Nisibene Hymns

¹ Listen, my brethren, to Death, mocking the Evil One: that caused the head of our race to sin, and its mother.— 2. R., To You be glory that by Your humiliation, Satan is subdued: and that Your abasement has exalted Adam, who was abased.— 3. D., Your great nakedness shall be seen, by the sons of Adam; as you mocked his nakedness, when you made him sin.— 4. Eve will cease from that serpent, and rail at you: for you, O Dragon, wast he that beguiled her simpleness.— 5.

Abel will see him, even, Cain, who has come to you: the disciple of his wrath will blame his cursed master.— 6. S., Noah who conquered the flood, as it were death: by the mouth of Ham I laughed at, when wine overcame him.— 7. D., Noah was not harmed, but your garment, wherewith you clothed him: even cursings, he put on, and became a slave.— 8. S., Lot who overcame anger which is, your likeness, Death: to his daughters I gave such counsels, as were pleasing to me.— 9. D., And Lot's wife who was your vessel hearkened, to your counsel: may half of you be dried up, as your whole vessel was dried up!— 10.

Gehenna be overturned, upon your head: as your malice overturned Sodom, its dwellers!— 11. Floods of fire be stirred against you, in the resurrection: who against Moses and Elijah, stirred the people!— 12. Let the just mock you at the last, and Joseph rejoice! Whose brethren mocked him, set on by you!— 13. Let vapour of smoke come in, and choke your senses: as the waters of the sea choked, the senses of the wicked! — 14. Let chaste women also mock you, by whose counsel: the daughters of Midian mocked, the foolish people!— 15.

Flame be kindled on your head, for Samson's sake: for by a woman you shaved his locks, that lion of strength!— 16. S., Saul whom I conquered by envy, by witchcraft conquered you: for he asked for and brought up Samuel, out of his grave.— 17. D., Slander not the living dead, for he came not up: you were he that came up in the phantom for you were worthy.— 18. Let the commandment hang you over the flame, you Evil One! For by you they hanged Absalom, upon a tree.— 19.

In the fire may you see yourself humbled, among vile women! For Solomon by you was degraded, among profane women.— 20. Justice be measured to you, as you inflamed her! even Jezebel who devoured the prophets, you kindled her.— 21. In fire may you justly burn, who made them drunken! The two whom Elijah burnt up, when they went up and assailed him.— 22. On you also be coals heaped! May he see and rejoice: that Naboth in whom you heaped a pile of stones!— 23. Be clad in scorn in the day of judgment, before all beholders!

Who clothed Gehasi in a leprosy, by means of your theft.— 24. With lightning for a dart be pierced, O Satan! Who in the heart of Josiah, fixed your darts.— 25. Sink in the dregs of Gehenna, O Satan! Who sank Jeremiah in the mire of the pit.— 26. Daniel escaped from the pit, whither you cast him: may he have comfort in seeing you, in the furnace for ever!— 27. Be your wickedness returned on your head, Hater of man: as his wickedness was returned on the head, of Haman your fellow! — 28.

May the King's Bride mock you, as did Esther: when you beseech her in the judgment-day, to plead for you!— 29. Fire released the righteous ones, whom you had bound: a mighty bond be to you, the flame of fire!— 30. Be torn in sunder, and may the seven brothers, see your defeat: the sons of Shemuni who by your wolves, were torn in sunder!— 31. May fire triumph over your pate, as you mocked: the two heads of Nazarites, sons of the barren!— 32. May fire make mock of your head, for mother and daughter: triumphed over John's head, when you maddened them!— 33. Flame triumphed over your head, O Evil One: for on the charges you triumphed, over John's head!