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[1]Then another angel, who proceeded with me, spoke to me;
[2]And showed me the first and last secrets in heaven above, and in the depths of the earth:
[3]In the extremities of heaven, and in the foundations of it, and in the receptacle of the winds.
[4]He showed me how their spirits were divided; how they were balanced; and how both the springs and the winds were numbered according to the force of their spirit.
[5]He showed me the power of the moon's light, that its power is a just one; as well as the divisions of the stars, according to their respective names;
[6]That every division is divided; that the lightning flashes;
[7]That its troopsⓘ 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.ⓘ 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,ⓘ 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. It 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,ⓘ which the angels receive.
[15]These things I saw; all of them, even paradise.ⓘ
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