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[...Whoever calls upon] the name of the Lord shall live. But I do not merely call upon [it], but first believe in his greatness. Not that I approach with entreaties and hover [about him] for the sake of his gifts, but truly as [for] life itself and the sure breathing of breath, without which there is no movement or course; for I do not rejoice as much in the bond of hope as in the fetters of love. I yearn not [so much] for the gifts, but ever for the Giver; the glory is not what I long for, but the Glorified One is to be kissed; not with longings for life, but with the remembrance of the Life-Giver I am always consumed; not with yearning for delights do I groan, but with longing for the Preparer I wail from the depth of [my] reins; I seek not the rest, but implore the face of the One who gives rest; not for the wedding-feast’s banquets, but with longing for the Bridegroom do I waste away. By the power of whose hand, with confident expectation burdened by the above-written sins, with unwavering hope I believe, taking refuge in the hand of the Mighty One—not only to attain expiation, but to see that very mercy and compassion and the inheritance of the heavens, even though I am exceedingly worthy of banishment. And now, bent down with great deference and ashamed face, [I offer] the mediator of inspiration...