Coptic

Synaxarium

3_16781;4_0;select * from katapsalms where ((type=3) and (ref='54:1,26:11'))5_2257;6_3348;7_1146;8_3619;9_0;select * from katapsalms where ((type=3) and (ref='54:14,15'))10_2085;

Monday of 4th week of the Great Lent

يوم الاثنين من الاسبوع الرابع من الصوم الكبير

From the book of Genesis

من سفر التكوين لموسى النبي

27:1-41

٢٧ : ١ − ٤١

*Now Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, and he could not see: and he called Esau, his elder son, and said to him: My son? And he answered: Here I am. And his father said to him: Thou seest that I am old, and know not the day of my death. Take thy arms, thy quiver, and bow, and go abroad: and when thou hast taken some thing by hunting, Make me savoury meat thereof, as thou knowest I like, and bring it, that I may eat: and my soul may bless thee before I die. And when Rebecca had heard this, and he was gone into the field to fulfill his father's commandment, She said to her son Jacob: I heard thy father talking with Esau thy brother, and saying to him: Bring me of thy hunting, and make me meats that I may eat, and bless thee in the sight of the Lord, before I die. Now, therefore, my son, follow my counsel: And go thy way to the flock, bring me two kids of the best, that I may make of them meat for thy father, such as he gladly eateth: Which when thou hast brought in, and he hath eaten, he may bless thee before he die. And he answered her: Thou knowest that Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am smooth. If my father shall feel me, and perceive it, I fear lest he will think I would have mocked him, and I shall bring upon me a curse instead of a blessing. And his mother said to him: Upon me be this curse, my son: only hear thou my voice, and go, fetch me the things which I have said. He went, and brought, and gave them to his mother. She dressed meats, such as she knew his father liked. And she put on him very good garments of Esau, which she had at home with her: And the little skins of the kids she put about his hands, and covered the bare of his neck. And she gave him the savoury meat, and delivered him bread that she had baked. Which when he had carried in, he said: My father? But he answered: I hear. Who art thou, my son? And Jacob said: I am Esau thy firstborn: I have done as thou didst command me: arise, sit, and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said to his son: How couldst thou find it so quickly, my son? He answered: It was the will of God, that what I sought came quickly in my way. And Isaac said: Come hither, that I may feel thee, my son, and may prove whether thou be my son Esau, or not. He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob; but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he knew him not, because his hairy hands made him like to the elder. Then blessing him, He said: Art thou my son Esau? He answered: I am. Then he said: Bring me the meats of thy hunting, my son, that my soul may bless thee. And when they were brought, and he had eaten, he offered him wine also, which after he had drunk, He said to him: Come near me, and give me a kiss, my son. He came near, and kissed him. And immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his garments, blessing him, he said: Behold the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord hath blessed. God give thee the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, abundance of corn and wine. And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother's children bow down before thee. Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings. Isaac had scarce ended his words, when Jacob being now gone out abroad, Esau came, And brought in to his father meats made of what he had taken in hunting, saying: Arise, my father, and eat of thy son's venison; that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said to him: Why! who art thou? He answered: I am thy firstborn son Esau. Isaac was struck with fear, and astonished exceedingly: and wondering beyond what can be believed, said Who is he then that even now brought me venison that he had taken, and I ate of all before thou camest? and I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed. Esau having heard his father's words, roared out with a great cry: and being in a great consternation, said: Bless me also, my father. And he said: Thy brother came deceitfully and got thy blessing. But he said again: Rightly is his name called Jacob; for he hath supplanted me lo this second time: my first birthright he took away before, and now this second time he hath stolen away my blessing. And again he said to his father: Hast thou not reserved me also a blessing? Isaac answered: I have appointed him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants: I have established him with corn and wine, and after this, what shall I do more for thee, my son? And Esau said to him: Hast thou only one blessing, father? I beseech thee bless me also. And when he wept with a loud cry, Isaac being moved, said to him: In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above, Shall thy blessing be. Thou shalt live by the sword and shalt serve thy brother: and the time shall come, when thou shalt shake off and loose his yoke from thy neck. Esau therefore always hated Jacob for the blessing wherewith his father had blessed him: and he said in his heart: The days will come of the mourning of my father, and I will kill my brother Jacob. Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

وَحَدَثَ لَمَّا شَاخَ إِسْحَاقُ وَكَلَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ عَنِ النَّظَرِ أَنَّهُ دَعَا عِيسُوَ ابْنَهُ الأَكْبَرَ وَقَالَ لَهُ: "يَا ابْنِي". فَقَالَ لَهُ: "هَئَنَذَا" فَقَالَ: "إِنَّنِي قَدْ شِخْتُ وَلَسْتُ أَعْرِفُ يَوْمَ وَفَاتِي فَالآنَ خُذْ عُدَّتَكَ: جُعْبَتَكَ وَقَوْسَكَ وَاخْرُجْ إِلَى الْبَرِّيَّةِ وَتَصَيَّدْ لِي صَيْداً وَاصْنَعْ لِي أَطْعِمَةً كَمَا أُحِبُّ وَأْتِنِي بِهَا لِآكُلَ حَتَّى تُبَارِكَكَ نَفْسِي قَبْلَ أَنْ أَمُوتَ" وَكَانَتْ رِفْقَةُ سَامِعَةً إِذْ تَكَلَّمَ إِسْحَاقُ مَعَ عِيسُو ابْنِهِ. فَذَهَبَ عِيسُو إِلَى الْبَرِّيَّةِ لِيَصْطَادَ صَيْداً لِيَأْتِيَ بِهِ وَأَمَّا رِفْقَةُ فَقَالَتْ لِيَعْقُوبَ ابْنِهَا: "إِنِّي قَدْ سَمِعْتُ أَبَاكَ يُكَلِّمُ عِيسُوَ أَخَاكَ قَائِلاً: اِئْتِنِي بِصَيْدٍ وَاصْنَعْ لِي أَطْعِمَةً لِآكُلَ وَأُبَارِكَكَ أَمَامَ الرَّبِّ قَبْلَ وَفَاتِي فَالآنَ يَا ابْنِي اسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِي فِي مَا أَنَا آمُرُكَ بِهِ: اِذْهَبْ إِلَى الْغَنَمِ وَخُذْ لِي مِنْ هُنَاكَ جَدْيَيْنِ جَيِّدَيْنِ مِنَ الْمِعْزَى فَأَصْنَعَهُمَا أَطْعِمَةً لأَبِيكَ كَمَا يُحِبُّ فَتُحْضِرَهَا إِلَى أَبِيكَ لِيَأْكُلَ حَتَّى يُبَارِكَكَ قَبْلَ وَفَاتِهِ" فَقَالَ يَعْقُوبُ لِرِفْقَةَ أُمِّهِ: "هُوَذَا عِيسُو أَخِي رَجُلٌ أَشْعَرُ وَأَنَا رَجُلٌ أَمْلَسُ رُبَّمَا يَجُسُّنِي أَبِي فَأَكُونُ فِي عَيْنَيْهِ كَمُتَهَاوِنٍ وَأَجْلِبُ عَلَى نَفْسِي لَعْنَةً لاَ بَرَكَةً" فَقَالَتْ لَهُ أُمُّهُ: "لَعْنَتُكَ عَلَيَّ يَا ابْنِي. اسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِي فَقَطْ وَاذْهَبْ خُذْ لِي" فَذَهَبَ وَأَخَذَ وَأَحْضَرَ لِأُمِّهِ فَصَنَعَتْ أُمُّهُ أَطْعِمَةً كَمَا كَانَ أَبُوهُ يُحِبُّ وَأَخَذَتْ رِفْقَةُ ثِيَابَ عِيسُو ابْنِهَا الأَكْبَرِ الْفَاخِرَةَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عِنْدَهَا فِي الْبَيْتِ وَأَلْبَسَتْ يَعْقُوبَ ابْنَهَا الأَصْغَرَ وَأَلْبَسَتْ يَدَيْهِ وَمَلاَسَةَ عُنُقِهِ جُلُودَ جَدْيَيِ الْمِعْزَى وَأَعْطَتِ الأَطْعِمَةَ وَالْخُبْزَ الَّتِي صَنَعَتْ فِي يَدِ يَعْقُوبَ ابْنِهَا فَدَخَلَ إِلَى أَبِيهِ وَقَالَ: "يَا أَبِي". فَقَالَ: "هَئَنَذَا. مَنْ أَنْتَ يَا ابْنِي؟" فَقَالَ يَعْقُوبُ لأَبِيهِ: "أَنَا عِيسُو بِكْرُكَ. قَدْ فَعَلْتُ كَمَا كَلَّمْتَنِي. قُمِ اجْلِسْ وَكُلْ مِنْ صَيْدِي لِتُبَارِكَنِي نَفْسُكَ" فَقَالَ إِسْحَاقُ لِابْنِهِ: "مَا هَذَا الَّذِي أَسْرَعْتَ لِتَجِدَ يَا ابْنِي؟" فَقَالَ: "إِنَّ الرَّبَّ إِلَهَكَ قَدْ يَسَّرَ لِي" فَقَالَ إِسْحَاقُ لِيَعْقُوبَ: "تَقَدَّمْ لأَجُسَّكَ يَا ابْنِي. أَأَنْتَ هُوَ ابْنِي عِيسُو أَمْ لاَ؟" فَتَقَدَّمَ يَعْقُوبُ إِلَى إِسْحَاقَ أَبِيهِ فَجَسَّهُ وَقَالَ: "الصَّوْتُ صَوْتُ يَعْقُوبَ وَلَكِنَّ الْيَدَيْنِ يَدَا عِيسُو" وَلَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ لأَنَّ يَدَيْهِ كَانَتَا مُشْعِرَتَيْنِ كَيَدَيْ عِيسُو أَخِيهِ. فَبَارَكَهُ وَقَالَ: "هَلْ أَنْتَ هُوَ ابْنِي عِيسُو؟" فَقَالَ: "أَنَا هُوَ" فَقَالَ: "قَدِّمْ لِي لِآكُلَ مِنْ صَيْدِ ابْنِي حَتَّى تُبَارِكَكَ نَفْسِي". فَقَدَّمَ لَهُ فَأَكَلَ وَأَحْضَرَ لَهُ خَمْراً فَشَرِبَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِسْحَاقُ أَبُوهُ: "تَقَدَّمْ وَقَبِّلْنِي يَا ابْنِي" فَتَقَدَّمَ وَقَبَّلَهُ. فَشَمَّ رَائِحَةَ ثِيَابِهِ وَبَارَكَهُ. وَقَالَ: "انْظُرْ! رَائِحَةُ ابْنِي كَرَائِحَةِ حَقْلٍ قَدْ بَارَكَهُ الرَّبُّ فَلْيُعْطِكَ اللهُ مِنْ نَدَى السَّمَاءِ وَمِنْ دَسَمِ الأَرْضِ وَكَثْرَةَ حِنْطَةٍ وَخَمْرٍ لِيُسْتَعْبَدْ لَكَ شُعُوبٌ وَتَسْجُدْ لَكَ قَبَائِلُ. كُنْ سَيِّداً لإِخْوَتِكَ وَلْيَسْجُدْ لَكَ بَنُو أُمِّكَ. لِيَكُنْ لاَعِنُوكَ مَلْعُونِينَ وَمُبَارِكُوكَ مُبَارَكِينَ" وَحَدَثَ عِنْدَمَا فَرَغَ إِسْحَاقُ مِنْ بَرَكَةِ يَعْقُوبَ وَيَعْقُوبُ قَدْ خَرَجَ مِنْ لَدُنْ إِسْحَاقَ أَبِيهِ أَنَّ عِيسُوَ أَخَاهُ أَتَى مِنْ صَيْدِهِ فَصَنَعَ هُوَ أَيْضاً أَطْعِمَةً وَدَخَلَ بِهَا إِلَى أَبِيهِ وَقَالَ لأَبِيهِ: "لِيَقُمْ أَبِي وَيَأْكُلْ مِنْ صَيْدِ ابْنِهِ حَتَّى تُبَارِكَنِي نَفْسُكَ" فَقَالَ لَهُ إِسْحَاقُ أَبُوهُ: "مَنْ أَنْتَ؟" فَقَالَ: "أَنَا ابْنُكَ بِكْرُكَ عِيسُو" فَارْتَعَدَ إِسْحَاقُ ارْتِعَاداً عَظِيماً جِدّاً. وَقَالَ: "فَمَنْ هُوَ الَّذِي اصْطَادَ صَيْداً وَأَتَى بِهِ إِلَيَّ فَأَكَلْتُ مِنَ الْكُلِّ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَجِيءَ وَبَارَكْتُهُ؟ نَعَمْ وَيَكُونُ مُبَارَكاً!" فَعِنْدَمَا سَمِعَ عِيسُو كَلاَمَ أَبِيهِ صَرَخَ صَرْخَةً عَظِيمَةً وَمُرَّةً جِدّاً وَقَالَ لأَبِيهِ: "بَارِكْنِي أَنَا أَيْضاً يَا أَبِي!" فَقَالَ: "قَدْ جَاءَ أَخُوكَ بِمَكْرٍ وَأَخَذَ بَرَكَتَكَ" فَقَالَ: "أَلاَ إِنَّ اسْمَهُ دُعِيَ يَعْقُوبَ فَقَدْ تَعَقَّبَنِي الْآنَ مَرَّتَيْنِ! أَخَذَ بَكُورِيَّتِي وَهُوَذَا الْآنَ قَدْ أَخَذَ بَرَكَتِي". ثُمَّ قَالَ: "أَمَا أَبْقَيْتَ لِي بَرَكَةً؟" فَقَالَ إِسْحَاقُ لِعِيسُو: "إِنِّي قَدْ جَعَلْتُهُ سَيِّداً لَكَ وَدَفَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعَ إِخْوَتِهِ عَبِيداً وَعَضَدْتُهُ بِحِنْطَةٍ وَخَمْرٍ. فَمَاذَا أَصْنَعُ إِلَيْكَ يَا ابْنِي؟" فَقَالَ عِيسُو لأَبِيهِ: "أَلَكَ بَرَكَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ فَقَطْ يَا أَبِي؟ بَارِكْنِي أَنَا أَيْضاً يَا أَبِي!" وَرَفَعَ عِيسُو صَوْتَهُ وَبَكَى فَأَجَابَ إِسْحَاقُ أَبُوهُ: "هُوَذَا بِلاَ دَسَمِ الأَرْضِ يَكُونُ مَسْكَنُكَ وَبِلاَ نَدَى السَّمَاءِ مِنْ فَوْقُ وَبِسَيْفِكَ تَعِيشُ وَلأَخِيكَ تُسْتَعْبَدُ. وَلَكِنْ يَكُونُ حِينَمَا تَجْمَحُ أَنَّكَ تُكَسِّرُ نِيرَهُ عَنْ عُنُقِكَ" فَحَقَدَ عِيسُو عَلَى يَعْقُوبَ مِنْ أَجْلِ الْبَرَكَةِ الَّتِي بَارَكَهُ بِهَا أَبُوهُ. وَقَالَ عِيسُو فِي قَلْبِهِ: "قَرُبَتْ أَيَّامُ مَنَاحَةِ أَبِي فَأَقْتُلُ يَعْقُوبَ أَخِي" مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

From the book of Isaiah

من أشعياء النبي

14:24-32

١٤ : ٢٤ − ٣٢

*The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying: Surely as I have thought, so shall it be: and as I have purposed, So shall it fall out: That I will destroy the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: and his yoke shall be taken away from them, and his burden shall be taken off their shoulder. This is the counsel, that I have purposed upon all the earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations. For the Lord of hosts hath decreed, and who can disannul it? and his hand is stretched out: and who shall turn it away? In the year that king Achaz died, was this burden: Rejoice not thou, whole Philistia, that the rod of him that struck thee is broken in pieces: for out of the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and his seed shall swallow the bird. And the firstborn of the poor shall be fed, and the poor shall rest with confidence: and I will make thy root perish with famine, and I will kill thy remnant. Howl, O gate; cry, O city: all Philistia is thrown down: for a smoke shall come from the north, and there is none that shall escape his troop. And what shall be answered to the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Sion, and the poor of his people shall hope in him. Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

قَدْ حَلَفَ رَبُّ الْجُنُودِ قَائِلاً: "إِنَّهُ كَمَا قَصَدْتُ يَصِيرُ وَكَمَا نَوَيْتُ يَثْبُتُ: أَنْ أُحَطِّمَ أَشُّورَ فِي أَرْضِي وَأَدُوسَهُ عَلَى جِبَالِي فَيَزُولَ عَنْهُمْ نِيرُهُ وَيَزُولَ عَنْ كَتِفِهِمْ حِمْلُهُ" هَذَا هُوَ القَضَاءُ الْمَقْضِيُّ بِهِ عَلَى كُلِّ الأَرْضِ وَهَذِهِ هِيَ الْيَدُ الْمَمْدُودَةُ عَلَى كُلِّ الأُمَمِ فَإِنَّ رَبَّ الْجُنُودِ قَدْ قَضَى فَمَنْ يُبَطِّلُ؟ وَيَدُهُ هِيَ الْمَمْدُودَةُ فَمَنْ يَرُدُّهَا؟ فِي سَنَةِ وَفَاةِ الْمَلِكِ آحَازَ كَانَ هَذَا الْوَحْيُ: "لاَ تَفْرَحِي يَا جَمِيعَ فِلِسْطِينَ لأَنَّ الْقَضِيبَ الضَّارِبَكِ انْكَسَرَ. فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ أَصْلِ الْحَيَّةِ يَخْرُجُ أُفْعُوانٌ وَثَمَرَتُهُ تَكُونُ ثُعْبَاناً مُسِمّاً طَيَّاراً وَتَرْعَى أَبْكَارُ الْمَسَاكِينِ وَيَرْبُضُ الْبَائِسُونَ بِالأَمَانِ وَأُمِيتُ أَصْلَكِ بِالْجُوعِ فَيَقْتُلُ بَقِيَّتَكِ وَلْوِلْ أَيُّهَا الْبَابُ. اصْرُخِي أَيَّتُهَا الْمَدِينَةُ. قَدْ ذَابَ جَمِيعُكِ يَا فِلِسْطِينُ. لأَنَّهُ مِنَ الشِّمَالِ يَأْتِي دُخَانٌ وَلَيْسَ شَاذٌّ فِي جُيُوشِهِ فَبِمَاذَا يُجَابُ رُسُلُ الأُمَمِ؟ إِنَّ الرَّبَّ أَسَّسَ صِهْيَوْنَ وَبِهَا يَحْتَمِي بَائِسُو شَعْبِهِ" مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

From the book of Job

من أيوب الصديق

16:1-17:16

١٦ : ١ − ١٧ : ١٦

*Then Job answered, and said: I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters. Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak? I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul. I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you. I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you. But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me. But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing. My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me. He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes. They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek, they are filled with my pains. God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked. I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark. He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth. He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant. I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes. My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim. These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God. O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee. For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high. My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God. And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion! For behold short years pass away and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return. Job's hope in God: he expects rest in death. My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened, and only the grave remaineth for me. I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness. Deliver me O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man's hand fight against me. Thou hast set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be exalted. He promiseth a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail. He hath made me as it were a byword of the people, and I am an example before them. My eye is dim through indignation, and my limbs are brought as it were to nothing. The just shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall be raised up against the hypocrite. And the just man shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Wherefore be you all converted, and come, and I shall not find among you any wise man. My days have passed away, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart. They have turned night into day, and after darkness I hope for light again. If I wait hell is my house, and I have made my bed in darkness. If I have said to rottenness: Thou art my father; to worms, my mother and my sister. Where is now then my expectation, and who considereth my patience? All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit: thinkest thou that there at least I shall have rest? Glory be to The Holy Trinity.

فَقَالَ أَيُّوبُ: قَدْ سَمِعْتُ كَثِيراً مِثْلَ هَذَا. مُعَزُّونَ مُتْعِبُونَ كُلُّكُمْ! هَلْ مِنْ نِهَايَةٍ لِكَلاَمٍ فَارِغٍ. أَوْ مَاذَا يُهَيِّجُكَ حَتَّى تُجَاوِبَ؟ أَنَا أَيْضاً أَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ أَتَكَلَّمَ مِثْلَكُمْ لَوْ كَانَتْ أَنْفُسُكُمْ مَكَانَ نَفْسِي وَأَنْ أَسْرُدَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَقْوَالاً وَأَهُزَّ رَأْسِي إِلَيْكُمْ بَلْ كُنْتُ أُشَدِّدُكُمْ بِفَمِي وَتَعْزِيَةُ شَفَتَيَّ تُمْسِكُكُمْ إِنْ تَكَلَّمْتُ لَمْ تَمْتَنِعْ كَآبَتِي. وَإِنْ سَكَتُّ فَمَاذَا يَذْهَبُ عَنِّي؟ إِنَّهُ الآنَ ضَجَّرَنِي. خَرَّبْتَ كُلَّ جَمَاعَتِي قَبَضْتَ عَلَيَّ. وُجِدَ شَاهِدٌ. قَامَ عَلَيَّ هُزَالِي يُجَاوِبُ فِي وَجْهِي غَضَبُهُ افْتَرَسَنِي وَاضْطَهَدَنِي. حَرَّقَ عَلَيَّ أَسْنَانَهُ. عَدُوِّي يُحَدِّدُ عَيْنَيْهِ عَلَيَّ فَغَرُوا عَلَيَّ أَفْوَاهَهُمْ. لَطَمُونِي عَلَى فَكِّي تَعْيِيراً. تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَيَّ جَمِيعاً دَفَعَنِيَ اللهُ إِلَى الظَّالِمِ وَفِي أَيْدِي الأَشْرَارِ طَرَحَنِي كُنْتُ مُسْتَرِيحاً فَزَعْزَعَنِي وَأَمْسَكَ بِقَفَايَ فَحَطَّمَنِي وَنَصَبَنِي لَهُ هَدَفاً أَحَاطَتْ بِي رُمَاةُ سِهَامِهِ. شَقَّ كُلْيَتَيَّ وَلَمْ يُشْفِقْ. سَفَكَ مَرَارَتِي عَلَى الأَرْضِ يَقْتَحِمُنِي اقْتِحَاماً عَلَى اقْتِحَامٍ. يَهْجِمُ عَلَيَّ كَجَبَّارٍ خِطْتُ مِسْحاً عَلَى جِلْدِي وَدَسَسْتُ فِي التُّرَابِ قَرْنِي اِحْمَرَّ وَجْهِي مِنَ الْبُكَاءِ وَعَلَى هُدْبِي ظِلُّ الْمَوْتِ مَعَ أَنَّهُ لاَ ظُلْمَ فِي يَدِي وَصَلاَتِي خَالِصَةٌ يَا أَرْضُ لاَ تُغَطِّي دَمِي وَلاَ يَكُنْ مَكَانٌ لِصُرَاخِي أَيْضاً الآنَ هُوَذَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ شَهِيدِي وَشَاهِدِي فِي الأَعَالِي الْمُسْتَهْزِئُونَ بِي هُمْ أَصْحَابِي. لِلَّهِ تَقْطُرُ عَيْنِي لِكَيْ يُحَاكِمَ الإِنْسَانَ عِنْدَ اللهِ كَابْنِ آدَمَ لَدَى صَاحِبِهِ إِذَا مَضَتْ سِنُونَ قَلِيلَةٌ أَسْلُكُ فِي طَرِيقٍ لاَ أَعُودُ مِنْهَا رُوحِي تَلِفَتْ. أَيَّامِي انْطَفَأَتْ. إِنَّمَا الْقُبُورُ لِي لَوْلاَ الْمُخَاتِلُونَ عِنْدِي وَعَيْنِي تَبِيتُ عَلَى مُشَاجَرَاتِهِمْ كُنْ ضَامِنِي عِنْدَ نَفْسِكَ. مَنْ هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَفِّقُ يَدِي؟ لأَنَّكَ مَنَعْتَ قَلْبَهُمْ عَنِ الْفِطْنَةِ. لأَجْلِ ذَلِكَ لاَ تَرْفَعُهُمُ الَّذِي يُسَلِّمُ الأَصْحَابَ لِلسَّلْبِ تَتْلَفُ عُيُونُ بَنِيهِ أَوْقَفَنِي مَثَلاً لِلشُّعُوبِ وَصِرْتُ لِلْبَصْقِ فِي الْوَجْهِ كَلَّتْ عَيْنِي مِنَ الْحُزْنِ وَأَعْضَائِي كُلُّهَا كَالظِّلِّ يَتَعَجَّبُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُونَ مِنْ هَذَا وَالْبَرِئُ يَقُومُ عَلَى الْفَاجِرِ أَمَّا الصِّدِّيقُ فَيَسْتَمْسِكُ بِطَرِيقِهِ وَالطَّاهِرُ الْيَدَيْنِ يَزْدَادُ قُوَّةً وَلَكِنِ ارْجِعُوا كُلُّكُمْ وَتَعَالُوْا فَلاَ أَجِدُ فِيكُمْ حَكِيماً أَيَّامِي قَدْ عَبَرَتْ. مَقَاصِدِي إِرْثُ قَلْبِي قَدِ انْتَزَعَتْ يَجْعَلُونَ اللَّيْلَ نَهَاراً نُوراً قَرِيباً لِلظُّلْمَةِ إِذَا رَجَوْتُ الْهَاوِيَةَ بَيْتاً لِي وَفِي الظَّلاَمِ مَهَّدْتُ فِرَاشِي وَقُلْتُ لِلْقَبْرِ: أَنْتَ أَبِي وَلِلدُّودِ: أَنْتَ أُمِّي وَأُخْتِي فَأَيْنَ إِذاً آمَالِي؟ آمَالِي مَنْ يُعَايِنُهَا! تَهْبِطُ إِلَى مَغَالِيقِ الْهَاوِيَةِ إِذْ تَرْتَاحُ مَعاً فِي التُّرَابِ مَجْدَاً لِلثَالُوث الأَقَدَسْ.

A psalm of David

مزمور لداود

54:1,26:11

٥٤ : ١، ٢٦ : ١١

*Hearken, O God, to my prayer; and disregard not my supplication. Pity me, and hearken to me. My heart said to thee. Alleluia.

*أنصت يا الله لصلاتي. ولا تغفل عن تضرعي. ارحمني واستجب لي. فان لك قال قلبي. هَلِّلُويَا.

The Gospel according to Saint Luke

الإنجيل من لوقا

14:7-15

١٤ : ٧ − ١٥

*And he spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them: When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honourable than thou be invited by him: And he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee, Give this man place: and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee, cometh, he may say to thee: Friend, go up higher. Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at table with thee. Because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. And he said to him also that had invited him: When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor thy neighbours who are rich; lest perhaps they also invite thee again, and a recompense be made to thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind; And thou shalt be blessed, because they have not wherewith to make thee recompense: for recompense shall be made thee at the resurrection of the just. When one of them that sat at table with him, had heard these things, he said to him: Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Glory be to God forever.

وَقَالَ لِلْمَدْعُوِّينَ مَثَلاً وَهُوَ يُلاَحِظُ كَيْفَ اخْتَارُوا الْمُتَّكَآتِ الأُولَى: "مَتَى دُعِيتَ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَى عُرْسٍ فَلاَ تَتَّكِئْ فِي الْمُتَّكَإِ الأَوَّلِ لَعَلَّ أَكْرَمَ مِنْكَ يَكُونُ قَدْ دُعِيَ مِنْهُ فَيَأْتِيَ الَّذِي دَعَاكَ وَإِيَّاهُ وَيَقُولَ لَكَ: أَعْطِ مَكَاناً لِهَذَا. فَحِينَئِذٍ تَبْتَدِئُ بِخَجَلٍ تَأْخُذُ الْمَوْضِعَ الأَخِيرَ بَلْ مَتَى دُعِيتَ فَاذْهَبْ وَاتَّكِئْ فِي الْمَوْضِعِ الأَخِيرِ حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَ الَّذِي دَعَاكَ يَقُولُ لَكَ: يَا صَدِيقُ ارْتَفِعْ إِلَى فَوْقُ. حِينَئِذٍ يَكُونُ لَكَ مَجْدٌ أَمَامَ الْمُتَّكِئِينَ مَعَكَ لأَنَّ كُلَّ مَنْ يَرْفَعُ نَفْسَهُ يَتَّضِعُ وَمَنْ يَضَعُ نَفْسَهُ يَرْتَفِعُ" وَقَالَ أَيْضاً للَّذِي دَعَاهُ: "إِذَا صَنَعْتَ غَدَاءً أَوْ عَشَاءً فَلاَ تَدْعُ أَصْدِقَاءَكَ وَلاَ إِخْوَتَكَ وَلاَ أَقْرِبَاءَكَ وَلاَ الْجِيرَانَ الأَغْنِيَاءَ لِئَلاَّ يَدْعُوكَ هُمْ أَيْضاً فَتَكُونَ لَكَ مُكَافَاةٌ بَلْ إِذَا صَنَعْتَ ضِيَافَةً فَادْعُ الْمَسَاكِينَ: الْجُدْعَ الْعُرْجَ الْعُمْيَ فَيَكُونَ لَكَ الطُّوبَى إِذْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ حَتَّى يُكَافُوكَ لأَنَّكَ تُكَافَى فِي قِيَامَةِ الأَبْرَارِ" فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ ذَلِكَ وَاحِدٌ مِنَ الْمُتَّكِئِينَ قَالَ لَهُ: "طُوبَى لِمَنْ يَأْكُلُ خُبْزاً فِي مَلَكُوتِ اللهِ" وَالْمَجْدُ لِلَّهِ دَائِماً.

The Pauline Epistle from Romans

البولس من رومية

8:12-26

٨ : ١٢ − ٢٦

*Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father). For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope: Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen, is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings. The grace of God the Father be with you all. Amen.

فَإِذاً أَيُّهَا الإِخْوَةُ نَحْنُ مَدْيُونُونَ لَيْسَ لِلْجَسَدِ لِنَعِيشَ حَسَبَ الْجَسَدِ لأَنَّهُ إِنْ عِشْتُمْ حَسَبَ الْجَسَدِ فَسَتَمُوتُونَ وَلَكِنْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ بِالرُّوحِ تُمِيتُونَ أَعْمَالَ الْجَسَدِ فَسَتَحْيَوْنَ لأَنَّ كُلَّ الَّذِينَ يَنْقَادُونَ بِرُوحِ اللهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمْ أَبْنَاءُ اللهِ إِذْ لَمْ تَأْخُذُوا رُوحَ الْعُبُودِيَّةِ أَيْضاً لِلْخَوْفِ بَلْ أَخَذْتُمْ رُوحَ التَّبَنِّي الَّذِي بِهِ نَصْرُخُ: "يَا أَبَا الآبُ!" اَلرُّوحُ نَفْسُهُ أَيْضاً يَشْهَدُ لأَرْوَاحِنَا أَنَّنَا أَوْلاَدُ اللهِ فَإِنْ كُنَّا أَوْلاَداً فَإِنَّنَا وَرَثَةٌ أَيْضاً وَرَثَةُ اللهِ وَوَارِثُونَ مَعَ الْمَسِيحِ. إِنْ كُنَّا نَتَأَلَّمُ مَعَهُ لِكَيْ نَتَمَجَّدَ أَيْضاً مَعَهُ فَإِنِّي أَحْسِبُ أَنَّ آلاَمَ الزَّمَانِ الْحَاضِرِ لاَ تُقَاسُ بِالْمَجْدِ الْعَتِيدِ أَنْ يُسْتَعْلَنَ فِينَا لأَنَّ انْتِظَارَ الْخَلِيقَةِ يَتَوَقَّعُ اسْتِعْلاَنَ أَبْنَاءِ اللهِ إِذْ أُخْضِعَتِ الْخَلِيقَةُ لِلْبُطْلِ لَيْسَ طَوْعاً بَلْ مِنْ أَجْلِ الَّذِي أَخْضَعَهَا عَلَى الرَّجَاءِ لأَنَّ الْخَلِيقَةَ نَفْسَهَا أَيْضاً سَتُعْتَقُ مِنْ عُبُودِيَّةِ الْفَسَادِ إِلَى حُرِّيَّةِ مَجْدِ أَوْلاَدِ اللهِ فَإِنَّنَا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّ كُلَّ الْخَلِيقَةِ تَئِنُّ وَتَتَمَخَّضُ مَعاً إِلَى الآنَ وَلَيْسَ هَكَذَا فَقَطْ بَلْ نَحْنُ الَّذِينَ لَنَا بَاكُورَةُ الرُّوحِ نَحْنُ أَنْفُسُنَا أَيْضاً نَئِنُّ فِي أَنْفُسِنَا مُتَوَقِّعِينَ التَّبَنِّيَ فِدَاءَ أَجْسَادِنَا لأَنَّنَا بِالرَّجَاءِ خَلَصْنَا. وَلَكِنَّ الرَّجَاءَ الْمَنْظُورَ لَيْسَ رَجَاءً لأَنَّ مَا يَنْظُرُهُ أَحَدٌ كَيْفَ يَرْجُوهُ أَيْضاً؟ وَلَكِنْ إِنْ كُنَّا نَرْجُو مَا لَسْنَا نَنْظُرُهُ فَإِنَّنَا نَتَوَقَّعُهُ بِالصَّبْرِ وَكَذَلِكَ الرُّوحُ أَيْضاً يُعِينُ ضَعَفَاتِنَا لأَنَّنَا لَسْنَا نَعْلَمُ مَا نُصَلِّي لأَجْلِهِ كَمَا يَنْبَغِي. وَلَكِنَّ الرُّوحَ نَفْسَهُ يَشْفَعُ فِينَا بِأَنَّاتٍ لاَ يُنْطَقُ بِهَا نعمةُ اللَّهِ الآبِ فَلْتَحِلَّ عَلَى أرواحِنا يا آبائي وإخْوَتي. آمين.

The Catholic Epistle from James

الكاثوليكون من يعقوب

5:16-20

٥ : ١٦ − ٢٠

*Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much. Elias was a man passible like unto us: and with prayer he prayed that it might not rain upon the earth, and it rained not for three years and six months. And he prayed again: and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. My brethren, if any of you err from the truth, and one convert him: He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way, shall save his soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The world passes away, and its desires; but he who does the will of God abides forever. Amen.

اِعْتَرِفُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ بِالّزَلاَّتِ، وَصَلُّوا بَعْضُكُمْ لأَجْلِ بَعْضٍ لِكَيْ تُشْفَوْا. طِلْبَةُ الْبَارِّ تَقْتَدِرُ كَثِيراً فِي فِعْلِهَا كَانَ إِيلِيَّا إِنْسَاناً تَحْتَ الآلاَمِ مِثْلَنَا، وَصَلَّى صَلاَةً أَنْ لاَ تُمْطِرَ، فَلَمْ تُمْطِرْ عَلَى الأَرْضِ ثَلاَثَ سِنِينَ وَسِتَّةَ أَشْهُرٍ ثُمَّ صَلَّى أَيْضاً فَأَعْطَتِ السَّمَاءُ مَطَراً وَأَخْرَجَتِ الأَرْضُ ثَمَرَهَا أَيُّهَا الإِخْوَةُ، إِنْ ضَلَّ أَحَدٌ بَيْنَكُمْ عَنِ الْحَقِّ فَرَدَّهُ أَحَدٌ، فَلْيَعْلَمْ أَنَّ مَنْ رَدَّ خَاطِئاً عَنْ ضَلاَلِ طَرِيقِهِ يُخَلِّصُ نَفْساً مِنَ الْمَوْتِ، وَيَسْتُرُ كَثْرَةً مِنَ الْخَطَايَا لا تُحِبُّوا العَالَمَ ولا الأشْيَاءَ التي في العَالَمِ، لأنَّ العَالَمَ يمْضِي وَشَهْوَتُهُ مَعَهُ، وأمَّا مَنْ يَعملُ مَشِيئَةَ اللهِ فإنه يَثْبُتُ إلى الأبدِ. آمين.

Praxis

الإبركسيس

11:2-18

١١ : ٢ − ١٨

*And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them? But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying: I was in the city of Joppe praying, and I saw in an ecstasy of mind a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners, and it came even unto me. Into which looking, I considered, and saw fourfooted creatures of the earth, and beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air: And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter; kill and eat. And I said: Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made clean, do not thou call common. And this was done three times: and all were taken up again into heaven. And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit said to me, that I should go with them, nothing doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into the man's house. And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing, and saying to him: Send to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter, Who shall speak to thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, and all thy house. And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as upon us also in the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said: John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. If then God gave them the same grace, as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that could withstand God? Having heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying: God then hath also to the Gentiles given repentance unto life. The word of the Lord shall grow, multiply, be mighty, and be confirmed, in the holy Church of God. Amen.

وَلَمَّا صَعِدَ بُطْرُسُ إِلَى أُورُشَلِيمَ خَاصَمَهُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْخِتَانِ قَائِلِينَ: "إِنَّكَ دَخَلْتَ إِلَى رِجَالٍ ذَوِي غُلْفَةٍ وَأَكَلْتَ مَعَهُمْ" فَابْتَدَأَ بُطْرُسُ يَشْرَحُ لَهُمْ بِالتَّتَابُعِ قَائِلاً: "أَنَا كُنْتُ فِي مَدِينَةِ يَافَا أُصَلِّي فَرَأَيْتُ فِي غَيْبَةٍ رُؤْيَا: إِنَاءً نَازِلاً مِثْلَ مُلاَءَةٍ عَظِيمَةٍ مُدَلاَّةٍ بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَطْرَافٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَأَتَى إِلَيَّ فَتَفَرَّسْتُ فِيهِ مُتَأَمِّلاً فَرَأَيْتُ دَوَابَّ الأَرْضِ وَالْوُحُوشَ وَالزَّحَّافَاتِ وَطُيُورَ السَّمَاءِ وَسَمِعْتُ صَوْتاً قَائِلاً لِي: قُمْ يَا بُطْرُسُ اذْبَحْ وَكُلْ فَقُلْتُ: كَلاَّ يَا رَبُّ لأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْخُلْ فَمِي قَطُّ دَنِسٌ أَوْ نَجِسٌ فَأَجَابَنِي صَوْتٌ ثَانِيَةً مِنَ السَّمَاءِ: مَا طَهَّرَهُ اللهُ لاَ تُنَجِّسْهُ أَنْتَ وَكَانَ هَذَا عَلَى ثَلاَثِ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ انْتُشِلَ الْجَمِيعُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ أَيْضاً وَإِذَا ثَلاَثَةُ رِجَالٍ قَدْ وَقَفُوا لِلْوَقْتِ عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي كُنْتُ فِيهِ مُرْسَلِينَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ قَيْصَرِيَّةَ فَقَالَ لِي الرُّوحُ أَنْ أَذْهَبَ مَعَهُمْ غَيْرَ مُرْتَابٍ فِي شَيْءٍ. وَذَهَبَ مَعِي أَيْضاً هَؤُلاَءِ الإِخْوَةُ السِّتَّةُ. فَدَخَلْنَا بَيْتَ الرَّجُلِ فَأَخْبَرَنَا كَيْفَ رَأَى الْمَلاَكَ فِي بَيْتِهِ قَائِماً وَقَائِلاً لَهُ: أَرْسِلْ إِلَى يَافَا رِجَالاً وَاسْتَدْعِ سِمْعَانَ الْمُلَقَّبَ بُطْرُسَ وَهُوَ يُكَلِّمُكَ كَلاَماً بِهِ تَخْلُصُ أَنْتَ وَكُلُّ بَيْتِكَ فَلَمَّا ابْتَدَأْتُ أَتَكَلَّمُ حَلَّ الرُّوحُ الْقُدُسُ عَلَيْهِمْ كَمَا عَلَيْنَا أَيْضاً فِي الْبَدَاءَةِ فَتَذَكَّرْتُ كَلاَمَ الرَّبِّ كَيْفَ قَالَ: إِنَّ يُوحَنَّا عَمَّدَ بِمَاءٍ وَأَمَّا أَنْتُمْ فَسَتُعَمَّدُونَ بِالرُّوحِ الْقُدُسِ فَإِنْ كَانَ اللهُ قَدْ أَعْطَاهُمُ الْمَوْهِبَةَ كَمَا لَنَا أَيْضاً بِالسَّوِيَّةِ مُؤْمِنِينَ بِالرَّبِّ يَسُوعَ الْمَسِيحِ فَمَنْ أَنَا؟ أَقَادِرٌ أَنْ أَمْنَعَ اللهَ؟" فَلَمَّا سَمِعُوا ذَلِكَ سَكَتُوا وَكَانُوا يُمَجِّدُونَ اللهَ قَائِلِينَ: "إِذاً أَعْطَى اللهُ الأُمَمَ أَيْضاً التَّوْبَةَ لِلْحَيَاةِ!" لَمْ تَزَلْ كَلِمَةُ الرَّبِّ تَنْمُو وتَكْثُرُ وتَعْتَزُّ وتَثْبُتُ، في بِيعَةِ اللَّهِ الْمُقَدَّسَةِ. آمين.

A psalm of David

مزمور لداود

54:14,15

٥٤ : ١٤، ١٥

*I cried to God, and the Lord hearkened to me. I will declare and make known my wants: and he shall hear my voice. Alleluia.

*أنا صرخت إلى الله. والرب استجاب لي. كلامي أقوله فيسمع صوتي. هَلِّلُويَا.

The Gospel according to Saint Luke

الإنجيل من لوقا

16:1-9

١٦ : ١ − ٩

*And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no longer. And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able; to beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. Therefore calling together every one of his lord's debtors, he said to the first: How much dost thou owe my lord? But he said: An hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take thy bill and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: An hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity; that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings. Glory be to God forever.

وَقَالَ أَيْضاً لِتَلاَمِيذِهِ: "كَانَ إِنْسَانٌ غَنِيٌّ لَهُ وَكِيلٌ فَوُشِيَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ بِأَنَّهُ يُبَذِّرُ أَمْوَالَهُ فَدَعَاهُ وَقَالَ لَهُ: مَا هَذَا الَّذِي أَسْمَعُ عَنْكَ؟ أَعْطِ حِسَابَ وَكَالَتِكَ لأَنَّكَ لاَ تَقْدِرُ أَنْ تَكُونَ وَكِيلاً بَعْدُ فَقَالَ الْوَكِيلُ فِي نَفْسِهِ: مَاذَا أَفْعَلُ؟ لأَنَّ سَيِّدِي يَأْخُذُ مِنِّي الْوَكَالَةَ. لَسْتُ أَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ أَنْقُبَ وَأَسْتَحِي أَنْ أَسْتَعْطِيَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ مَاذَا أَفْعَلُ حَتَّى إِذَا عُزِلْتُ عَنِ الْوَكَالَةِ يَقْبَلُونِي فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَدَعَا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ مَدْيُونِي سَيِّدِهِ وَقَالَ لِلأَوَّلِ: كَمْ عَلَيْكَ لِسَيِّدِي؟ فَقَالَ: مِئَةُ بَثِّ زَيْتٍ. فَقَالَ لَهُ: خُذْ صَكَّكَ وَاجْلِسْ عَاجِلاً وَاكْتُبْ خَمْسِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِآخَرَ: وَأَنْتَ كَمْ عَلَيْكَ؟ فَقَالَ: مِئَةُ كُرِّ قَمْحٍ. فَقَالَ لَهُ: خُذْ صَكَّكَ وَاكْتُبْ ثَمَانِينَ فَمَدَحَ السَّيِّدُ وَكِيلَ الظُّلْمِ إِذْ بِحِكْمَةٍ فَعَلَ لأَنَّ أَبْنَاءَ هَذَا الدَّهْرِ أَحْكَمُ مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ النُّورِ فِي جِيلِهِمْ وَأَنَا أَقُولُ لَكُمُ: اصْنَعُوا لَكُمْ أَصْدِقَاءَ بِمَالِ الظُّلْمِ حَتَّى إِذَا فَنِيتُمْ يَقْبَلُونَكُمْ فِي الْمَظَالِّ الأَبَدِيَّةِ وَالْمَجْدُ لِلَّهِ دَائِماً.