirty days belonging to the sun in five years; all the days belonging to each year of the five years, when completed, amount to three hundred and sixty-four days ; and to the sun and stars belong six days ; six days in each of the five years ; thus thirty days belong to them;
12. So that the moon has thirty days less than the sun and stars.
13. The moon brings on all the years exactly, that their stations may come neither too forwards nor too backwards a single day ; but that the years may be changed with correct precision in three hundred and sixty-four days. In three years the days are one thousand and ninety-two ; in five years they are one thousand eight hundred and twenty; and in eight years two thousand nine hundred and twelve days.
14. To the moon alone belong in three years one thousand and sixty-two days; in five years it has fifty days less than the sun, for an addition being made to the one thousand and sixty-two days, in five years there are one thousand seven hundred and seventy days ; and the days of the moon in eight years are two thousand eight hundred and thirty- two days.
15. For its clays in eight years are less than those of the sun by eighty days, which eighty days are its diminution in eight years. 16. The year then becomes truly complete according to the station of the moons, and the station of the sun ; which rise in the different gates ; which rise and set in them for thirty days.


Chapter LXXIV

1. These are the leaders of the chiefs of the thousands, those which preside over all creation, and over all the stars ; with the four days which are added and never separated from the place allotted them, according to the complete computation of the year.
2. And these serve four days, which are not computed in the computation of the year.
3. Respecting them, men greatly err, for these luminaries truly serve, in the mansion of the world, one day in the first gate, one in the third gate, one in the fourth, and one in the sixth gate.
4. And the harmony of the world becomes complete every three hundred and sixty-fourth state of it. For the signs,
5. The seasons, 6. The years, 7. And the days, Uriel showed me ; the angel whom the Lord of glory appointed over all the luminaries.
8. Of heaven in heaven, and in the world ; that they might rule in the face of the sky, and appearing over the earth, become
9. Conductors of the days and nights : the sun, the moon, the stars, and all the ministers of heaven, which make their circuit with all the chariots of heaven.
10. Thus Uriel showed me twelve gates open for the circuit of the chariots of the sun in heaven, from which the rays of the sun shoot forth.
11. From these proceed heat over the earth, when they are opened in their stated seasons. They are for the winds, and the spirit of the dew, when in their seasons they are opened ; opened in heaven at its extremities.
12. Twelve gates I beheld in heaven, at the extremities of the earth, through which the sun, moon, and stars, and all the works of heaven, proceed at their rising and setting.
13. Many windows also are open on the right and on the left.
14. One window at a certain season grows extremely hot. So also are there gates from which the stars go forth as they are commanded, and in which they set according to their number.
15. I saw likewise the chariots of heaven, running in the world above to those gates in which the stars turn, which never set. One of these is greater than all, which goes round the whole world.


Chapter LXXV

1. And at the extremities of the earth I beheld twelve gates open for all the winds, from which they proceed and blow over the earth.
2. Three of them are open in the front of heaven, three in the west, three on the right side of heaven, and three on the left. The first three are those which are towards the east, three are towards the north, three behind those which are upon the left, towards the south, and three on the west.
3. From four of them proceed winds of blessing, and of health ; and from eight proceed winds of punishment ; when they are sent to destroy the earth, and the heaven above it, all its inhabitants, and all which are in the waters, or on dry land.
4. The first of these winds proceeds from the gate termed the eastern, through the first gate on the east, which inclines southwards. From this goes forth destruction, drought, heat, and perdition.
5. From the second gate, the middle one,proceeds equity. There issue from it rain, fruitfulness, health, and dew ; and from the third gate northwards, proceed cold and drought.
6. After these proceed the south winds through three principal gates; through their firstgate, which inclines eastwards, proceeds a hot wind.
7. But from the middle gate proceed grateful odour, dew, rain, health, and life.
8. From the third gate, which is westwards, proceed dew, rain, blight, and destruction.
9. After these are the winds to the north, which is called the sea. They proceed from three gates. The first gate is that which is on the east, inclining southwards; from this proceed dew, rain, blight, and destruction. From the middle direct gate proceed rain, dew, life, and health. And from the third gate, which is westwards, inclining towards the south, proceed mist, frost, snow, rain, dew, and blight.
10. After these in the fourth quarter are the winds to the west. From the first gate, inclining northwards, proceed dew, rain, frost, cold, snow, and chill ; from the middle gate proceed rain, health, and blessing;
11. And from the last gate, which is southwards, proceed drought, destruction, scorching, and perdition.
12. The account of the twelve gates of the four quarters of heaven is ended.
13. All their laws, all their infliction of punishment, and the health produced by them, have I explained to thee, my son Mathusala.


Chapter LXXVI

1. The first wind is called the eastern, because it is the first.
2. The second is called the south, because the Most High there descends, and frequently there descends he who is blessed for ever.
3. The western wind has the name of diminution, because there all the luminaries of heaven are diminished, and descend.
4. The fourth wind, which is named the north, is divided into three parts; one of which is for the habitation of man ; another for seas of water, with valleys, woods, rivers, shady places, and snow ; and the third part contains paradise.
5. Seven high mountains I beheld, higher than all the mountains of the earth, from which frost proceeds ; while days, seasons, and years depart and pass away.
6. Seven rivers I beheld upon earth, greater than all rivers, one of which takes its course from the west ; into a great sea its water flows.
7. Two come from the north to the sea, their waters flowing into the Erythraean sea, on the east. And with respect to the remaining four, they take their course in the cavity of the north, two to their sea, the Erythraean sea, and two are poured into a great sea, where also it is said there is a desert.
8. Seven great islands I saw in the sea and on the earth. Seven in the great sea.

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Friday, March 22, 2024

The Book of Enoch: Chapters LXIX - LXXI

Chapter LXIX

1. After this the name of the Son of man, living with the Lord of spirits, was exalted by the inhabitants of the earth.
2. It was exalted in the chariots of the Spirit ; and the name went forth in the midst of them,
3. From that time I was not drawn in the midst of them ; but he seated me between two spirits, between the north and the west, where the angels received their ropes, to measure out a place for the elect and the righteous.
4. There I beheld the fathers of the first men, and the saints, who dwell in that place for ever.


Chapter LXX

1. Afterwards my spirit was concealed, ascending into the heavens. I beheld the sons of the holy angels treading on flaming fire, whose garments and robes were white, and whose countenances were transparent as crystal.
2. I saw two rivers of fire glittering like the liyacinth.
3. Then I fell on my face before the Lord of spirits.
4. And Michael, one of the archangels, took me by my right hand, raised me up, and brought me out to where was every secret of mercy and secret of righteousness.
5. He showed me all the hidden things of the extremities of heaven, all the receptacles of the stars, and the splendours of all, from whence they went forth before the face of the holy.
6. And he concealed the spirit of Enoch in the heaven of heavens.
7. There I beheld, in the midst of that light, a building raised with stones of ice ;
8. And in the midst of these stones vibrations of living fire. My spirit saw around the circle of this flaming habitation, on one of its extremities, that there were rivers full of living fire, which encompassed it.
9. Then the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and Ophanin surrounded it : these are those who never sleep, but watch the throne of his glory.
10. And I beheld angels innumerable, thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, who surrounded that habitation.
11. Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Phanuel, and the holy angels who were in the heavens above, went in and out of it. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel went out of that habitation, and holy angels innumerable.
12. With them was the Ancient of days, whose head was white as wool, and pure, and his robe was indescribable.
13. Then I fell upon my face, while all my flesh was dissolved, and my spirit became changed.
14. I cried out with a loud voice, with a powerful spirit, blessing, glorifying, and exalting.
15. And those blessings, which proceeded from my mouth, became acceptable in the presence of the Ancient of days.
16. The Ancient of days came with Michael and Gabriel, Eaphael and Phanuel, with thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, which could not be numbered.
17. Then that angel came to me, and with his voice saluted me, saying, Thou art the offspring of man, who art born for righteousness, and righteousness has rested on thee.
IS. The righteousness of the Ancient of days shall not forsake thee.
19. He said, On thee shall he confer peace in the name of the existing world ; for from thence has peace gone forth since the world was created.
20. And thus shall it happen to thee for ever and ever.
21. All who shall exist, and who shall walk in thy path of righteousness, shall not forsake thee for ever.
22. With thee shall be their habitations, with thee their lot ; nor from thee shall they be separated for ever and ever.
23. And thus shall length of days be with the offspring of man.
24. Peace shall be to the righteous ; and the path of integrity shall the righteous pursue, in the name of the Lord of spirits, for ever and ever.


Chapter LXXI

1. The book of the revolutions of the luminaries of heaven, according to their respective classes, their respective powers, their respective periods, their respective names, the places where they commence their progress, and their respective months, which Uriel, the holy angel who was with me, explained to me ; he who conducts them. The whole account of them, according to every year of the world for ever, until a new work shall be effected, which will be eternal.
2. This is the first law of the luminaries. The sun and the light arrive at the gates of heaven, which are on the east, and on the west of it at the western gates of heaven.
3. I beheld the gates whence the sun goes forth and the gates where the sun sets ;
4. In which gates also the moon rises and sets ; and I heheld the conductors of the stars, among those who precede them ; six gates were at the rising, and six at the setting of the sun.
5. All these respectively, one after another, are on a level ; and numerous windows are on the right and on the left sides of those gates.
6. First proceedsforth that great luminary, which is called the sun ; the orb of which is as the orb of heaven, the whole of it being replete with splendid and flaming fire.
7. Its chariot, where it ascends, the wind blows.
8. The sun sets in heaven, and, returning by the north, to proceed towards the east, is conducted so as to enter by that gate, and illuminate the face of heaven.
9. In the same manner it goes forth in the first month by a great gate.
10. It goes forth through the fourth of those six gates, which are at the rising of the sun.
11. And in the fourth gate, through which the sun with the moon proceeds, in the first part of it, there are twelve open windows ; from which issues out a flame, when they are opened at their proper periods.
12. When the sun rises in heaven, it goes forth through this fourth gate thirty days, and by the fourth gate in the west of heaven on a level with it descends.
13. During that period the day is lengthened from the day, and the night curtailed from the night for thirty days. And then the day is longer by two parts than the night.
14. The day is precisely ten parts, and the night is eight.
15. The sun goes forth through this fourth gate, and sets in it, and turns to the fifth gate during thirty days ; after which it proceeds from, and sets in, the fifth gate.
16. Then the day becomes lengthened by a second portion, so that it is eleven parts : while the night becomes shortened, and is only seven parts.
17. The sun now returns to the east, entering into the sixth gate, and rising and setting in the sixth gate thirty-one days, on account of its signs.
18. At that period the day is longer than the night, being twice as long as the night ; and becomes twelve parts
19. But the night is shortened, and becomes six parts. Then the sun rises up, that the day may be shortened, and the night lengthened.
20. And the sun returns towards the east, entering into the sixth gate, where it rises and sets for thirty days.
21. When that period is completed, the day becomes shortened precisely one part, so that it is eleven parts, while the night is seven parts.
22. Then the sun goes from the west, from that sixth gate, and proceeds eastwards, rising in the fifth gate for thirty days, and setting again westwards in the fifth gate of the west.
23. At that period the day becomes shortened two parts ; and is ten parts, while the night is eight parts.
24. Then the sun goes from the fifth gate, as it sets in the fifth gate of the west ; and rises in the fourth gate for thirty-one days, on account of its signs, setting in the west.
25. At that period the day is made equal with the night ; and, being equal with it, the night becomes nine parts, and the day nine parts.
26. Then the sun goes from that gate, as it sets in the west ; and returning to the east proceeds by the third gate for thirty days, setting in the west at the third gate.
27. At that period the night is lengthened from the day during thirty mornings, and the day is curtailed from the day during thirty days ; the night being ten parts precisely, and the day eight parts.
28. The sun now goes from the third gate, as it sets in the third gate in the west ; but returning to the east, it proceeds by the second gate of the east for thirty days.
29. In like manner also it sets in the second gate in the west of heaven.
30. At that period the night is eleven parts, and the day seven parts.
31. Then the sun goes at that time from the second gate, as it sets in the second gate in the west ; but returns to the east, proceeding by the first gate, for thirty-one days.
32. And sets in the west in the first gate. 33. At that period the night is lengthened as much again as the day.
34. It is twelve parts precisely, while the day is six parts.
35. The sun has thus completed its beginnings, and a second time goes round from these beginnings.
36. Into that gate it enters for thirty days, and sets in the west, in the opposite part of heaven.
37. At that period the night is contracted in its length a fourth part, that is, one portion, and becomes eleven parts.
88. The day is seven parts.
39. Then the sun returns, and enters into the second gate of the east.
40. It returns by these beginnings thirty days, rising and setting.
41. At that period the night is contracted in its length. It becomes ten parts, and the day eight parts. Then the sun goes from that second gate, and sets in the west ; but returns to the east, and rises in the east, in the third gate, thirty-one days, setting in the west of heaven.
42. At that period the night becomes shortened. It is nine parts. And the night is equal with the day. The year is precisely three hundred and sixty-four days.
43. The lengthening of the day and night, and the contraction of the day and night, are made to differ from each other by the progress of the sun.
44. By means of this progress the day is daily lengthened, and the night greatly shortened.
45. This is the law and progress of the sun, and its turning when it turns back, turning during sixty days, and going forth. This is the great everlasting luminary, that which he names the sun for ever and ever.
46. This also is that which goes forth a great luminary, and which is named after its peculiar kind, as God commanded.
47. And thus it goes in and out, neither slackening nor resting ; but running on in its chariot by day and by night. It shines with a seventh portion of light from the moon ; but the dimensions of both are equal.


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Saturday, March 16, 2024

The Book of Enoch: Chapters XXI - XXIV

Chapter XXI

1. Then I made a circuit to a place in which nothing was completed.
2. And there I beheld neither the tremendous workmanship of an exalted heaven, nor of an established earth, but a desolate spot, prepared, and terrific.
3. There, too, I beheld seven stars of heaven bound in it together, like great mountains, and like a blazing fire. I exclaimed. For what species of crime have they been bound, and why have they been removed to this place ? Then Uriel, one of the holy angels who was with me, and who conducted me, answered : Enoch, wherefore dost thou ask ; wherefore reason with thyself, and anxiously inquire ? These are those of the stars which have transgressed the commandment of the most high God ; and are here bound, until the infinite number of the days of their crimes be completed.
4. From thence I afterwards passed on to another terrific place
5. Where I beheld the operation of a great fire blazing and glittering, in the midst of which there was a division. Columns of fire struggled together to the end of the abyss, and deep was their descent. But neither its measurement nor magnitude was I able to discover ; neither could I perceive its origin. Then I exclaimed, How terrible is this place, and how difficult to explore
6. Uriel, one of the holy angels who was with me, answered and said: Enoch, why art thou alarmed and amazed at this terrific place, at the sight of this place of suffering ? This, he said, is the prison of the angels and here they are kept forever.


Chapter XXII

1. From thence I proceeded to another spot, where I saw on the west a great and lofty mountain, a strong rock, and four delightful places.
2. Internally it was deep, capacious, and very smooth; as smooth as if it had been rolled over : it was both deep and dark to behold.
3. Then Raphael, one of the holy angels who were with me, answered and said. These are the delightful places where the spirits, the souls of the dead, will be collected ; for them were they formed ; and here will be collected all the souls of the sons of men.
4. These places, in which they dwell, shall they occupy until the day of judgment, and until their appointed period.
5. Their appointed period will be long, even until the great judgment. And I saw the spirits of the sons of men who were dead ; and their voices reached to heaven, while they were accusing.
6. Then I inquired of Raphael, an angel who was with me, and said, Whose spirit is that, the voice of which reaches to heaven, and accuses ?
7. He answered, saying, This is the spirit of Abel, who was slain by Cain his brother; and who will accuse that brother, until his seed be destroyed from the face of the earth;
8. Until his seed perish from the seed of the human race.
9. At that time therefore I inquired respecting him, and respecting the general judgment, saying. Why is one separated from another ? He answered. Three separations have been made between the spirits of the dead, and thus have the spirits of the righteous been separated,
10. Namely, by a chasm, by water, and by light above it.
11. And in the same way likewise are sinners separated when they die, and are buried in the earth judgment not overtaking them in their lifetime.
12. Here their souls are separated. Moreover, abundant is their suffering until the time of the great judgment, the castigation, and the torment of those who eternally execrate, whose souls are punished and bound there for ever
.
13. And thus has it been from the beginning of the world. Thus has there existed a separation between the souls of those who utter complaints, and of those who watch for their destruction, to slaughter them in the day of sinners.
14. A receptacle of this sort has been formed for the souls of unrighteous men, and of sinners ; of those who have completed crime, and associated with the impious, whom they resemble. Their souls shall not be annihilated in the day of judgment, neither shall they arise from this place. Then I blessed God,
15. And said, Blessed be my Lord, the Lord of glory and of righteousness, who reigns over all for ever and for ever.


Chapter XXIII

1. From thence I went to another place, towards the west, unto the extremities of the earth.
2. Where I beheld a fire blazing and running along without cessation, which intermitted its course neither by day nor by night ; but continued always the same.
3. I inquired, saying, What is this, which never ceases ?
4. Then Raguel, one of the holy angels who were with me, answered,
5. And said, This blazing fire, which thou beholdest running towards the west, is that of all the luminaries of heaven.


Chapter XXIV

1. I went from thence to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both by day and night. I proceeded towards it ; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other.
2. Their stones were brilliant and beautiful ; all were brilliant and splendid to behold and beautiful ; was their surface. Three mountains were towards the east, and strengthened by being placed one upon another; and three were towards the south, strengthened in a similar manner. There were likewise deep valleys, which did not approach each other. And the seventh mountain was in the midst ofthem. In length they all resembled the seat of a throne, and odoriferous trees surrounded them.
3. Among these there was a tree of an unceasing smell ; nor of those which were in Eden was there one of all the fragrant trees which smelt like this. Its leaf, its flower, and its bark never withered, and its fruit was beautiful.
4. Its fruit resembled the cluster of the palm. I exclaimed, Behold ! this tree is goodly in aspect, pleasing in its leaf, and the sight of its fruit is delightful to the eye. Then Michael, one of the holy and glorious angels who were with me, and one who presided over them, answered,
5. And said : Enoch, why dost thou inquire respecting the odour of this tree ?
6. Why art thou inquisitive to know it?
7. Then I, Enoch, replied to him, and said, Concerning everything I am desirous of instruction, but particularly concerning this tree.
8. He answered me, saying. That mountain which thou beholdest, the extent of whose head resembles the seat of the Lord, will be the seat on which shall sit the holy and great Lord of glory, the everlasting King, when he shall come and descend to visit the earth with goodness.
9. And that tree of an agreeable smell, not one of carnal odour, there shall be no power to touch, until the period of the great judgment. When all shall be punished and consumed for ever, this shall be bestowed on the righteous and humble. The fruit of this tree shall be given to the elect. For towards the north life shall be planted in the holy place, towards the habitation of the everlasting King.
10. Then shall they greatly rejoice and exult in the Holy One. The sweet odour shall enter into their bones ; and they shall live a long life on the earth, as thy forefathers have lived ; neither in their days shall sorrow, distress, trouble, and punishment afflict them.
11. And I blessed the Lord of glory, the everlasting King, because He has prepared this tree for the saints, formed it, and declared that He would give it to them.

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