Imitation 3 5723 verses
1“My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity.
2Why doth a little thing spoken against thee make thee sad?
3If it had been more, thou still oughtest not to be moved.
4But now suffer it to go by; it is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the last, if thou live long.
5Thou art brave enough, so long as no adversity meeteth thee.
6Thou givest good counsel also, and knowest how to strengthen others with thy words; but when tribulation suddenly knocketh at thine own door, thy counsel and strength fail.
7Consider thy great frailty, which thou dost so often experience in trifling matters nevertheless, for thy soul’s health these things are done when they and suchlike happen unto thee.
8“Put them away from thy heart as well as thou canst, and if tribulation hath touched thee, yet let it not cast thee down nor entangle thee long.
9At the least, bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully.
10And although thou be very unwilling to hear it, and feel indignation, yet check thyself, and suffer no unadvised word to come forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones may be offended.
11Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be stilled, and inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace.
12I yet live, saith , ready to help thee, and to give thee more than wonted consolation if thou put thy trust in Me, and call devoutly upon Me.
13“Be thou more calm of spirit, and gird thyself for greater endurance.
14All is not frustrated, though thou find thyself very often afflicted or grievously tempted.
15Thou art man, not God; thou art flesh, not an angel.
16How shouldst thou be able to remain alway in the same state of virtue, when an angel in heaven fell, and the first man in paradise?
17I am He who lifteth up the mourners to deliverance, and those who know their own infirmity I raise up to my own nature.”
18O Lord, blessed be Thy word, sweeter to my mouth than honey and the honeycomb.
19What should I do in my so great tribulations and anxieties, unless Thou didst comfort me with Thy holy words?
20If only I may attain unto the haven of salvation, what matter is it what things or how many I suffer?
21Give me a good end, give me a happy passage out of this world.
22Remember me, O my God, and lead me by the right way unto Thy Kingdom.
23Amen.
