CHAPTER 16.

1. Afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of my hand, and I went thence onward. (2) I came to a place, and I saw a great river which was gloomy as dreadful hell; (3) on which river were many souls and guardian angels; (4) and some of them were not able to cross, and some crossed only with great difficulty, and some crossed easily. 5. And I asked thus: 'What river is this? and who are these people who stand so distressed?' 6. Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, said (7) thus: 'This river is the many tears which men shed from the eyes, as they make lamentation and weeping for the departed.

(8) They shed those tears unlawfully, and they swell to this river. (9) Those who are not able to cross over are those for whom, after their departure, much lamentation and weeping were made; (10) and those who cross more easily are those for whom less was made. (11) Speak forth to the world thus: 'When you are in the world, make no lamentation and weeping unlawfully; (12) 'for so much harm and difficulty may happen to the souls of your departed.'