The First Book of Adam and Eve 71

1BUT when Adam heard these words from Satan, he sorrowed much, because of his oath and of his promise, and said, "Shall I commit adultery with my flesh and my bones, and shall I sin against myself, for God to destroy me, and to blot me out from off the face of the earth?

2"Since, when at first, I ate of the tree, He drove me out of the garden into this strange land, and deprived me of my bright nature, and brought death upon me. If, then, I should do this, He will cut off my life from the earth, and He will cast me into hell, and will plague me there a long time.

3"But God never spoke the words thou hast told me; and ye are not God's angels, nor yet sent from Him. But ye are devils, come to me under the false appearance of angels . Away from me; ye cursed of God!"

4Then those devils fled from before Adam. And he and Eve arose, and returned to the Cave of Treasures, and went into it.

5Then Adam said to Eve, "If thou sawest what I did, tell it not; for I sinned against God n swearing by His great name, and I have placed my hand another time into that of Satan." Eve, then, held her peace, as Adam told her.

6Then Adam arose, and spread his hands unto God, beseeching and entreating Him with tears, to forgive him what he had done. And Adam remained thus standing and praying forty days and forty nights. [paragraph continues] He neither ate nor drank until he dropped down upon the earth from hunger and thirst.

7Then God sent His Word unto Adam, who raised him up from where he lay, and said unto him, "O Adam, why hast thou sworn by My name, and why hast thou made agreement with Satan another time?"

8But Adam wept, and said, "O God, forgive me, for I did this unwittingly; believing they were God's angels."

9And God forgave Adam, saying, to him, "Beware of Satan."

10And He withdrew His Word from Adam.

11Then Adam's heart was comforted; and he took Eve, and they went out of the cave, to make some food for their bodies.

12But from that day Adam struggled in his mind about his wedding Eve; afraid as he was to do it, lest God should be wroth with him.

13Then Adam and Eve went to the river of water, and sat on the bank, as people do when they enjoy themselves.

14But Satan was jealous of them; and would destroy them.