Ear which hearest, hearken to my supplication and prayers for the old man Joseph; and send Michael, the prince of thy angels, and Gabriel, the herald of light, and all the light of thy angels; and let their whole order journey with the soul of my father Joseph, until they have brought it to thee. This is the hour wherein my father hath need of mercy. Now I say to you, that all saints, nay, all men that are born in the world, whether they be just or wicked, must needs taste death.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Therefore, Michael and Gabriel came to the soul of my father Joseph; and, having received it, wrapped it in a bright wrapper.[1] So he committed his spirit into the hands of my good Father, who bestowed upon him peace. And none of his children yet knew that he had fallen asleep. But the angels preserved his soul from the demons of darkness, which were in the way; and they praised God, until they brought it to the habitation of the pious.
CHAPTER XXIV.
But his body lay prostrate and lifeless; where-
- ↑ The wrapping up of Joseph's soul is an anomaly. It might seem as if the body were meant. The Hebrew Nephesh sometimes means a dead body. What follows, however, compels us to retain the word 'soul.'
