In the days of Noah a double curse was resting upon the earth in consequence of Adam's transgression and of the murder committed by Cain. Yet this had not greatly changed the face of nature. There were evident tokens of decay, but the earth was still rich and beautiful in the gifts of God's providence. The hills were crowned with majestic trees supporting the fruit-laden branches of the vine. The vast, gardenlike plains were clothed with verdure, and sweet with the fragrance of a thousand flowers. The fruits of the earth were in great variety, and almost without limit. The trees far surpassed in size, beauty, and perfect proportion any now to be found; their wood was of fine grain and hard substance, closely resembling stone, and hardly less enduring. Gold, silver, and precious stones existed in abundance.

Dette kapitel er bygget op over 1. mos 6-7

I Noas dage hvilede der en dobbelt forbandelse over jorden som følge af Adams overtrædelse og det mord, Kain havde begået. Og alligevel havde dette ikke medført store forandringer i naturens udseende. Der var tydelige tegn på forfald, men jorden var stadig rig på Guds smukke gaver. Højene kronedes af majestætiske træer, der støttede vinranker, som bugnede af frugt. De store, haveagtige sletter var grønklædte og duftede sødt af tusinder af blomster. Jorden frembragte en næsten ubegrænset mængde af mange forskellige frugter. Træerne overgik langt dem, vi ser nu, både i størrelse, skønhed og fuldkommen form. Veddet var fint og hårdt og lignede sten, og det var næsten lige så holdbart. Der fandtes guld, sølv og ædelstene i stor mængde.