285.此外，值得注意的是，幻觉是如何欺骗他们的。因为当他们从地狱被放出来时，认为自己正在绕着一个球体行走，把宇宙踩在脚下，以致他们视自己为最伟大的神明。另外，一个地狱之地向他们呈现为一个带盖的大桶，旁边有一个小球体，立于金字塔状的底座上；他们认为他们所关注并掌控的宇宙就止于其上。通过他们的幻觉，我似乎被带进这样一个桶中，那里所盛行的状态是永远无法描述的那种；因为地狱太过于残酷，以至于无法形容。由于那里的可怕和邪恶，出于怜悯，弥赛亚神不喜悦我被下放到那里。
285. Another noteworthy thing is how fantasy deceives them. For when they have been let out [of hell], they think they are walking around some circle, and trampling the universe beneath their feet, imagining themselves to be the greatest gods. Moreover, the hellish place is portrayed to them as a tub with a covering, and a little globe nearby on a kind of pyramidal base, on which they believe the universe to rest, which they look at, and which they control.
By their fantasy, I seemed to be let into such a tub, where a state prevails such as can never be described; for hell is too harsh ever to admit of description. But from mercy, it was not God the Messiah's good pleasure that I should be let down into it, because of the dreadful and wicked things there.
285. It is moreover remarkable how phantasy deludes them; for when they are sent forth they suppose that they are walking around a kind of globe, and trampling the universe beneath their feet, so that they consider themselves to be the greatest gods. Moreover, an infernal place is represented to them as a vat with a covering, and with something almost globular on a kind of pyramidal base in which they suppose is the universe which they keep in view and govern. By their phantasy I was, as it were, let into such a vat, where the state is such as can never be described, for it is a hell too grievous for description; nor did it please God Messiah in His mercy, that I should be let down thither on account of the dire and wicked things there.
285. Praeterea memorabile est, quomodo phantasia eos eludit, putant enim orbem quendam circumambulare, cum emissi sunt, et sub pedibus calcare universum, sic ut deos maximos se esse putent; praeterea infernalis locus iis repraesentatur sicut tonna cum tegumento, et aliquo orbiculo prope super basin 1
quandam pyramidalem, in qua putant esse universum quod spectant, et quod gubernant,per eorum phantasiam immittebar quasi in talem tonnam ubi talis status est, ut nusquam describi possit, nam infernum gravius est, quam ut usquam describi queat, nec illuc demitti me, placuit Deo Messiae ex misericordia, propter dira et nefanda.
Footnotes:
1. This is how it appears in J.F.I. Tafel's edition; the Manuscript has basen vel basem