The Testament of Solomon

And again I ordered Beelzeboul to appear before me, and sitting down, it seemed good to me to ask him, “Why are you alone the prince of the demons?”

And he says to me, “Because I alone was left of the heavenly angels. For I was first among the heavenly angels, called Beelzeboul.”

“And after me, a second godless one whom God cut off, and now, shut up here, he holds my race in Tartarus in bonds; and he is nurtured in the Red Sea; who in his own time will come to triumph.”

And I said to him, “What are your deeds?” And he said to me, “I also overthrow by means of tyrants, and I make demons to be worshipped by humans, and I stir up holy and chosen priests to lust. And I cause enmities in cities and murders and bring on wars.”

And I said to him, “Bring me the one in the Red Sea whom you said was being nurtured.” And he says, “I will not bring anyone to you. But one named Effippas will come, who will bind him and bring him up from the abyss.”

And I said to him, “Tell me how that one is in the abyss of the Red Sea and what his name is.” And he said, “Do not ask me; you cannot learn from me, for he himself will come to you because I am also with you.”

And I said to him, “Tell me in what star you dwell.” And he says, “That which is called Hesperia by humans.”

And I say, “Tell me by which angel you are rendered ineffective.” And he said, “By the Almighty God; and he is called Patike by the Hebrews. The one who came down from on high; and for the Hellenists, it is Emmanuel. Whom I fear trembling. If anyone adjures me by Eloi, the great name of his power, I become invisible.”

And I, Solomon, having heard these things, ordered him to saw Theban marble. And as he began to saw, all the demons cried out with a loud voice because of their king Beelzeboul.

And I, Solomon, asked him, saying, “If you wish to receive release, tell me about the heavenly things.” And Beelzeboul said, “Listen, O king: if you burn incense of ashes and frankincense and sea bulbs, and nard and saffron, and light seven lamps in an earthquake, you will overthrow a house. But if you, being pure, light them at dawn in the sunlight of day, you will see the heavenly dragons how they coil and draw the chariot of the sun.”

And I, Solomon, having heard these things, rebuked him and said, “Be silent and saw the marbles as I commanded you.”