CHAPTER 18.

1. Afterward, Srosh the pious, and Adar the angel, took hold of my hand, (2) so that I went on unhurt. (3) In that manner, I beheld cold and heat, drought and stench, (4) to such a degree as I never saw, nor heard of, in the world. (5) And when I went farther, (6) I also saw the greedy jaws of hell, like the most frightful pit, descending in a very narrow and fearful place; (7) in darkness so gloomy that it is necessary to hold by the hand; (8) and in such stench that every one whose nose inhales that air will struggle and stagger and fall; (9) and on account of such close confinement no one's existence is possible; (10) and every one thinks thus: 'I am alone'; (11) and when three days and nights have elapsed he says thus: 'The nine thousand years are completed, and they will not release me!' (12) Everywhere, even the lesser noxious creatures (khrafstras) are as high as mountains, (13) and they so tear and seize and worry the souls of the wicked, as would be unworthy of a dog.

(14) And I easily passed in there, with Srosh the pious, the well-grown and triumphant, and Adar the angel.