INTRODUCTION.

...beside me, so that at another time it might not fall into the hands of the wicked. And as SOLOMON commanded, so was it done.

And when, therefore, men had waited for a long time, certain Babylonian Philosophers came to the Sepulchre A tomb or burial chamber.; and when they had assembled, they at once took counsel together that a certain number of men should renovate the Sepulchre in his (SOLOMON’S) honor. When the Sepulchre was dug out and repaired, the Ivory Casket was discovered, and inside was the Key of Secrets. They took this with joyful minds, but when they had opened it, none among them could understand it because of the obscurity of the words and their occult original: "occult," meaning hidden, secret, or supernatural arrangement, and the hidden character of the meaning and knowledge; for they were not worthy to possess this treasure.

Then, therefore, one arose among them who was more worthy than the others, both in the sight of the gods and by reason of his age, who was called Iohé Grevis. He said to the others: "Unless we shall come and ask for the interpretation from the Lord with tears and entreaties, we shall never arrive at the knowledge of it."

Therefore, when each of them had retired to his bed, Iohé fell upon his face on the earth and began to weep, striking his breast and saying:

What have I done to deserve this above others, seeing that so many men can neither understand nor interpret this knowledge, even though there were no secret thing in nature which the Lord has hidden from me? Why are these words so obscure? Why am I so ignorant?

And then on his bended knees, stretching his hands toward Heaven, he said:

O God, the Creator of all, You who know all things, Who gave such great wisdom to SOLOMON THE SON OF DAVID THE KING; grant to me, I beseech You, O Holy Omnipotent and Ineffable Too sacred or great to be expressed in words. Father, the power to receive that wisdom, so that I may become worthy by Your aid to attain the understanding of this Key of Secrets.

And immediately the Angel of the Lord appeared to me The text shifts to the first-person perspective of Iohé Grevis., saying:

Remember that if the secrets of SOLOMON appear hidden and obscure to you, the Lord has wished it so, so that such wisdom may not fall into the hands of wicked men. Therefore, do you promise me that you are not willing for such great wisdom to ever come to any living creature? And whatever you reveal to anyone, let them know that they must keep it to themselves; otherwise the secrets are profaned and no effect can follow.

And Iohé answered: "I promise to you that I will reveal them to no one, except for the honor of the Lord, and with much discipline, unto penitent, secretive, and faithful persons."

Then the Angel answered: "Go and read the 'Key,' and its words, which were obscure throughout, shall be made manifest Clearly revealed or easy to understand. to you."