1When this was seen by Hades and Death, and their impious officers, along with their cruel servants, they trembled at perceiving in their own dominions the clearness of so great a light, when they saw Christ suddenly in their abodes; and they cried out, saying: We have been overcome by you. Who are you, that to the Lord directest our confusion? directest thy prayer to our confusion? The correct reading may be: Who are you, that bringest confusion upon our master? Who are you, that, undestroyed by corruption, the uncorrupted proof of your majesty, with fury condemnest our power? Who are you, so great and little, lowly and exalted, soldier and commander, wonderful warrior in the form of a slave, and the king of glory dead and alive, whom slain the cross has carried? You, who lied dead in the sepulchre, have come down to us alive; and in your death every creature trembled, and the stars in a body were moved; and now you have been made free among the dead, and disturb our legions. Who are you, that sets free those who are held captive, bound by original sin, and recalls them to their former liberty? Who are you, who sheds a divine, and splendid, and illuminating light upon those who have been blinded by the darkness of their sins?
2In like manner, also, all the legions of the demons, terror-stricken with like fear from their fearful overthrow, cried out, saying: Whence are you, O Jesus, a man so powerful and splendid in majesty, so excellent, without spot, and free from guilt? For that world of earth which has been subject to us always until now, which used to pay tribute for our uses, has never sent us such a dead man, has never destined such gifts for the powers below. Who therefore are you, that hast so intrepidly entered our bounds, and who hast not only no fear of our punishments, but, moreover, attemptest to take all away from our chains? Perhaps you are that Jesus of whom our prince Satan said, that by your death of the cross you were destined to receive the dominion of the whole world.
3Then the King of glory, trampling on death by His majesty, and seizing Prince Satan, delivered him to the power of Hades, and drew Adam to His brightness.