The second tempting of Aḏam and Ḥawwah. The devil takes on the form of a beguiling light.
1 WHEN Satan, the hater of all good, saw how they continued in prayer, and how Elohim communed with them, and comforted them, and how He had accepted their offering–Satan made an apparition.
2 He began with transforming his hosts; in his hands was a flashing fire, and they were in a great light.
3 He then placed his throne near the mouth of the cave because he could not enter into it by reason of their prayers. And he shed light into the cave, until the cave glistened over Aḏam and Ḥawwah; while his hosts began to sing praises.
4 And Satan did this, in order that when Aḏam saw the light, he should think within himself that it was a heavenly light, and that Satan’s hosts were messengers; and that Elohim had sent them to watch at the cave, and to give him light in the darkness.
5 So that when Aḏam came out of the cave and saw them, and Aḏam and Ḥawwah bowed to Satan, then he would overcome Aḏam thereby, and a second time humble him before Elohim.
6 When, therefore, Aḏam and Ḥawwah saw the light, fancying it was real, they strengthened their hearts; yet, as they were trembling, Aḏam said to Ḥawwah:
7 “Look at that great light, and at those many songs of praise, and at that host standing outside that do not come in to us, do not tell us what they say, or whence they come, or what is the meaning of this light; what those praises are; wherefore they have been sent hither, and why they do not come in.
8 “If they were from Elohim, they would come to us in the cave, and would tell us their errand.”
9 Then Aḏam stood up and prayed unto Elohim with a fervent heart, and said:
10 “O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, is there in the world another god than Thou, who created messengers and filled them with light, and sent them to keep us, who would come with them?
11 “But, lo, we see these hosts that stand at the mouth of the cave; they are in a great light; they sing loud praises. If they are of some other god than Thou, tell me; and if they are sent by Thee, inform me of the reason for which Thou hast sent them.”
12 No sooner had Aḏam said this, than an messenger from Elohim appeared unto him in the cave, who said unto him, “O Aḏam, fear not. This is Satan and his hosts; he wishes to deceive you as he deceived you at first. For the first time, he was hidden in the serpent; but this time he is come to you in the similitude of an messenger of light; in order that, when you worshipped him, he might enthrall you, in the very presence of Elohim.”
13 Then the messenger went from Aḏam, and seized Satan at the opening of the cave, and stripped him of the feint he had assumed, and brought him in his own hideous form to Aḏam and Ḥawwah; who were afraid of him when they saw him.
14 And the messenger said to Aḏam, “This hideous form has been his ever since Elohim made him fall from shamayim. He could not have come near you in it; therefore did he transform himself into an messenger of light.”
15 Then the messenger drove away Satan and his hosts from Aḏam and Ḥawwah, and said unto them, “Fear not; Elohim who created you, will strengthen you.”
16 And the messenger went from them.
17 But Aḏam and Ḥawwah remained standing in the cave; no consolation came to them; they were divided in their thoughts.
18 And when it was morning they prayed; and then went out to seek the garden. For their hearts were towards it, and they could get no consolation for having left it.