INTRODUCTION.

Treasure my words, my son Roboam, since I, Solomon, have received this wisdom from the Lord.

Then Roboam answered and said: "How have I deserved to follow the example of my father Solomon in such things? For he has been found worthy to receive the knowledge of all living things through the teaching of an Angel of God."

And Solomon said: "Hear, my son, and receive my sayings; learn the wonders of God. For on a certain night, when I lay down to sleep, I called upon that most holy Name of God, IAH A shortened form of Yahweh, the name of God in the Hebrew Bible., and prayed for the Ineffable Wisdom.

As I was beginning to close my eyes, the Angel of the Lord, Homadiel, appeared to me and spoke many things courteously to me. He said: 'Listen, Solomon! Your prayer before the Most High is not in vain. Since you have asked neither for long life, nor for great riches, nor for the souls of your enemies, but have asked for wisdom for yourself to perform justice, the Lord says this: According to your word, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there was no one like you before you, nor shall any like you ever arise.'

When I comprehended the speech made to me, I understood that I possessed the knowledge of all creatures—both things in the heavens and things beneath the heavens. I saw that all the writings and wisdom of this present age were empty and futile original: "vain", and that no man was perfect.

I composed a certain work in which I detailed original: "rehearsed" the 'secret of secrets,' where I have kept them hidden. In it, I have also concealed every secret of the magical arts used by any masters; I have included every secret or experiment of these sciences that is in any way worth accomplishing. I have written them in this 'Key,' so that just as a key opens a treasure-house, so this Key alone may open the knowledge and understanding of magical arts and sciences.

Therefore, my son, you may see every experiment of mine or of others, provided everything is properly prepared for them. You must follow what I have set down regarding the proper day, hour, and all necessary things; without this, there will be nothing but falsehood and worthlessness original: "vanity" in this work of mine. Within this book are hidden all secrets and mysteries which can be performed. What I have written concerning a single divination The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. or a single experiment, I believe to be true for all things in the Universe—those which have been, and those which shall be in the future.

Therefore, my son Roboam, I command you by the blessing you expect from your father: you shall make an ivory casket, and inside it you shall place, keep, and hide this 'Key' of mine. When I have passed away to join my ancestors original: "passed away unto my fathers", I beg you to place the casket in my tomb."