Hymn 52.

Chapter 9

1Concerning Satan and Death.

2I heard Death and Satan , as they disputed, which was the more powerful, among men . R., To You be glory , Son of the Shepherd of All, Who delivered His flock from the secret wolves that devoured it , the Evil One and Death!— 2. Death showed his power, that he conquers all; Satan showed his guile, that he makes all to sin .— 3. Death , To you, O Evil One, none hearkens save he that wills: to me he that wills and he that wills not, even to me they come.— 4. Satan , Yours, O Death, is but the force of tyranny: mine are snares and nets of subtlety.— 5. D ., Hear, O Evil One, that who so is subtle breaks off your yoke: but none is there that is able to escape my yoke.— 6. S ., You, Death, prove your might on him that is sick: but I over them that are whole, am exceeding powerful.— 7. D ., The Evil One prevails not over all those that revile him: but for me he that has cursed me and he that curses me, come into my hands.— 8. S ., You, Death, from God , hast gotten your might: I alone by none am I helped, when I lead men to sin .— 9. D ., You, O Evil-One, like a weakling: while like a king I exercise my dominion.— 10. S ., You are a fool, O Death, not to know how great am I: who suffice to capture free will , the sovereign power.— 11. D ., You, O Evil One, like a thief, lo! You go round: I like a lion break in pieces and fear not.— 12. S ., To you, O Death, none does service or worship: to me kings do service of sacrifice as to God .— 13. D ., On Death there are many that call, as on a kind Power: on you, O Evil One, none has called or calls.— 14. S ., Do you not mark this, O Death, how many there are: who in sundry fashions call on me and make oblation? — 15. D . Hated is your name, O Satan , nor can you clear it: your name every one curses, hide your reproach.— 16. S ., Your ear, O Death, has waxed dull, that you hear not: how against you all men groan, conceal yourself.— 17. D ., My face is shown to the world, for I am guileless: not like you who without guile cannot abide.— 18. S ., You have not in anything surpassed me for it is true : that you are hateful as I to the sons of men. — 19. D ., Of me all men are afraid as of a lord: but as for you they hate you as the Evil One .— 20. S ., For you, O Death, they hate your name, and also your work: my name they hate but my delights they greatly love .— 21. D ., To bitterness of teeth is turned, this your sweetness: penitence of soul cleaves ever unto your lusts .— 22. S ., Sheol is hated because in her is no repentance: a pit that swallows and closes on all movements.— 23. D ., Sheol is a gulf wherein whoever falls shall rise again: sin is hated because it cuts off the hope of man.— 24. S ., Though I mislike penitents, I give place for repentance : you cut off hope from the sinner who dies in his sin .— 25. D ., It was of you that at first his hope was cut off: for he whom you have not caused to sin dies happily.— 26. Blessed is He who raised against each other those cursed servants: that we might see them as they have seen us and mocked at us.— 27. This that we have seen of them is a pledge, my brethren: of what we shall see of them hereafter when we rise again.