Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/378

 Guide in all countries, be thou with all who serve thee, and do thou guide me this day, that I may come to thee! Let no one take my soul, which I have given to thee! Let no publicans look at me and the tribute-gatherers falsely accuse me! Let not the serpent see me, and the children of the dragon hiss at me! Behold, O Lord, I have fulfilled thy work and accomplished thy behest. I have become a slave, wherefore I receive freedom this day. Do then give it to me perfect! And this I say not as one who doubts, but that they may hear it who need to hear."

168. And having prayed, he said to the soldiers, "Come, execute the command of him who sent you!" And the four pierced him at once and killed him. But all the brethren wept and wrapped him in beautiful shawls, and many linen cloths, and laid him in the tomb in which the former kings were buried.

169. And Sifôr and Vazan would not go down to the city, but, having spent there the whole day, spent the night there also. And Judas appeared unto them and said, "I am not here. Why do you sit here and watch me? For I have gone up, and received what I hoped for. But rise up and walk, and after a short time you shall be gathered to me." And Misdai and Charis greatly afflicted Tertia and Mygdonia, but did not persuade them to abandon their opinion. And Judas appeared