179.

179.

Then came the angel Gabriel to Jesus and showed him a mirror shining like the sun, wherein he beheld written these words: 'As I live eternally, even as paradise is greater than all the heavens and the earth, and as the whole earth is greater than a grain of sand, even so am I greater than paradise; and as many times more as the sea hath grains of sand, as there are drops of water upon the sea, as there are [blades of] grass upon the ground, as there are leaves upon the trees, as there are skins upon the beasts; and as many times more as the grains of sand that would go to fill the heavens and paradise and more.'

Then said Jesus: 'Let us do reverence to our God, who is blessed for evermore.' Thereupon they bowed their heads an hundred times and prostrated themselves to earth upon their face in prayer. When the prayer was done, Jesus called Peter and told him and all the disciples what he had seen. And to Peter he said: 'Thy soul, which is greater than all the earth, through one eye seeth the sun, which is a thousand times greater than all the earth.'

Then said Jesus: 'Even so, through [the eye of] paradise, shalt thou see God our Creator.' And having said this, Jesus gave thanks to God our Lord, praying for the house of Israel and for the holy city. And every one answered: 'So be it, Lord.'