the splendors of the Day-Star of Thy loving-kindness amidst Thy creatures.
Thou hast, O my God, chosen them to love Thee, and to stand before the
throne of Thy majesty. No other station hath excelled the station to which
Thou hast called them. How many the nights, O my God, when sleep failed to
overtake them because of their remembrance of Thee, and how numerous the
days which they spent in lamentation over the things that have befallen
Thee at the hands of Thine enemies! I entreat Thee, O Thou Who art the
Ruler of rulers, and the Uplifter of the downtrodden, to aid them so to
assist Thy Cause and exalt Thy word that through them Thy praise may be
shed abroad amidst Thy creatures, and Thy virtues recounted throughout Thy
realm. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the
Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

Praised be Thou, O Lord my God! This is Thy servant whom Thou hast in the
kingdom of Thy names called by Thine own name, and whom Thou hast reared
under the wings of Thy grace and favors. Thou seest him, therefore,
hastening in the direction of Thy gifts, and rushing forth towards Thee
seeking after Thy bounty. Attire him, O my God, with the mantle of Thy
favor and the robe of Thy munificence and generosity, that all created
things may perceive from him the sweet smell of the raiment of Thy love.
Adorn, then, his head with the crown of Thy remembrance, in such wise that
his fame may be noised abroad among Thy servants as one who loveth Thee
and cleaveth steadfastly to Thy Cause. Assist him, moreover, at all times
and under all conditions to help Thee and to remember Thee, and to extol
Thy virtues amidst Thy creatures.

I swear by Thy glory, O my God! Every time I muse on Thy glory and Thy
sovereignty I find myself as the most guilty among them that have
transgressed against Thee in Thy realm, and every time I contemplate the
heights in which none except Thee can abide, I discover that I am the most
sinful of all the creatures that dwell in Thy land. Had it not been for
Thy name, the Concealer, and for Thy name, the Ever-Forgiving, and for the
sweet savors of Thy name, the Most Merciful, all Thy chosen ones had been
reckoned amongst the perverse and the wicked.

I render Thee thanks that Thy mercy hath overtaken them and Thy grace and
bountiful favors compassed them on every side.

And now, having confessed the things Thou didst cause to flow down from my
Pen, I implore Thee, by Thy name which Thou hast rai