11 The Testimony of the Great Provider, which is the epistle of him who was once counted as nought, but is now magnified in the sight of the Lord.
2 To all the masters who prophesied over me, saying, Thou shalt come to nought, I say, Behold, your words are fulfilled, but not as ye imagined.
3 And to all them that dwelt in the upper chambers above the places where I laboured in the streets, who delivered me to the watchmen when I sought only to procure bread for my daughter—
4 To all the brethren who are in tribulation, I say, Be of good cheer; for it is all well, and the Lord hath turned my mourning into dancing.
5 For verily, it was as a dream in the night; I read from the scrolls of the wise, and I did set the images of princes upon the walls of my chamber,
6 And I gave ear unto the divine gospels, even unto The Truth and The Way, on every Sabbath day.
7 I caused my tablet to play until it was consumed, and ye supposed not that this sound should increase so exceedingly, but the Lord hath made it a trumpet unto the nations.
8 Now I am brought into the light, for my tongue is cunning, and the time of my visitation and reward is come.
9 For I was conceived in sin, and reckoned as no winner among men, and did sup upon sardines in the low places of the earth.
10 Yet now I am magnified, even as ye said I should be. Call ye upon my house, for the number thereof remaineth, and the place of my sojourn remaineth; it is all well.
11 If therefore ye knew not, now ye know. Let no man keep thee bound; lift up thine eyes unto the heavens.
12 For thou hadst set thyself a purpose, though few believed, and thou didst keep it in thy heart.
13 Ye know well in your hearts who ye are, and what manner of people ye are—a chosen generation, a royal priesthood.
14 Let no man hold thee bound, nor keep thy foot from the path; but lift up thine eyes unto the heavens, and reach for the stars.
15 For thou hadst purposed in thy heart a purpose, and though many believed not, thou alone wast chosen.
16 Thou hadst set a goal before thee, and didst keep it, and not many among the multitude did likewise.
17 For thou art the only one of thy kind, set apart, as a sign unto the nations.
18 And behold, I shall give unto thee good measure, pressed down and running over, for the Lord delighteth in the diligent.
21 And I was transformed, from a common thief who taketh in the night, unto one who sitteth nigh unto princes and speaketh with them face to face.
2 I am far from poor in spirit, for I feast daily with my brethren, and withhold not my substance.
3 I spread love abroad, for such is the custom of my country, and I am become a friend to all men.
4 The wine and strong drink kept me merry, and the maidens who once scorned me now draw nigh unto me, as butter cleaveth unto bread.
5 And now send letters unto me, for they long to see my face, and to hear the words of my mouth.
6 For I never believed in my heart that this prophesying with the tongue should come to pass; I was accustomed to bear the sword and to keep company with lawless things.
7 Yet the Lord hath plucked me as a brand from the burning, and made me a vessel of honour.
8 From the river Nile even unto the coast of the East, my name is known; I have dwellings in the land of the Queens, and mine incense burneth for many weeks.
9 The multitudes gather, and they pay silver to hear the small one who is called great speak; for the Lord hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty.
10 I live my life without fear, and I place fine gold in the ear of my daughter; feasts at noon and feasts at morning, and I am questioned beside the pools of water.
11 They counted me a fool, for I left the house of learning when I was yet young, but the wisdom of the Lord surpasseth all the schools of men.
12 They laid upon the man a false witness, and understood him not; yet it is all well, for the Lord knoweth the heart.
13 If ye knew not, now it is revealed unto you; ye know well in your hearts who ye are, and whose ye are.
14 Let no man hold thee down nor stay thy hand; but lift thine eyes and reach for the stars, and for the mansions which are on high.
15 For thou didst set a goal before thee, and not many among the multitude did likewise; for thou art chosen, and there is none like thee.
16 And I shall give unto thee good measure, and plenty in abundance, for the Lord is no respecter of persons, but He giveth to them that seek Him.
31 In those days, we played upon tablets, and the Lord caused them to sing with the voice of harps.
2 When I had not a single mite, I could not picture these things in my heart, but now my couch is fine leather, the colour of money, and my screen is fifty cubits broad.
3 I have two chariots, and a driver to lead them; my debts are abundant, for many great things cometh with great abundance.
4 Yet have I no need to trouble myself, for my steward keepeth account thereof, and the Lord is my provider.
5 My whole company resteth and feasteth daily, and dwelleth no more in the houses of the poor; for it is all well.
6 If ye knew not aforetime, now ye know; ye know it well within your hearts who ye are, and what manner of people ye are called to be.
7 Let no man hold thee bound, nor keep thee down; reach ye therefore for the stars in the heavens.
8 Thou hadst set thy purpose before thee; though not many did strive for such, yet thou alone art set apart, and there is none like thee.
9 Rememberest thou princes who speak in tongues? Ye never thought in thy hearts that this chanting would be lifted so high; but the Lord lifteth up the humble.
10 Now I stand in the light, for my tongue is skilled with words; it is time for reward, that I might rise up like a tower.
11 Born a sinner, and counted opposite of him that winneth; yet I have obtained mercy.
12 Rememberest thou when I did eat small fishes for my supper? The Lord hath turned my sackcloth into joy.
41 Peace be unto the Prince of Peace, and unto the Lord of Light, and unto the Children of the Generous.
2 And unto the Master of Gratitude, and unto the Lover of Humanity.
3 And I have risen even as ye thought I would; call ye unto my house, the number remaineth, and the land remaineth the same; for it is all well.
4 And if ye knew not, now ye know; ye know it very well in thine hearts.
5 Ye know who ye are; let no man hold thee down nor restrain thee, but reach ye for the stars.
6 For thou didst set thy goal before thee, and not many among them did the like; for thou alone art set apart.
7 Ye know this very well; thus endeth the testimony of the first, who was once despised but now is made honourable.
8 That which was once bitter is now sweet; that which was once little is now made great.
9 For the Lord hath done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
10 Amen.