And God said, “Call Death, and bid him come hither.”  Michael went and found Death, and said to him, “Come, for the Lord of all things, the Immortal King, calleth for thee.”  And Death trembled and feared exceedingly when he heard that; but he followed Michael and came and stood before the Lord, quivering and shaking with fear, awaiting the commands of his Master.  And God said to him, “Hide thy hideous appearance, cover up thy corruption, put away from thee all thy terror, and put on a glorious and beautiful aspect, and go down to Abraham My friend and take him and bring him to Me:  only see that thou make him not afraid, but bring him peaceably, for he is My friend.”  So Death went forth from the presence of God, and made himself like an angel of light, beautiful to look upon, and departed to seek Abraham.  Now Abraham had come down from his chamber and was sitting under the trees of Mamre, leaning his head upon his hand, expecting the return of Michael the archangel.  And suddenly he was aware of a sweet perfume, and of a light shining near him; and he turned round and saw Death coming towards him in a form of great glory and beauty, and rose to meet him, supposing him to be an angel of God.  And they greeted one another, and Abraham said, “Whence come you to me, and who are you?” Death answered, “Abraham, I tell you the truth:  I am the bitter cup of death.”  Abraham said, “Rather you are the beauty of the world; a fairer than you I have never seen, and how say you, ’I am the bitter cup of death’?” He answered, “I have told you the truth; the name by which God named me is that which I have spoken.”  Abraham said, “And why have you come to this place?” Death answered, “I am come to take your soul, O righteous one.”  Abraham said, “I hear what you say, but I shall not come with you.”  But Death was silent and answered him not a word.

Then Abraham rose up and went towards his house:  and Death followed him.  And he went up into his chamber:  and Death went with him; and he laid himself on his bed:  and Death came and sat by his feet.  And Abraham said, “Go, depart from me:  I wish to rest here on my couch.”  Death answered, “I shall not depart till I have taken thy soul from thy body.”  Abraham said, “I adjure thee by the living God:  art thou in very truth Death?” He said, “I am.”  Then said Abraham, “Comest thou to all men in such a beautiful shape as this?” He said, “Nay, my lord Abraham; it is thy righteousness and thy good deeds which make as it were a crown of glory upon my head; it is only to such as thou art that I come thus peaceably, but to sinners I show myself much otherwise.”  “Show me then,” said Abraham, “in what form thou comest to them:  let me see all thy fierceness and bitterness.”  “No,” said Death, “for thou couldst not bear to look upon it.”  “Verily, I am able to bear it,” he said, “for the strength of the God of heaven is with me.”