1. The souls rejoiced in the Greatest God
When they sought to honor Him with the most honorable

2. Say, the most honorable honor is monasticism
As if it is a light in a dark night

3. So know, the light is the way of a monk
And the night is the people of the crumbling world

4. Congratulations, O you who are called with a
Sublime call to the Perfect, Beneficent One

5. You are named among creatures as a monk
Wearing the mark of known superiority

6. You are titled the light of all worlds
O monk, or rather perfect one belonging

7. Do not wonder at his superiority and perfection
For he is an angel who attained Mary's chastity

8. Or do you not see his actions as exclusive
To God, toward his advancing salvation

9. Free from any damning deed
Pleased with death before any blemishing sin

10. Containing in a body described as
The angels' purity with a mind and mouth

11. Walking uprightly in his way and conduct
Having trodden over the causes of stumbling with his sandal

12. Turned away from love of wealth, disavowing
Any desire, arrogance or nobility

13. Content with the least livelihood, impoverished, and
Supported by the words of the Sustaining God

14. Who said: Whoever hates his father and mother
And his children, even himself, he takes control

15. And carries his cross’ burden day after day
Is special to Me in that splendid praise

16. His slips are minor, there is no fear
Erased by the slightest good deed conferring grace

17. And if he stumbles, his brethren stand
To raise him up if he falls

18. As do the angels and God Himself
Truly supporting him with established integrity

19. For he is in a satisfying brotherhood
That heals the wounds of the soul after regret

20. In it the supervisor melts away from his children
So you see him forbid any prohibited deed

21. And the monastic workers’ minds are empty
Of any worldly, dark concerns

22. Proclaiming: I have deliberately crucified
My body, passions, mind and mouth

23. Thus he is clad in bliss as if a master reigning and belonging
Adorned with inspiration and grace from

24. His Master day after day preceding
An alien, ascetic, self-denying

25. Clad in patience like a brave lion
Granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit his lifetime

26. Growing in every virtue and nobility
Spending his days in examining his conscience

27. Purifying with the greatest confession
Crossing from purifying a sin here

28. While the rites of the correctors purify him
Attaining salvation as reward for good deeds

29. When he followed Jesus the Unblemished
If he lives a good, vigilant life

30. He dies a death belonging to happiness
And obtains from the grace of his Lord’s domain

31. Complete forgiveness of sin, graceful and pleasant
Fortified by his brethren’s prayers as

32. The soldier fortifies himself with a polished sword
And his dwelling returns to the highest heaven

33. Above the throne of His marked glory
His Master loves him with the best reward

34. For what he strove in his preceding life
And attains the martyr's crown declaring

35. Among the ranks of the most honorable
For he is the martyr, a martyr of spirit just as

36. He who sheds blood is called a martyr
So desire, O you who wants his life

37. Eternal with the mark of a monk
Turn away from the lowly, transient world, then place

38. Its head beneath your feet and advance
Ascending to heaven with effort

39. Defined by Antony on the ladder
So listen, my brother, to my advice - if you taste it

40. You will know its delight, and submit submitting