7
Uriel said to me: "If I had asked you, ‘How many dwellings are in the depths of the sea, or how many springs are in the source of the abyss, or how many paths are there above the dome, or which are the exits of paradise,'
5
I said, "Speak, my Lord." He said to me, "Go, weigh for me the weight of fire, or measure for me a blast of wind, or call back for me the day that is past."
6
I answered, "Who alive can do this? How can you ask me these things?"
7
Uriel said to me: "If I had asked you, ‘How many dwellings are in the depths of the sea, or how many springs are in the source of the abyss, or how many paths are there above the dome, or which are the exits of paradise,'
8
you would perhaps have said to me: ‘I haven't descended into the abyss nor as yet into hell, nor have I ever ascended to heaven.'
9
But I've only asked you here about fire and wind and the day you have passed through, things you can't exist without, and you haven't answered me about them."
Footnotes 1
[a].
Lat; other versions have exits of the netherworld and entrances of paradise.