70.

When the scale did not want the souls to enter through it, did not want the souls to pass through, it said: "I am no scale, I am an angel of the stock of the good. I am no scale, I am a scion of kings. I do not wish to stand in this black water, and the impure souls shall not pass by me."

When the scale said this, the man, the messenger, flew to it and said to it: "This living water has come forth from the Hauraran of the Great One. This living water comes down to you from the banks of the Hus- and Nsab-Jordan. This living water comes down to you from beneath the Yosmir-Gufna. This living water comes down to you from the dwelling of the great Joshamin. These angels who sit beside you, these Jordans shall keep you company. These fruits, grapes and trees shall keep you company. These souls shall come to you and wrap themselves in you. These 366 who form the scale shall keep you company."

God is exalted and victorious, and victorious is the man who went forth to this place.

71.

When they set out and came to Abathur, Abathur withdrew into his dwelling and said to them: "Why have you made me, of all the angels, the weigher, taken me out of my dwelling, so that my world is laid waste and desecrated and taken from me? May my couch of truth never be given back to me!"

When Abathur said this, Hibil-Ziwa arose, went to his Lord and said to Him: "Abathur has withdrawn into his dwelling, murmurs from his dwelling and says to me: 'I do not wish to go, I do not wish to hold the scale and be called the weigher.'"

When Hibil-Ziwa said this, the king was full of wrath and sent a call out into the world. Twice he raised his voice, but the dwellings remained silent. Only the third time did Sam the Small answer him and say: "I will go down to the Sufath, be the weigher and be called the head of the age." Then he said to him: "You simple fool, you foolish man! You will not be a weigher, and you cannot be called reliable and fit. Call Abathur, who is a gentle angel."

God is exalted and victorious, and victorious is the light, as are those who love His name.

72.

In the name of God, the Ever-Living, the Great, and by the precious Truth.

When he went to Abathur, Abathur rose from his throne, which the king had entrusted to him. He takes care before the high Mana, before the high splendour of all worlds he takes care. Abathur came near, and angels came with him on his right and on his left, drew near to the Mana and sat down beside him. Then Abathur began and spoke to the pure Mana: "Why have you sent to me in particular, out of all these many angels?" The Mana answered Abathur: "Among all the dwellings and angels there is none like you, none in these worlds of light so gentle as you. You are gentle, and you are a fitting angel, you are magnanimous and a support to the souls. You feel compassion for the souls, and you are a fitting keeper of the reckoning."

Then Abathur said to the Mana: "Tell Hibil-Ziwa to become the keeper of the reckoning, and I will be the weigher." Then Hibil-Ziwa-Yawar objected to Abathur: "If I am to be the keeper of the reckoning, who will keep the dwellings in order? If I am to be the keeper of the reckoning, who will take charge in these worlds?" Abathur answered him: "I will take charge, and I will keep the dwellings in order." When Abathur said this, Hibil-Yawar clenched his fist and came and became the weigher. Fifty-five years he was the weigher and let angels and dwellings ascend. Then the great Life took him up in kindness, and set Abathur at the gate of the Sufath. "Go," it said to him, "be the reckoner for as long as the Great One wishes it of you." Then Hibil-Ziwa said to Sunday: "Come, sit among the toll-keepers, I will be the weigher, and we will call the dwellings."

God is exalted and victorious, and victorious is the man who went forth to this place.