Chapter 70

1Afterwards my spirit was concealed, ascending into the heavens. I beheld the sons of the holy angels treading on flaming fire, whose garments and robes were white, and whose countenances were transparent as crystal. 2 I saw two rivers of fire glittering like the hyacinth. 3Then I fell on my face before the Lord of spirits. 4And Michael, one of the archangels, took me by my right hand, raised me up, and brought me out to where there was every secret of mercy and secret of righteousness. 5He showed me all the hidden things of the extremities of heaven, all the receptacles of the stars, and the splendors of all, from where they went forth before the face of the holy. 6And he concealed the spirit of Enoch in the heaven of heavens. 7There I beheld, in the midst of that light, there was that which was built with stones of ice; 8And in the midst of these stones were tongues of living fire. My spirit saw around the circle of124 this flaming habitation, on one of its extremities, rivers full of living fire, which encompassed it. Then the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and Ophanin125 surrounded it: these are those who never sleep, but watch the throne of his glory. 10And I beheld angels innumerable, thousands of thousands, and myriads and myriads, who surrounded that habitation. 11Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Phanuel and the holy angels who were in the heavens above, went in and out of it. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel went out of that habitation, and holy angels innumerable. 12With them was the Ancient of days, whose head was white as wool, and pure, and his robe was indescribable. 13Then I fell upon my face, while all my flesh was dissolved, and my spirit became changed. 14I cried out with a loud voice, with a powerful spirit, blessing, glorifying, and exalting. 15And those blessings, which proceeded from my mouth, became acceptable in the presence of the Ancient of days. 16The Ancient of days came with Michael and Gabriel, Raphael and Phanuel, with thousands of thousands, and myriads and myriads, which could not be numbered. 17Then that angel came to me, and with his voice saluted me, saying, You are a son of man who is born for righteousness, and righteousness has rested upon you. 18The righteousness of the Ancient of days shall not forsake you. 19He said, On you shall he confer peace126 in the name of the existing world; for from thence has peace gone forth since the world was created. 20And thus shall it happen to you for ever and ever All who shall exist, and who shall walk in your path of righteousness, shall not forsake you for ever. 22With you shall be their habitations, with you their lot; nor from you shall they be separated for ever and ever. 23And thus shall length of days be with the son of man. 24Peace shall be to the righteous; and the path of integrity shall the righteous pursue,127 in the name of the Lord of spirits, for ever and ever.