1.                      Enrich my word from Your gift, O Hidden Child,

2.                      and awaken my harp to speak about Your salvation.

3.                      May Your word sing sighing songs with my careless tongue

4.                      so I may carve and raise up an image of Your glory upon my words.

5.                      May the mind slacking from labor grow rich in You, Lord,

6.                      that it may diligently become a laborer in the field of Your discourses.[2]

7.                      Your beauty appeared among the verses of Scripture,

8.                      <659> and the mind that saw You shone through You to tell Your story.

9.                      In You Simon was strengthened and he ran on the waves,[3]

10.                  and in You may I, too, conquer the silence that buffets me!

11.                  O Great Sun, spread Your rays over my darkness,

12.                  and may I shine in You and luminously narrate Your story.

13.                  In You may my words acquire power for Your hidden story,

14.                  for it has raised up my songs to glorify Your hiddenness.

15.                  All mouths of all speakers cannot exhaust You,

16.                  for Your word is a treasure by which You enrich all words.[4]

17.                  Your discourses are glorious, Your beauties wonderous, Your mysteries fearful,

18.                  and what should I say? And what should I omit from Your parables?

19.                  I observe from the start – [from] Your birth and up to Your resurrection,

20.                  and I am unable to bring an end to Your praise!

21.                  On what account should my word be stirred to narrate Your beauties?

22.                  For ten thousand mouths [could] not depict You, for You are higher than them!

23.                  Should I look at Your conception or at the babies rejoicing to meet You?

24.                  Should I marvel at Your birth or at the angels descending to You?[5]

25.                  Should I wonder at Your path or at the swaddling-clothes You wear,

26.                  or at the Magi worshipping before You with their gifts?[6]

27.                  Should I look at Joseph and the pigeons he offers You,

28.                  or at Simeon who petitions You “release me to rest?”[7]

29.                  <660> As You approach baptism should I narrate Your story?

30.                  Or [should I narrate] about the one who said, “I am not worthy even [to untie] Your sandals?”[8]

31.                  As You skip on the waves should I observe You,

32.                  or as the Father calls on high “This is My Son and My Beloved?”[9]

33.                  As the son of barren parents grasps and baptizes You, should I raise my songs,

34.                  or as the Spirit descends to testify that You are the Son of God?[10]

35.                  When the groom invited You to the wedding feast should I go see You,

36.                  or when Your signal transformed the water and it became wine?[11]

37.                  Should I see You in the desert among the crowds surrounding You

38.                  or when You multiplied a little bread and it satisfied thousands?[12]

39.                  As You ask for water like a pauper by the well,

40.                  or as You reveal all secrets that were hidden?[13]

41.                  As the blind man calls You with his voice, “have mercy on me!”

42.                  or when Your signal opened the uncreated eyes?[14]

43.                  When You were sleeping on the boat among the waves like a human,

44.                  or as You rebuke the waves and the winds, and they obey You?[15]

45.                  As You are processing on a donkey should I narrate Your story,

46.                  or when the children called out with hosannas “blessed is the One Who comes”?[16]

47.                  As You eat the Passover of mysteries with Your disciples,

48.                  or when Judas was exposed with the dipped bread?[17]

49.                  <661> When the crucifers with swords and rods went to capture You,

50.                  or when Your signal overthrew them and they fell before You?

51.                  In the judgment hall should I listen to the stirrings and all the questions,

52.                  or [should I listen] as all the elements quake at Your command?[18]

53.                  As You are bound on the Cross with nails and thieves,

54.                  or as Your voice calls the bound from the graves?[19]

55.                  When the murderers’ spear pierced Your side,[20]

56.                  or when Your voice pierced Sheol and brought out her dead?

57.                  As the angels with their fiery wings cover [themselves] from You,

58.                  or as the seraphim with great fear bow before You?

59.                  As the cherubim cover their faces from Your flame,

60.                  or as the impure People spits upon Your countenance?

61.                  As Your Right Hand carries the wings that carry You,

62.                  or when the weak Wood carried You and was not consumed?[21]

63.                  When Your command raised up the ranks of heavenly beings,

64.                  or as You stand among sinners in great shame?

65.                  As You are exalted by cherubim on the chariot,[22]

66.                  or as You are shamed by deniers on the Cross?

67.                  Great is the calamity to whoever looks discerningly,

68.                  as the Innocent One is hung on the Cross by the guilty!

69.                  For they bound on the Cross the Exalted Arm that embraced the ends of the earth,

70.                  and they fixed with nails the Right Hand that stretched out the heights.[23]

71.                  They gave vinegar to the mouth that breathed spirit in Adam,

72.                  and they hung up with nails the Right Hand that weighed the mountains.[24]

73.                  They completed in Him all that was spoken in prophecy;

74.                  the mysteries of the just and their revelations were consummated in Him.

75.                  They mixed vinegar for Him and gave Him gall, as it is said;

76.                  they pierced His hands and His bones wailed, as it was proclaimed.[25]

77.                  They clamored for His death and stirred up His judgment though He was innocent;

78.                  they divided His garments and mocked Him though He was not guilty.[26]

79.                  Heaven opens and the orders [of angels] stand silently;

80.                  the King is scorned and silence descends on His legions!

81.                  The angels hush and silence stretches over the fiery beings;

82.                  the ranks stand [still] and a bridle is set on the flame.

83.                  Lightning agitates to burn the ends [of the earth] with a blaze;

84.                  the thunders are eager to bring down mountains under the deniers.

85.                  The wind is threatening to wrap up the earth with deep darkness;

86.                  the air roaring to suck up the world like a dragon.

87.                  The mountains quake like a hut before a tempest

88.                  and grief befalls the high places at that hour.

89.                  The day darkened and became night at noon;

90.                  light vanished and darkness reigned over the regions [of the earth].[27]

91.                  <663> The sun darkened in its bright mansions

92.                  and mournful night spread its wings over the habitable world.

93.                  Thomas is fleeing, Peter denying, and Judas hanging –

94.                  His mother weeping and John standing at a distance![28]

95.                  Mountains weep and darkness congeals upon the high places;

96.                  the apostles are squeezed by their fright of the deniers.

97.                  The King is left alone by both high and lowly beings,

98.                  and silence and shaking and trembling stretch out from all sides!

99.                  Mary whispered sounds of suffering from [her] weeping,

100.              conversing against the crowds of heavenly beings:

101.              “O Gabriel! Come, see your Lord being mocked,

102.              and the nails fixed in His hands by wicked people.

103.              And you, Michael, man of fire, why are you silent?

104.              Where is your sword that slayed thousands of Assyrians?[29]

105.              Where is the force of your blaze, O son of flame?

106.              And why has the lance of your fire cooled off from the crucifiers?

107.              Though[30] the disciples fled from the Lord and He remained alone,

108.              why have you hosts of fire abandoned Him?

109.              Though those made of dirt feared death and fled from Him,

110.              why are you immortal ones silent?

111.              <664> Two of you were scorned in the land of Sodom

112.              and [so] you ignited a sea of fire on it from your wings.[31]

113.              [At] your own dishonor you did not delay in exacting a penalty,[32]

114.              but you do not exact a penalty from the boasters at your Lord’s dishonor!

115.              The son of Amram exacted payment for the People from the Egyptians,

116.              and [how much more] should furious vengeance [be exacted] from the crucifiers![33]

117.              The troops stand silently while the King is scorned –

118.              the fire is quiet and the Lord of fire hangs on the Cross!

119.              The ranks are hushed yet see how dirt-made beings have attacked the Firstborn!

120.              The angels are quiet and someone made of dust sticks out his tongue!

121.              The ranks hide and [humans] spill out spit on His face –

122.              the orders quiver and their hidden Lord is accounted among the wicked.[34]

123.              The rocks burst apart and the hard heart is not softened –

124.              the stones are rent and the deaf peoples’ ears are not opened!”[35]

125.              Then the Watcher told the King’s mother gently,

126.              “Do not worry, for He would not die unless He wills it.

127.              His love drew Him to dwell in the womb and become man –

128.              His mercy compelled Him to taste death for Adam’s sake.

129.              By the death of your Son, the death of humanity is void,

130.              and by it the gates of closed Sheol are opened.

131.              <665> By it Adam’s dispersed captivity returns –

132.              He unties the bond of iniquity the Evil One bound!

133.              If He did not wish it, He would not be scorned by the deniers,

134.              and if He did not will it, neither would the Cross have carried Him.

135.              He gave life to the dead – could He not give life to Himself?

136.              He opened [the eyes of] the blind – could He not loosen the nails in His hands?

137.              He cleansed lepers – could He not wipe away the spit on His face?

138.              Legion was drowned[36] – could He not kill the crucifiers?

139.              He silenced the sea – and could He not silence the troublemakers?

140.              He transformed water – and could He not sweeten the vinegar they gave Him?

141.              He shook heaven – and could He not burn the judgement hall?

142.              He darkened the sun – and could He not blind His murderers?

143.              He split the stones – and could He not make a human heart repent?

144.              He toppled mountains – and could He not destroy the lowly people?[37]

145.              He tore apart the cliffs – and could He not ruin His enemies?

146.              His silence stirred up the orders of fire and ranks of spirit.

147.              And how, then, could straw and twigs conquer Him?

148.              He Himself in His mercy willed to taste suffering for Adam’s sake!”

149.              Then the King cried out with great suffering from the murder,

150.              and He toppled and cast down the world’s ridges upon each other.[38]

151.              The wind heard His voice and tore the curtain;

152.              <666> it[39] rent the veil of the sanctuary and left in great anger.

153.              The day also took off and cast away its glorious clothing,

154.              and the rays fled from the darkened sun’s flame.

155.              Hard stones burst open, rocks shouted, and mountains resounded;

156.              Death wailed and the Evil One cried out, and his crown fell.[40]

157.              The graves were opened and they threw up the dead from their bellies;

158.              Sheol was shaken and the dead who were confined went out.

159.              Within the darkness light dawned on the thief

160.              and through [his] confession it weaved and offered him a crown of victory.

161.              While the great fume of iniquity was growing strong,

162.              he called to Christ, “Remember me, Lord, when You come!”[41]

163.              While the hail of deceit was beating down from the deniers,

164.              the lamp of his faith shone and conquered the sun.

165.              While the mockers’ voices tossed like the sea,

166.              he called to Christ, “Remember me, Lord, when You come!”

167.              While He was stripped and hung alone on Golgotha,

168.              without the legions or chariot in which He was escorted,

169.              he saw Him in shame and not magnificent in glory,

170.              and he asked Him for mercy, to pity him in the kingdom.

171.              He offered Him supplication full of suffering

172.              as his tongue also gave birth to groans:[42]

173.              “O Gate of Mercy, open to me so I may enter Your beautiful land!

174.              <667> Bread of Life, grant me to enter and delight in You.

175.              O High Wall, grant me to enter and take refuge in You

176.              and may I conquer sins for thieves[43] and be cleansed in You!

177.              O Great Treasure, grant me Your wealth full of blessings,

178.              and in Your wealth I will forget the poverty in which I suffered!

179.              Lord of the house, Who agreed to give a denarius to the morning’s workers,

180.              make me worthy with them, for I entered the vineyard at the eleventh hour![44]

181.              Whoever toils well-receives his labor’s wage –

182.              and since I have labored an hour of the day, give me life in Your mercy!

183.              The morning’s workers unashamedly demand their wage –

184.              O pity my lostness, I, who have come at evening-time!

185.              Call the Steward – Your great love – to give a wage.

186.              Release me first so the first workers may take heart in me! [45]

187.              I worked with You an hour of the day, O Jesus, King –

188.              call me and I will rejoice in You, and the children of day will exult in me!

189.              They will say, ‘if a lowly man received a denarius,

190.              what will He give us, for we have worked with Him the whole day?’

191.              Along with the first, the last who come now after me

192.              will see that the gate is open before penitents.

193.              You have come to seek the lost – pity my lostness!

194.              I have walked like a great mirror before penitents.

195.              You forsook the just and came to call sinners –

196.              <668> You left those who were gathered and are gathering those who went astray.

197.              The desirable crowds of the children of light will rejoice in me, Lord,

198.              for they rejoice in one sinner who repents when he is received.[46]

199.              Confess me, Lord, before Your Father, like You promised, [47]

200.              for see – I have confessed You before the band of Caiaphas’ people!

201.              Confess me, Lord, for see – I have confessed You before the crucifiers

202.              while the disciples were scattered and cast down from their fright!

203.              Do not deny me when You judge all generations,

204.              for I did not deny You at Your judgment when You were reviled.

205.              When I was taken to die, they crucified me for my faults,

206.              and I did not know that the Treasure of Life hung on the Cross!

207.              For all the treasures I emptied out, they took me to die,

208.              and life has flowed to me out of death since I saw You, Lord!

209.              The blood I shed hung me on the cross to be avenged on me,

210.              and life has flowed to me out of death to save me!

211.              I was tormented in the dark for the duration of my years,

212.              and when the cycle of my days was spent, light dawned on me!

213.              Remember me, Lord, on Your great day when You come.

214.              Since I have seen Your shame, let me see Your glory in the glorious land!”

215.              Then Jesus responded to him according to his hope,

216.              and He opened the great gate of mercy before his supplication.

217.              “Amen, Amen, I say to you – be assured, O man,

218.              <669> that today you will rejoice with Me in the kingdom.[48]

219.              Since among the deniers your tongue has sung a song of confession,

220.              You will delight at the table of life with Abraham.

221.              Since your lamp has shone in the dark heavy clouds,

222.              you will gleam with the exalted ones[49] in the wedding chamber of life.

223.              Since your ears have heard the troublesome voices of mockers,

224.              I will console you with that jubilation of the children of light.

225.              Since you have rejected Caiaphas’ band of impure priests,

226.              I will clothe you with a robe of light in the wedding chamber on high.[50]

227.              Take the key of light and arrive at the Garden of blessings,

228.              and establish a path for the King of Light Whom the People rejected!

229.              Mount the fire and procced on the way of flame –

230.              trample the chasm full of fire and do not fear!

231.              Step swiftly and arrive at the ranks of heavenly beings;

232.              level the paths and gladden the Watchers with the peace that has come about!

233.              Pour out peace in Eden with your beautiful words –

234.              tell the lost that Adam the heir has returned!

235.              And do not be afraid if the orders of fire confront you –

236.              they will rejoice at your edict[51] and receive you upon their wings!”

237.              And when the edict of life was written, which the King wrote,

238.              and the Son paused [to write His] signature so [the thief] could go,[52]

239.              <670> the People gave Him a reed to hold as if in shame

240.              and pierced His side, and blood and water overflowed on the Cross.[53]

241.              In His blood He dipped the reed[54] of shame the People gave,

242.              and in His living name He sealed[55] the edict for the one on the right.

243.              The thief washed in the living water that poured from Him.

244.              Baptism was established on the Cross, and he soaked in it.

245.              The Son’s side became a font of life on the Cross,

246.              and the thief put on garments of light from its womb.

247.              The spear broke open a sea of mercy on Golgotha,

248.              and in it all Peoples are freed from error.

249.              A flood of living water gushed from the height of the Cross,

250.              and it was mixed with blood to cleanse all the impure.[56]

251.              The thief washed in Baptism mixed with blood

252.              and put on from it garments of light, went forth, and left.

253.              He took the key for the lock of fire – the Son’s word –

254.              and in his right hand the edict He wrote in His living blood.

255.              In Baptism he was clothed with the Son’s power

256.              so he would not be burned when he passed through the sea of fire.

257.              He wove a wing of faith and flew through the air;

258.              he left the world and arrived at life-filled Eden.

259.              <671> But behold! When he [was about to] break through the great wall of flame,

260.              a cherub confronted him and stood [there] to ask him, marveling,[57]

261.              “Tell me, O man, who are you and where are you from?

262.              And how have you come on the fearful path of flame?

263.              And how have the winds carried you to walk on their wings

264.              and the waves of fire not burned your feebleness?

265.              How have you crossed over the great fire-filled chasm

266.              and not been burned among the waves of flame?

267.              Who gave you a hand to run upon the whirlwinds –

268.              you, O scattered dust! – without being scattered by their severity?

269.              How has a fleshly foot trod upon flame

270.              and not been melted by its boiling heat? [58]

271.              O particle of dirt!  How have you crossed over the sea of fire

272.              and your lump of earth not been crushed and fallen among the waves?

273.              Are you perhaps Adam, who was fashioned by the hand of the Godhead?

274.              Or pure Seth, who was clothed with the symbols of the Only-Begotten?[59]

275.              Perhaps just Noah, who overcame the flood in the ark

276.              and reconciled the Lord with its spiritual construction?[60]

277.              Not Melchizedek, who guarded the faith of God,

278.              and in his righteousness was called a priest for the Lord?[61]

279.              Perhaps Abraham, the father of the Peoples and generations?

280.              Or maybe Isaac, whom the voice saved from the knife?[62]

281.              <672> Perhaps you are Jacob, who saw God on the ladder

282.              descending to make hope for those without hope?[63]

283.              Perhaps you are Joseph, who was victorious like a warrior in battle

284.              and took victory from the adulterous woman in the inner room?[64]

285.              Perhaps you are Moses, who split the sea before the encampment

286.              and talked with God face to face on the mountain?[65]

287.              Perhaps his disciple, the famous Joshua son of Nun,

288.              who bound the luminaries in the firmament at noon?[66]

289.              Perhaps you are Gideon, who depicted [Jesus] with the dew and fleece?

290.              Or maybe Jephthah who sacrificed his daughter for victory?[67]

291.              Perhaps you are David, whom the Spirit called ‘the heart of the Lord?’

292.              Or Isaiah, who in prophecy called Him ‘wonder?’[68]

293.              Perhaps Ezekiel, who saw the resurrection and the chariot?

294.              Or Daniel who shut the mouth of lions?[69]

295.              Perhaps you are Simon, who walked on the waves of the sea?

296.              Or John, who reclined upon His chest?[70]

297.              Are you Zechariah’s son, who set his hand upon the Flame

298.              and saw the Spirit Who descended in the form of a dove upon Him?[71]

299.              Reveal to me, O son of dust, so I can see who you are,

300.              for your audacity has crossed over the sea of flame!”

301.              The thief cried out, “O Son of flame, don’t get heated!

302.              For I will tell who I am and Who sent me.

303.              <673> I am a thief who went about [doing] detestable things,

304.              and among the roads I reveled in human blood.

305.              I snatched treasures from traders and acquired them

306.              and I made rulers impoverished from their treasures.

307.              I truly murdered and washed in peoples’ blood;

308.              I beat old men and did not grieve for young ones.

309.              I impeded the roads from residents and travelers;

310.              traders ceased from profits in their inns.

311.              I plundered peoples’ wealth without number,

312.              and in creation I washed in evil things as if in water.” [72]

313.              The Fiery One heard the wonderous argument, and wonder seized him,

314.              and he cried to the fearful crowds of fire, alarmed.

315.              The Watcher said, as the heavenly hosts were astonished,

316.              “Unclean man! What are you doing in a pure place?

317.              O blood-splattered one! On what path did you come

318.              without the waves of fire carrying you off when you crossed?

319.              O treasure-plunderer, our land cannot be plundered!

320.              Man-killer, there is no way for Watchers to die!

321.              O humiliator of the freeborn, you cannot plunder the Watchers!

322.              Return – go to your land and do not be burned by their wings!

323.              O twig-spike, why are you washing in the sea of fire?

324.              Corpse of blood, what are you doing among fiery beings?

325.              <674> Eden’s wall is flame and is unbreakable.

326.              The great lock is sealed for the King and is unopenable.

327.              See, the key is inside the kingdom and who will bring it out?

328.              And the rampart is fire and you cannot break through the wall.

329.              The spearhead of fire is blazing and fearful, and if you venture [forth],

330.              O weak twig, your feebleness will be consumed by it!

331.              O dirt-made one, how have you made light of the flame

332.              and the fearful rivers of fire not carried you off?”

333.              The thief wondrously narrated to the son of flame,

334.              “O spiritual one, listen and I will tell you truly.

335.              I was a thief, but mercy caught me out of detestable things –

336.              I washed and was cleansed from the evil things I was spattered with.

337.              The entire day I was beaten among the roads,

338.              but mercy caught me at evening-time for repentance.

339.              My evil deeds called me to die on the cross,

340.              but mercy has drawn me to inherit life through repentance!

341.              The King, your Lord, gave me life since I confessed His name,

342.              and He opened the gate of light before me to enter Eden.

343.              You should rejoice, O spiritual one, at an errant one who has returned!

344.              Your Lord rejoices, so why do you look at me badly? [73]

345.              At one sinner who repents, all the Watchers rejoice,

346.              and those on the right hand delight for him to inherit with them.

347.              <675> But you – how and why are you sad that I have come

348.              when the Son of the King and His hosts rejoice in my return?” [74]

349.              The Watcher said, “Why did He not send one of the just

350.              to come and establish a path before Him before He comes?

351.              Why did He forsake Abraham, father of the just, and send you?

352.              [Or] Jacob the just who signified the Church on the mountain he anointed?[75]

353.              Chaste Moses and Joshua son of Nun did not come,

354.              nor did Elijah nor Elisha who resurrected the dead.[76]

355.              Noble David who saw His burial and His resurrection,

356.              or Ezekiel who saw Him sitting on the chariot,[77]

357.              those who bore the burden of the day and its hard heat –

358.              did He forsake them and send you to come here, as you say!?

359.              They who cried out their revelations like a trumpet

360.              and revealed His scars before He came –

361.              pure Abel and beautiful Seth and innocent Noah –

362.              elderly Abram and Isaac the sacrifice and his son Jacob –

363.              did He neglect these just people, children of the kingdom,

364.              and send a man of blood to Eden to establish a path?!”

365.              [The thief said,] “O spiritual one, servant of the King, listen and I will tell you,

366.              for I have not come to Eden to debate [you] fiery beings!

367.              He sent me to come, for mercy pitied me since I was lost,

368.              <678> and He forsook the just since they did not need forgiveness.

369.              Those just come ceremoniously with the King’s Son,

370.              but me He sent from the cross of sufferings to come before Him.

371.              The children of the kingdom have rest, for [the kingdom] is theirs,

372.              but He sent me, a debtor, to establish a path before Him.

373.              The sick need a doctor to heal them,

374.              but why would [a doctor] offer medicine to a healthy person?

375.              He neglected the healthy since they did not need a visitor,

376.              but me, a sick person, He healed with forgiveness and sent me to come![78]

377.              To the last laborer the King’s Son released the wage first –

378.              He contracted with the first, and our Lord was not deceitful in His word.

379.              Let the last in mercy receive a wage out of justice!

380.              He contracted with the first for a gold coin,[79] and sent them.

381.              For the just group did not need forgiveness,

382.              but on His Cross the Son of God pitied me and those like me!

383.              See, you Watcher, the key of fire for the lock of fire

384.              that the King sent from the height of the Cross – see if it opens [it]!

385.              He gave me a key, an edict, and life, and I came to Eden,

386.              and since I am armed with the mysteries of the Son, I am not afraid!”

387.              The Watcher said, “Until He comes you will not enter,

388.              and the path of life will not be trod unless I see Him.

389.              The lock that Adam shut when he left will not be opened

390.              <677> until Adam’s Lord comes, and He will open it.

391.              O man of blood, you cannot enter Eden,

392.              for the land is pure – may it not be defiled by your footsteps!

393.              And how could it be that the Watchers do not see Him, for He is hidden from all,

394.              but He has sent you, O man, to the pure land?!”

395.              The thief said, “He saw my boldness on the height of the Cross

396.              and how much I was mightily menacing the crucifiers.

397.              He saw that heaven and earth were silent at the Son’s suffering

398.              and all the just were astonished at the glory I gave.[80]

399.              When I confessed Him on the height of the cross, the Watchers were astonished at me,

400.              and when He wrote me an edict to come, the fiery beings rejoiced.

401.              as He said to me, ‘Amen, Amen, I say to you,

402.              today you will rejoice with Me in the kingdom’ –

403.              as I confessed Him there was no one else who confessed Him

404.              except for me – none of the Watchers and no man[81] –

405.              as the crowds and thousands were silent and the orders trembled,

406.              even the bands of flame stood veiled –

407.              as Gabriel suffered and mourned at His nakedness

408.              and Michael saw the crown of thorns on His head,

409.              as the legions of light[82] were bound in silence

410.              and the hosts of living fire in great shaking,

411.              as the disciples were fleeing from the crucifiers

412.              <678> and terror lay on the entire band of apostleship,

413.              as His mother stood from afar and feared to approach,

414.              and the commotion of the accursed shamefully tossed like the sound of the sea,

415.              as the day put on darkness in great suffering

416.              and Caiaphas’ band rushed toward insult,

417.              as the mountains roared in tears, I sang glory,

418.              and as the People shamefully raved, I cried out confession!

419.              As the Lamb of the Godhead was stripped on the Cross,

420.              and the bands of wolves raged for His death,

421.              as heaven and earth and the seas and worlds were still,

422.              and Watchers and men were silent out of their fright,

423.              as the sun’s light was emptied out and suddenly vanished,

424.              and the world put on a cloak of darkness and great grief –

425.              at these tremblings where were you?[83] Tell me, Watcher! –

426.              since to me alone you have shown the might of your blaze!

427.              When the People cried out ‘He deceives the People!’[84] you were silent,

428.              and when He was scourged with whips you did not speak.

429.              When they said to Him, ‘Save Yourself!’ you were afraid,

430.              and when they gave Him vinegar to drink you were trembling.

431.              The head of the disciples at the supper was the first –

432.              he vowed and denied, ‘I do not know Who this is.’

433.              And that steward sold Him and took the price of His blood

434.              <679> and that foundation (Peter) increasingly vowed, ‘I do not recognize Him!’[85]

435.              Also John was beloved upon His chest

436.              and did not remain to suffer with Him at the time of His suffering![86]

437.              I did not eat from the bread He multiplied in the wilderness,

438.              and I did not drink from the water He changed to wine.

439.              I was not with Jesus when He calmed the tossing sea

440.              nor when He called the dead man, who came out after he had decomposed.[87]

441.              I did not see the Son when the People demanded His tax,[88]

442.              nor when He expelled demons from the possessed with His word.

443.              I was not with Him when He did these things –

444.              I only saw Him in His shame, and I did not deny Him!

445.              I did not see the Son when He preserved virginity with His birth,

446.              nor when He made the virgin womb bring forth pure milk,

447.              nor in the manger wrapped with swaddling-clothes as an infant,

448.              nor with the Magi who worshipped before Him with offerings,

449.              nor at the mountaintop where He revealed His glory before His disciples,

450.              nor when the Father called from on high, ‘This is My Beloved,’[89]

451.              nor in Simon’s house when He made atonement for the impure,

452.              nor in Jairus’ house when He woke up the girl from death,[90]

453.              nor when He released a sick man from affliction,

454.              <680> nor when He gave the deaf who needed it hearing.

455.              When on the Cross He was hung and stripped by sinners,

456.              as they were casting lots to divide His garments,

457.              as the disciples were dispersed and cast down one after another,

458.              as the angels stood in silence out of their fright,

459.              as darkness spread over the world, and [the world] was clothed with it,

460.              and the structure of the world was filled with terror and great trembling,

461.              when His side was pierced with a lance by the murderers

462.              and the Cross washed in living blood and was splattered –

463.              with these sufferings I saw the Son surrounded,

464.              and I did not doubt to ask for mercy at the time of His shame!

465.              At this judgment which even the angels marveled at,

466.              I sought from the King an edict of life – He gave it to me and I came!

467.              See yourself the edict – open and read it, O son of flame!

468.              And see the great King’s signature – see if it’s true!

469.              And see also the key, the edict of life the King gave me,

470.              and the garments that Baptism wove in His living blood!”

471.              The son of fire saw his Lord’s edict and bowed before it

472.              and took it into his wings of flame, marveling.

473.              “Come, enter Eden, the land of light that Adam left!

474.              Enter and be mixed with the glorious gathering of the children of light.

475.              <681> Come, thief, be consoled in the land of light!

476.              And the desirable waves will wash away your dust and weariness.[91]

477.              It is right for you to be consoled by the fair sun,

478.              for see how heaven and earth are astonished at your boldness!

479.              There a thief and here an heir of the kingdom –

480.              there a murderer and here you will delight in life.

481.              Yes, O thief, [but] where is the King Who sent you to come?

482.              What is He doing and what reason has kept Him from [coming with] you?

483.              If He has taken victory on the Cross and saved Adam,

484.              what has He delayed to do there, and then to come [later]?”

485.              The thief said, “The King’s path is directed straight to the grave

486.              for Him to lay waste to Sheol and bring out the crowds confined [there].

487.              He has a great work to do among the dead,

488.              to weave the garments of light which Death corrupted there.

489.              And see! He has entered the city of Death to bring out from it

490.              all the stolen things Death brought in and hid in his land.

491.              Into great Sheol whose streets have not known commotion[92]

492.              He has entered to lay waste her treasures and cast down Death’s land.

493.              He has woven for Adam a garment of life in baptism

494.              and entered to clothe his nakedness and bring him out with Him.

495.              Into the land full of death’s corruption the King’s Son entered,

496.              to drive away from mortals the ranks of worms through His death.

497.              < 682> He has entered to renew on the great loom of the Godhead

498.              the garments of the body that Death in his audacity tore apart.

499.              He has entered to topple the house of Death the Evil One built,

500.              and with His living blood He has fashioned the clay which is renewed.

501.              See Sheol’s streets telling of His grace,

502.              and mortals speaking the tale of life![93]

503.              See the strongmen singing glory concerning His salvation,

504.              for He has raised them from the fall in which they lay prostrate!

505.              Among those in darkness who have never seen light

506.              a sea of light has overflowed at the death of the Son!

507.              The King’s Son entered the hall of the dead to see there

508.              the band of the dead decomposing under Death’s captivity.

509.              The entire path was completed at the Crucifixion,

510.              and one lodging-place remained for Him, and He entered to see it.

511.              Those confined in Sheol longed for Him as for rain,

512.              to drink from Him the drink of life and rise in Him.

513.              He entered the grave to visit Adam upon his bed

514.              and repair His image which had been corrupted in the darkness.[94]

515.              Come, descend, Watchers, to the land of the dead toward the Freeborn!

516.              And let Him see there the mightiness of your presence.

517.              Descend, fiery ones, and lead with you the crowds of light!

518.              Sprinkle in Sheol the dew of light and its darkness will vanish.

519.              <683> Descend, Gabriel, who brought good tidings to the Blessed Woman![95]

520.              See the Strongman who lies in Sheol as if weak.

521.              Descend, Michael, chief and head of the heavenly hosts!

522.              Break through Sheol as through the sea before the army![96]

523.              Raise your voice over the wonderous lofts of Sheol

524.              and overthrow them like the walls before the Hebrews![97]

525.              Let the ranks of the children of light descend with their harps

526.              and the turbulent crowds with the pure sounds of their chants.

527.              Let the seraphim with their wings sprinkle dew on Sheol’s streets

528.              and with their voices let the fearful cherubim cry out glory.

529.              O fearful thunders, speak with your voices,

530.              and let the land thunder from your trumpets’ blare!

531.              It is not fitting for the King to dwell alone –

532.              descend, honor Him on His bed in Sheol’s abode!

533.              Though He endured shame on the Cross alone,

534.              may He not be ashamed there in Sheol’s land!

535.              Descend like lightning and pour out flame on Sheol!

536.              Speak, O thunders, and Death will tremble at your voices!

537.              Descend, thick clouds, with your beautiful veils!

538.              Clouds and winds, surround Him with canopies of light!”

539.              <684> The Watcher said, “Quiet, thief! Why are you arguing?

540.              For the chains of Sheol will not bind His mightiness.

541.              The doors of Death will not restrain Him in Perdition,

542.              and He cannot see corruption[98] there like a weak person.

543.              How can a broken tusk seize the Lion’s Cub,

544.              or dead Death take hold of the eternally Mighty One? [99]

545.              He alone will conquer Sheol and empty her out

546.              and mightily lay waste that Indulgent one’s treasures.

547.              There was no rank of fire with Him on the height of the Cross,

548.              and it wasn’t an angel that darkened the sun at noontime!

549.              It wasn’t Gabriel who resurrected the dead man after he decomposed,

550.              and Michael didn’t raise the dead boy and give him to his mother![100]

551.              A fiery being didn’t open [the eyes of] the blind, who [then] saw light,

552.              and it wasn’t a spiritual being that cried out on the Cross and stirred up the dead!

553.              It wasn’t an angel who slept on the boat and silenced the waves,

554.              and it wasn’t a cherub who reclined at the wedding-feast and transformed water!

555.              It wasn’t a seraph who sat on the well and asked for water

556.              and revealed and showed forth living water for humanity![101]

557.              A cherub couldn’t have taken the spear, for it is entirely fire,

558.              and water and blood wouldn’t have flowed from its side!

559.              All these things that the Firstborn endured [were] in the body He put on

560.              so that the Lord of Adam and Son of Adam would give Adam life.

561.              <685> Humility has shone out here in great wonder,

562.              for He entered Death as a human and laid waste its land!

563.              Descend, O thief, now that you have brought the King’s edict,

564.              and tell Him, ‘the crowds of fire received me upon their wings.

565.              Crowds upon crowds of cherubim venerated me reverently,[102]

566.              and they received Your edict upon their wings, trembling.

567.              The cherub removed the spearhead of fire and opened the gate

568.              and spread his wings, and upon his shoulders exalted and carried me.

569.              The fiery beings longed [for me] and embraced me in their wings,

570.              and they honored me in their holy tents.

571.              All the crowds bowed and venerated me with great reverence.

572.              They received Your edict, opened the gate, and peace reigned.’

573.              Go, thief, narrate to the King these things that occurred,

574.              and when He stirs up to come, you will come with Him in great glory!”

575.              [The thief said], “O fiery one, son of flame, listen and I will tell you –

576.              I will not descend to Sheol. Be assured of this!

577.              He did not tell me, ‘Pass on the edict and return to Me.’

578.              [No -] the King sent me to rejoice in Eden, our first land!

579.              If I descend to the womb of Sheol as you say,

580.              <686> I will not get out of [that] whirlpool full of the dead.

581.              If Death sees me in his land he will not leave me –

582.              but if Death saw you,[103] he would flee from your rays!

583.              Depart, O cherub, to that chariot of your companions,

584.              for from now on I will not depart until He comes!

585.              You acquired rest[104] since Adam left Paradise,

586.              for your shoulder was relieved from that yoke of flame.

587.              Our kind is older than yours in the land of Eden!

588.              And so you don’t forget – you are fit for that chariot.

589.              The Most High entrusted the chariot to you, and Paradise to us!

590.              Because we sinned you acquired rest apart from your companions.

591.              Return to your chariot, for we have returned to Eden!

592.              Go to your companions, for Adam rejoices among the trees!

593.              Read the just Father’s law, and in it you will find

594.              that He left Adam within Paradise, but [Adam] did not obey Him.

595.              And see! The Lord’s command is peace, and He sent me to come.

596.              Anger has passed away – peace has reigned through the dawning Son.

597.              He became a mediator and reconciled His Father, for His love willed [it].

598.              With the spear the Firstborn of Life received on the height of the Cross,

599.              He broke through the barrier – you’re uselessly standing here!

600.              Depart to your land, for it is right for us to return to ours!

601.              For it is right for everyone to possess their land and be its heir.

602.              <687> Perhaps the yoke of flame wore out your shoulder,

603.              and this is why you were set out to guard the gate?

604.              Because we sinned you acquired rest for a long time –

605.              return to your chariot, for your first labor is very fitting for you!

606.              That Command Who told you, O Watcher, to guard the gate,

607.              Himself wrote the edict and granted me to come that there may be peace.”

608.              O Christ Who came and made peace between height and depth with Your blood,[105]

609.              make peace for Your Church in the four corners [of the world], for You died for her!

܀܀܀܀܀

[1] The homily is about the Good Thief’s encounter with the cherub appointed to guard Eden after Adam and Eve were expelled (Genesis 3:24). There is a famous sughitho (dialogue poem) between the Cherub and the Thief sung during Holy Week in Syriac churches. The episode is closely related to the piercing of Christ’s side with a spear (John 19:34), which removes the cherub’s flaming sword/spear and opens the gate to Eden. For more discussion about this common theme in Syriac tradition, see: A) Robert Murray, “The Lance Which Re-Opened Paradise: A Mysterious Reading in the Early Syriac Fathers” in Orientalia Christiana Periodica 39:1 (1973): 224-34. (Free online) B) Robert Murray, “‘The Lance Which Re-Opened Paradise’: A Correction” in Orientalia Christiana Periodica 39:2 (1973): 491. C) Sebastian Brock, “The Mysteries Hidden in the Side of Christ” in Sobornost 7:6 (1978): 462–72. D) Sebastian Brock, “The Dispute between the Cherub and the Thief” in Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies 5:2 (2002): 169-93. (Free online)

Though I have not made a full search of MSS, I have found this homily in the following ones: DIYR 00003 (images labeled 377r-382v – ordered wrongly; MS pp766-777); SMMJ 00053 (images labeled 173-183; MS English numbers 170-180; partial version); Vat. Sir. 115 (ff62v-74r); Vat. Sir. 117 (ff.491r-494r); CFMM 00130 (ff.118v-122r; partial version). I have occasionally consulted Fr. Behnam Sony’s Arabic translation.

[2] “discourses”: ܡܐܡܪ̈ܝܟ

[3] Matthew 14:22-33.

[4] “by which You enrich all words” lit. “by which all words are enriched by You.”

[5] A) Luke 1:39-44. B) Luke 2:8-14.

[6] A) Luke 2:6-7. B) Matthew 2:1-12. “their gifts” lit. “ their honors”: ܐܝܩܪ̈ܝܗܘܢ.

[7] Luke 2:21-32.

[8] Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; John 1:27. Cf. also Matthew 3:11.

[9] A). Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-53; John 6:15-21. B) Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22.

[10] Matthew 3:16; Mark 9:11; Luke 3:22; John 1:32-34. John the Baptist is the “son of barren parents.” Here Jacob dramatizes the action of John touching (“grasping”) Jesus to baptize Him. Jacob often wonders at this moment when John, a mere human, places his hand on the “Flame” (Christ). For example, in the homily on the Baptism of our Savior in the Jordan, Jacob says John “held back his hand from the Fiery One” when he saw Jesus coming to be baptized and pleaded, “I beg You, Lord –  I do not suffice to touch You. A twig is too weak to place its hand on the Flame!” (Bedjan vol.1 p.176, 179).

[11] John 2:1-11.

[12] Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-14. See also the feeding of the four thousand: Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9.

[13] John 4:4-42.

[14] Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-42. See also Matthew 20:29-34.

[15] Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.

[16] Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19.

[17] Mark 14:20; John 13:18-30. See also Matthew 26:23.

[18] Matthew 27:50-51; “the elements quak[ing]” = the natural phenomena that occur at the crucifixion (like the rocks splitting, sun darkening, etc.). Jacob consistently says that this is creation’s response to Christ’s dying cry.

[19] Matthew 27:50-53.

[20] John 19:34. The word “pierced” (ܬܪܥ) can also mean “to make flow.” Also, this line is literally translated: “When the spear pierced Your side from (or by) the murderers.”

[21] A) “As Your Right Hand carries the wings that carry You”: i.e., the Son, as God and Creator, sustains (or “carries”) the cherubim even as they “carry” Him on the divine chariot. B) “the weak Wood”: Jacob often refers to the Cross as ܩܝܣܐ (lit. ‘wood’) in this homily. I usually translate it as “Cross” but I have kept “Wood” here to better give the sense of a created thing bearing its Creator and not being “consumed/burned.”

[22] The divine chariot which is carried by the cherubim, seen by Ezekiel in a vision (see Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10). Jacob very often refers to this chariot, and the cherubim’s place on it is a major theme in this homily.

[23] A) “Exalted Arm”: ܕܪܥܐ ܪܡܐ, a term frequently used in the Peshitta Old Testament along with God’s “Mighty Hand” (ܐܝܕܐ ܬܩܝܦܬܐ). See, for example, Deuteronomy 4:34 and 7:19. B) “The Right Hand that stretched out the heights”: quoting Isaiah 48:13. Peshitta: ܘܝܰܡܺܝܢܝ ܛܶܦܚܰܬ ܫܡܰܝܳܐ. Bedjan text: ܘܰܠܝܰܡܺܝܢܳܐ ܕܛܶܦܚܰܬ ܪ̈ܰܘܡܶܐ.

[24] A) Genesis 2:7. B) Isaiah 40:12.

[25] A) Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34. See also Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:28-29. B) Psalms 22:16-17.

[26] Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19.23-24. See also Psalms 22:19.

[27] Matt 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44.

[28] A) Peter’s denial – Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 24-27. Judas’ death – Matt 27:3-5. B) “standing at a distance”: Jacob is drawing from Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40, and Luke 23:49, where the women (and His other followers) are said to be standing “at a distance.” In John 19:25-27, Mary, the women, and John are said to be “near.” Luke 23:27 mentions the women of Jerusalem weeping.

[29] 2 Kings 19:35.

[30] “Though” lit. “if.” Same in line 109.

[31] Genesis 19:1-29.

[32] Lit “Your own dishonor did not delay [you] and you exacted vengeance [for] it.”

[33] A) Exodus 12:35-6. B) lit: “and let there be vengeance in great anger from the crucifiers!”

[34] Isaiah 53:12.

[35] Matthew 27:51.

[36] Mark 5:1-13; Luke 8:26-33.

[37] A) The splitting of the stones, tearing of cliffs, and toppling of mountains all refer to Matthew 27:51. B) “could He not make a human heart repent”: I am reading with Vat.sir.115 here (f.65r): ܠܟܐܦ̈ܐ ܨܪܝ ܘܠܒ(ܐ) ܕܐܢܫܐ ܠܐ ܡܬܘ(ܐ) ܗܘܐ. Vat.sir.117 (f.492r, first column) also has this reading more clearly. I was unable to make sense of Bedjan’s text, nor does it fit Jacob’s meter: ܠܟܐܦ̈ܐ ܨܪܝ ܘܠܐ ܡܡܝܬ ܗܘܐ ܠܒܐ ܕܐܢܫܐ.

[38] Lines 149-158 refer to the effects of Jesus’ dying cry described in Matthew 27:50-53.

[39] “it” is masculine and thus refers to Christ’s voice, not the wind/spirit.

[40] The idea of Death or Satan’s “crown falling” at Jesus’ cry is also found in Jacob’s homily on the Vigil for Holy Saturday (Bedjan v.2 #53.7, p.595): “The Lion’s Cub roared in Sheol and Death heard him, / and the Wretched one trembled and his crown fell in the darkness.” See also his homily “On the Path of the Lord which is Uninvestigable” (Akhrass & Syryany v.2, #97 line 68, p.285): “He cried out on the Cross and High-walled [Sheol] shook and fell, / and the demons heard and the prince of the air’s crown fell.” This is also a common theme in the Syrian Orthodox liturgy. For example, from Lilyo for Holy Saturday: “On this night He, at Whose murder creation rose up, cried out with a voice in great Homon, and its walls fell. And the tyrant Death who was puffed up was ashamed and humiliated and his crown fell.” (Qamishli 1971 Fenqitho, p.235).

[41] Luke 23:42.

[42] Lit. “He made supplication full of suffering to offer Him / as groans were also being born from his tongue”

[43] I do not understand the syntax or meaning of this line. I much prefer Vat.sir.115’s reading (65v): “O High Wall, grant me to enter and take refuge in You / and may the thief who has increasingly sinned be cleansed in You!” However, Vat.sir.117 has a reading similar to Bedjan’s so I have not changed the translation in the text.

Vat.sir.115: ܫܘܪܐ ܪܡܐ ܗܒ ܠܝ ܕܐܥܘܠ ܐܣܬܬܪ ܒܟ. ܘܠܓܝܣܐ ܕܐܣܓܝ ܘܚܛܐ ܒܟ ܢܬܕܟܐ

Bedjan: ܫܘܪܐ ܪܡܐ ܗܒ ܠܝ ܐܥܘܠ ܐܣܬܬܪ ܒܟ܆ ܘܠܓܝܣ̈ܐ ܚܛܗ̈ܐ ܐܙܟܐ ܘܒܟ ܐܬܕܟܐ

[44] Jacob refers throughout this homily to the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-16. The depiction of the Good Thief as the eleventh-hour worker is also found in liturgy.

[45] I am unsure if I am translating ܫܪܝ (“release”) in the right sense here. The general point is that the thief is asking for Christ to pay him his “wage” first, before those who labored in righteousness longer than him. Like the mornings’ workers in Christ’s parable, these righteous will then “take heart” at the late-laborer’s great wage and have hope for a greater one for themselves.

[46] Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10.

[47] Matthew 10:32.

[48] Luke 23:43.

[49] The Syriac word, ܥܠܝ̈ܐ, may refer to angels, but I am taking it here to refer to those (humans) who inherit the kingdom.

[50] Lit. “Since you rejected the band of Caiaphas’ people, impure priests, / I will clothe you with a robe of light in the wedding chamber of heaven/of the Height.”

[51] “edict”: ܣܩܪܐ.

[52] The syntax of this line, as well as the present tense ܟܠܐ, is confusing to me and I am unsure if I am translating the nuance correctly. However, the general idea is that the Son is about to sign the edict for the thief.

Syriac: ܘܟܕ ܐܬܟܬܒܬ ܣܩܪܐ ܕܚܝ̈ܐ ܕܟܬܒ ܡܠܟܐ܆ ܘܪܡܝ ܐܝܕܐ ܕܒܪܐ ܟ̇ܠܐ ܘܗܐ ܕܢܐܙܠ ܠܗ܀

[53] A) Matthew 27:29-30. The soldiers mock Jesus and put a reed in His right hand. See also Mark 15:19, where the soldiers strike Jesus with a reed, and Matthew 27:48 and Mark 15:38, where a sponge of vinegar is put on a reed for Jesus to drink on the Cross. B) John 19:34. Syriac tradition commonly interprets the piercing of Christ’s side with a lance as the moment the lance of the cherub guarding Paradise is removed.

[54] I.e., Jesus signs His name with the “reed/pen” in the ink of His blood.

[55] Reading ܚܬܡ with Vat.sir.115 and Vat.sir.117, instead of Bedjan’s ܢܚܬܡ.

[56] Lit. “and it was mixed with blood, so all the impure would be cleansed in it.”

[57] This is the cherub appointed to guard Eden with a flaming sword after Adam and Eve were expelled. See Genesis 3:24.

[58] “its boiling heat” lit. “that boiling-heat of its burning.”

[59] Genesis 4:25 and 5:3. Jacob sees Seth, Adam and Eve’s third son whom Adam “bore in his likeness and according to his image”, as a bearer of the symbols and mysteries of Christ. This is especially evident in Jacob’s fourth homily on Cain and Abel. See: Paul Bedjan, Homiliae Selectae Mar-Jacobi Sarugensis, vol. 5 (Leipzig; Paris: Otto Harrassowitz, 1910), 47-61, https://archive.org/details/JacobOfSerughVol5BedjanCUA00162/page/46.

[60] Genesis 6-9.

[61] Genesis 14:18-20.

[62] Genesis 22:10-12.

[63] Genesis 28:10-17.

[64] Genesis 39. “adulterous” or “infatuated” or “foolish.”

[65] Exodus 14:21-31; Exodus 33:11.

[66] Joshua 10:12-14.

[67] A) Judges 6:36-40. God made a piece of fleece wet with dew while the ground was dry, and then made the fleece dry while the rest of the ground was wet. Syriac fathers interpret this as a symbol of Christ’s birth from Mary, who conceived Him while her virginity remained untouched. B) Judges 11:29-40.

[68] A) 1 Samuel 13:14. B) Isaiah 9:6. Jacob expounds on the name “wonder” (ܕܘܡܪܐ) in many places. See, in particular, his homily on this name: “On Isaiah 9:6 ܥܠ ܗܝ ܕܐܡܪ ܐܫܥܝܐ ܢܒܝܐ ܘܢܬܩܪܐ ܫܡܗ ܕܘܡܪܐ” in: Roger-Youssef Akhrass and Imad Syryany, eds., 160 Unpublished Homilies of Jacob of Serugh: Volume I (Homilies 1-72), vol.1 (Damascus: Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate, 2017), 1-6.

[69] A) “who saw the resurrection” refers to Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37. “The chariot” refers to Ezekiel’s vision of the divine chariot in Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10. B) Daniel 6:16-23.

[70] A) Matthew 14:22-33. B) John 13:23-26; John 21:20.

[71] Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-34. Jacob reflects the Syriac tradition that John the Baptist put his hand on Jesus’ head when he baptized Him.

[72] Or, “and I washed creation with evil things as if with water.”

[73] “why do you look at me badly” lit. “why is your eye evil?” (ܥܠ ܡܢܐ ܒܝܫܐ ܥܝܢܟ). I am unsure what the best translation for this phrase is. It may be a reference to the “evil eye” in which case it could also be translated “why do you look enviously?”

[74] “in my return” lit “that I have returned.”

[75] Genesis 28:18.

[76] 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37.

[77] A) “Noble David who saw…”: may refer to various Psalms. B) Ezekiel chapters 1 and 10.

[78] Matthew 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32.

[79] “gold coin” lit. “a daric” (ܕܪܝܟܘܢܐ).

[80] “at the glory I gave” lit. “my glory” (but with the sense of the glory or praise the thief gave).

[81] “no man” lit. “none from humanity.”

[82] “legions of light” lit. “legions of the children of light” (i.e., angels).

[83] “you” plural, referring to all the Watchers. The 2nd person plural continues from lines 427-430.

[84] Cf. John 7:12.

[85] A) Judas (the steward) ‘selling’ Christ: see Matthew 27:3-10. B) Peter’s denial – Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 24-27.

[86] A) John 13:23-26; John 21:20. B) See line 94.

[87] John 11:43-44.

[88] Matthew 17:24-27.

[89] Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–13; Luke 9:28–36.

[90] A) Luke 7:36-49. B) Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56.

[91] “your dust and weariness” lit. “the dust and weariness from you.”

[92] Lit. “Into great Sheol, in whose streets commotion had not occurred.”

[93] Lit. “the tale of life is spoken among mortals.”

[94] “in the darkness” or “among those in darkness” (ܒܝܬ ܚܫ̈ܘܟܐ).

[95] Luke 1:26-28.

[96] I am taking this as a reference to Exodus 14:21-31, the parting of the Red Sea before the Egyptian army. Alternatively, it could be before the Israelite “encampment.”

[97] Joshua 6:20. The walls of Jericho fall at the Israelites’ shout and trumpet cry.

[98] Psalms 16:10; Acts 2:27.

[99] A) “Lion’s” Cub”: Genesis 49:9. B) “eternally Mighty One”: ܓܰܢ̱ܒܳܪ ܥܳܠܡ̈ܶܐ, a favorite title of Christ for Jacob.

[100] A) John 11. B) Luke 7:11-17.

[101] John 4:6-14.

[102] “reverently” or “afraid.”

[103] “you” plural, as with “your rays.”

[104] “You acquired rest” lit. “there was rest for you.”

[105] Colossians 1:20.

Translated by Aimee Hannoush, October 2025.