Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.

Every priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able to strip away sins [that envelop and cover us];

As I looked, I saw a stormy wind coming out of the north, a great cloud with fire flashing continually from it; and a brightness was around it, and in its core [there was] something like glowing [amber-colored] metal in the midst of the fire.

“For the waves of death encompassed me;
The torrents of destruction overwhelmed and terrified me.

“The people who were sitting (living) in [spiritual] darkness have seen a great Light,
And for those who were sitting (living) in the land and shadow of [spiritual and moral] death,
Upon them a Light has dawned.”

hand mirrors, [fine linen] undergarments, headbands, and veils [covering the entire body].

It was now about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.),