Chapter XVIII

 The mortal combat with the serpent.

 

 

1 When the accursed serpent saw Adam and Eve, it swelled¹ its head, stood on its tail, and with eyes blood-red, acted like it would kill them.

 

2 It made straight for Eve, and ran after her; while Adam standing² by, cried because he had no stick in his hand with which to hit the serpent, and did not know how to put it to death.

 

3 But with a heart burning for Eve, Adam approached the serpent, and held it by the tail; when it turned towards him and said to him:—

 

4 "O Adam, because of you and of Eve, I am slippery, and go on my belly³." Then with its great strength, it threw down Adam and Eve and squeezed them, and tried to kill them.

 

5 But God sent an angel who threw the serpent away from them, and raised them up.

 

6 Then the Word of God came to the serpent, and said to it, "The first time I made you slick, and made you to go on your belly; but I did not deprive you of speech.

 

7 This time, however, you will be mute, and you and your race will speak no more; because, the first time My creatures were ruined because of you, and this time you tried to kill them."

 

8 Then the serpent was struck mute, and was no longer able to speak.

 

9 And a wind blew down from heaven by the command of God and carried away the serpent from Adam and Eve, and threw it on the seashore where it landed in India.

 

1 swelled   

增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情）

参考例句：

• The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染，他的手肿了起来。
• After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后，河水猛涨。

2 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

3 belly   

n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛

参考例句：

• The boss has a large belly.老板大腹便便。
• His eyes are bigger than his belly.他眼馋肚饱。