(154) In like manner we shall speak briefly of the composition of the throat. A soft branch is attached to the larynx, very thin and unpleasant. The wedges (lungs) are filled to the bottom with the help of wind veins, which rise and then fade, so that the wind remaining in the wedges is released, expelled by force. And when the lungs expand and open, they attract the force of the wind to move, which in rapid breathing converges with the heart. And the fiery fervor of the heart repels the lungs; likewise, the flame, choking from its smoke, is extinguished.

(155) The spleen is also warm: it is applied to the right side for the rubbing of what is brought into the bloodstream. When it cools down, a person immediately loses weight, and unpleasant ailments often occur.

(156) On the left side, a rast (process) appears, which spills and at the same time discharges the thickness of the blood. Being satisfied, he rises, and at the same time he becomes hard. Worn out beyond its measure, it turns out to be a swollen body, gradually causing a person to become pale and infirm.

(157) And in the womb there are twists and entanglements around the navel, so that by a violent exodus the food is passed slowly, as through a pipe; and food, not passing by the direct path, is easily and quickly removed. In this way, the living creature must be moved to thought, and renounce the customs caused by bestial nature.

(158) The bladder is a room for water. The Creator skillfully equipped it with an invisible passage that receives moisture in parts. So that by a sudden outpouring or drying up the living creature does not become thirsty, but that the drunk gradually participates in the creation until the proper time.

(159) [The Creator] made our legs made of cartilage and tendons. They are like pillars that withstand the weight, and carry our entire body on them. On top of them are their knees. And the feet, strengthened from below, are ready for any movement: for prayer, for supplication, for running, for jumping.

(160) Our legs are harder than the rest of our bodies. They always strive to fall to the ground, and their fingers help them walk. If they are exhausted by the cold or the cold wind, then we can hardly walk. What word can fully convey the wisdom and power of the Creator placed in us? Branches and opening vessels, akin to flesh, and the length of the veins, and the bones, and the strength, and certain roads and paths that invisibly ascend into the structure of the body, that by breath alone so much is [given] to the body: the strength of the spirit, and the whirlpool of blood, and the dwelling of heat, and [the work of] wet and congealed, which knows the art of healing, of which I will leave to speak to those people, who studied the art of medicine.

(161) Question. The teaching about man is very well taught. And where do you think paradise was? In heaven or on earth? Some say that he was in heaven, in the intelligible sense. And others say that he was on earth, visible.

 Answer. I think that paradise was visible and was on earth. This is clearly proclaimed in the Holy Scriptures.

(162) Question. But what does Paul mean when he says, "I know a man who (in the body or out of the body, I don't know, God knows) was caught up into paradise fourteen years ago, and heard ineffable words that cannot be uttered to man"? This indicates that paradise is in heaven. For it is not said, "He was caught up to the third heaven, and thence descended into paradise," but precisely "caught up into paradise."

 Answer. More than one short word speaks of heaven and paradise, when it is said, "I saw him caught up to the third heaven," and again it is said "in paradise." It is necessary that you take your voice to yourself, and then move on to the study of words. As you said, it is not said that he descended, but that he was raptured into paradise, that is, separated. It seems to me, as it is in the teaching of the Divine Fathers, that it is not said "ascended," but "caught up," and this does not mean that he ascended. Of course, if he ascended to heaven, then he is clearly delighted. But even the one who descends is "caught up" into paradise. Thus it is said: "I saw a man caught up into paradise."

(163) Question. But the fact that the visible heaven is higher than us shows that this man has ascended; that he was higher than him: where we understand paradise.

 Answer. But why then did Paul not say loudly: "I saw such a man caught up into heaven and into paradise"? But by adding a word he separated the two passages, when he said: "I saw such a man caught up to the third heaven" and again "caught up to paradise." This is what they say if they simply move to some other place. On the model of a flat field from the top of the mountain. If someone plans to climb a mountain, he goes through this field (along a gentle slope) and easily climbs it. And if someone wants to climb a mountain first (along a steep slope), and then from the top to this field, then he needs to make every effort to descend from the height to the plain. In the same way, I think of the holy Apostle, who was the first to ascend to heaven, and from there flew to paradise. Before Paul, Solomon the Wise reliably testifies to the divine, that we clearly see paradise on earth. He says: "My brother has descended into his vineyard." Solomon simultaneously preaches the coming of the Lord in the flesh and Paul's descent from heaven after his rapture from earth. Christ, the brother of Solomon and Paul in the flesh, descended into His vineyard. He, like their brother, was suckled, and was circumcised with iron, and bowed His neck under the yoke of the law, and sacrificed a dove and a turtledove, and gave all the tribute due by the law.

(164) Question. Why, then, do you think that the Savior Christ gave His soul in His crucifixion, not in heaven, but on earth, when He said: "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit," and to the thief: "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise"? If the God and Father of Christ is in heaven, then in any case there is paradise, where Christ promised to lead the crucified thief with Him?