Blessed be the merciful one who saw the weapon by

Blessed be the Merciful One, who saw the weapon by Paradise, that closed the way to the Tree of Life; and came
and took a Body which could suffer, that with the Door, that was in His side, He might open the way into
Paradise.
Blessed be that Merciful One, who lent not Himself to harshness, but without constraint conquered by wisdom;
that He might give an ensample unto men, that by virtue and wisdom they might conquer discerningly.
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Blessed is Thy flock, since Thou art the gate thereof, and Thou art the staff thereof. Thou art the Shepherd
thereof, Thou art the Drink thereof, Thou art the salt thereof, yea, the Visitor thereof. Hail to the Only-Begotten,
that bare abundantly all manner of consolations!
The husbandmen came and did obeisance before the Husbandman of Life. They prophesied to Him as they
rejoiced,[saying,] "Blessed be the Husbandman, by Whom the ground of the heart is tilled, Who gathereth His
wheat into the garner of Life."
The husbandmen came and gave glory to the Vineyard that sprang of the root and stem of Jesse, the Virgin
Cluster of the glorious Vine. "May we be vessels for Thy new Wine that renews all things."
"In Thee may the Vineyard of my Well-beloved that yielded wild grapes(7) find peace! Graft its vines from Thy
stocks; let it be laden entirely from Thy blessings with a fruit which may reconcile the Lord of the Vineyard,
Who threatens it."
Because of Joseph the workmen came to the Son of Joseph saying, "Blessed be Thy Nativity, Thou Head of
Workmen, the impress whereof the ark bore, after which was fashioned the Tabernacle of the congregation that
was for a time only!"(8)
"Our craft praises Thee, Who art our glory. Make Thou the yoke which is light, yea easy, for them that bear it;
make the measure, in which there can be no falseness, which is full of Truth; yea, devise and make measures(9)
by righteousness; that he that is vile may be accused thereby, and he that is perfect, may be acquitted thereby.
Weigh therewith both mercy and truth, O just One, as a judge."
"Bridegrooms with their brides rejoiced. Blessed be the Babe, whose Mother was Bride of the Holy One!
Blessed the marriage feast, whereat Thou wast present, in which when wine was suddenly wanting, in Thee it
abounded again!"
The children cried out, "Blessed He that hath become unto us a Brother, and Companion in the midst of the
streets. Blessed be the day which by the Branches(1) gives glory to the Tree of life, that made His Majesty be
brought low, to our childish age!"
Women heard that a Virgin should conceive and bring forth a Son: honourable women hoped that thou wouldest
rise from them; yea noble ladies that Thou mightest spring up from them! Blessed be Thy Majesty, that humbled
Itself, and rose from the poor!
Yea the young girls that carried Him prophesied, saying, "Whether I be hated or fair, or of low estate, I am
without spot for Thee. I have taken Thee in charge for the bed of Childbirth."
Sarah had lulled Isaac, who as a slave(2) bare the Image of the King his Master on his shoulders, even the sign of