1. And at the extremities of the earth I beheld twelve gates open for
all the winds, from which they proceed and blow over the earth.
2. Three of them are open in the front of heaven, three in the west,
three on the right side of heaven, and three on the left. The first
three are those which are towards the east, three are towards the north,
three behind those which are upon the left, towards the south, and three
on the west.
3. From four of them proceed winds of blessing, and of health; and from
eight proceed winds of punishment; when they are sent to destroy the
earth, and the heaven above it, all its inhabitants, and all which are
in the waters, or on dry land.
4. The first of these winds proceeds from the gate termed the eastern,
through the first gate on the east, which inclines southwards. From this
goes forth destruction, drought, heat, and perdition.
5. From the second gate, the middle one, proceeds equity. There issue
from it rain, fruitfulness, health, and dew; and from the third gate
northwards, proceed cold and drought.
6. After these proceed the south winds through three principal gates;
through their first gate, which inclines eastwards, proceeds a hot wind.
7. But from the middle gate proceed grateful odour, dew, rain, health,
and life.
8. From the third gate, which is westwards, proceed dew, rain, blight,
and destruction.
9. After these are the winds to the north, which is called the sea.
_They proceed_ from three gates. The first[181] gate _is that_ which is
on the east, inclining southwards; from this proceed dew, rain, blight,
and destruction. From the middle direct gate proceed rain, dew, life,
and health. And from the third gate, which is westwards, inclining
towards the south,[182] proceed mist, frost, snow, rain, dew, and
blight.
10. After these _in the_ fourth _quarter_ are the winds to the west.
From the first gate, inclining northwards, proceed dew, rain, frost,
cold, snow, and chill; from the middle gate proceed rain, health, and
blessing;
11. And from the last gate, which is southwards, proceed drought,
destruction, scorching, and perdition.
12. The _account of the_ twelve gates of the four quarters of heaven is
ended.
13. All their laws, all their _infliction_ of punishment, and the health
_produced_ by them, have I explained to thee, my son Mathusala.
Footnote 180:
Paris MS.
Footnote 181:
_seventh._ Perhaps the seventh which had been enumerated.
Footnote 182:
_the north._ An error in both MSS.