The 7th Heaven and the Ancient of Days

[Then we went] up to the seventh [heaven, and I saw] a man, ancient (of days), [...] light, [and whose garment] was white. [His throne], in the seventh heaven, [was seven] times brighter than the sun. The man, ancient (of days), spoke and asked [me], “Where are you going, O Paul, O blessed one, and the one set apart from his mother’s womb?” I, however, gazed on the Spirit. And he was shaking his head, saying to me, “Speak to him!” And in response I said to the man, ancient (of days), “I go to the place whence I came.” And the man, ancient (of days), asked me, “Where are you from?” I, however, said in response, “I descend to the world of the dead to lead captivity captive, that which was led captive in the captivity of Babylon.” The man, ancient (of days), spoke to me and asked, “How can you escape from me? Behold and look on the principalities and authorities.” [The] Spirit spoke and said, “Give to him [the] sign you have, and [he will] open for you.”⁠a And I then gave [him] the sign. He turned his face down, towards his creation, and to those authorities who belong to him.