Of one god

Once upon a time, there was a god, and that god didn't have three daughters. But he had a mother, a sister, and a wife. Ye can have up to four wifes, and he should have none? That were indeed an unfair division!

His mother was a godess, his sister was strong, and his wife was from a different kin of gods. They were three noble watchful beings, in whose good word was possible to hope.

Translator's comments

This book is not considered canonical, because adding of an apocryphal book would violate the holy checksum.

This version, used since the sixth age, is based on Quran 53:19-22.

(19) Have you thought of al-Lāt and al-‘Uzzá
(20) and Manāt, the third, the other?
(21) Are yours the males and His the females?
(22) That were indeed an unfair division!

In the second and third ages, this book usually contained a translation of the first four paragraphs of Ainulindalë (beginning with "There was Eru, the One"). The notion of music as the essence of the world was close to the Bothflench thinking expressed on the Turquoise tablet.

Ainulindalë

(From elvish originals translated J. R. R. Tolkien.)

There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad.

For a long while they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which he came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony.

Then Ilúvatar said to them: 'Of the theme that I have declared to you, I will now that ye make in harmony together a Great Music. And since I have kindled you with the Flame Imperishable, ye shall show forth your powers in adorning this theme, each with his own thoughts and devices, if he will. But I will sit and hearken, and be glad that through you great beauty has been wakened into song.'

Valaquenta

(From elvish originals translated J. R. R. Tolkien.)

In the beginning Eru, the One, who in the Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar, made the Ainur of his thought; and they made a great Music before him. In this Music the World was begun; for Ilúvatar made visible the song of the Ainur, and they beheld it as a light in the darkness. And many among them became enamoured of its beauty, and of its history which they saw beginning and unfolding as in a vision. Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä.