This book is part of the canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, but is not recognized by Protestant, Catholic, or non-Ethiopian Eastern Orthodox traditions. It is one of the three books of Meqabyan (sometimes called the 'Ethiopian Maccabees'), which are distinct from the Maccabees books found in the Septuagint and Vulgate. Although it shares the name, it has no direct relation to the Jewish Maccabean revolt. The text presents parallels with Deuteronomistic themes: sin, punishment, repentance, and restoration, along with a strong emphasis on the resurrection of the dead.
II Meqabyan
Chapter 20
and believe I that all I Work that I worked in this world won't remain nor be hidden on the time I stood before Him fearin and tremblin.
and on the time I didn't seize provisions to I path - and on the time I won't have clothes to I bodies...
on the time I won't have a staff to I hands nor shoes to I feet...
and on the time I won't know the paths where demons take I - whether it be slippery or smooth - or be it dark - and whether it be thorns or nettles - or whether it be a Water depth or a pit depth - believe I that I Work that I worked in this world won't remain nor be hidden.
I won't know the demons who take I - and I won't hear them thing.
As them are black ones - and as them lead I toward darkness - I don't sight up them faces.
and like unto the prophet spoke sayin - "On the time I soul were separated from I flesh - Lord I Lord - Thou know I path - and them hid a trap on that path where I-man went - and I-man sight up returnin toward the right ~ I-man lacked one who know I - and I-man have nothing there whereby I-man will escape" - as them take I toward darkness - I won't sight up them faces.
As him know that demons ridicule on him - and as them will lead him toward the path him don't know - him speakin this are because this - and if him return leftward and rightward - there are no person who know him.
Him are alone amidst demons - and yet there are none who know him.
Angels of Light who are subtle are who are sent toward kind persons that them might raceive righteous ones souls - and might take toward a Light place - toward the Garden - where welfare are found.
Demons and Angels of darkness are who are sent that them might raceive them and might take them toward Gehannem that were prepared to them that them might raceive them hardship by them sin that them worked.
Woe to sinner persons souls who take them toward destruction - who have no welfare nor rest - nor escapin from the tribulation that found them - nor proceedin from Gehannem up til Eternity.
As them have lived firmed up in Qayel Work - and as them have perished by Bele`am iniquity price - and as them have lacked what them will do - woe to sinner persons - to them pretext to raceive interest and presents that in downgression them might take a foreigner money that weren't them money.
Them shall raceive them hardship in Gehannem by them sin that them worked.