6:1
He brought me to the place from which the sun goes out.
6:2
He showed me a chariot with four beneath it; fire burned underneath. A crowned figure sat upon it, and forty messengers drew the chariot.
6:3
A bird circled before the sun at a distance of about nine cubits.
6:4
I asked, “What is this bird?” The messenger answered, “It is the guardian of the earth.”
6:5
I said, “Teach me how it guards the earth.”
6:6
He answered, “It flies alongside the sun and spreads its wings to receive the fiery rays.”
6:7
“Without that shielding, humankind and every other living creature would fail. Elohim appointed the bird for this work.”
6:8
The bird opened its wings. On the right wing I saw letters of immense size, like the area of a threshing floor, written in gold.
6:9
The messenger said, “Read them.” I read: “Neither earth nor heaven gives me birth; wings of fire bring me forth.”
6:10
I asked its name. He answered, “It is called Phoenix.”
6:11
I asked what it ate. He said, “Manna from the heavens and dew from the earth.”
6:12
I asked what came from its body. He answered, “A worm; from what the worm leaves comes cinnamon used by rulers.”
6:13
He said, “Wait, and you will see the radiance of Elohim.” A thunderous crash sounded, and the place beneath us shook.
6:14
I asked about the sound. He said, “The messengers are opening the three hundred sixty-five gates of heaven and separating light from darkness.”
6:15
A voice called, “Bearer of light, give radiance to the world.”
6:16
When the bird cried, I asked about its voice. He answered, “It awakens the roosters upon earth. The sun is prepared by the messengers, and the rooster announces it in its own speech.”