1. Man., O, Death, be not thou boastful, over the just: the sons of thy Lord who at His command, come to dwell with thee. -- 2. R., To thee be glory that by Thy command, Death has reigned: and by Thy Resurrection has been humbled to low estate! -- 3. Death., Herein am I exceeding great, according to thy 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: thou, Death, and the Evil One, thy 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 thee and thy 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 thy voice sing triumph, O Death, over the just: for Enoch and Elijah have broken thy pair of wings. -- 11. D., I know how to weigh my sorrows with my comforts: in place of two, lo! many are come and coming. -- 12. M., All that are come and coming to thee dwell as sojourners, and depart from thy abode as Lazarus. -- 13. D., This thy 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., Ye are famous in arguing as idle ones, while I labour in my task to discern and perform -- 16. M., Thou wast well prepared for argument, what has checked thee? The truth of our resurrection has constrained thee by its reputations. -- 17. D., Ye have made me hated by you, though I be not hateful: I am he that gives rest to your aged, and your afflicted. -- 18. Ye have made me as one that troubles, O ye mortals: Adam brought death upon you, and I bear the blame. -- 19. Gently will I expose you, for I am a slave, and ye 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 ye quickened me, that ye 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 ye 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 ye 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. Ye shall have life from the dead, O ye mortals, and I who am bereft shall be bereft in the midst of Sheol. -- 32. Let praise ascend from all to Thee Who quickenest all, and from every quarter gatherest the dust of Adam! |