[1] Due to the shortness of the book, it is impossible to determine the original language, the provenance or to reliably date it.
Two recensions of this text are known: the longer, known as version A, was first published in 1896 by Yovsep'ianc, and translated into English in 1901 by Issaverdens[2] and it is based on a manuscript dated 1208.
[4] Version A is an Armenian witness based on a Mastoc (Ritual) which dates back to A.D. 1208, manuscript number 570, fols.
It is a dialogue between Ezra and an angel of the Lord about the fate of human souls after death.
It also mentions the possibility of freeing souls from the hands of Satan by prayers in Church.