In the name of God, the Living, the Eternal, the Pre-existent, the Everlasting

This is the Book of the Guide? original: "al-Murshid," often referring to a spiritual manual, the noble Patriarch? of Jerusalem

A Chapter on the Definition of this Blessed Book

And on the Virtues of the Book

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This book is extracted from all the Holy Scriptures, compiled by our holy father Athanasius, Patriarch of Jerusalem Athanasius III was a medieval Patriarch of Jerusalem; such attributions were common in spiritual florilegia. May God enlighten his insight through his holy prayers. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds.

O my brother, persevere in reading this blessed book, for it nourishes the soul with delicious and wholesome food. It illuminates the faculties of the mind original: "fakh al-ʿaql," literally "the trap" or "chamber" of the mind, suggesting the inner workings of the intellect and God’s points of light, like a lamp that shines. As the Prophet David said, "I praise the name of the Lord." For perhaps the balance of faith is the mind directed toward God. When the mind is saturated with the word of God, the soul is nourished and finds delight in every other act of worship, for it tastes its sweetness as something very desirable.

If you should ask, "What is the proof of this?" I tell you that David the Prophet testifies to it, saying: "The law of the Lord is without blemish, restoring souls; the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to the little ones. The justice of the Lord is upright, gladdening the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. The fear of God is pure, enduring for ages of ages." This is a citation of Psalm 19:7–9

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