1 | From there I went to another place, towards the west, unto the extremities of the earth. |
2 | Where I beheld a fire blazing and running along without cessation, which intermitted its course neither by day nor by night; but continued always the same. |
3 | I inquired, saying, What is this, which never ceases? |
4 | Then Raguel, one of the holy angels who were with me, answered, |
5 | And said, This blazing fire, which you behold running towards the west, is that of all the luminaries of heaven. |
6 | I went from there to another place, and saw a mountain of fire flashing both by day and night. I proceeded towards it; and perceived seven splendid mountains, which were all different from each other. |
7 | Their stones were brilliant and beautiful; all were brilliant and splendid to behold; and beautiful was their surface. |
8 | Three mountains were towards the east, and strengthened by being placed one upon another; and three were towards the south, strengthened in a similar manner. |
9 | There were likewise deep valleys, which did not approach each other. |
10 | And the seventh mountain was in the midst of them. |
11 | In length they all resembled the seat of a throne, and odoriferous trees surrounded them. |
12 | Among these there was a tree of an unceasing smell; nor of those which were in Eden was there one of all the fragrant trees which smelt like this. |
13 | Its leaf, its flower, and its bark never withered, and its fruit was beautiful. |
14 | Its fruit resembled the cluster of the palm. |
15 | I exclaimed, Behold! This tree is goodly in aspect, pleasing in its leaf, and the sight of its fruit is delightful to the eye. |
16 | Then Michael, one of the holy and glorious angels who were with me, and one who presided over them, answered, and said: Enoch, why do you inquire respecting the odour of this tree? |
17 | Why are you inquisitive to know it? |
18 | Then I, Enoch, replied to him, and said, Concerning everything I am desirous of instruction, but particularly concerning this tree. |
19 | He answered me, saying, That mountain which you behold, the extent of whose head resembles the seat of the Lord, will be the seat on which shall sit the holy and great Lord of glory, the everlasting King, when he shall come and descend to visit the earth with goodness. |
20 | And that tree of an agreeable smell, not one of carnal odor, there shall be no power to touch, until the period of the great judgment. |
21 | When all shall be punished and consumed for ever, this shall be bestowed on the righteous and humble. |
22 | The fruit of the tree shall be given to the elect. For towards the north life shall be planted in the holy place, towards the habitation of the everlasting King. |
23 | Then shall they greatly rejoice and exult in the Holy One. |
24 | The sweet odor shall enter into their bones; and they shall live a long life on the earth as your forefathers have lived; neither in their days shall sorrow, distress, trouble, and punishment afflict them. |
25 | And I blessed the Lord of glory, the everlasting King, because He has prepared this tree for the saints, formed it, and declared that He would give it to them. |
26 | From there I proceeded to the middle of the earth, and beheld a happy and fertile spot, which contained branches continually sprouting from the trees which were planted in it. |
27 | There I saw a holy mountain, and underneath it water on the eastern side, which flowed towards the south. |
28 | I saw also on the east another mountain as high as that; and between them there were deep, but not wide valleys. |
29 | Water ran towards the mountain to the west of this; and underneath there was likewise another mountain. |
30 | There was a valley, but not a wide one, below it; and in the midst of them were other deep and dry valleys towards the extremity of the three. |
31 | All these valleys, which were deep, but not side, consisted of a strong rock, with a tree which was planted in them. And I wondered at the rock and at the valleys, being extremely surprised. |
32 | Then I said, What means this blessed land, all these lofty trees, and the accursed valley between them? |
33 | Then Uriel, one of the holy angels who were with me, replied, This valley is the accursed of the accursed for ever. |
34 | Here shall be collected all who utter with their mouths unbecoming language against God, and speak harsh things of His glory. |
35 | Here shall they be collected. Here shall be their territory. |
36 | In the latter days an example of judgment shall be made of them in righteousness before the saints; while those who have received mercy shall for ever, all their days, bless God, the everlasting King. |
37 | And at the period of judgment shall they bless Him for his mercy, as He has distributed it to them. |
38 | Then I blessed God, addressing myself to Him, and making mention, as was meet, of His greatness. |
39 | From there I proceeded towards the east to the middle of the mountain in the desert, the level surface only of which I perceived. |
40 | It was full of trees of the seed alluded to; and water leaped down upon it. |
41 | There appeared a cataract composed as of many cataracts both towards the west and towards the east. Upon one side were trees; upon the other water and dew. |
42 | Then I went to another place from the desert; towards the east of that mountain which I had approached. |
43 | There I beheld the trees of trees of divine judgment, particularly, those which produce the sweet-smelling opiate, frankincense and myrrh; and trees unlike to each other. |
44 | And over it, above them, was the elevation of the eastern mountain at no great distance. |
45 | I likewise saw another place with valleys of water which never wasted, |
46 | Where I perceived a goodly tree, which in smell resembled Zasakinon (the mastic tree). |
47 | And towards the sides of these valleys I perceived cinnamon of a sweet odour. |
48 | Over them I advanced towards the east. |
49 | Then I beheld another mountain containing trees, from which water flowed like Neketro, (nectar) Its name was Sarira, and Kalboneba (Styrax and galbanum). |
50 | And upon this mountain I beheld another mountain, upon which were trees of Alva (Aloe). |
51 | These trees were full, like almond trees, and strong; and when they produced fruit, it was superior to all redolence. |