Part 19 (1/2)

7 Then G.o.d commanded Adam to finish his offering, and when he had ended it he wors.h.i.+pped before G.o.d, and praised Him for the signs He had showed him.

8 And G.o.d healed Adam in one day, which is the end of the seven weeks; and that is the fiftieth day.

9 Then Adam and Eve returned from the mountain, and went into the Cave of Treasures, as they were used to do. This completed for Adam and Eve, one hundred and forty days since their coming out of the garden.

10 Then they both stood up that night and prayed to G.o.d. And when it was morning, they went out, and went down westward of the cave, to the place where their corn was, and there rested under the shadow of a tree, as they were accustomed.

11 But when there a mult.i.tude of beasts came all around them. It was Satan's doing, in his wickedness; in order to wage war against Adam through marriage.

Chapter LXX - Thirteenth apparition of Satan, to trick Adam into marrying Eve.

1 After this Satan, the hater of all good, took the form of an angel, and with him two others, so that they looked like the three angels who had brought to Adam gold, incense, and myrrh.

2 They pa.s.sed before Adam and Eve while they were under the tree, and greeted Adam and Eve with fair words that were full of deceit.

3 But when Adam and Eve saw their pleasant expression, and heard their sweet speech, Adam rose, welcomed them, and brought them to Eve, and they remained all together; Adam's heart the while, being glad because he thought concerning them, that they were the same angels, who had brought him gold, incense, and myrrh.

4 Because, when they came to Adam the first time, there came over him from them, peace and joy, through their bringing him good tokens; so Adam thought that they had come a second time to give him other tokens for him to rejoice therewith. For he did not know it was Satan; therefore he received them with joy and consorted with them.

5 Then Satan, the tallest of them, said, ”Rejoice, O Adam, and be glad.

Look, G.o.d has sent us to you to tell you something.”

6 And Adam said, ”What is it?” Then Satan answered, ”It is a simple thing, yet it is the Word of G.o.d, will you accept it from us and do it?

But if you will not accept it, we will return to G.o.d, and tell Him that you would not receive His Word.”

7 And Satan said again to Adam, ”Don't be afraid and don't tremble; don't you know us?”

8 But Adam said, ”I do not know you.”

9 Then Satan said to him, ”I am the angel that brought you gold, and took it to the cave; this other angel is the one that brought you incense; and that third angel, is the one who brought you myrrh when you were on top of the mountain, and who carried you to the cave.

10 But as to the other angels our fellows, who bare you to the cave, G.o.d has not sent them with us this time; for He said to us, 'You will be enough'.”

11 So when Adam heard these words he believed them, and said to these angels, ”Speak the Word of G.o.d, that I may receive it.”

12 And Satan said to him, ”Swear, and promise me that you will receive it.”

13 Then Adam said, ”I do not know how to swear and promise.”

14 And Satan said to him, ”Hold out your hand, and put it inside my hand.”

15 Then Adam held out his hand, and put it into Satan's hand; when Satan said to him, ”Say, now--So true as G.o.d is living, rational, and speaking, who raised the stars in heaven, and established the dry ground on the waters, and has created me out of the four elements*, and out of the dust of the earth--I will not break my promise, nor renounce my word.”

16 And Adam swore thus.