1. They raised me up into a certain place, where there was the
appearance of a burning fire; and when they pleased they assumed
the likeness of men.
2. They carried me to a lofty spot, to a mountain; the top of which
reached to heaven.
3. And I beheld the receptacles of light and of thunder at the
extremities of the place, where it was deepest. There was a bow
of fire, and arrows in their quiver, a sword of fire, and every
species of lightning.
4. Then they elevated me to a babbling stream, and to a fire in
the west, which recieved all the setting of the sun. I came to a
river of fire, which flowed like water, and emptied itself into
the great sea westwards.
5. I saw every large river, until I arrived at the great darkness.
I went to where all of flesh migrate; and I beheld the mountains
of the gloom which constitutes winter, and the place from which
issues the water in every abyss.
6. I saw also the mouths of all the rivers in the world, and the
mouths of the deep.
CHAP 18
1. I then surveyed the receptacles of all the winds, perceiving
that they contributed to adorn the whole creation, and to preserve
the foundation of the earth.
2. I surveyed the stone which supports the corners of the earth.
3. I also beheld the four winds, which bear up the earth, and the
firmament of heaven.
4. And I beheld the winds occupying the exalted sky.
5. Arising in the midst of heaven and of earth, and constituting
the pillars of heaven.
6. I saw the winds which turn the sky, which cause the orb of the
sun and of all the stars to set; and over the earth I saw the winds
which support the clouds.
7. I saw the path of the angels.
8. I perceived at the extremity of the earth the firmament of
heaven above it. Then I passed on towards the south;
9. Where burnt, both by day and night, six mountains formed of
glorious stones; three towards the east, and three towards the
south.
10. Those which were towards the east were of a variegated stone;
one of which was of margarite, and another of antimony. Those
towards the south were of a red stone. The middle one reached
to heaven like the throne of God; a throne composed of alabaster,
the top of which was sapphire. I saw; too, a blazing fire hanging
over all the mountains.
11. And there I saw a place on the other side of an extended
territory, where waters were collected.
12. I likewise beheld terrestrial fountains, deep in the fiery
columns of heaven.
13. And in the columns of heaven I beheld fires, which descended
without number, but neither on high nor into the deep. Over these
fountains also I perceived a place which had neither the firmament
of heaven above it, nor the solid ground underneath it; neither
was there water above it, nor anything on wing; but the spot
was desolate.
14. And there I beheld seven stars, like great blazing mountains,
and like spirits entreating me.
15. Then the angel said, This place, until the consumation of
heaven and earth will be the prison of the stars and the host
of heaven.
16. The stars which roll over fire are those which transgressed
the commandment of God before their time arrived; for they came
not in their proper season. Therefore was he offended with them,
and bound them, until the period of the consummation of their
crimes in the secret year.
