---
title: "Gregory the Great, Ephrem Syrus and Aphrahat"
author: "Gregory the Great, Ephrem the Syrian and Aphrahat"
translator: "Philip Schaff (ed.)"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Church Fathers"
section: 63 of 134
url: https://scriptura.si/works/gregory-the-great-ephrem-syrus-aphrahat/63/
cite: "Gregory the Great, Ephrem the Syrian and Aphrahat, tr. Philip Schaff (ed.), Gregory the Great, Ephrem Syrus and Aphrahat, section 63. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/gregory-the-great-ephrem-syrus-aphrahat/63/"
---

# Gregory the Great, Ephrem Syrus and Aphrahat

*Gregory the Great, Ephrem the Syrian and Aphrahat, tr. Philip Schaff (ed.)*

Gregory the Great's letters, with Ephrem Syrus and Aphrahat the Persian Sage.

## 63. Hymn IX

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/gregory-the-great-ephrem-syrus-aphrahat/63/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/gregory-the-great-ephrem-syrus-aphrahat/63/#p-N

[¶0] …My afflictions are as Job’s. Thy justice delivered him; let Thy grace have mercy on me!

[¶1] 2. In these two things is profit; that neither should the just, be weary in supplication, nor should the rebellious, multiply transgression.

[¶2] 3. With the sons Thou labourest, to chastise and help them; and that the fathers should not be grieved, by the sound of the scourge, they left me in peace.

[¶3] 4. Look, O my Lord, on my woods without, how they have been cut down! behold, O my Lord, my breasts within, that they are too weak, for me to bear my beloved ones!

[¶4] 5. With swords they have cut off, my wings that are without; again the fire kindles, in my bosom within, the incense of burnt offering.

[¶5] 6. The sun-worshippers have killed, my sons in the plain: and they that offer to Baal, have sacrificed my bulls in the city, my sheep with my babes.

[¶6] 7. In my fields is lamentation; in my halls wailing; in my vineyards terror; in my streets confusion. Who can suffice for me?

[¶7] 8. The Evil One who dealt treacherously, and disturbed me with his words, stirred up trouble within, so that my inward part, is wholly as my outward part.

[¶8] 9. With what face, O my Lord, shall I call on Thee to send, a camp of holy ones, to guard my bosom, which is full of uncleanness?

[¶9] 10. With Thy new leaven, Thou hast chastened creation. Make Thou the old leaven, which ensnares and humbles, to be like the new leaven!

[¶10] 11. By the manifest striving, of Thy power let us conquer; lest error should crown, those that strive for Thee, cleaving to them with blandishment!

[¶11] 12. If we look into our time, it is like our deceit;—for in the years of truthfulness, we practised divinations,—and secretly used enchantments.

[¶12] 13. If I look into the time, it provokes and into light,—brings secret things, that our deceit may be shamed,—which wore the raiment of Truth.

[¶13] 14. Verily it is truth, that overcomes all;—and the sea with its bitterness, cannot trouble it,—for it is pure in its nature.

[¶14] 15. In wisdom Thou hast made it, O my Lord, that it has laid bare our lust.—That the foolish should come to nought, and should not be encouraged,—Truth has withheld the crown.

[¶15] 16. On the tottering walls, whereon Thou hast given me victory,—the unthankful repay Thee, with sacrifice and libation, which provoke Thee openly.

[¶16] 17. If it were at that time, sacrifices had been offered;—there had been room even, for delusion to suppose,—that in these I was delivered.

[¶17] 18. Through the multitude of deliverances, Thou hast rebuked two things:—the delusion of graven images, and the teaching of magicians;—for in Thee, O my Lord, have I been delivered!