3. A cloud then snatched me up, and the wind raised me above the surface
of the earth, placing me at the extremity of the heavens.
4. There I saw another vision; I _saw_ the habitations and couches of
the saints. There my eyes beheld their habitations with the angels, and
their couches with the holy ones. They were entreating, supplicating,
and praying for the sons of men; while righteousness like water flowed
before them, and mercy like dew _was scattered_ over the earth. And thus
_shall it be_ with them for ever and for ever.
5. At that time my eyes beheld the dwelling[78] of the elect, of truth,
faith, and righteousness.
6. Countless shall be the number of the holy and the elect, in the
presence of God[79] for ever and for ever.
7. Their residence I beheld under the wings of the Lord of spirits. All
the holy and the elect sung before him, in appearance like a blaze of
fire; their mouths being full of blessings, and their lips glorifying
the name of the Lord of spirits. And righteousness incessantly _dwelt_
before him.
8. There was I desirous of remaining, and my soul longed for that
habitation. There was my antecedent inheritance; for thus had I
prevailed[80] before the Lord of spirits.
9. At that time I glorified and extolled the name of the Lord of spirits
with blessing and with praise; for he has established it with blessing
and with praise, according to his own good pleasure.[81]
10. That place long did my eyes contemplate. I blessed and said, Blessed
be he, blessed from the beginning for ever. In the beginning, before the
world was created, and without end is his knowledge.[82]
11. What is this world? Of every existing generation those shall bless
thee who do not sleep _in the dust_, but stand before thy glory,
blessing, glorifying, exalting thee, and saying, The holy, holy, Lord of
spirits, fills the whole world of spirits.
12. There my eyes beheld all who, without sleeping, stand before him and
bless him, saying, Blessed be thou, and blessed be the name of God for
ever and for ever. Then my countenance became changed, until I was
incapable of seeing.
Footnote 78:
_place._
Footnote 79:
_in his presence._
Footnote 80:
_There was my portion before; for thus had it been prevailed
respecting me._
Footnote 81:
_according to the will of the Lord of spirits._
Footnote 82:
_without end he knows._