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1. The Creation of the Earth.
In the beginning God created heaven and earth. But the earth was not immediately
as beautiful as it is now, prepared for the dwelling place of man. The light,
air, rock and soil, the germs of all plants and all living creatures were still
without order, shrouded in water and watery vapours, and everything fermented
and moved in confusion.
Then the light or brightness gradually separated from the moving mass. The air
separated and rose, drawing watery vapours upwards with it. Thus the beautiful,
high celestial arch arched over the earth, and the cloudy sky took shape, and
the air expanded between heaven and earth. After this the waters separated and
flowed together into the sea, so that the earth became dry, and living, fresh
springs of water arose in the earth, which poured into the streams and rivers
and ran into the sea.
And when the waters were drained from the earth, the sprouts of the plants
sprang up, and the earth was adorned with grass and flowering herbs and
fruit-bearing trees, which blossom and bring forth their fruitful seed within
themselves, each in its own way. After this the cloudy sky cleared, and the sun
appeared in its splendour in the pure blue firmament and shone down on the still
earth, and likewise, when it had set, the moon and the stars.
There was still no living creature that could have enjoyed the beautiful lights.
But soon the water began to stir with large and small fish. Birds flew around in
the air and more and more came and sat on the branches of the trees in their
colourful plumage and rejoiced in melodious songs. Animals appeared on the
ground, each in its own way. The butterfly fluttered around the beautiful flower
heads. The lamb hopped and grazed in the meadow. In the forest the splendid stag
was reveling. Everywhere in the heights and depths a joyful life moved. -
All this came about through God's almighty will, through his living word.
God said: ‘Let there be!’ - and it came to be. Lord, how great and many are your
works!
You have wisely ordered them all, and the earth is full of your goods.
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