The Nisibene Hymns 42Hymn LXIII.

1. Who shall weigh the recompense of Abraham? whom I marvelled at when he bound, his only son.--2. R., To thee be glory, Voice that bringest to life the dead in Sheol: and they have come up as preachers, of His Son Who quickens all!--3. At that time I came forth in haste, to see the marvel: how that his knife was drawn out, against his beloved.--4. I gathered my manifold memories, from all quarters: and I collected my spirit to marvel, at that illustrious one.--5. How therefore can ye read, that great story? ye have despised the reading of it, in your very ears.--6. The sword of Jephthah rebukes, him that laments: his daughter was to him a mirror of life from the dead.--7. She gave herself for her father, so commend ye: your life to the Father of all, in the hope of your end.--8. In the womb then did ye not make trial, of a mystery of Sheol? yet in Sheol ye had more rest, than in the womb.--9. It is stubborn in you to stand up against, my mighty will: for lo! to succour them I take away, your departed.--10. By the king of Moab who slew, his son with his hands: he is put to shame who laments, for the departed one.--11. He was a profane man, lo! according, to what you read: but ye are doctors and teachers, as ye suppose.--12. He endured, but ye are furious, in your mourning: against the will of the Lord of all, while ye are weeping.--13. I fear however to let pass, the story of Job: through this feeble mouth of mine, for I am unworthy.--14. So in like manner I turn aside, from mention of their bones: though I praise Him who granted, that they should come to me.--15. Dishonour not your members, by your sins: for in Sheol the bones are despised, of evildoers.--16. Whenever I see the body of one of the evil: I trample on it and curse, even his memory.--17. But wherever I see a bone, of one of the just; I set it apart and honour it, and do it worship.--18. Ye feeble ones understand not, all my ordinances: with you orders are confused, for ye are blind.--19. It is Moses alone that I know, to have honoured like me: the bones of that Joseph whom I magnify.--20. But Moses did such honour, to one pure body: but I to the body and the bones, of all the righteous.--21. Brightly shine the bones of Prophets, and of Apostles: a lamp to me in darkness, are all the righteous.--22. I worship Him Who lightens for me, the darkness of Sheol: the splendour of Moses who was so great, was as the sun to me.