Hymn 68.

Chapter 25

1Man. , O, Death, be not boastful, over the just: the sons of your Lord who at His command, come to dwell with you .— 2. R., To you be glory that by Your command, Death has reigned: and by Your Resurrection has been humbled to low estate! — 3. Death. , Herein am I exceeding great, according to your saying: that though I be bond-man I trample on them that are free.— 4. M ., Adam was chosen and ruler, and under his yoke: you, Death, and the Evil One , your fellow, became bondmen. — 5. D ., This is our pride that lo! The slaves have become lords: Death, and Satan , his fellow, have trampled on Adam. — 6. M ., Lo! The humbling of you and your fellow, accurst servants! How Enoch trampled on you both, and rose aloft and reigned.— 7. D ., If so be Enoch made me grieve, yet have I comfort for on Noah's dust in Sheol, lo! I trample.— 8. M ., Tremble, O Death, before man, for though a servant, the yoke of his dominion reigns on all creatures.— 9. D ., I rejoice then that they are no mean foes that I have overcome: for according to the greatness of the vanquished, he is great that overcomes.— 10. M ., Well does your voice sing triumph, O Death, over the just: for Enoch and Elijah have broken your pair of wings.— 11. D ., I know how to weigh my sorrows with my comforts: in place of two, lo! Many have come and coming.— 12. M ., All that have come and coming to you dwell as sojourners, and depart from your abode as Lazarus. — 13. D ., This your saying hurts me not, rather it heals me: for Lazarus who rebelled against me, I again subdued.— 14. M ., Make answer, O Death, and argue what constrained him, to be raised unless it were a mystery , showing forth his resurrection. — 15. D ., You are famous in arguing as idle ones, while I labour in my task to discern and perform — 16. M ., You were well prepared for argument, what has checked you? The truth of our resurrection has constrained you by its reputations.— 17. D ., You have made me hated by you, though I be not hateful: I am he that gives rest to your aged, and your afflicted.— 18. You have made me as one that troubles, O you mortals: Adam brought death upon you, and I bear the blame.— 19. Gently will I expose you, for I am a slave, and you are they that by your sins have made me king.— 20. The will of Adam roused me for I was at rest: I was dead and you quickened me, that you might die by me.— 21. I accuse the lying ones, who slew and denied it: for Adam slew himself and charges me.— 22. The beginning of strife was the accursed serpent which has rightly been crippled: which crept, entered, and set enmity between me and you.— 23. Satan is passed by and it is against me that you are roused: go, strive with the Evil One who made you transgress.— 24. He is my comrade and I deny it not, but though he be much hated , what need that I be blamed for him. I deny him henceforth.— 25. Hearken to my words, O mortals, and I will console you: I have afflicted you and I confess the life from the dead.— 26. For there begins to steal into my ears a voice of preparation: of the trumpet that holds itself ready to sound.— 27. Hear my words and put much oil into your lamps: for hindrance from my part there is none for you.— 28. Yet , Know that even although I have said these things, dear is the sound of your voice in the solitude of Sheol. — 29. For man has been weighed by me, and great is his peace: for snakes and fishes and birds come to meet him.— 30. But it is a marvel that to the Watchers, too, his converse is dear: yea, the Evil One in Gehenna, desires his presence.— 31. You shall have life from the dead, O you mortals, and I who am bereft shall be bereft in the midst of Sheol. — 32. Let praise ascend from all to You Who gives life to all, and from every quarter gathers the dust of Adam!