Between the hidden and the splendour,

between the light and the angels,

between the hidden and the splendour

they stand there and question the soul.

They say:

"Tell, tell, soul,

who formed you.

Who built you, who formed you,

who was the one, your Creator?"

"One built me, One formed me,

One was the one, my Creator.

An angel, one of the sons of salvation,

graciously took a part.

He wrapped me in a wrapping of splendour,

took me and entrusted me to Adam.

Adam in his simplicity

was ashamed, not knowing, was ashamed, not understanding;

Adam in his simplicity

took me and placed me in the bodily trunk.

He took me and placed me in the bodily trunk

of wormwood, bitter herb and ......

The soul sits and guards

the bodily lodging that was entrusted to her.

She sits and guards it

until her measure and her number are fulfilled.

When her measure and her number were fulfilled,

the Loosener went to her.

The Loosener went to her and loosed her,

he who had bound her led her away.

He who had loosed the soul went before her,

he who had bound her followed her.

The soul ran [and reached] him who had loosed her,

he who had bound her ran, but he did not reach her.

The soul alone and her Loosener

go to the place of life." —

And God is victorious.

What does it profit me that I came and dwelt

in the deceptive, vain trunk?

What does it profit me that I came and dwelt in it,

when it does not ascend with me to the place of light?