The Testament of Solomon

Blessed are you, Lord God, who granted this power to Solomon! To you be glory and might forever. Amen.

And behold, while the temple of the city of Jerusalem was being built, and the craftsmen were working in it,

Ornias, the demonic spirit, would come at sunset and take half of the wages and half of the food from a boy who was the chief craftsman. And he would suck the thumb of his right hand every day. And the boy, whom I loved very much, became thin.

But I, Solomon, one day questioned the boy and said to him, “Have I not loved you more than all the craftsmen working in the temple of God, and given you double wages and food? How is it then that you become thin every day?”

And the boy said, “I beg you, King, listen to what has happened to me. After we are dismissed from the work of the temple of God at sunset, when I am resting, an evil demon comes and takes from me half of my wages and half of my food. And he takes my right hand and sucks my thumb. And behold, as my soul is distressed, my body wastes away every day.”

And when I, King Solomon, heard these things, I entered the temple of God and prayed with all my soul, confessing to him night and day, that the demon might be delivered into my hands and that I might have power over him.

And it came to pass, as I prayed to the God of heaven and earth, that a ring was given to me by the Lord Sabaoth through Michael the archangel, having a seal engraved with a precious stone.

And he said to me, “Take, Solomon, son of David, this gift which the Lord God Almighty Sabaoth has sent to you. And you shall imprison all the demons, both female and male, and through them you shall build Jerusalem, by your bearing this seal of God.”

And I, becoming overjoyed, hymned and glorified the God of heaven and earth. And on the next day, I commanded the boy to come to me and I gave him the seal,

and I said to him, “At whatever hour the demon comes to you, throw this ring at the demon's chest, saying to him, ‘Come, Solomon calls you,’ and quickly come to me, considering nothing of what he will threaten you with.”

And behold, at the customary hour, Ornias, the harsh demon, came like a burning fire, so as to take the boy's wages as was his custom.

But the boy, according to what Solomon had told him, threw the ring at the demon’s chest, saying to him, “Come, Solomon calls you.” And he went quickly to Solomon.

But the demon cried out, saying to the boy, “What have you done? Take the ring and give it to Solomon, and I will give you the silver and gold of all the earth; only do not lead me away to Solomon.”

And the boy said to him, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, I will not endure you unless I lead you to Solomon.”

And the boy came and said to Solomon, “King Solomon, I have brought you the demon as you commanded me, and behold, he stands outside the gates, bound and crying with a loud voice, offering me the silver and gold of all the earth so that I would not lead him to you.”