Hymn 13.
Concerning Mar Jacob and his Companions.
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Three illustrious priests, after the manner of the two great lights — have carried on and handed down one to another, the See and the Hand and the Flock. — To us whose mounting was great for the two, this last is wholly a consolation. R., Glory to You Who chose them!
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He Who created two great lights, chose for Himself these three Lights — and set them in the three dark seasons of siege that have been.— When that pair of Lights was quenched, the other shone wholly forth.
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These three priests were treasures, who held in their faithfulness — the key of the Trinity; three doors they opened for us — each one of them with his key, unlocked and opened his door.
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In the first was opened the door, for the chastisement that befell us — in the next was opened the door, for the King’s power that came down on us — in the last was opened the door, for the good tidings that came up for us.
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In the first was opened the door, for battle between two hosts;— in the next were opened doors, for the kings from either wind — in the last was opened the door, for ambassadors from either side.
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In the first was opened the door, for battle because of misdeeds;— in the next was opened the door — for the kings because of strife — in the last was opened the door, for ambassadors because of mercies.
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Lo! In these three successions, as in a mystery and a figure — wrath is likened to the sun; it began under the first — it waxed strong under the next; it sank and was quenched under the last.
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Three figures the Sun also, shows forth in the three quarters:— its rising is keen and bright; its meridian strong and overpowering — and like a torch that is burnt out, its setting is mild and pleasant.
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Small yet bright is its rising, when it comes to waken sleepers — hot and overpowering its meridian, when it comes to ripen the fruits — tender and pleasant its setting, when it reaches its consummation.
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Who is this daughter born of vows, enviable above all women — whose successions thus proceed, and her ranks are thus manifold — and her degrees thus ascend, and her teachers thus excel.
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Do these similitudes belong, only to the daughter of Abraham — or to you too, O daughter, born of vows, whose adorning is according as your beauty?— for as your occasion, so was your help, and as your help so was its minister.
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According to the measure of her need, there came to her the supply of her need.— Her fathers were as was her birth; her teachers were as was her understanding — her training as was her growth; her raiment as was her stature.
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Grace weighed out to her and gave all these things as in the scales — she laid them in her balance, that therefrom there might be profit — she drew them into succession, that therefrom might be perfection.
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In the days of him that was first, peace abounded and peace vanished — in the days of him that was next, kings came down and kings went back — but in the days of the last, hosts assailed and hosts retreated.—
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By the first order came in, it came in with him and went out with him — by the next the diadem that gladdened our churches, came near and withdrew far away — but by the last there dawned on us, grace that was not thankfully received.
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Against the wrath that was first, the labour of the first contended — against the heat that was at noon, the shade of the second stood up — against peace that was thankless, the last multiplied warnings.
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For the first invader of the land was the first and illustrious priest — for the second invader of the land, was the second and merciful priest:— but the prayers of him that was last, repaired our breaches secretly.
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Nisibis is set upon waters, waters secret and open:— living streams are within her; a noble river without her. The river without deceived her; the fountain within has saved her.
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The first priest was her vinedresser; he made her branches to grow even unto heaven. — Lo! Being dead and buried within her, he has become fruit in the midst of her bosom:— when therefore the pruners came, the fruit that was in her midst preserved her.
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The time of her pruning came; it entered and took from her her vinedresser — that there should not be one to pray for her. She made haste in her subtlety — He laid in her bosom her vinedresser, that she should be delivered through her vinedresser.
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Be wise like Nisibis, O you daughters of Nisibis — for that she laid the body within her, and it became a wall without her.— Place within you the living body, that it be a wall for your lives!