7. That its troops[123] immediately obey; and that a cessation takes
place during thunder in continuance of its sound. Nor are the thunder
and the lightning separated; neither do both of them move with one
spirit; yet are they not separated.
8. For when the lightning lightens, the thunder sounds, and the spirit
at a proper period pauses, making an equal division between them; for
the receptacle, upon which their periods depend, is _loose_ as
sand.[124] Each of them at a proper season is restrained with a bridle;
and turned by the power of the spirit, which thus propels _them_
according to the spacious extent of the earth.
9. The spirit likewise of the sea is potent and strong; and as a strong
power causes it to ebb,[125] so is it driven forwards, and scattered
against the mountains of the earth. The spirit of the frost has its
angel; in the spirit of hail there is a good angel; the spirit of snow
ceases in its strength, and a solitary spirit is in it, which ascends
from it like vapour, and is called refrigeration.
10. The spirit also of mist dwells with them in their receptacle; but it
has a receptacle to itself; for its progress is in splendour,
11. In light, and in darkness, in winter and in summer. Its receptacle
is bright, and an angel is _in it_.
12. The spirit of dew _has_ its abode in the extremities of heaven, in
connection with the receptacle of rain; and its progress is in winter
and in summer. The cloud produced by it, and the cloud of the mist,
become united; one gives to the other; and when the spirit of rain is in
motion from its receptacle, angels come, and opening its receptacle,
bring it forth.
13. When likewise it is sprinkled over all the earth, it forms an union
with every kind of water on the ground; for the waters remain on the
ground, because _they afford_ nourishment to the earth from the Most
High, who is in heaven.
14. Upon this account therefore there is a regulation in the quantity of
rain,[126] which the angels receive.