Page:Legends of Old Testament Characters.djvu/107

XIV.] XIV. THE earth being filled with violence, God resolved on its destruction, but Noah, the just, He purposed to save alive.

On the words of Genesis, "All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth," the Rabbi Johanan taught that not only was the race of men utterly demoralized, but also all the races of animals. Noah and his family, and one pair of all the beasts of earth, were to be saved in the ark, but of every clean beast seven were to enter in. Falsehood hastened to the ark and asked to be admitted; Noah refused. "I admit the animals only in pairs," said he. Then Falsehood went away in wrath, and met Injustice, who said— "Why art thou so sad?" "I have been refused admittance into the ark, for I am single," said Falsehood; "be thou my companion."

"See, now," answered Injustice, "I take no companionship without prospect of gain."

"Fear not," said Falsehood, "I will spread the toils and thou shalt have the booty."

So they went together to the ark, and Noah was unable to refuse them admission. And when the Flood was passed and the beasts went forth out of the ark, Falsehood said angrily, "I have done my work and have caused evil, but thou hast all the plunder; share with me." "Thou fool!" answered Injustice, "dost thou forget the agreement? Thine it is to spread the net, mine alone to take the spoil." At the time of the Deluge the giants were not all drowned, for Og planted his foot upon the fountains of the great deep, and with his hands stopped the windows of heaven, or the water would have risen over his head. The Rabbi Eliezer said that the giants exclaimed, when the Flood broke out, "If