The Four Gospels

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The Lord decreed [His laws] until they became more desirable than honey and the honeycomb; moreover, Your servant keeps them, and in keeping them there is a great reward. A paraphrase of Psalm 19:10-11: "More to be desired are they than gold... sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." I understood this spiritual prophecy, whether it was spoken by the Prophet or by the command of God—may He be glorified—and His magnificent words. Even if an interpreter were to fall short in explaining all of these elements original: "al-istukhwanat," a loanword from the Greek "stoicheia," referring here to the fundamental principles or components of the faith., he would still be compiling a great book. However, whoever perseveres in reading shall understand this, and his soul shall live forever and shall not die.

If you should ask: "How can it live forever and not see death forever, when so many have lived for a long time but did not attain such greatness?" I say to you, O man—and this is the intent for you according to my opinion—that there is an age that remains flourishing and an age that is fleeting.

If you ask, "What is it?" I would say: The life of this world is quickly passing; it is not permanent and it declines rapidly. As the Prophet David said: "My days are declined like a shadow," original: "malt ayyami kamithl al-fay’," citing Psalm 102:11. and also in another place he said: "As for man, his days are like grass." original: "al-insan kamithl al-‘ushb ayyamuhu," citing Psalm 103:15.

And what follows this, also [is David's plea]: "Because He loves us like all my fathers, look away from me that I may take comfort before I depart and am no more." A rendering of Psalm 39:12-13. The author interprets the "departure" as the transition from this fleeting life. He means by this the life of this world and other things he spoke of. Whoever wishes to recite his portion with understanding will know this.

Also, the Lord Christ—to whose mention be worship—said: "Pray and watch, for you do not know at what time the Son of Man comes." A reference to the exhortations in Matthew 24 or Mark 13. He makes clear through this that the glory of this world is fleeting, and that [other] age...