Chapter 71

 

 

1The book of the revolutions of the luminaries of heaven, according to their respective classes, their respective powers, their respective periods, their respective names, the places of their nativity, and their respective months, which Uriel, the holy angel who was with me, explained to me; he who conducted them. The whole account of them, according to every year of the world for ever, until a new work shall be effected, which will be eternal. 2This is the first law of the luminaries. The sun and the light arrive at the gates of heaven, which are on the east, and on the west of it at the western gates of heaven. 3 I beheld the gates from which the sun goes forth; and the gates where the sun sets; 4 In which gates also the moon rises and sets; and I beheld the conductors of the stars, among those who precede them; six gates were at the rising, and six at the setting of the sun. 5All these respectively, one after another, are on a level; and numerous windows are on the right and on the left sides of those gates. First proceeds forth that great luminary, which is called the sun; the orb of which is as the orb of heaven, the whole of it being replete with splendid and flaming fire. 7 Its chariot, where it ascends, the wind blows. 8The sun sets in heaven, and, returning by the north, to proceed towards the east, is conducted so as to enter by that gate, and illuminate the face of heaven. 9 In the same manner it goes forth in the first month by the great gate. 10It goes forth through the fourth of those six gates, which are at the rising of the sun. 11And in the fourth gate, through which the sun with the moon proceeds, in the first part of it,128 there are twelve open windows; from which issues out a flame, when they are opened in their proper periods. 12When the sun rises in heaven, it goes forth through this fourth gate thirty days, and by the fourth gate in the west of heaven on a level with it descends. 13During that period the day is lengthened from the day, and the night curtailed from the night for thirty days. And then the day is longer by two parts than the night. 14The day is precisely ten parts, and the night is eight. 15The sun129 goes forth through this fourth gate, and sets in it, and turns to the fifth gate during thirty days; after which it proceeds from, and sets in, the fifth gate. 16Then the day becomes lengthened by a second portion, so that it is eleven parts: while the night becomes shortened, and is only seven parts.

The sun now returns to the east, entering into the sixth gate, and rising and setting in the sixth gate thirty-one days, on account of its signs. 18At that period the day is longer than the night, being twice as long as the night; and become twelve parts; 19But the night is shortened, and becomes six parts. Then the sun rises up, that the day may be shortened, and the night lengthened. 20And the sun returns toward the east entering into the sixth gate, where it rises and sets for thirty days. 21When that period is completed, the day becomes shortened precisely one part, so that it is eleven parts, while the night is seven parts. 22Then the sun goes from the west, from that sixth gate, and proceeds eastwards, rising in the fifth gate for thirty days, and setting again westwards in the fifth gate of the west. 23At that period the day becomes shortened two parts; and is ten parts, while the night is eight parts. 24Then the sun goes from the fifth gate, as it sets in the fifth gate of the west; and rises in the fourth gate for thirtyone days, on account of its signs, setting in the west. 25At that period the day is made equal with the night; and, being equal with it, the night becomes nine parts, and the day nine parts. 26Then the sun goes from that gate, as it sets in the west; and returning to the east proceeds by the third gate for thirty days, setting in the west at the third gate. 27At that period the night is lengthened from the day during thirty mornings, and the day is curtailed from the day during thirty days; the night being ten parts precisely, and the day eight parts The sun now goes from the third gate, as it sets in the third gate in the west; but returning to the east, it proceeds by the second gate of the east for thirty days. 29In like manner also it sets in the second gate in the west of heaven. 30At that period the night is eleven parts, and the day seven parts. 31Then the sun goes at that time from the second gate, as it sets in the second gate in the west; but returns to the east, proceeding by the first gate, for thirty-one days. 32And sets in the west in the first130 gate. 33At that period that night is lengthened as much again as the day. 34It is twelve parts precisely, while the day is six parts. 35The sun has thus completed its beginnings, and a second time goes round from these beginnings. 36Into that first gate it enters for thirty days, and sets in the west, in the opposite part of heaven. 37At that period the night is contracted in its length a fourth part, that is, one portion, and becomes eleven parts. 38The day is seven parts. 39Then the sun returns, and enters into the second gate of the east. 40It returns by these beginnings thirty days, rising and setting. 41At that period the night is contracted in its length. It becomes ten parts, and the day eight parts. Then the sun goes from that second gate, and sets in the west; but returns to the east, and rises in the east, in the third gate, thirty-one days, setting in the west of heaven. At that period the night becomes shortened. It is nine parts. And the night is equal with the day. The year is precisely three hundred and sixty-four days. 43The lengthening of the day and night, and the contraction of the day and night, are made to differ from each other by the progress of the sun. 44By means of this progress the day is daily lengthened, and the night greatly shortened.131 45This is the law and progress of the sun, and its turning when it turns back, turning during sixty days,132 and going forth. This is the great everlasting luminary, that which he names the sun for ever and ever. 46This also is that which goes forth a great luminary, and which is named after its peculiar kind, as God commanded. 47And thus it goes in and out, neither slackening nor resting; but running on in its chariot by day and by night. It shines with a seventh portion of light from the moon;133 but the dimensions of both are equal.