Book of Enoch

iconChapter - 11

1After these things, surveying the entrances of the north, above the mountains, I perceived seven mountains replete with pure nard, odoriferous trees, cinnamon and papyrus.
2From there I passed on above the summits of those mountains to some distance eastwards, and went over the Erythraean sea. (The Red Sea)
3And when I was advanced far beyond it, I passed along above the angel Zateel, and arrived at the garden of righteousness.
4In this garden I beheld, among other trees, some which were numerous and large, and which flourished there.
5Their fragrance was agreeable and powerful, and their appearance both varied and elegant.
6The tree of knowledge also was there, of which if any one eats, he becomes endowed with great wisdom.
7It was like a species of the tamarind tree, bearing fruit which resembled grapes extremely fine; and its fragrance extended to a considerable distance.
8I exclaimed, How beautiful is this tree, and how delightful is its appearance!
9Then holy Raphael, an angel who was with me, answered and said, This is the tree of knowledge, of which your ancient father and your aged mother ate, who were before you; and who, obtaining knowledge, their eyes being opened, and knowing themselves to be naked, were expelled from the garden.
10From there I went on towards the extremities of the earth; where I saw large beasts different from each other, and birds various in their countenances and forms, as well as with notes of different sounds.
11To the east of these beasts I perceived the extremities of the earth, where heaven ceased.
12The gates of heaven stood open, and I beheld the celestial stars come forth.
13I numbered them as they proceeded out of the gate, and wrote them all down, as they came out one by one according to their number.
14I wrote down their names altogether, their times and their seasons, as the angel Uriel, who was with me, pointed them out to me.
15He showed them all to me, and wrote down an account of them.
16He also wrote down for me their names, their regulations, and their operations.
17From there I advanced on towards the north, to the extremities of the earth.
18And there I saw a great and glorious wonder at the extremities of the whole earth.
19I saw there heavenly gates opening into heaven; three of them distinctly separated. The northern winds proceeded from them, blowing cold, hail, frost, snow, dew, and rain.
20From one of the gates they blew mildly; but when they blew from the two other gates, it was with violence and force. They blew over the earth strongly.
21From there I went to the extremities of the world westwards;
22Where I perceived three gates open, as I had seen in the north; the gates and passages through them being of equal magnitude.
23Then I proceeded to the extremities of the earth southwards; where I saw three gates open to the south, from which issued dew, rain, and wind.
24From there I went to the extremities of heaven eastwards; where I saw three heavenly gates open to the east, which had smaller gates within them.
25Through each of these small gates the stars of heaven passed on, and proceeded towards the west by a path which was seen by them, and that at every period of their appearance.
26When I beheld them, I blessed; every time in which they appeared, I blessed the Lord of glory, who had made those great and splendid signs, that they might display the magnificence of this works to angels and to the souls of men;
27and that these might glorify all his works and operations; might see the effect of his power; might glorify the great labour of his hands;
28and bless him for ever and ever.