Books
2 Meqabyan 20
20/21

Source: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo canon translation

1Believe me, all the work we wrought in this world shall not remain hidden when we stand before Him in fear and trembling.

2In the hour when we have no provision for our journey and no raiment for our bodies—

3in the hour when we have no staff for our hands nor shoes for our feet—

4and in the hour when we know not the paths where the devils lead us—whether it be slippery or smooth, dark, filled with thorns or briars, or a depth of waters or a pit—believe me, the works we wrought in this world shall not remain hidden.

5We shall not know the devils that lead us, nor shall we hear their words.

6Forasmuch as they are dark ones and lead us toward darkness, we shall not behold their faces.

7As the prophet spake, saying: "In the hour my soul was parted from my flesh—LORD, my Lord, Thou knowest my path. They hid a snare upon the way where I went, and I looked to turn unto the right hand, but I lacked any that knew me; I have nothing there whereby I shall escape." Forasmuch as they lead us toward darkness, we shall not behold their faces.

8Because he knoweth the devils mock him and will lead him toward a path he knoweth not, he speaketh thus. If he turneth to the left hand or the right, there is none that knoweth him.

9He is alone among devils, and there is none that knoweth him.

10Angels of Light, who are subtle, are sent unto the righteous to receive their souls and bear them toward a place of Light—toward the Garden where welfare is found.

11Devils and Angels of Darkness are sent to receive the transgressors and bear them toward Gehenna, which was prepared for them to receive travail for the iniquities they committed.

12Woe unto the souls of transgressors who are borne toward destruction, who have no welfare or rest, no escape from the tribulation that findeth them, and no departing from Gehenna for all eternity.

13Because they walked steadfastly in the work of Cain, perished by the wages of the iniquity of Balaam, and lacked counsel—woe unto the transgressors. For their excuse was to receive usury and bribes, and in their trespass, they took the substance of a stranger that was not their own.

14They shall receive their travail in Gehenna for the iniquities they committed.