Nisibene Hymn 52: Satan and Death

I heard Death and Satan arguing over which of them was the more powerful among men. [a]

Death showed his power, that he conquers all. Satan showed his guile, that he makes all sin.

To you, Evil One, no one listens except the one who is willing. But to me they come, the willing and the unwilling alike.

Yours, Death, is only the force of tyranny. Mine are the snares and nets of subtlety.

Hear this, Evil One: whoever is subtle breaks off your yoke. But there is no one who can escape my yoke.

You, Death, prove your might on the one who is sick. But over those who are healthy I am exceedingly powerful.

The Evil One does not prevail over all who revile him. But with me, both the one who has cursed me and the one who curses me come into my hands.

You, Death, got your might from God. I alone am helped by no one when I lead men into sin.

You, Evil One, are like a weakling, while I exercise my dominion like a king.

You are a fool, Death, not to know how great I am, I who am able to capture free will, the sovereign power.

You, Evil One, see, go around like a thief. I, like a lion, break in pieces and am not afraid.

No one serves or worships you, Death. But kings serve me with sacrifice, as they would God.

There are many who call on Death as on a kind Power. On you, Evil One, no one has called or calls.

Do you not notice, Death, how many there are who call on me in all sorts of ways and make offerings to me?

Your name is hated, Satan, and you cannot clear it. Everyone curses your name; hide your disgrace.

Your ear has grown dull, Death, so that you do not hear how all men groan against you. Hide yourself.

My face is shown openly to the world, for I am without guile; not like you, who cannot go on without guile.

You have not surpassed me in anything, for it is true that you are as hateful to mankind as I am.

All men are afraid of me as of a lord, but you they hate as the Evil One.

As for you, Death, they hate your name and your work too. My name they hate, but my delights they greatly love.

This sweetness of yours turns into bitterness of teeth; penitence of soul clings forever to your lusts.

Sheol is hated because there is no repentance in her: a pit that swallows up and closes over every movement.

Sheol is a gulf where whoever falls will rise again. Sin is hated because it cuts off man’s hope.

Though I dislike penitents, I leave room for repentance. You cut off hope from the sinner who dies in his sin.

It was by you that his hope was cut off in the first place, for the one whom you have not caused to sin dies happy.

Blessed is he who set those cursed servants against each other, so that we might see them as they have seen us and mocked us.

What we have seen of them is a pledge, my brothers and sisters, of what we will see of them hereafter, when we rise again.