Third Baruch

And from there the angel took me and led me into the fifth heaven.

And the gate was shut. And I said, “Lord, will this gate not open so that we may enter?” And the angel said to me, “We cannot enter until Michael, the key-bearer of the kingdom of heaven, comes. But wait and you will see the glory of God.”

And there came a great voice like thunder. And I said, “Lord, what is this voice?”

And he said to me, “Now Michael, the archcommander, is coming down to receive the prayers of humans.”

And behold, a voice came: “Let the gates be opened!”

And they opened; and there was a grinding sound like thunder.

And Michael came, and the angel who was with me met him, and bowed down to him, and said, “Greetings, my archcommander and of all our order.”

And the archcommander Michael said, “Greetings to you too, our brother, and interpreter of revelations to those who live their lives well.”

And so, having embraced each other, they stood. And I saw the archcommander Michael holding a very large bowl; its depth as from heaven to earth, and its width as from north to south. And I said, “Lord, what is it that Michael the archcommander holds?”

And he said to me, “This is where the virtues of the righteous and all the good works they perform come, which are brought by him before the heavenly God.”