The fall of Adam. Why night and day were created.  
 
1 Then when God, who is merciful and full of pity, heard Adam's voice, He said to him:—
 
2 "O Adam, so long as the good angel was obedient to Me, a bright light rested on him and on his hosts.
 
3 But when he transgressed My commandment, I deprived him of that bright nature, and he became dark.
 
4 And when he was in the heavens, in the realms of light, he knew nothing of darkness.
 
5 But he transgressed, and I made him fall from the heaven onto the earth; and it was this darkness that came over him.
 
6 And on you, O Adam, while in My garden and obedient to Me, did that bright light rest also.
 
7 But when I heard of your transgression, I deprived you of that bright light. Yet, of My mercy, I did not turn you into darkness, but I made you your body of flesh, over which I spread this skin, in order that it may bear cold and heat.
 
8 If I had let My wrath fall heavily on you, I should have destroyed you; and had I turned you into darkness, it would have been as if I had killed you.
 
9 But in My mercy, I have made you as you are; when you transgressed My commandment, O Adam, I drove you from the garden, and made you come forth into this land; and commanded you to live in this cave; and darkness covered you, as it did over him who transgressed My commandment.
 
10 Thus, O Adam, has this night deceived you. It is not to last forever; but is only of twelve hours; when it is over, daylight will return.
 
11 Sigh not, therefore, neither be moved; and say not in your heart that this darkness is long and drags on wearily; and say not in your heart that I plague you with it.
 
12 Strengthen your heart, ............