The companions who were there trembled greatly, and they arose, and sat down in the lowest part of the house; but Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba (still sat) before Rabbi Schimeon.
Rabbi Schimeon said: “In the former Assembly we acted thus; namely, that all the companions spoke, and I also with them, by turns.
“Now I shall speak alone, and let all hear my words, superiors and inferiors; blessed be my portion this day!”
Rabbi Schimeon commenced, and said, Cant. vii. 10: “ ‘I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.’
“As long as I have been bound unto this world in one link with God, the Most Holy One—may He be blessed!—have I been bound, and therefore now is His desire toward me.
“For He Himself and His whole holy company come, so that with joy they may hear the concealed words, and the praise of Him, the Most Holy Ancient One, the Concealed with all Concealments.
“And He separateth Himself ever more and more; He is separated from all things, neither yet doth He altogether separate Himself, seeing that unto Himself all things adhere, and that He Himself adhereth unto all; HVA, Hoa, He Himself is all; He the Most Holy Ancient of all Ancients, the Concealed with all Concealments.
“He hath been formed, and yet as it were He hath not been formed. He hath been conformed, so that He may sustain all things; yet is He not formed, seeing that He is not discovered.
“When He is conformed He produceth nine Lights, which shine forth from Him, from His conformation.
“And from Himself those Lights shine forth, and they emit flames, and they rush forth and are extended on every side, like as from an elevated lantern the rays of light stream down on every side.