Imitation 3 111 verses
1“I will hearken what God shall say within me.” Blessed is the soul which heareth speaking within it, and receiveth the word of consolation from His mouth.
2Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world.
3Blessed truly are the ears which listen not to the voice that soundeth without, but to that which teacheth truth inwardly.
4Blessed are the eyes which are closed to things without, but are fixed upon things within.
5Blessed are they who search inward things and study to prepare themselves more and more by daily exercises for the receiving of heavenly mysteries.
6Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of the world.
7Think on these things, O my soul, and shut the doors of thy carnal desires, so mayest thou hear what God will say within thee.
8These things saith thy Beloved, “I am thy salvation, I am thy peace and thy life.
9Keep thee unto Me, and thou shalt find peace.” Put away from thee all transitory things, seek those things that are eternal.
10For what are all temporal things but deceits, and what shall all created things help thee if thou be forsaken by the Creator?
11Therefore put all things else away, and give thyself to the Creator, to be well pleasing and faithful to Him, that thou mayest be able to attain true blessedness.
