35 After this, I wept again, and fasted seven days in the same way, that I might fulfil the three weeks which he told me. 36 On the eighth night, my heart was troubled within me again, and I began to speak in the presence of the Most High. 37 Because my spirit was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress. 38 I said, “O master, truly you spoke at the beginning of the creation, on the first day, and said this: ‘Let heaven and earth be made,’ and your word perfected the work. 39 Then the spirit was hovering, and darkness and silence were on every side. The sound of man’s voice wasn’t yet there.[fn] 40 Then you commanded a ray of light to be brought out of your treasuries, that your works might then appear.

41 “On the second day, again you made the spirit of the firmament and commanded it to divide and to separate the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath.

42 “On the third day, you commanded that the waters should be gathered together in the seventh part of the earth. You dried up six parts and kept them, to the intent that of these some being both planted and tilled might serve before you. 43 Because as soon as your word went out, the work was done. 44 Immediately, great and innumerable fruit grew, with many pleasant tastes, and flowers of inimitable colour, and fragrances of most exquisite smell. This was done the third day.

45 “On the fourth day, you commanded that the sun should shine, the moon give its light, and the stars should be in their order; 46 and gave them a command to serve mankind, who was to be made.

47 “On the fifth day, you said to the seventh part, where the water was gathered together, that it should produce living creatures, fowls and fishes; and so it happened 48 that the mute and lifeless water produced living things as it was told, that the nations might therefore praise your wondrous works.

49 “Then you preserved two living creatures. The one you called Behemot, and the other you called Livyatan. 50 You separated the one from the other; for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both. 51 To Behemot, you gave one part, which was dried up on the third day, that he should live in it, in which are a thousand hills; 52 but to Livyatan you gave the seventh part, namely, the watery part. You’ve kept them to be devoured by whom you wish, when you wish.

53 “But on the sixth day, you commanded the earth to produce before you cattle, animals, and creeping things. 54 Over these, you ordained Adam as ruler over all the works that you’ve made. Of him came all of us, the people whom you’ve chosen.

55 “All this have I spoken before you, Oh master, because you’ve said that for our sakes you made this[fn] world. 56 As for the other nations, which also come from Adam, you’ve said that they’re nothing, and are like spittle. You’ve likened the abundance of them to a drop that falls from a bucket. 57 Now, Oh master, look at these nations, which are reputed as nothing, being rulers over us and devouring us. 58 But we your people, whom you’ve called your firstborn, your only children, and your fervent lover, are given into their hands. 59 Now if the world is made for our sakes, why don’t we possess our world for an inheritance? How long will this endure?”