8. I perceived at the extremity of the earth the firmament of heaven
above it. Then I passed on towards the south;
9. Where burnt, both by day and night, six mountains formed of glorious
stones; three towards the east, and three towards the south.
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[63] all the mountains.
11. And there I saw a place on the other side of an extended territory,
where waters were collected.
12. I likewise beheld terrestrial fountains, deep in the fiery columns
of heaven.
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.
14. And there I beheld seven stars, like great blazing mountains, and
like spirits entreating me.
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.
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.
Footnote 61:
_that in them were the ornaments of._
Footnote 62:
_the height of heaven._
Footnote 63:
_which was over._