devices? and as I take it, thou wouldest not suffer us to be upon the earth at all: but this at this
time thou canst not accomplish. And the apostle guessed that this devil was he that had been
driven out from that other woman.
76 And the devil said: I beseech thee, give me leave to depart even whither thou wilt, and dwell
there and take commandment from thee, and I will not fear the ruler that hath authority over me.
For like as thou art come to preach good tidings, so I also am come to destroy; and like as, if
thou fulfil not the will of him that sent thee, he will bring punishment upon thy head, so I also if I
do not the will of him that sent me, before the season and time appointed, shall be sent unto mine
own nature; and like as thy Christ helpeth thee in that thou doest, so also my father helpeth me in
that I do; and like as for thee he prepareth vessels worthy of thine inhabiting, so also for me he
seeketh out vessels whereby I may accomplish his deeds; and like as he nourisheth and provideth
for his subjects, so also for me he prepareth chastisements and torments, with them that become
my dwellingplaces (Syr. those in whom I dwell); and like as for a recompense of thy working he
giveth thee eternal life, so also unto me he giveth for a reward of my works eternal destruction;
and like as thou art refreshed by thy prayer and thy good works and spiritual thanksgivings, so I
also am refreshed by murders and adulteries and sacrifices made with wine upon altars (Syr.
sacrifices and libations of wine), and like as thou convertest men unto eternal life, so I also
pervert them that obey me unto eternal destruction and torment: and thou receivest thine own and
I mine.
77 And when the devil had said these things and yet more the apostle said: Jesus commandeth
thee and thy son by me to enter no more into the habitation of man: but go ye forth and depart
and dwell wholly apart from the habitation of men. And the devils said unto him: Thou hast laid
on us a harsh commandment: but what wilt thou do unto them that now are concealed from thee?
for they that have wrought all the images rejoice in them more than thee: and many of them do
the more part worship, and perform their will, sacrificing to them and bringing them food, by
libations and by wine and water and offering with oblations. And the apostle said: They also
shall now be abolished, with their works. And suddenly the devils vanished away: but the
women lay cast upon the earth as if were dead, and without speech.
78 And the wild asses stood together and parted not one from another; but he to whom speech
was given by the power of the Lord - while all men kept silence, and looked to see what they
would do- the wild ass said unto the apostle: Why standest thou idle, O apostle of Christ the
Most High, who looketh that thou shouldest ask of him the best of learning? Wherefore then
tarriest thou? (Syr. that thou shouldest ask him, and he would give thee? Why delayest thou,
good disciple?) for lo, thy teacher desireth to show by thy hands his mighty works. Why standest
thou still, O herald of the hidden one? for thy (Lord) willeth to manifest through thee his
unspeakable things, which he reserveth for them that are worthy of him, to hear them. Why
restest thou, O doer of mighty works in the name of the Lord? for thy Lord encourageth thee and
engendereth boldness in thee. Fear not, therefore; for he will not forsake the soul that belongeth
unto thee by birth. Begin therefore to call upon him and he will readily hearken to thee. Why
standest thou marvelling at all his acts and his workings? for these are small things which he hath
shown by thy means. And what wilt thou tell concerning his great gifts? for thou wilt not be
sufficient to declare them. And why marvellest thou at his cures of the body which he worketh?
(Syr. which come to an end) especially when thou knowest that healing of his which is secure
and lasting, which he bringeth forth by his own nature? And why lookest thou unto this temporal
ron
(Ron)
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