39 And while the apostle yet stood in the highway and spake with the multitude, A she ass's colt
came and stood before him (Syr. adds, And Judas said: It is not without the direction of God that
this colt has come hither. But to thee I say, O colt that by the grace of our Lord there shall be
given to thee speech before these multitudes who are standing here; and do thou say whatsoever
thou wilt, that they may believe in the God of truth whom we preach. And the mouth of the colt
was opened, and it spake by the power of our Lord and said to him) and opened its mouth and
said: Thou twin of Christ, apostle of the Most High and initiate in the hidden word of Christ who
receivest his secret oracles, fellow worker with the Son of God, who being free hast become a
bondman, and being sold hast brought many into liberty. Thou kinsman of the great race that
hath condemned the enemy and redeemed his own, that hast become an occasion of life unto
man in the land of the Indians; for thou hast come (against thy will, Syr.) unto men that were in
error, and by thy appearing and thy divine words they are now turning unto the God of truth
which sent thee: mount and sit upon me and repose thyself until thou enter into the city. And the
apostle answered and said: O Jesu Christ (Son) that understandest the perfect mercy! O
tranquillity and quiet that now art spoken of (speakest, Syr.) by (among) brute beasts! O hidden
rest, that art manifested by thy working, Saviour of us and nourisher, keeping us and resting in
alien bodies! O Saviour of our souls! spring that is sweet and unfailing; fountain secure and clear
and never polluted; defender and helper in the fight of thine own servants, turning away and
scaring the enemy from us, that fightest in many battles for us and makest us conquerors in all;
our true and undefeated champion (athlete); our holy and victorious captain: glorious and giving
unto thine own a joy that never passeth away, and a relief wherein is none affliction; good
shepherd that givest thyself for thine own sheep, and hast vanquished the wolf and redeemed
thine own lambs and led them into a good pasture: we glorify and praise thee and thine invisible
Father and thine holy spirit [and] the mother of all creation.
40 And when the apostle had said these things, all the multitude that were there looked upon
him, expecting to hear what he would answer to the colt. And the apostle stood a long time as it
were astonied, and looked up into heaven and said to the colt: Of whom art thou and to whom
belongest thou? for marvelous are the things that are shown forth by thy mouth, and amazing and
such as are hidden from the many. And the colt answered and said: I am of that stock that served
Balaam, and thy lord also and teacher sat upon one that appertained unto me by race. And I also
have now been sent to give thee rest by thy sitting upon me: and (that) I may receive (Syr. these
may be confirmed in) faith, and unto me may be added that portion which now I shall receive by
thy service wherewith I serve thee; and when I have ministered unto thee, it shall be taken from
me. And the apostle said unto him: He is able who granted thee this gift, to cause it to be fulfilled
unto the end in thee and in them that belong unto thee by race: for as to this mystery I am weak
and powerless. And he would not sit upon him. But the colt besought and entreated him that he
might be blessed of him by ministering unto him. Then the apostle mounted him and sat upon
him; and they followed him, some going before and some following after, and all of them ran,
desiring to see the end, and how he would dismiss the colt.
41 But when he came near to the city gates he dismounted from him, saying: Depart, and be thou
kept safe where thou wert. And straightway the colt fell to the ground at the apostle's feet and
died. And all they that were present were sorry and said to the apostle: Bring him to life and raise
him up. But he answered and said unto them: I indeed am able to raise him by the name of Jesus
Christ: but this is by all means expedient (or, this is [NOT] by any means expedient). For he that
ron
(Ron)
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