2 Meqabyan (Ethiopian) 6

And the proud Tserutsaydan set up against the Lord priests of falsehood and the priesthood of idols.

And they sacrificed to them and brought offerings to them.

And it seemed to him that they were eating and drinking.

And he gave to those who served them oxen and sheep and bullocks and goats; and they sacrificed evening and morning, and he ate of that defiled sacrifice.

And it was not they alone who did this, but they also constrained others and compelled them to sacrifice to their gods.

And when they saw the children of Meqabis, that they were good and worshipped the Lord their Creator, those priests of the idols sought to lead them astray, that they too might sacrifice and eat of that defiled sacrifice; but these blessed ones refused them.

And they were unable to persuade them, for they kept the commandment of their father and were steadfast in doing good and feared the Lord exceedingly.

And when they had reviled them and blasphemed against them and dealt unjustly with them.

And they told Tserutsaydan the king that they had refused to bow down and to sacrifice to his gods.

And because of this the king was wroth and grieved, and he commanded that they be brought; and they brought them and set them before him, and he said to them: Sacrifice and bow down to my gods.

And they answered and said to him: As for us, we will not hearken to you in this matter, and we will not sacrifice to your unclean gods.

And he troubled them with many deeds, but he could not prevail over them, for they had made their hearts steadfast toward the Lord.

And he kindled a fire and cast them into it; and they yielded up their souls to the Lord.

And after their death their living forms appeared to him, holding drawn swords in their hands, while he was sleeping upon his royal couch in the night; and he was greatly afraid.

And he said to them: What shall I do for you, my masters? Help me, and take not my soul, that I may do all that you command me. And they made him greatly afraid.

And they told him all that was fitting, saying: Remember that the Lord is your Creator, and there is One who will break down this your pride and bring you down into Gehenna beneath, together with the Devil your father; and there you shall complete the whole of your judgment, even as you burned us with fire, though we had not wronged you, while we were worshipping the Lord our Creator and bowing down to Him in the fear of the Lord.

For He is the Creator of all, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is therein.

The sun and the moon and the stars and all creation—the Lord Himself created them.

And there is no other god besides Him, in heaven above or in earth beneath, who is able to do all things; and there is none who can prevail over Him, who slays and makes alive, who chastises and shows mercy.

And there is none who can escape out of His hand, for He is the Ruler of heaven and earth.

And there is none of all that He created who transgresses His commandment, except you, the rebel, and the rebels who are like you, whose hearts your father Satan has blinded; and you and your gods shall descend together into the Gehenna which has no exit for ever.

For it is not you alone who do this thing, but Satan your teacher, who taught you this evil deed, that you might do evil against us.

And you did not acknowledge the Lord your Creator, but made yourself out to be like the Lord your Creator.

And you exalt yourself in the work of your hands and in your idol, until the Lord brings you to shame and casts you down into the depths of Gehenna, and takes vengeance upon you for all the transgression and sin which you have done upon the earth.