1 Enoch (Ethiopic) Parallel Translations

XVIII

1I saw the treasuries of all the winds: I saw how He had furnished with them the whole creation 2and the firm foundations of the earth. And I saw the corner-stone of the earth: I saw the four 3winds which bear {the earth and} the firmament of the heaven. And I saw how the winds stretch out the vaults of heaven, and have their station between heaven and earth: these are the pillars 4of the heaven. I saw the winds of heaven which turn and bring the circumference of the sun and 5all the stars to their setting. I saw the winds on the earth carrying the clouds: I saw the paths 6of the angels. I saw at the end of the earth the firmament of the heaven above. And I proceeded and saw a place which burns day and night, where there are seven mountains of magnificent stones, 7three towards the east, and three towards the south. And as for those towards the east, one was of coloured stone, and one of pearl, and one of jacinth, and those towards the south of red stone. 8But the middle one reached to heaven like the throne of God, of alabaster, and the summit of the 9,10throne was of sapphire. And I saw a flaming fire. And beyond these mountains Is a region the end of the great earth: there the heavens were completed. And I saw a deep abyss, with columns of heavenly fire, and among them I saw columns of fire fall, which were beyond measure alike towards 12the height and towards the depth. And beyond that abyss I saw a place which had no firmament of the heaven above, and no firmly founded earth beneath it: there was no water upon it, and no 13birds, but it was a waste and horrible place. I saw there seven stars like great burning mountains, 14and to me, when I inquired regarding them, The angel said: 'This place is the end of heaven and 15earth: this has become a prison for the stars and the host of heaven. And the stars which roll over the fire are they which have transgressed the commandment of the Lord in the beginning of 16their rising, because they did not come forth at their appointed times. And He was wroth with them, and bound them till the time when their guilt should be consummated [even] for ten thousand years.'

18

18:1 I then surveyed the receptacles of all the winds, perceiving that they contributed to adorn the whole creation, and [to preserve] the foundation of the earth.

18:2 I surveyed the stone [which supports] the corners of the earth.

18:3 I also beheld the four winds, which bear up the earth, and the firmament of heaven.

18:4 And I beheld the winds occupying the exalted sky.

18:5 Arising in the midst of heaven and of earth, and constituting the pillars of heaven.

18:6 I saw the winds which turn the sky, which cause the orb of the sun and of all the stars to set; and over the earth I saw the winds which support the clouds.

18:7 I saw the path of the angels.

18:8 I perceived at the extremity of the earth the firmament of heaven above it. Then I passed on towards the south;

18:9 Where burnt, both by day and night, six mountains formed of glorious stones; three towards the east, and three towards the south.

18:10 Those which were towards the east were of a variegated stone; one of which was of margarite, and another of antimony. Those towards the south were of a red stone. The middle one reached to heaven like the throne of God; [a throne composed] of alabaster, the top of which was of sapphire. I saw, too, a blazing fire hanging over all the mountains.

18:11 And there I saw a place on the other side of an extended territory, where waters were collected.

18:12 I likewise beheld terrestrial fountains, deep in the fiery columns of heaven.

18:13 And in the columns of heaven I beheld fires, which descended without number, but neither on high, nor into the deep. Over these fountains also I perceived a place which had neither the firmament of heaven above it, nor the solid ground underneath it; neither was there water above it; nor anything on wing; but the spot was desolate.

18:14 And there I beheld seven stars, like great blazing mountains, and like spirits entreating me.

18:15 Then the angel said, This place, until the consummation of heaven and earth, will be the prison of the stars, and the host of heaven.

18:16 The stars which roll over fire are those which transgressed the commandment of God before their time arrived; for they came not in their proper season. Therefore was He offended with them, and bound them, until the period of the consummation of their crimes in the secret year.