Third dialogue
35 After all this I wept again and abstained from food for another seven days, to complete the three weeks that had been prescribed for me.
36
Then on the eighth night my heart was disturbed within me again, and I began to speak before the Most High.
37
My spirit was greatly agitated, and my soul was troubled.
38
Then I said: “Lord, you spoke from the beginning of creation on the first day, ‘Let heaven and earth be made,' and your word accomplished the deed.
39
Then the spirit was hovering, darkness was spread around, and there was silence. There was as yet no sound of a human voice.
40
Then you commanded that a ray of light be brought forth from your treasuries so that your works might be seen.
41
“Then on the second day you created the spirit of the firmament and commanded that it divide and make a division between the waters so that a certain part might recede upward and another part remain below.
42
“On the third day you commanded the waters to be gathered together in a seventh part of the earth, but you made six parts dry and preserved them so that some of these might be sown and cultivated, to be of service before you.
43
Your word went forth, and the work was immediately accomplished.
44
Suddenly, fruit blossomed in great abundance in an infinite variety of flavors, and flowers with matchless color and scents of unspeakable fragrance. These things were done on the third day.
45
“On the fourth day you commanded the sun's splendor to be made, the moon's light, and the arrangement of the stars.
46
You commanded them to serve the human being who was about to be formed.
47
“On the fifth day you commanded the seventh part where the water was gathered to produce animals, birds, and fish.
48
The silent and lifeless water, as it was commanded, brought forth animals so that peoples might recount your wonders.
49
You kept two living creatures in reserve; one you named Behemoth, and the second you named Leviathan.
50
You separated them from each other, for the seventh part where the water was gathered couldn't contain them.
51
You gave Behemoth one part of the land that had been dried on the third day, where there are a thousand mountains so that he might live there.
52
To Leviathan, however, you gave the watery seventh part. You kept them to be eaten by whomever you wish, and whenever you wish.
53
“On the sixth day you commanded the earth that it create before you cattle, beasts, and reptiles,
54
and over these you set Adam, the leader over all the things you had made. From him we all, the people you have chosen, have been brought forth.
55
"I have said all these things before you, Lord, because you have said that you created the oldest age for our sake.
56
You have said that the other nations born of Adam are nothing, that they are like spit, and you have compared their abundance to a drop from a pitcher.
57
But look now, Lord! These nations that are valued as nothing rule over us and devour us,
58
while we, your people, whom you have called your oldest offspring, your one and only child, those who are zealous for you, your dearest ones, are handed over to them.
59
If the world was created for our sake, why don't we possess our world as an inheritance? How long will this situation last?"