revelations of st bridget books 1-12

8/6/2019 Revelations Of St Bridget Books 1-12

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Our Lord Jesus Christ's words to his chosen and dearly beloved bride declaring

his most excellent incarnation, condemning the profane violation and breach ofour faith and baptism, and inviting his beloved bride to love him.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER1

I am the Creator of heaen an! earth" one in !iinit# with the$ather an! the Ho%# &'irit. I am he who s'o(e to the 'ro'hets an! the'atriarchs" the one whom the# awaite!. $or the sa(e of their %onging

an! in accor!ance with m# 'romise" I too( f%esh witho)t sin" witho)tconc)'iscence" entering the bo!# of the *irgin %i(e the s)n shiningthro)gh the c%earest cr#sta%. The s)n !oes not !amage the g%ass b#entering it" nor was the *irgin+s irginit# %ost when I too( m# h)mannat)re. I too( f%esh b)t witho)t s)rren!ering m# !iinit#.

I was no %ess ,o!" r)%ing an! fi%%ing a%% things with the $ather an!the Ho%# &'irit" a%tho)gh I" with m# h)man nat)re" was in the womb of

the *irgin. Brightness is neer se'arate! from fire" nor was m# !iinit#eer se'arate! from m# h)manit#" not een in !eath. et I wi%%e! form# ')re an! sin%ess bo!# to be wo)n!e! from the so%e of m# foot to thecrown of m# hea! for the sins of a%% men" an! to be h)ng on the cross. Itis now offere! each !a# on the a%tar in or!er that 'eo'%e might %oe memore an! ca%% to min! m# faors more fre/)ent%#.

ow" howeer" I am tota%%# forgotten" neg%ecte! an! scorne!" %i(e a

(ing cast o)t of his own (ing!om in whose '%ace a wic(e! thief hasbeen e%ecte! an! honore!. I wante! m# (ing!om to be within theh)man 'erson" an! b# right I sho)%! be (ing an! %or! oer him" since Ima!e him an! re!eeme! him. ow" howeer" he has bro(en an!'rofane! the faith he 'romise! me at ba'tism. He has io%ate! an!re0ecte! the %aws I set )' for him. He %oes his se%f-wi%% an! scornf)%%#ref)ses to %isten to me. Besi!es" he ea%ts that most wic(e! thief" the!ei%" aboe me an! '%e!ges him his faith. The !ei% rea%%# is a thief"

since" b# ei% tem'tations an! fa%se 'romises" he stea%s for himse%f theh)man so)% that I re!eeme! with m# own b%oo!. It is not beca)se he is


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more 'owerf)%" as it were" than I am that he is ab%e to stea% it" since I amso 'owerf)% that I can !o a%% things b# a sing%e wor!" an! I am so 0)stthat I wo)%! not commit the %east in0)stice" not een if a%% the saintsas(e! me to.

Howeer" since man" who has been gien free wi%%" o%)ntari%#scorns m# comman!ments an! consents to the !ei%" then it is on%# 0)stthat he sho)%! a%so e'erience the !ei%+s t#rann#. The !ei% was create!goo! b# me b)t fe%% thro)gh his own wic(e! wi%% an! has" as it were"become m# serant for inf%icting retrib)tion on the wic(e!. A%tho)gh Iam now so !es'ise!" neerthe%ess I am sti%% so mercif)% that I wi%%forgie the sins of an# who as( for m# merc# an! who h)mb%e

themse%es" an! I sha%% free them from the ei% thief. B)t I sha%% isit m#0)stice )'on those who 'ersist in ho%!ing me in contem't" an! hearing itthe# wi%% tremb%e an! those who e'erience it wi%% sa# +A%as" that wewere eer born or conceie!" a%as" that we eer 'roo(e! the 2or! ofma0est# to wrath3+

B)t #o)" m# !a)ghter" whom I hae chosen for m#se%f an! withwhom I s'ea( in s'irit" %oe me with a%% #o)r heart" not as #o) %oe #o)r

son or !a)ghter or re%aties b)t more than an#thing in the wor%!3 Icreate! #o) an! s'are! none of m# %imbs in s)ffering for #o). An! #et I%oe #o)r so)% so !ear%# that" if it were 'ossib%e" I wo)%! %et m#se%f benai%e! to the cross again rather than %ose #o). Imitate m# h)mi%it# I"who am the (ing of g%or# an! of ange%s" was c%othe! in %ow%# rags an!stoo! na(e! at the 'i%%ar whi%e m# ears hear! a%% (in!s of ins)%ts an!!erision. Prefer m# wi%% to #o)rs" beca)se m# 4other" #o)r 2a!#" frombeginning to en!" neer wante! an#thing b)t what I wante!. If #o) !o

this" then #o)r heart wi%% be with m# heart" an! it wi%% be set af%ame withm# %oe in the same wa# as an# !r# thing is easi%# set af%ame b# fire.

5o)r so)% wi%% be fi%%e! with me an! I wi%% be in #o)" an! a%%tem'ora% things wi%% become bitter to #o) an! a%% carna% !esire %i(e'oison. 5o) wi%% rest in m# !iine arms" where there is no carna% !esire"on%# 0o# an! s'irit)a% !e%ight. There the so)%" both inwar!%# an!o)twar!%# !e%ighte!" is f)%% of 0o#" thin(ing of nothing an! !esiring

nothing b)t the 0o# that it 'ossesses. &o %oe me a%one" an! #o) wi%%hae a%% the things #o) wish" an! #o) wi%% hae them in ab)n!ance. Is it


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not written that the wi!ow+s oi% !i! not fai% )nti% the !a# that the 2or!sent rain )'on the earth accor!ing to the wor!s of the 'ro'het6 I am thetr)e 'ro'het. If #o) be%iee m# wor!s an! f)%fi%% them" oi% an! 0o# an!e)%tation wi%% neer fai% #o) for a%% eternit#.7

Our Lord Jesus Christ's words to the daughter he had taken as his brideconcerning the articles of the true faith, and about what adornments and tokens

and intentions the bride should have with respect to the bridegroom.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER8

I am the Creator of the heaens" the earth" an! the sea an! of a%%that is in them. I am one with the $ather an! the Ho%# &'irit" not %i(ego!s of stone or go%!" as 'eo'%e once sai!" an! not seera% go!s" as'eo'%e )se! to thin( then" b)t one ,o!" $ather" &on" an! Ho%# &'irit"three 'ersons b)t one in s)bstance" the Creator of a%% b)t create! b#none" remaining )nchangeab%e an! a%might#" witho)t beginning or en!.I am he who was born of the *irgin" witho)t %osing m# !iinit# b)t

0oining it to m# h)manit#" so that in one 'erson I might be the tr)e &onof ,o! an! the &on of the *irgin. I am he who h)ng on the cross" !ie!an! was b)rie!9 #et m# !iinit# remaine! intact.

A%tho)gh I !ie! thro)gh the h)man nat)re an! bo!# that I" the on%#&on" ha! ta(en" #et I %ie! on in the !iine nat)re in which I was one,o! together with the $ather an! the Ho%# &'irit. I am the same manwho rose from the !ea! an! ascen!e! into heaen an! who now s'ea(s

with #o) thro)gh m# s'irit. I hae chosen #o) an! ta(en #o) as m#bri!e in or!er to show #o) m# secrets" beca)se it '%eases me to !o so. Ia%so hae a certain rightf)% c%aim on #o)" since #o) s)rren!ere! #o)rwi%% to me when #o)r h)sban! !ie!. After his !eath" #o) tho)ght an!'ra#e! abo)t how #o) might become 'oor for m# sa(e" an! #o) wante!to gie )' eer#thing for m# sa(e. &o I hae a rightf)% c%aim on #o). Inret)rn for this great %oe of #o)rs" it is on%# fitting that I sho)%! 'roi!efor #o). Therefore I ta(e #o) as m# bri!e for m# own '%eas)re" the (in!

that is a''ro'riate for ,o! to hae with a chaste so)%.


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It is the !)t# of the bri!e to be rea!# when the bri!egroom !eci!esto hae the we!!ing" so she can be 'ro'er%# !resse! )' an! c%ean. 5o)wi%% be c%ean if #o)r tho)ghts are a%wa#s on #o)r sins" on how inba'tism I c%eanse! #o) from the sin of A!am an! how often I haes)''orte! an! s)staine! #o) when #o) hae fa%%en into sin. The bri!esho)%! a%so wear the bri!egroom+s to(ens on her breast" I mean" #o)sho)%! bear in min! the faors an! benefits I hae !one for #o)" s)ch ashow nob%# I create! #o) b# giing #o) a bo!# an! so)%" how nob%# Ienriche! #o) b# giing #o) hea%th an! tem'ora% goo!s" how (in!%# Iresc)e! #o) when I !ie! for #o) an! restore! #o)r inheritance to #o)" if#o) want to hae it. The bri!e sho)%! a%so !o the wi%% of herbri!egroom. :hat is m# wi%% b)t that #o) sho)%! want to %oe me aboe

a%% things an! want nothing b)t me6

I create! a%% things for the sa(e of h)man(in! an! '%ace! a%% things)n!er them. An! #et the# %oe eer#thing b)t me an! hate nothing b)tme. I bo)ght bac( their inheritance for them" which the# ha! %ost" b)tthe# hae grown so estrange! an! t)rne! so far from reason that"instea! of eterna% g%or# in which there is eer%asting goo!" the# wo)%!rather hae 'assing g%or# that is as the ocean s'ra# that rises )' one

moment %i(e a mo)ntain an! then /)ic(%# sin(s !own into nothing. 4#bri!e" if #o) !esire nothing b)t me" if #o) ho%! a%% things in contem'tfor m# sa(e - both chi%!ren an! re%aties as we%% as wea%th an! honors -I wi%% gie #o) a most 'recio)s an! !e%ightf)% rewar!.

I wi%% gie #o) neither go%! nor si%er as #o)r wages b)t m#se%f tobe #o)r bri!egroom" I" who am the (ing of g%or#. If #o) are ashame! ofbeing 'oor an! !es'ise!" consi!er how #o)r ,o! has gone before #o)"

once his serants an! frien!s ha! aban!one! him on earth" beca)se Iwas not %oo(ing for frien!s on earth b)t frien!s in heaen. If #o) areworr#ing an! afrai! abo)t being b)r!ene! b# wor( an! sic(ness" thenconsi!er how seere a thing it is to b)rn in the fire3 :hat wo)%! #o)hae !esere! if #o) ha! offen!e! some earth%# master as #o) haeme6 $or" a%tho)gh I %oe #o) with a%% m# heart" sti%% I !o not act against0)stice" not een in a sing%e !etai%.

;)st as #o) hae sinne! in a%% #o)r %imbs" #o) m)st a%so ma(esatisfaction in eer# %imb. Howeer" beca)se of #o)r goo! wi%% an! #o)r


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reso%)tion to im'roe" I comm)te #o)r sentence to one of merc# an!remit the heaier ')nishment in ret)rn for a sma%% amo)nt of re'aration.$or this reason" embrace #o)r sma%% har!shi's cheerf)%%# so that #o)can be c%eanse! an! reach #o)r great rewar! a%% the sooner3 It is goo!for the bri!e to grow tire! toi%ing a%ongsi!e the bri!egroom so that shecan a%% the more confi!ent%# ta(e her rest with him.7

Our Lord Jesus Christ's words to his bride about her formation in love and honortoward him, the bridegroom, and about the hatred of the wicked for od, and

about the love of the world.

BOOK1 - CHAPTERP2AATIO

This man" an abbot of the Cistercian or!er" ha! b)rie! someonewho ha! been ecomm)nicate!. :hen he was sa#ing thecommen!ator# 'ra#er oer him" 2a!# Birgitta" ra't in s'irit" hear! this7He !i! what %a# in his 'ower an! b)rie! him. 5o) can be s)re that thefirst b)ria% after this one wi%% be his own. $or he sinne! against the

$ather" who has to%! )s not to show 'artia%it# an! not to honor the rich)n0)st%#.

$or the sa(e of a sma%% 'erishab%e gain" this man gae honor to an)nworth# 'erson an! '%ace! him among the worth#" which he sho)%!not hae !one. He a%so sinne! against m# &'irit" who is the comm)nionan! comm)nit# of the 0)st" b# b)r#ing an )n0)st man net to the 0)st.He sinne! against me" too" the &on" beca)se I hae sai! 7He who

re0ects me sha%% be re0ecte!.7 This man honore! an! ea%te! someonewhom m# ch)rch an! m# icar ha! re0ecte!.7 The abbot re'ente! whenhe hear! these wor!s an! !ie! on the fo)rth !a#.

Christ's words to his bride about the manner and the reverence she shouldmaintain in prayer, and about the three kinds of people who serve od in this

world.


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BOOK1 - CHAPTER1D

I am #o)r ,o! who was cr)cifie! on the cross" tr)e ,o! an! tr)eman in one 'erson" an! who am 'resent in the han!s of the 'riesteer#!a#. :heneer #o) offer an# 'ra#er to me" a%wa#s en! it with the!esire that m# wi%% an! not #o)rs be !one a%wa#s. I !o not hear #o)r'ra#ers on beha%f of those a%rea!# con!emne!. &ometimes" too" #o)wish something to be !one that goes against #o)r sa%ation" which iswh# it is necessar# for #o) to entr)st #o)r wi%% to me" for I (now a%%things an! !o not 'roi!e #o) with an#thing b)t what is beneficia%.There are man# who !o not 'ra# with the right intention" which is wh#the# !o not !esere to be hear!.

There are three (in!s of 'eo'%e who sere me in this wor%!. Thefirst are the ones who be%iee me to be ,o! an! the gier of a%% thingswho has 'ower oer eer#thing. The# sere me with the intention ofobtaining tem'ora% goo!s an! honor" b)t the things of heaen are asnothing to them" an! the# wo)%! 0)st as soon %ose them so that the# canobtain 'resent goo!s. :or%!%# s)ccess in eer#thing fa%%s to their share"accor!ing to their wishes. &ince the# hae %ost the eterna% goo!s" I

recom'ense them with tem'ora% comforts for whateer goo! sericethe# !o for me" right !own to the %ast farthing an! their er# %astmoment. The secon! are the ones who be%iee me to be ,o! a%might#an! a strict 0)!ge" b)t who sere me o)t of fear of ')nishment an! noto)t of %oe of heaen%# g%or#. If the# !i! not fear me" the# wo)%! notsere me.

The thir! are the ones who be%iee me to be the Creator of a%%

things an! tr)e ,o! an! who be%iee me to be 0)st an! mercif)%. The#!o not sere me o)t of an# fear of ')nishment b)t o)t of !iine %oean! charit#. The# wo)%! 'refer an# ')nishment" if the# co)%! bear it"rather than once 'roo(e me to anger. The# tr)%# !esere to be hear!when the# 'ra#" since their wi%% accor!s with m# wi%%. The first (in! ofserant wi%% neer !e'art from ')nishment or get to see m# face. Thesecon! wi%% not be ')nishe! as m)ch b)t wi%% sti%% not get to see m#face" )n%ess he corrects his fear thro)gh 'enitence.7


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Christ's words to his bride describing himself as a great king, and about twotreasuries symboli!ing the love of od and the love of the world, and a lesson

about how to make improvement in this life.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER1@

I am %i(e a great an! 'owerf)% (ing. $o)r things 'ertain to a (ing.$irst he has to be rich" secon! genero)s" thir! wise" an! fo)rth"charitab%e. I am tr)%# the (ing of ange%s an! of a%% man(in!. I hae thosefo)r /)a%ities that I mentione!. In the first '%ace" I am the richest of a%%"since I s)''%# the nee!s of eer#one an! sti%% 'ossess as m)ch after

haing gien. &econ!" I am the most genero)s of a%%" since I am're'are! to gie to an#one who as(s. Thir!" I am the wisest of a%%" sinceI (now what is each 'erson+s !)e an! what is best for him or her.$o)rth" I am charitab%e" since I am more 're'are! to gie than an#one isto as(. I hae" #o) might sa#" two treas)ries. :eight# materia%s" hea#as %ea!" are store! in the first treas)r#" an! shar'-'ointe! s'i(es %ine thecom'artment where the# are (e't.

B)t these hea# things come to seem as %ight as feathers to a 'ersonwho starts b# t)rning them oer an! ro%%ing them" an! then %earns howto carr# them. The things that before seeme! so hea# become %ight"an! the things that before were tho)ght to be so shar' become soft. Inthe secon! treas)r# there seems to be g%ittering go%! an! 'recio)s gemsan! !e%icio)s !rin(s. B)t the go%! is rea%%# m)! an! the !rin(s are'oison. There are two 'aths into these treas)ries" a%tho)gh there )se! tobe on%# one. At the crossroa!s" I mean" at the entrance to the two 'aths"

there stoo! a man who crie! o)t to three men who were ta(ing thesecon! 'ath" an! he sai! +2isten" %isten to what I hae to sa#3 B)t if #o)!o not want to %isten" then at %east )se #o)r e#es to see that what I sa# istr)e. If #o) !o not want to )se either #o)r ears or #o)r e#es" then at%east )se #o)r han!s to to)ch an! 'roe to #o)rse%es that I !o nots'ea( fa%se%#.+

Then the first of them sai! +2et )s %isten an! see if he is te%%ing the

tr)th.+ The secon! man sai! +:hateer he sa#s is fa%se.+ The thir! sai!+I (now he is te%%ing the tr)th" b)t I !o not care.+ :hat are these two


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treas)ries if not %oe of me an! %oe of the wor%!6 There are two 'athsinto these two treas)ries se%f-abasement an! com'%ete se%f-!enia% %ea!to m# %oe" whi%e carna% !esire %ea!s to the %oe of the wor%!. To some'eo'%e the b)r!en the# bear in m# %oe seems to be ma!e of %ea!" sincewhen the# sho)%! be fasting or (ee'ing igi% or 'racticing se%f-restraint"the# thin( the# are carr#ing a %oa! of %ea!. If the# hae to hear gibesan! ins)%ts beca)se the# s'en! time in 'ra#er an! in the 'ractice ofre%igion" it is as if the# were sitting on s'i(es9 it is a%wa#s a tort)re tothem.

The 'erson who wishes to sta# in m# %oe sho)%! first t)rn the %oa!oer" that is" ma(e an effort to !o the goo! b# wi%%ing it with a constant

!esire. Then he sho)%! %ift it a %itt%e" s%ow%#" that is" he sho)%! !o whathe can" thin(ing I can !o this we%% if ,o! wi%% he%' me.+ Then"'erseering in the tas( he has )n!erta(en" he wi%% begin to carr# thethings that ear%ier seeme! hea# to him with s)ch a cheerf)% rea!inessthat a%% the har!shi's of fasts an! igi%s or an# har!shi' whatsoeer is as%ight as a feather to him. 4# frien!s ta(e their rest in a '%ace" which" tothe i!%e an! wic(e!" seems to be %ine! b# s'i(es an! thorns b)t whichoffers m# frien!s the best re'ose" soft as roses.

The !irect 'ath into this treas)r# is to scorn #o)r own wi%%" whichha''ens when a man" thin(ing on m# 'assion an! !eath" !oes not careabo)t his own wi%% b)t resists it an! constant%# stries to be better.A%tho)gh this 'ath is somewhat !iffic)%t in the beginning" there is sti%% a%ot of '%eas)re in the 'rocess" so m)ch so that the things that firstseeme! to be im'ossib%e to carr# %ater become er# %ight" so he canrightf)%%# sa# to himse%f +,o!+s #o(e is eas#.+ The secon! treas)r# is the

wor%!. In it there are go%!" 'recio)s gems" an! !rin(s that %oo( !e%icio)sb)t are bitter as 'oison once taste!.

:hat ha''ens to eer#one carr#ing the go%! is that" when his bo!#wea(ens an! his %imbs fai%" when his marrow is waste! an! his bo!#fa%%s to the earth thro)gh !eath" then he %ets go of the go%! an! the gems"an! the# are worth no more to him than m)!. The !rin(s of the wor%!" Imean" its !e%ights" %oo( !e%icio)s" b)t" once in the stomach" the# ma(e

the hea! grow wea( an! the heart hea#" the# r)in the bo!# an! a'erson then withers awa# %i(e grass. As the 'ain of !eath a''roaches"


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a%% these !e%icio)s things become as bitter as 'oison. &e%f-wi%% %ea!s tothis treas)r#" wheneer a 'erson !oes not care abo)t resisting the %owera''etites an! !oes not me!itate on what I hae comman!e! an! onwhat I hae !one" b)t imme!iate%# !oes whateer comes to min!"whether %icit or not.

Three men are wa%(ing on this 'ath. B# them I mean a%% there'robate" a%% those who %oe the wor%! an! their se%f-wi%%. I crie! o)t tothem as I stoo! at the crossroa!s at the entrance to the two wa#s" since"thro)gh m# coming in h)man f%esh" I showe! man(in! two 'aths" as itwere" the one to fo%%ow an! the one to aoi!" the 'ath %ea!ing to %ife an!the one %ea!ing to !eath. Before m# coming in the f%esh" there )se! to

be 0)st one 'ath. On it a%% 'eo'%e" goo! an! ba!" went to he%%. I am theone who crie! o)t" an! m# cr# was this

+Peo'%e" %isten to m# wor!s that %ea! to the 'ath of %ife" )se #o)rsenses to )n!erstan! that what I sa# is tr)e. If #o) !o not %isten to themor cannot %isten to them" then at %east %oo( - that is" )se faith an! reason- an! see that m# wor!s are tr)e. In the same wa# as a isib%e thing canbe !iscerne! b# the e#es of the bo!#" so too can inisib%e things be

!iscerne! an! be%iee! b# the e#es of faith. There are man# sim'%eso)%s in the ch)rch who !o few wor(s b)t are sae! b# means of theirfaith. Thro)gh it the# be%iee me to be the Creator an! re!eemer of the)nierse. There is no one who cannot )n!erstan! an! come to the be%iefthat I am ,o!" if on%# he consi!ers how the earth bears fr)it an! howthe heaens gie rain" how the trees grow green" how the anima%ss)bsist each in its own s'ecies" how the stars are of serice to man(in!"how things o''ose! to the wi%% of man occ)r.

$rom a%% this" a 'erson can see that he is morta% an! that it is ,o!who arranges a%% these things. If ,o! !i! not eist" eer#thing wo)%! bein !isor!er. Accor!ing%#" eer#thing has been arrange! b# ,o!"eer#thing rationa%%# arrange! for the sa(e of man+s instr)ction. ot the%east %itt%e thing eists or s)bsists in the wor%! witho)t reason.Accor!ing%#" if a 'erson cannot )n!erstan! or com'rehen! m# 'owers!)e to his wea(ness" he can b# means of faith see an! be%iee. B)t"

'eo'%e" if #o) !o not want to )se #o)r inte%%ect to consi!er m# 'ower"#o) can sti%% )se #o)r han!s to to)ch the !ee!s that I an! m# saints hae


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!one. The# are so 'atent that no one can !o)bt them to be the wor(s of,o!.

:ho raise! the !ea! an! gae %ight to the b%in! if not ,o!6 :hocast o)t !emons if not ,o!6 :hat hae I ta)ght if not things )sef)% forthe sa%ation of so)% an! bo!# an! eas# to bear6 Howeer" the first mansa#s or" rather" some 'eo'%e sa# +2et )s %isten an! test whether it betr)e3+ These 'eo'%e remain for a time in m# serice" not o)t of %oe b)tas an e'eriment an! in imitation of others" witho)t giing )' their ownwi%% b)t carr#ing o)t their own wi%% a%ong with mine. The# are in a!angero)s 'osition" since the# want to sere two masters" a%tho)gh the#can sere neither one we%%. :hen the# are ca%%e!" the# wi%% be rewar!e!

b# the master the# hae %oe! the most.

The secon! man sa#s or" rather" some 'eo'%e sa# +:hateer hesa#s is fa%se an! &cri't)re is fa%se.+ I am ,o!" the Creator of a%% things"witho)t me nothing has been ma!e. I estab%ishe! the new an! the o%!coenants" the# came o)t of m# mo)th" an! there is no fa%sehoo! inthem beca)se I am the tr)th. Accor!ing%#" those who sa# that I am fa%sean! that &acre! &cri't)re is fa%se wi%% neer see m# face" since their

conscience te%%s them that I am ,o!" inasm)ch as a%% things occ)raccor!ing to m# wi%% an! !is'osition. The s(# gies them %ight" nor canthe# gie an# %ight to themse%es9 the earth bears fr)it" the air ma(es theearth fr)itf)%" a%% the anima%s are !etermine! in a certain wa#" the!emons confess me" the righteo)s s)ffer incre!ib%e things for the sa(eof m# %oe.

The# see a%% these things" #et the# !o not see me. The# co)%! a%so

see me in m# 0)stice" if the# consi!ere! how the earth swa%%ows )' theim'io)s" how fire cons)mes the wic(e!. 2i(ewise the# co)%! a%so seeme in m# merc#" as when water f%owe! for the righteo)s o)t of the roc(or the waters 'arte! for them" as when the fire !i! not harm them or thes(ies gae them foo! %i(e the earth. Beca)se the# see these things an!sti%% sa# I am a %iar" the# sha%% neer see m# face. The thir! man sa#s" or"rather" some 'eo'%e sa# +:e (now er# we%% that he is the tr)e ,o!" b)twe !o not care.+ These 'eo'%e wi%% be foreer tormente!" beca)se the#

!es'ise me" their 2or! an! ,o!. Is not it great scorn on their 'art to )sem# gifts b)t to ref)se to sere me6


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If the# ha! ac/)ire! these things b# their own in!)str# an! notentire%# from me" their scorn wo)%! not seem so great. B)t I wi%% giem# grace to those who begin to t)rn oer m# b)r!en o%)ntari%# an!strie with a ferent !esire to !o what the# can. I wi%% wor( togetherwith those who carr# m# %oa!" that is" those who 'rogress !a# b# !a#o)t of %oe for me" an! I wi%% be their strength an! wi%% set them so onfire that the# wi%% want to !o more. The 'eo'%e who remain in the '%acethat seems to 'ric( them - b)t rea%%# is 'eacef)% - are those who toi%'atient%# night an! !a# with o)t wear#ing b)t growing eer morear!ent" thin(ing that what the# !o is %itt%e. These are m# !earest frien!s"an! the# are er# few" since others fin! the !rin(s in the secon! treas)r#

more '%easing.7

On how the bride saw a saint speaking to od about a woman who was beingterribly afflicted by the devil and who was later delivered through the prayers of

the glorious "irgin.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER1G

The bri!e saw one of the saints s'ea(ing to ,o! an! sa#ing 7:h#is the !ei% aff%icting the so)% of this woman whom #o) re!eeme! b##o)r b%oo!67 The !ei% answere! imme!iate%# an! sai! 7Beca)se she ismine b# right.7 An! the 2or! sai! 7B# what right is she #o)rs67 The!ei% answere! him 7There are"7 he sai!" 7two 'aths. One %ea!s toheaen" the other to he%%. :hen she behe%! these two 'aths" her

conscience an! her reason to%! that she sho)%! choose m# 'ath. An!beca)se she ha! a free wi%% for se%ecting the 'ath of her choice" shetho)ght it wo)%! be a!antageo)s to t)rn her wi%% towar! committingsin" an! she began to wa%( a%ong m# 'ath.

2ater I !eceie! her thro)gh three ices g%)tton#" gree! for mone#"an! sens)a%it#. ow I !we%% in her be%%# an! in her nat)re. I ho%! on toher b# fie han!s. :ith one han! I ho%! her e#es" so she wi%% not see

s'irit)a% things. :ith the secon! one I ho%! her han!s" so she wi%% not'erform an# goo! !ee!s. :ith the thir! one I ho%! her feet" so she wi%%


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not stra# oer to goo!ness. :ith the fo)rth one I ho%! her inte%%ect" soshe wi%% not be ashame! to sin. An! with the fifth one I ho%! her heart"so she wi%% not ret)rn thro)gh contrition.7

The B%esse! *irgin 4ar# then sai! to her &on 74# &on" ma(e himte%% the tr)th abo)t what I want to as( him.7 The &on sai! 75o) are m#4other" #o) are the F)een of Heaen" #o) are the 4other of merc#"#o) are the conso%ation of the so)%s in ')rgator#" #o) are the 0o# ofthose ma(ing their wa# in the wor%!. 5o) are the ange%s+ soereign4istress" the most ece%%ent creat)re before ,o!. 5o) are a%so 4istressoer the !ei%. Comman! this !emon #o)rse%f" 4other" an! he wi%% te%%#o) whateer #o) want.7 The B%esse! *irgin then as(e! the !ei% 7Te%%

me" !ei%" what intention !i! this woman hae before entering thech)rch67 The !ei% answere! her 7&he ha! reso%e! to (ee' from sin.7

An! the *irgin 4ar# sai! to him 7Inasm)ch as her 'reio)sintention %e! her to he%%" te%% me" in what !irection !oes her 'resentintention of (ee'ing from sin ten!67 The !ei% answere! her re%)ctant%#7The intention of (ee'ing from sin %ea!s her towar! heaen.7 The*irgin 4ar# sai! 7Beca)se #o) acce'te! that it was #o)r 0)st right to

%ea! her awa# from the 'ath of the Ho%# Ch)rch !)e to her 'reio)sintention" then it is now a matter of 0)stice that she be %e! bac( to thech)rch on acco)nt of her 'resent intention. ow" !ei%" I wi%% ')tanother /)estion to #o) Te%% me" what intention !oes she hae in her'resent state of conscience67

The !ei% answere! 7In her min! she is terrib%# contrite an! sorr#abo)t the things she has !one" an! she reso%es neer to commit s)ch

sins an#more b)t wants to im'roe as far as she is ab%e.7 The *irginthen as(e! the !ei% 7:o)%! #o) te%% me if the three sins of sens)a%it#"g%)tton#" an! gree! can eist in a heart at the same time as the threegoo! !is'ositions of contrition" sorrow" an! the ')r'ose ofamen!ment67 The !ei% answere! 7o.7 An! the B%esse! *irgin sai!7:o)%! #o) te%% me" then" which of these sho)%! shrin( awa# an!anish from her heart" the three irt)es or the three ices that #o) sa#cannot occ)'# the same '%ace at the same time67 The !ei% re'%ie! 7I

sa#" the sins.7


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An! the *irgin answere! 7The 'ath to he%%" then" is c%ose! to heran! the 'ath to heaen %ies o'en to her.7 Again the B%esse! *irgin as(e!the !ei% 7Te%% me" if a robber %a# in wait o)tsi!e the !oors of the bri!ean! wante! to ra'e her" what wo)%! the bri!egroom !o67 The !ei%answere! 7If the bri!egroom is goo! an! nob%e" he sho)%! !efen! heran! ris( his %ife for her sa(e.7 Then the *irgin sai! 75o) are the wic(e!robber. This so)% is the bri!e of the bri!egroom" m# &on" who re!eeme!her with his own b%oo!. 5o) corr)'te! an! seie! her b# force.Therefore" since m# &on is the bri!egroom of her so)% an! 2or! oer#o)" then it is #o)r ro%e to f%ee before him.7

E>P2AATIO

This woman was a 'rostit)te who wante! to ret)rn to the wor%!beca)se the !ei% was mo%esting her !a# an! night" so m)ch so that heisib%# 'resse! her e#es into her hea! an!" whi%e man# were watching"!ragge! her o)t of be!. Then" in the 'resence of man# re%iab%ewitnesses" the ho%# %a!# Birgitta sai! o'en%# 7,et #o) gone" !ei%" #o)hae ee! this creat)re of ,o! eno)gh.7 After she ha! sai! this" thewoman %a# 'resse! with her e#es on the gro)n! for ha%f an ho)r an!

then got )' an! sai! 7Tr)%#" I saw the !ei% in the i%est of sha'esgoing o)t thro)gh the win!ow an! I hear! a oice sa#ing to me+:oman" #o) hae tr)%# been set free.+ 7 $rom that ho)r on this womanwas free! from a%% im'atience an! no %onger s)ffere! from fi%th#tho)ghts" an! she came to her rest thro)gh a goo! !eath.

Christ's words to his bride comparing a sinner to three things) an eagle, a fowler,and a fighter.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER1

I am ;es)s Christ who am s'ea(ing with #o). I am he who was inthe womb of the *irgin" tr)e ,o! an! tr)e man. A%tho)gh I was in the*irgin" I sti%% r)%e! oer a%% things together with the $ather. That man"

who is s)ch a wic(e! enem# of mine" is %i(e three things. $irst" he is%i(e an eag%e that f%ies in the air whi%e other bir!s f%# beneath it9 secon!"


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%i(e a fow%er '%a#ing on a 'i'e smeare! with stic(# 'itch" whose t)ne!e%ights the bir!s so that the# f%# to the 'i'e an! get st)c( in the 'itch9thir!" he is %i(e a fighter who is first in eer# match. He is %i(e an eag%e"beca)se in his 'ri!e he cannot 'ossib%# to%erate an#one being aboehim" an! he in0)res eer#one he can get at with the ta%ons of his ma%ice.

I wi%% c)t off the wings of his 'ower an! 'ri!e an! remoe hisma%ice from the earth. I wi%% gie him oer to the )n/)enchab%e oi%where he wi%% be tormente! witho)t en!" if he !oes not men! his wa#s.He is a%so %i(e a fow%er in that he attracts eer#one to himse%f b# thesweetness of his wor!s an! 'romises" b)t an#one who comes to himgets ca)ght in 'er!ition an! can neer esca'e from it. $or that reason

the bir!s of he%% wi%% 'ec( his e#es o)t so that he wi%% neer see m#g%or# b)t on%# the eer%asting !ar(ness of he%%. The# wi%% c)t off his earsso that he wi%% not hear the wor!s of m# mo)th.

In ret)rn for his sweet wor!s" the# wi%% ca)se him bitterness fromthe so%e of his foot to the crown of his hea!" an! he wi%% en!)re as man#')nishments as the n)mber of men he %e! to 'er!ition. He is a%so %i(e afighter who ta(es first '%ace in wic(e!ness" )nwi%%ing to #ie%! to

an#bo!# an! !etermine! to beat eer#one !own. 2i(e a fighter" then" hewi%% hae first '%ace in eer# ')nishment9 his ')nishment wi%% beconstant%# renewe! an! neer en!. 5et" so %ong as his so)% is with hisbo!#" m# merc# stan!s rea!# for him.7

E>P2AATIO

This was a er# 'owerf)% (night who hate! the c%erg# a %ot an!

)se! to h)r% ins)%ts at them. The 'rece!ing ree%ation is abo)t him aswe%% as the fo%%owing one The &on of ,o! sa#s 7O wor%!%# (night"/)estion the wise abo)t what ha''ene! to 'ro)! Haman who ha!scorne! m# 'eo'%e3 :as not his an ignominio)s !eath an! a great!egra!ation6 This man !eri!es me an! m# frien!s in the same wa#. $orthis reason" 0)st as Israe% !i! not mo)rn the !eath of Haman" m# frien!swi%% not mo)rn the !eath of this man. He wi%% !ie a most bitter !eath" ifhe !oes not men! his wa#s.7 An! that is what ha''ene!.


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Christ's words to his bride about how there ought to be humility in the house ofod, and about how such a house denotes the religious life, and about howbuildings and alms and so forth ought to be donated from goods properly

ac*uired, and about how to make restitution.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER1

In m# ho)se there sho)%! be a%% that h)mi%it# which now on%# getscontem't. There sho)%! be a st)r!# wa%% between the men an! women"beca)se a%tho)gh I am ca'ab%e of !efen!ing eer#one an! s)''ortingthem a%% witho)t an# nee! of a wa%%" neerthe%ess" for the sa(e of

ca)tion an! beca)se of the !ei%+s c)nning" I want a wa%% se'arating thetwo resi!ences. It sho)%! be a st)r!# wa%%" mo!erate%# b)t not too high.The win!ows sho)%! be sim'%e an! trans'arent" the roof mo!erate%#high" so nothing can be seen there that !oes not s)ggest h)mi%it#" Themen who b)i%! ho)ses for me nowa!a#s are %i(e master b)i%!ers whota(e the %or! of the ho)se b# the hair as he enters an! tram'%e him)n!erfoot.

The# raise m)! )' high an! ')t go%! )n!erfoot. That is what the#!o to me" The# b)i%! m)!" I mean" the# 'i%e )' tem'ora% an! 'erishab%egoo!s to the s(#" so to s'ea(" whi%e not caring at a%% abo)t so)%s" whichare more 'recio)s than go%!. :hen I want to go to them thro)gh m#'reachers or thro)gh goo! tho)ghts" the# grab me b# the hair an!tram'%e me )n!erfoot" I mean" the# attac( me with b%as'hem# an!consi!er m# wor(s an! wor!s to be as !es'icab%e as m)!. The# thin(themse%es m)ch wiser.

If the# wante! to b)i%! things for me an! for m# g%or#" the# wo)%!first b)i%! )' their own so)%s. 2et whoeer b)i%!s m# ho)se ta(e the)tmost care not to %et a sing%e 'enn# that has not been right%# an! 0)st%#ac/)ire! go to the b)i%!ing. There are '%ent# of 'eo'%e who (now the#'ossess i%%-gotten goo!s an! #et are not at a%% sorr# for it nor hae theintention of ma(ing restit)tion an! satisfaction for their cheating an!stea%ing" a%tho)gh the# co)%! ma(e restit)tion an! satisfaction if the#were wi%%ing. Howeer" since the# rea%ie the# cannot (ee' these thingsforeer" the# gie a 'art of their i%%-gotten goo!s to the ch)rches" as if to


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'%acate me b# their !onation. The# resere their other %egitimate'ossessions for their !escen!ants. This !oes not '%ease me at a%%.

A 'erson who wants to '%ease me b# his !onations sho)%! first ofa%% hae the !esire to men! his wa#s an! sho)%! then !o those goo!wor(s he is ca'ab%e of !oing. He sho)%! %ament an! bewai% the ei% hehas !one an! ma(e restit)tion" if he can. If he cannot" he sho)%! haethe intention of ma(ing restit)tion for his fra)!)%ent%# ac/)ire! goo!s.Then he sho)%! ta(e care neer to commit s)ch sins again. If the 'ersonto whom he o)ght to restore his i%%-gotten goo!s is no %onger a%ie" thenhe can ma(e a !onation to me" who am ab%e to 'a# bac( eer#one. If heis )nab%e to restore them" 'roi!e! he h)mb%es himse%f before me with

a ')r'ose of amen!ment an! a contrite heart" I hae the means to ma(erestit)tion an!" either now or in the f)t)re" restore their 'ro'ert# to a%%those who hae been cheate!.

2et me e'%ain to #o) the meaning of the ho)se that I want b)i%t.The ho)se is the re%igio)s %ife. I m#se%f" the Creator of a%% things"thro)gh whom a%% things were ma!e an! eist" am its fo)n!ation. Thereare fo)r wa%%s in this ho)se. The first is the 0)stice b# which I wi%% 0)!ge

those who are hosti%e to this ho)se. The secon! wa%% is the wis!om b#which I wi%% en%ighten the inhabitants with m# (now%e!ge an!)n!erstan!ing. The thir! is the 'ower b# which I wi%% strengthen themagainst the machinations of the !ei%. The fo)rth wa%% is m# merc#"which we%comes eer#one who as(s for it. In this wa%% is the !oor ofgrace thro)gh which a%% see(ers are we%come!. The roof of the ho)se isthe charit# b# which I coer the sins of those who %oe me so that the#wi%% not be sentence! for their sins.

The win!ow of the roof thro)gh which the s)n enters is theconsi!eration of m# grace. Thro)gh it the warmth of m# !iinit# is %etin to the inhabitants. That the wa%% sho)%! be big an! strong means thatno one can wea(en m# wor!s or !estro# them. That it sho)%! bemo!erate%# high means that m# wis!om can be )n!erstoo! an!com'rehen!e! in 'art b)t neer f)%%#. The sim'%e an! trans'arentwin!ows mean that m# wor!s are sim'%e" #et thro)gh them the %ight of

!iine (now%e!ge enters into the wor%!. The mo!erate%# high roofmeans that m# wor!s wi%% be manifeste! not in an incom'rehensib%e


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wa# b)t in a com'rehensib%e an! inte%%igib%e wa#.7

#he Creator's words to the bride about the splendor of his power, wisdom, andvirtue, and about how those who are now said to be wise sin the most against him.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER1

I am the Creator of heaen an! earth. I hae three /)a%ities. I ammost 'owerf)%" most wise" an! most irt)o)s. I am so 'owerf)% that theange%s honor me in heaen" an! the !emons in he%% !are not %oo( )'on

me. A%% the e%ements are at m# bec( an! ca%%. I am so wise that nobo!#can s)ccee! in trac(ing m# wis!om. 4# (now%e!ge is s)ch that I (nowa%% that has been an! a%% that wi%% be. I am so rationa% that not the %east%itt%e thing" whether a worm or some other anima%" no matter how )g%#"has been ma!e witho)t a reason. I am a%so so irt)o)s that eer# goo!f%ows from me as tho)gh from a goo! s'ring an! a%% sweetness comesfrom me as tho)gh from a goo! ine. :itho)t me" nobo!# can be'owerf)%" nobo!# wise" nobo!# irt)o)s. $or this reason" the 'owerf)%

men of the wor%! sin against me ecee!ing%#.

I hae gien them strength an! 'ower so the# might honor me" b)tthe# attrib)te the honor to themse%es" as if the# got it from themse%es.The wretches !o not consi!er their own feeb%eness. If I were to sen!them the %east %itt%e infirmit#" the# wo)%! imme!iate%# brea( !own an!eer#thing wo)%! %ose its a%)e for them. How then wi%% the# be ab%e towithstan! m# might an! the ')nishments of eternit#6 B)t those who are

now sai! to be wise sin een more against me. $or I gae them sense")n!erstan!ing" an! wis!om in or!er for them to %oe me" b)t the on%#thing the# )n!erstan! is their own tem'ora% a!antage. The# hae e#esin their hea! b)t %oo( on%# to their own '%eas)res.

The# are b%in! as to giing than(s to me" who gae themeer#thing" since nobo!#" whether goo! or wic(e!" can 'erceie or)n!erstan! an#thing witho)t me" een if I a%%ow the wic(e! to inc%ine

their wi%% to whateer the# %i(e. 4oreoer" nobo!# can be irt)o)switho)t me. I co)%! now )se that common%# cite! 'roerb +Eer#one


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!es'ises the 'atient man.+ Beca)se of m# 'atience eer#one thin(s I amterrib%# foo%ish an! that is wh# eer#one %oo(s !own on me. B)t woe tothem when" after so m)ch 'atience" I ma(e m# sentence (nown tothem3 Before me the# wi%% be %i(e m)! that !ro's !own to the !e'thsan! !oes not sto' )nti% it comes to the %owest 'art of he%%.7

( pleasant dialogue of the "irgin other and the &on with each other and of the"irgin other and the &on with the bride, and about how the bride should get

ready for the wedding.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER8

The 4other a''eare! sa#ing to the &on 75o) are the King of g%or#"m# &on" #o) are 2or! oer a%% %or!s" #o) create! heaen an! earth an!eer#thing in them. 4a# #o)r eer# !esire be !one" ma# #o)r eer#wi%% be !one37 The &on answere! 7It is an ancient 'roerb that sa#s+what a #o)th %earns in his #o)th he retains in his o%! age.+ 4other" from#o)r #o)th #o) %earne! to fo%%ow m# wi%% an! to s)rren!er a%% #o)r wi%%

to me. 5o) right%# sai! +4a# #o)r wi%% be !one3+ 5o) are %i(e 'recio)sgo%! that is %ai! o)t an! hammere! on a har! ani%" beca)se #o) werehammere! b# a%% manner of trib)%ation an! #o) s)ffere! in m# 'assionbe#on! a%% others. :hen m# heart b)rst from the ehemence of m# 'ainon the cross" it wo)n!e! #o)r heart %i(e shar' stee%. 5o) wo)%!wi%%ing%# hae %et it be c)t in two" ha! that been m# wi%%. Een if #o)ha! been ab%e to o''ose m# 'assion an! !eman!e! that I be a%%owe! to%ie" sti%% #o) !i! not wi%% to hae it an# other wa# than accor!ing to m#

wi%%. $or that reason #o) !i! we%% to sa# +5o)r wi%% be !one3+ 7

Then 4ar# sai! to the bri!e 74# &on+s bri!e" %oe m# &on"beca)se he %oes #o). Honor his saints" who are in his 'resence. The#are %i(e co)nt%ess stars whose %ight an! s'%en!or cannot be com'are! toan# tem'ora% %ight. As the %ight of the wor%! !iffers from !ar(ness" so -b)t m)ch more - !oes the %ight of the saints !iffer from the %ight of thiswor%!. I te%% #o) tr)%# that if the saints were seen c%ear%#" as the# rea%%#

are" no h)man e#e co)%! bear it witho)t being !e'rie! of its bo!i%#sight.7 Then the *irgin+s &on s'o(e to his bri!e" sa#ing 74# bri!e" #o)


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sho)%! hae fo)r /)a%ities. $irst" #o) sho)%! be rea!# for the we!!ingof m# !iinit# wherein there is no carna% !esire b)t on%# the most sweets'irit)a% '%eas)re" the (in! that is a''ro'riate for ,o! to hae with achaste so)%. In this wa#" neither the %oe for #o)r chi%!ren nor fortem'ora% goo!s nor for #o)r re%aties sho)%! !rag #o) awa# from m#%oe. =o not %et ha''en to #o) what ha''ene! to those foo%ish irginswho were not rea!# when the 2or! wishe! to ca%% them to the we!!ingan! were therefore %eft behin!. &econ!" #o) sho)%! hae faith in m#wor!s.

$or I am the tr)th" an! nothing b)t the tr)th comes from m# %i's"an! nobo!# can fin! an#thing b)t tr)th in m# wor!s. At times I mean

what I sa# in a s'irit)a% sense" an! at other times accor!ing to the %etterof the wor!" in which case m# wor!s sho)%! be )n!erstoo! accor!ing totheir na(e! sense. Th)s" nobo!# can acc)se me of %#ing. In the thir!'%ace" #o) sho)%! be obe!ient in or!er for there to be not a sing%e %imbin #o)r bo!# thro)gh which #o) !o wrong an! which #o) !o not s)bmitto the 'ro'er 'enance an! re'aration. A%tho)gh I am mercif)%" I !o notre%in/)ish 0)stice. Therefore" obe# h)mb%# an! cheerf)%%# those whom#o) are bo)n! to obe#" so that #o) !o not !o een that which seems

)sef)% an! reasonab%e to #o) if it goes against obe!ience. It is better togie )' #o)r own wi%% o)t of obe!ience" een if its ob0ect is goo!" an!to fo%%ow the wi%% of #o)r !irector" 'roi!e! it !oes not go against thesa%ation of #o)r so)% or is otherwise irrationa%. In the fo)rth '%ace" #o)sho)%! be h)mb%e" beca)se #o) are )nite! in a s'irit)a% matrimon#.

5o) sho)%! therefore be h)mb%e an! mo!est on the arria% of #o)rbri!egroom. 2et #o)r han!mai! be sober an! restraine!" I mean" %et

#o)r bo!# 'ractice abstinence an! be we%% !isci'%ine!" beca)se #o) wi%%bear the fr)it of s'irit)a% offs'ring for the goo! of man#. In the samewa# as when a shoot is grafte! onto a !r# stem an! the stem begins tob%ossom" #o) m)st bear fr)it an! b%ossom thro)gh m# grace. An! m#grace wi%% intoicate #o)" an! the who%e heaen%# host wi%% re0oice onacco)nt of the sweet wine I wi%% gie #o). =o not %ose tr)st in m#goo!ness. I ass)re #o) that 0)st as echariah an! E%iabeth re0oice! intheir hearts with an in!escribab%e 0o# oer the 'romise of a f)t)re chi%!"

#o)" too" wi%% re0oice oer the grace I want to gie #o)" an!" besi!es"others wi%% re0oice thro)gh #o). It was an ange% who s'o(e to those two"


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echariah an! E%iabeth" b)t it is I" the ,o! an! Creator of the ange%san! of #o)" who s'ea( to #o). $or m# sa(e" those two gae birth to m#most !ear frien! ;ohn. Thro)gh #o) I want man# chi%!ren to be born tome" not of the f%esh b)t of the s'irit. Tr)%#" I te%% #o)" ;ohn was %i(e aree! f)%% of sweetness an! hone#" for nothing )nc%ean eer entere! hismo)th nor !i! he eer go be#on! the %imits of necessit# in getting whathe nee!e! to %ie on. &emen neer %eft his bo!#" which is wh# he canwe%% be ca%%e! an ange% an! a irgin.7

#he bridegroom's words to his bride making admirable use of a fine allegory

about a sorcerer in order to illustrate and explain the devil.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER81

The bri!egroom" ;es)s" s'o(e to his bri!e in a%%egories" )sing theeam'%e of a frog. He sai! 7A certain sorcerer ha! fine g%ittering go%!.A sim'%e an! mi%!-mannere! man came to him an! wante! to b)# thego%!. The sorcerer to%! him +5o) wi%% not get this go%!" )n%ess #o) gie

me better go%! an! in greater /)antit#.+ He answere! him +I !esire #o)rgo%! so m)ch that I wi%% gie #o) what #o) want rather than !o witho)tit.+ After haing gien the sorcerer better go%! in greater /)antit#" hetoo( the g%ittering go%! from him an! ')t it in a case" '%anning to ma(ehimse%f a ring from it for his finger.

:hen a short time ha! 'asse!" the sorcerer went to that sim'%e manan! to%! him +The go%! #o) bo)ght an! ')t in #o)r case is not go%!" as

#o) thin(" b)t an )g%# frog" which was bre! in m# breast an! fe! on m#foo!. An! in or!er to test the tr)th of the matter" o'en the case an! #o)wi%% see how the frog wi%% %ea' to m# breast where it was bre!.+ :henthe man trie! to o'en it an! fin! o)t" a frog co)%! be seen in the case"the coer of which was s)s'en!e! on fo)r hinges that were abo)t to fa%%off. :hen the %i! of the case was o'ene! an! the frog saw the sorcerer"he %ea'e! to his breast. The serants an! frien!s of the sim'%e man sawthis an! sai! to him +4aster" his fine go%! is insi!e the frog an!" if #o)

%i(e" #o) can easi%# get the go%!.+ +How6+ he as(e!. +How can I6+ The#sai! +If someone were to ta(e a er# shar' an! heate! %ancet an! thr)st


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it into the frog+s bac(" he wo)%! soon get the go%! o)t of that 'art of thebac( where there is a ho%%ow. If he cannot fin! a ho%%ow in it" then hesho)%! with eer# effort thr)st his %ancet firm%# into it" an! in that wa##o) wi%% get bac( what #o) bo)ght.+

:ho is this sorcerer if not the !ei%" enticing 'eo'%e to em't#'%eas)res an! g%or#6 He 'romises that what is fa%se is tr)e an! ma(eswhat is tr)e seem to be fa%se. He has 'ossession of that 'recio)s go%!" Imean" of the so)%" which" thro)gh m# !iine 'ower" I ma!e more'recio)s than a%% the stars an! '%anets. I ma!e it immorta% an! stab%e an!more !e%ightf)% to me than the rest of creation. I 're'are! for it aneterna% resting '%ace an! !we%%ing with me. I bo)ght it from the 'ower

of the !ei% with better an! more e'ensie go%! b# giing for it m#own f%esh" imm)ne from eer# sin" an! en!)ring so bitter a 'assion thatnot one of m# %imbs remaine! )nin0)re!. I ')t the re!eeme! so)% in abo!# as in a case" )nti% the time when I wo)%! gie it a '%ace in theco)rt of m# !iine 'resence.

ow" howeer" the re!eeme! h)man so)% has become %i(e a fo)%an! )g%# frog" %ea'ing in his 'ri!e an! %iing in s%ime thro)gh his

sens)a%it#. The go%!" I mean" m# rightf)% 'ossession has been ta(enawa# from me. That is wh# the !ei% can in!ee! sa# to me +The go%!#o) bo)ght is not go%! b)t a frog" bre! in the breast of m# !e%ight.&e'arate the bo!# from the so)% an! #o) wi%% see that it wi%% f%# straightto the breast of m# !e%ight where it was bre!.+ 4# answer to him is this+&ince the frog is horri! to %oo( at" horrib%e to hear an! 'oisono)s toto)ch" an! is no goo! to me an! gies me no !e%ight b)t !oes so for#o)" in whose breast it was bre!" then #o) can hae it" since #o) hae a

right to it. An! so when the %i! is o'ene!" that is" when the so)% isse'arate! from the bo!#" it wi%% f%# straight to #o)" to remain with #o)foreer.+

&)ch is the so)% of the 'erson I am !escribing to #o). It is %i(e anei% frog" f)%% of fi%thiness an! %)st" fe! at the breast of the !ei%. I amcoming now to the case" I mean" to the so)%+s bo!#" thro)gh its coming!eath. The case is s)s'en!e! from fo)r hinges that are abo)t to fa%% off

in the sense that his bo!# is s)''orte! b# fo)r things" name%# strength"bea)t#" wis!om" an! sight" a%% of which are now beginning to fai% him.


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:hen the so)% is se'arate! from the bo!#" it wi%% f%# straight to the !ei%on whose mi%( it was fe!" since it has forgotten m# %oe in ta(ing )' onm#se%f for its sa(e the ')nishment it !esere!. It !oes not re/)ite m#%oe with %oe" b)t" instea!" ta(es m# rightf)% 'ossession awa# fromme.

It owes greater serice to me who re!eeme! it than to an# other" b)tit fin!s greater '%eas)re in the !ei%. The so)n! of his 'ra#er seems %i(ethe so)n! of a frog to me" his %oo(s are abominab%e to me. His ears wi%%neer hear m# 0o#9 his 'oisone! sense of to)ch wi%% neer fee% m#!iinit#. Howeer" beca)se I am mercif)%" if an#one were to to)ch hisso)% now" a%tho)gh it is )nc%ean" an! to eamine it to see if there be an#

contrition in it or an# goo!ness in his wi%%" if an#one were to thr)st intohis min! a shar' an! heate! %ancet" I mean" the fear of m# strict0)!gment" he co)%! sti%% obtain m# grace" if on%# he wo)%! consent to it.If there is no contrition or charit# in him" sti%% there might be someho'e" 'roi!e! someone co)%! 'ierce him with a shar' correction an!reb)(e him strong%#" beca)se so %ong as the so)% %ies in the bo!#" m#merc# %ies o'en to eer#one.

&ee how I !ie! for %oe" #et nobo!# re'a#s me with %oe" b)t the#ta(e from me what is 0)st%# mine. It wo)%! be 0)st if 'eo'%e im'roe!their %ies in 'ro'ortion to the efforts it cost to re!eem them. ow"howeer" 'eo'%e want to %ie a%% the worse in 'ro'ortion to the 'ain Is)ffere! in re!eeming them. The more I show them how abominab%etheir sin is" the more bo%!%# the# want to sin. 2oo(" therefore" an!consi!er how it is not witho)t ca)se that I am angr# The# manage tochange for themse%es m# goo! wi%% into anger. I re!eeme! them from

sin" an! the# get themse%es increasing%# entang%e! in sin. &o" m# bri!e"gie me what #o) are ob%ige! to gie me" I mean" (ee' #o)r so)% c%eanfor me" beca)se I !ie! for it in or!er that #o) might (ee' it c%ean forme.7

#he other's gentle *uestion to the bride, and the bride's humble answer to the

other, and the other's useful reply to the bride, and about the progress of goodpeople among the wicked.


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BOOK1 - CHAPTER88

The 4other s'o(e to the &on+s bri!e" sa#ing 75o) are m# &on+sbri!e. Te%% me what is on #o)r min! an! what #o) wo)%! %i(e37 Thebri!e answere! her 74# 2a!#" #o) (now it" beca)se #o) (noweer#thing.7 The B%esse! *irgin sai! 7A%tho)gh I (now eer#thing" Iwo)%! %i(e #o) to te%% me whi%e the 'ersons here 'resent are %istening.7The bri!e sai! 74# %a!#" I am afrai! of two things. $irst"7 she sai!" 7Iam afrai! that I !o not wee' for m# sins or ma(e amen!s for them asm)ch as I sho)%! %i(e. &econ!" I am sa! beca)se #o)r &on has man#enemies.7

The *irgin 4ar# answere! 7I gie #o) three c)res for #o)r firstworr#. $irst of a%%" thin( abo)t how a%% things that hae s'irit" s)ch asfrogs or other anima%s" hae tro)b%es from time to time" een tho)ghtheir s'irits !o not %ie foreer b)t !ie with their bo!ies. Howeer" #o)rs'irit" an! eer# h)man so)%" !oes %ie foreer. &econ!" thin( abo)t themerc# of ,o!" beca)se there are none who are s)ch sinners that theirsin is not forgien them" if on%# the# 'ra# with a reso%)tion to im'roe

an! with contrition. Thir!" thin( abo)t how m)ch g%or# the so)% gainswhen she %ies with ,o! an! in ,o! foreer.

I gie #o) three c)res as we%% for #o)r secon! worr# abo)t theenemies of ,o! being man#. $irst" consi!er that #o)r ,o! an! #o)rCreator an! theirs is a%so their 0)!ge" an! that the# wi%% neer againsentence him" een tho)gh he 'atient%# ')ts )' with their wic(e!nessfor a time. &econ!. remember that the# are the chi%!ren of !amnation

an! how har! an! )nbearab%e it wi%% be for them to b)rn for a%% eternit#.The# are most wic(e! serants who wi%% get no inheritance" whi%e thechi%!ren wi%% receie the inheritance. B)t 'erha's #o) wi%% sa# +Thensho)%! not one 'reach to them6+ Of co)rse3 Remember that goo! 'eo'%eare fre/)ent%# fo)n! among the ei%. An! a!o'te! chi%!ren sometimest)rn awa# from what is goo!" %i(e the 'ro!iga% son who went to a far off%an! an! %ie! an ei% %ife.

B)t sometimes 'reaching 'ric(s their conscience an! the# ret)rn tothe $ather" as we%come then as the# ha! been sinf)% before. &o one


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sho)%! 'reach es'ecia%%# to them" beca)se" tho)gh a 'reacher ma# on%#see wic(e! 'eo'%e in front of him" he sho)%! thin( to himse%f +Perha'sthere are some among them who wi%% become chi%!ren of m# 2or!. Iwi%% therefore 'reach to them.+ &)ch a 'reacher wi%% get a er# greatrewar!. In the thir! '%ace" consi!er that the wic(e! are 'ermitte! tocontin)e %iing as a tria% for the goo!" so that the#" eas'erate! b# thehabits of the wic(e!" might gain their rewar! as a fr)it of 'atience. 5o)can )n!erstan! this better b# means of an eam'%e. A rose sme%%s sweet"is bea)tif)% to the sight" gent%e to the to)ch" b)t it on%# grows amongthorns that are shar' to the to)ch" )g%# to %oo( at" an! !o not gie off a'%easant scent.

&imi%ar%#" goo! an! righteo)s 'eo'%e" a%tho)gh the# ma# be gent%ethro)gh 'atience" bea)tif)% in their character" an! sweet in their goo!eam'%e" sti%% cannot ma(e 'rogress or be ')t to the test ece't amongthe wic(e!. The thorn is sometimes for the rose+s 'rotection" so that itwi%% not be 'ic(e! before it is in f)%% b%oom. &imi%ar%#" the wic(e! offeran occasion to goo! 'eo'%e not to fo%%ow them in sin" when" beca)se ofthe wic(e!ness of others" the goo! are he%! bac( from coming to r)inthro)gh immo!erate merriment or some other sin. :ine !oes not (ee'

its /)a%it# we%% ece't in !regs" an! neither can goo! an! righteo)s'eo'%e remain )'right an! a!ance in the irt)es witho)t being ')t tothe test thro)gh trib)%ation an! b# being 'ersec)te! b# the )nrighteo)s.&o ')t )' g%a!%# with the enemies of m# &on. Remember that he is their0)!ge an!" if 0)stice !eman!e! that he !estro# them a%%" he co)%! wi'ethem o)t in a moment. To%erate them" then" so %ong as he to%eratesthem37

Christ's words to his bride describing an insincere man, who is called an enemyof od, and especially about his hypocrisy and all about his characteristics.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER8P2AATIO

The first man was a highborn an! 'ro)! cantor who went to;er)sa%em witho)t the 'ermission of the 'o'e an! was seie! b# the!ei%. There is a%so something abo)t this !emoniac in boo( III cha'ter


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!o 'enance67 C)rsing the saints of ,o!" he !ie! that er# same nightwitho)t the sacraments or confession.

#he Lord's admonishments to the bride regarding true and false wisdom, andabout how good angels assist the learned who are good while devils assist the

learned who are bad.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER


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no %onger see him.

I am %i(e a great %or! with man# serants who" on their %or!+sbeha%f" !istrib)te to the 'eo'%e what the# nee!. In this wa# the goo!ange%s an! the ba! ange%s stan! )n!er m# a)thorit#. The goo! ange%sminister to the 'eo'%e who st)!# m# wis!om" I mean those who sereme" no)rishing them with conso%ation an! en0o#ab%e wor(. The ba!ange%s assist the wor%!%# wise. The# ins'ire what the# want in them an!form them after their wi%%" ins'iring s'ec)%ation a%ong with a great !ea%of wor(. 5et" if the# wo)%! t)rn their e#es towar! me" I co)%! gie thembrea! the# !i! not hae to wor( for an! eno)gh of the wor%! to satisf#them. B)t the# neer get eno)gh of the wor%!" since the# t)rn sweet into

so)r for themse%es.

B)t #o)" m# bri!e" sho)%! be %i(e cheese" an! #o)r bo!# %i(e themo%! in which the cheese is mo%!e! )nti% it has the sha'e of the mo%!.In this wa#" #o)r so)%" which is as !e%ightf)% an! goo!-tasting to me ascheese" m)st be trie! an! c%eanse! in the bo!# %ong eno)gh for bo!#an! so)% to reach an accor! an! for both to maintain the same form ofcontinence" so that the f%esh obe#s the s'irit an! the s'irit g)i!es the

f%esh towar! eer# irt)e.7

Christ's instruction to the bride about the way to live. (lso about how the deviladmits to Christ that the bride loves Christ above all things, and about the

*uestion put by the devil to Christ about why he loves her so much, and about thecharity that Christ has for the bride as disclosed by the devil.

BOOK1 - CHAPTER


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instabi%it# of the wor%! )nto stabi%it#" #o) m)st %earn a new %ang)age"that is" how to abstain from )se%ess wor!s an! een from %egitimateones !)e to the im'ortance of si%ence an! /)iet.

5o) sho)%! be !resse! in interior an! eterior h)mi%it# so that #o)neither eto% #o)rse%f inwar!%# as being ho%ier than others nor areo)twar!%# ashame! of acting h)mb%# in ')b%ic. Thir!" #o)r time sho)%!be reg)%ate! so that" 0)st as #o) often )se! to ma(e time for the nee!s ofthe bo!#" so now #o) sho)%! on%# hae time for the so)% an! neer wantto sin against me. $o)rth" #o)r new foo! is 'r)!ent abstinence fromg%)tton# an! from !e%icacies" as far as #o)r nat)ra% constit)tion canen!)re it. Acts of abstinence that go be#on! the ca'acit# of nat)re are

not to m# %i(ing" for I !eman! rationa%it# an! the taming of %)sts.

;)st then the !ei% a''eare!. The 2or! sai! to him 75o) werecreate! b# me an! behe%! a%% 0)stice in me. Te%% me whether this newbri!e is %egitimate%# mine b# 'roen right3 I a%%ow #o) to see an!)n!erstan! her heart in or!er that #o) ma# (now how to answer me.=oes she %oe an#thing e%se as she !oes me or wo)%! she ta(e an#thingin echange for me67 The !ei% answere! him 7&he %oes nothing in

the wa# she %oes #o). Rather than %ose #o) she wo)%! )n!ergo an#torment" 'roi!e! #o) gae her the irt)e of 'atience. I see a (in! ofbon! of fire !escen!ing from #o) to her that ties her heart so m)ch to#o) that she thin(s of an! %oes nothing b)t #o).7

Then the 2or! sai! to the !ei% 7Te%% me what #o) fee% in #o)rheart an! how #o) %i(e this great %oe I hae for her.7 The !ei% re'%ie!an! sai! 7I hae two e#es" one of them cor'orea%" a%tho)gh I am not

cor'orea%" b# means of which I 'erceie tem'ora% things so c%ear%# thatthere is none so hi!!en or so !ar( that it can hi!e itse%f from me. Thesecon! e#e is a s'irit)a% one with which I see eer# 'ain no matter hows%ight an! can )n!erstan! to which sin it 'ertains. There is no sin soten)o)s an! s%ight that I !o not see it" )n%ess it has been ')rge! b#'enance. Howeer" a%tho)gh there are no organs more sensitie than thee#es" sti%% I wo)%! m)ch rather hae two b)rning torches)ninterr)'te!%# 'enetrate m# e#es than for her to see with the e#es of

her s'irit.


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I a%so hae two ears. One of them is cor'orea%" an! no one s'ea(sso 'riate%# that I !o not hear an! (now it with this ear. The secon! is as'irit)a% ear" an! no thin(s of or aims at an# sin" be it eer so hi!!en"that I !o not hear it with this ear" )n%ess it has been b%otte! o)t b#'enance. There is a certain ')nishment in he%% that is %i(e a b)bb%ingtorrent" streaming o)t of a terrib%# hot fire. I wo)%! rather s)ffer this tof%ow in an! o)t of m# ears with o)t cease than that she sho)%! hearan#thing with the ears of her s'irit. I a%so hae a s'irit)a% heart. I wo)%!%et it be cease%ess%# c)t to 'ieces an! constant%# renewe! to be ')nishe!again 0)st in or!er for her heart to grow co%! in #o)r %oe. B)t" now"since #o) !ea% straight%#" %et me as( a /)estion for #o) to answer meTe%% me" wh# !o #o) %oe her so m)ch" an! wh# !i! #o) not choose

someone ho%ier" richer" an! 'rettier for #o)rse%f67 The 2or! answere!7Beca)se that is what 0)stice !eman!e!. 5o) were create! in me an!behe%! a%% 0)stice in me.

Te%% me" whi%e she is %istening" wh# it was 0)st that #o) fe%% so faran! what #o) were thin(ing when #o) fe%%37 The !ei% answere! 7I sawthree things in #o) I saw #o)r g%or# an! honor aboe a%% things" an! Itho)ght abo)t m# own g%or#. Hence I was !etermine! in m# 'ri!e not

mere%# to be e/)a% to #o) b)t een greater than #o). &econ!" I saw that#o) were the most 'owerf)% of a%%. Hence I %onge! to be more 'owerf)%than #o). Thir!" I saw what was to be in the f)t)re an!" since #o)r g%or#an! honor were witho)t beginning an! wo)%! be with o)t en!" I enie!#o) an! tho)ght that I wo)%! g%a!%# be tort)re! foreer with a%% mannerof harsh ')nishments if on%# #o) co)%! !ie. :ith s)ch tho)ghts I fe%%.An! in that wa# he%% was create!.7

The 2or! answere! 75o) as(e! me wh# I %oe this woman som)ch. Ass)re!%#" it is beca)se I change a%% #o)r ei% into goo!. &ince#o) became 'ro)! an! !i! not want to hae me" #o)r Creator" as ane/)a%" therefore" h)mi%iating m#se%f in eer# wa#" I gather sinners tom#se%f an! ma(e m#se%f their e/)a% b# sharing m# g%or# with them.&econ!" since #o) ha! so base a !esire that #o) wante! to be more'owerf)% than I" therefore I ma(e sinners more 'owerf)% than #o) an!sharers in m# 'ower. Thir!" beca)se of #o)r en# towar! me" I am so

f)%% of %oe that I offere! m#se%f )' for eer#one.7 Then the 2or! sai!


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7ow" !ei%" #o)r heart of !ar(ness has been shown in the %ight.Te%% me" whi%e she is %istening" how I %oe her.7 An! the !ei% sai! 7If itwere 'ossib%e" #o) wo)%! rea!i%# s)ffer in each an! eer# %imb thesame 'ain #o) once s)ffere! on the cross in a%% #o)r %imbs together"rather than %ose her.7 Then the 2or! answere! 7If I am so mercif)%"then" that I !o not ref)se 'ar!on to an#one as(ing for it" as( me h)mb%#for merc# #o)rse%f" an! I wi%% gie it to #o).7 The !ei% answere! him7That I sha%% !o b# no means3 At the time of m# fa%%" a ')nishment wasestab%ishe! for eer# sin" for eer# worth%ess tho)ght or wor!. Eer#s'irit that has fa%%en wi%% hae his ')nishment.

B)t rather than ben! m# (nee before #o)" I wo)%! rather swa%%ow

a%% the ')nishments m#se%f" as %ong as m# mo)th can o'en an! sh)t in')nishment an! be foreer renewe! to be ')nishe! again.7 Then the2or! sai! to his bri!e 7&ee how har!ene! the 'rince of the wor%! is an!how 'owerf)% he is against me than(s to m# hi!!en 0)stice3 I co)%!certain%# !estro# him in a secon! b# means of m# 'ower" b)t I !o nomore harm to him than to a goo! ange% in heaen. :hen his timecomes" an! it is now a''roaching" I sha%% 0)!ge him an! his fo%%owers.&o" m# bri!e" 'erseere in goo! wor(s3 2oe me with #o)r who%e heart3

4a# #o) fear nothing b)t me3 $or I am the 2or! oer the !ei% an! oereer#thing in eistence.7

#he "irgin's words to the bride, explaining her own sorrow at the passion ofChrist, and about how the world was sold through (dam and /ve and bought

back through Christ and his "irgin other.

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was for me %i(e m# own heart. This is wh#" when I gae birth to him" Ife%t as tho)gh ha%f m# heart was being born an! going o)t of me. :henhe was s)ffering" it fe%t %i(e m# own heart was s)ffering. :hensomething is ha%f o)tsi!e an! ha%f insi!e an! the 'art o)tsi!e gets h)rt"the 'art insi!e fee%s a simi%ar 'ain. In the same wa#" when m# &on wasbeing sco)rge! an! wo)n!e!" it was as tho)gh m# own heart was beingsco)rge! an! wo)n!e!.

I was the 'erson c%osest to him at his 'assion an! was neerse'arate! from him. I was stan!ing near his cross an!" as that which isc%osest to the heart h)rts the worst" so his 'ain was worse for me thanfor the others. As he gae! !own at me from the cross an! I gae! at

him" m# tears g)she! from m# e#es %i(e b%oo! from eins. :hen hesaw me oerwhe%me! b# 'ain" he grew so !istresse! oer m# 'ain thata%% the 'ain of his own wo)n!s s)bsi!e! when he saw the 'ain in me. Ican therefore bo%!%# sa# that his 'ain was m# 'ain an! his heart m#heart. ;)st as A!am an! Ee so%! the wor%! for a sing%e a''%e" #o)might sa# that m# &on an! I bo)ght the wor%! bac( with a sing%e heart.An! so" m# !a)ghter" thin( of me as I was at the !eath of m# &on" an!it wi%% not be har! for #o) to gie )' the wor%!.7

#he Lord's answer to an angel who was praying that distress in body and soulmight be granted to the bride, and about how greater distress is given to more

perfect souls.

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There is the merc# b# which the bo!# is ')nishe! an! the so)% iss'are!" as in the case of m# serant ;ob whose f%esh was s)b0ecte! to a%%(in!s of 'ain b)t whose so)% was sae!. The secon! (in! of merc# isthat b# which bo!# an! so)% are s'are! from ')nishment" as in the caseof the (ing who %ie! in a%% (in!s of %)st an! ha! no 'ain either in bo!#or so)% whi%e he was in the wor%!. The thir! (in! of merc# is that b#which bo!# an! so)% are ')nishe! with the res)%t that the# e'erienceboth !istress in their bo!# an! 'ain in their heart" as in the case of Peteran! Pa)% an! other saints.

There are three states for h)man beings in the wor%!. The first stateis that of those who fa%% into sin an! get )' again. &ometimes I 'ermit

these 'eo'%e to e'erience !istress in their bo!ies in or!er that the# ma#be sae!. The secon! state is that of those who wo)%! %ie foreer inor!er to sin foreer. A%% their !esire is !irecte! towar! the wor%!. If the#!o an#thing for me from time to time" the# !o it in the ho'es of theirtem'ora% a!antages growing an! 'ros'ering. either ')nishment ofbo!# nor er# m)ch 'ain of heart is gien to these 'eo'%e.

Instea!" the# are a%%owe! to fo%%ow their own 'ower an! !esire"

beca)se the# wi%% receie their rewar! here be%ow for the %east %itt%egoo! the# hae !one me" for theirs wi%% be an eer%asting ')nishment"inasm)ch as their wi%% to sin is eer%asting. The thir! state is that ofthose who are more afrai! of sinning against me an! offen!ing m# wi%%than the# are of an# ')nishment. The# wo)%! rather be tort)re! with)nbearab%e ')nishment in eternit# than (nowing%# 'roo(e me to anger.=istress of bo!# an! heart is gien to these 'eo'%e" as in the case ofPeter an! Pa)% an! other saints" so that the# might ma(e amen!s for

their transgressions in this wor%!9 or e%se the# are chastise! for a timeeither for the sa(e of their greater g%or# or as an eam'%e to others. Ihae shown this threefo%! merc# to three 'ersons in this (ing!omwhose names are (nown to #o).

ow then" m# ange% an! m# serant" what (in! of merc# !o #o)as( for m# bri!e67 An! he sai! 74erc# of so)% an! bo!#" so that shema# ma(e amen!s for her transgressions in this wor%! an! so that no sin

of hers wi%% come )n!er #o)r 0)!gment.7 The 2or! answere! 7Be it!one accor!ing to #o)r wi%%37 Then he s'o(e to the bri!e 75o) are


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neerthe%ess" the 'er'etrator sho)%! be acc)se! an! sentence! onacco)nt of his ma%icio)s intention to in0)re. 2i(ewise" the ices b#which the# cr)cif# m# &on in a s'irit)a% sense are more abominab%e tohim an! more serio)s than the ices of those who cr)cifie! him in thebo!#.

B)t 'erha's #o) as( +How !o the# cr)cif# him6+ :e%%" first the#')t him on the cross the# hae 're'are! for him. This is when the# ta(eno notice of the 'rece'ts of their Creator an! 2or!. Then the# !ishonorhim when he warns them thro)gh his serants to sere him" an! the#!es'ise this an! !o as the# '%ease. The# cr)cif# his right han! b#mista(ing 0)stice for in0)stice" sa#ing +&in is not so grae an! o!io)s to

,o! as it is sai! nor !oes ,o! ')nish an#one foreer" b)t his threats areon%# to scare )s. :h# wo)%! he re!eem )s if he wante! )s to 'erish6+The# !o not consi!er that the %east %itt%e sin a 'erson !e%ights in iseno)gh to sen! him or her to eterna% ')nishment. &ince ,o! !oes not %etthe %east %itt%e sin go )n')nishe! nor the %east goo! go )nrewar!e!" the#wi%% a%wa#s hae a ')nishment inasm)ch as the# hae a constantintention of sinning" an! m# &on" who sees their heart" co)nts that as anact. $or the# wo)%! carr# o)t their intention" if m# &on 'ermitte! it.

The# cr)cif# his %eft han! b# t)rning irt)e into ice. The# want tocontin)e sinning )nti% the en!" sa#ing +If we sa# at the en!" 0)st once"7,o!" hae merc# on me37 ,o!+s merc# is so great that he wi%% 'ar!on)s.+ This is not irt)e" wanting to sin witho)t ma(ing amen!s" wantingto get the 'rie witho)t haing to str)gg%e for it" not )n%ess there issome contrition in the heart" not )n%ess a 'erson rea%%# wants to men!his wa#s" if on%# he co)%! !o so were it not for i%%ness or some other

im'e!iment. The# cr)cif# his feet b# ta(ing '%eas)re in sinning witho)tonce thin(ing of m# &on+s bitter ')nishment or witho)t once than(inghim from the bottom of their hearts an! sa#ing +,o!" how bitter%# #o)s)ffere!3 Praise be to #o) for #o)r !eath3+ &)ch wor!s neer come fromtheir %i's.

The# crown him with a crown of !erision b# !eri!ing his serantsan! thin( it meaning%ess to sere him. The# gie him ga%% to !rin( when

the# re0oice an! e)%t in sin. The tho)ght of how serio)s an! man#-%a#ere! sin is neer stri(es their min!. The# 'ierce his si!e when the#


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wor(s an! mirac%es eer# !a#" the# ta(e a!antage of his (in!nesses.The# hear abo)t how the# o)ght to sere him an! come to him" b)t the#thin( to themse%es +It wo)%! be hea# an! )nbearab%e to gie )' a%%o)r tem'ora% goo!s" to hae to !o his wi%% an! not o)r own.+Accor!ing%#" the# scorn his wi%%" %est it be '%ace! oer their own wi%%"an! cr)cif# m# &on thro)gh their obstinac#" 'i%ing )' sin )'on sinagainst their conscience. The# are worse than his cr)cifiers" inasm)chas the ;ews acte! o)t of en# an! beca)se the# !i! not (now him to be,o!. These" howeer" (now him to be ,o! an!" o)t of their ownwic(e!ness an! 'res)m'tion an! gree!" the# cr)cif# him in a s'irit)a%sense more harsh%# than the others !i! in a 'h#sica% sense" for these'eo'%e hae been re!eeme!" whereas those others ha! not #et been

re!eeme!. An! so" bri!e" obe# an! fear m# &on" for" as mercif)% as heis" he is a%so 0)st37

( pleasant dialogue of od the +ather with the &on, and about how the +athergave the &on a new bride, and how the &on took her with pleasure to be his own,

and about how the bridegroom teaches the bride about patience and simplicity

through a parable.

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beginning or en!" be !one in me3 I sha%% we%come her to m#se%f into m#%oe" into #o)r 'ower" into the g)i!ance of the Ho%# &'irit" we being notthree go!s b)t one ,o!.7 Then the &on sai! to his bri!e 75o) hear!how the $ather has entr)ste! #o) to me %i(e a shee'. 5o) m)st thereforebe sim'%e an! 'atient %i(e a shee' an! 'ro!)ce foo! an! c%othing.

Three 'eo'%e are in the wor%!. The first is a%together na(e!" thesecon! is thirst#" the thir! is h)ngr#. The first stan!s for the faith of m#ch)rch" an! it is na(e! beca)se eer#one b%)shes to s'ea( of faith an!m# comman!ments. An! if some 'eo'%e !o s'ea(" the# are scorne! an!ca%%e! %iars. 4# wor!s" 'rocee!ing from m# mo)th" sho)%! c%othe thisfaith %i(e woo%. ;)st as woo% grows on the bo!# of a shee' thro)gh heat"

so too m# wor!s enter #o)r heart thro)gh the heat of m# !iine an!h)man nat)re. The# wi%% c%othe m# ho%# faith in the testimon# of tr)than! wis!om" an! the# wi%% 'roe that what is now regar!e! asmeaning%ess is tr)e.

As a res)%t" the 'eo'%e who )' to now hae been %)(ewarm abo)tc%othing their faith in !ee!s of %oe wi%% be conerte! when the# hearm# wor!s of %oe" an! the# wi%% be reen(in!%e! in or!er to s'ea( with

faith an! act with co)rage. The secon! 'erson stan!s for those frien!sof mine who hae a thirsting !esire to see m# honor 'erfecte! an! are)'set at me being !ishonore!. The sweetness the# sense in m# wor!swi%% inebriate them with a greater %oe for me" an!" together with them"others" now !ea!" wi%% be en(in!%e! in m# %oe" when the# hear of themerc# I hae shown to sinners. The thir! stan!s for those who thin( intheir hearts as fo%%ows +If on%# we (new"+ the# sa#" +the wi%% of ,o! an!in what wa# we sho)%! %ie" an! if on%# we were ta)ght abo)t the goo!

wa# of %ife" we wo)%! g%a!%# !o what we co)%!.+

These 'eo'%e are h)ngr# to get to (now m# wa#" b)t there is no oneto satisf# them" since nobo!# shows them eact%# what to !o. Een ifthe# are shown what to !o" no one %ies accor!ing to it. Therefore" thewor!s seem !ea! to them" beca)se nobo!# %ies accor!ing to them. $orthat reason I m#se%f wi%% show them what the# o)ght to !o an! I wi%% fi%%them with m# sweetness. Tem'ora% things" which seem to be so)ght

after b# eer#one now" cannot satisf# h)man nat)re b)t on%# s')r the!esire to see( more an! more things. 4# wor!s an! m# %oe" howeer"


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BOOK1 - CHAPTERD1

I am the Creator of a%% things. I was born from the $ather before2)cifer came to be. I eist inse'arab%# in the $ather an! the $ather inme an! one &'irit in both. Accor!ing%#" there is one ,o! - $ather" &on"an! Ho%# &'irit - an! not three go!s. I am he who ma!e the 'romise ofan eterna% inheritance to Abraham an! %e! m# 'eo'%e o)t of Eg#'tthro)gh 4oses. I am he who s'o(e thro)gh the 'ro'hets. The $ather'%ace! me in the womb of the *irgin" witho)t se'arating himse%f fromme b)t remaining inse'arab%# with me" in or!er that man(in!" who ha!aban!one! ,o!" might ret)rn to ,o! thro)gh m# %oe. ow" howeer"

in #o)r 'resence" heaen%# host" a%tho)gh #o) see an! (now a%% thingsin me" for the sa(e of the (now%e!ge an! instr)ction of this bri!e here"who cannot 'erceie s'irit)a% things ece't b# means of 'h#sica% ones"I state m# grieance before #o) regar!ing the fie men here 'resent" forthe# are offensie to me in man# wa#s.

In the same wa# as once I inc%)!e! the who%e Israe%ite nation )n!erthe name of Israe% in the 2aw" so now b# these fie men I mean

eer#one in the wor%!. The first man stan!s for the %ea!er of the ch)rchan! for his 'riests" the secon! for the wic(e! %ait#" the thir! for the;ews" the fo)rth for the 'agans" the fifth for m# frien!s. :ith regar! to#o)" ;ew" I ma(e an ece'tion for a%% the ;ews who are secret%#Christians an! who sere me in sincere charit# an! )'right faith an!'erfect wor(s in secret. An! with regar! to #o)" Pagan" I ma(e anece'tion for a%% those who wo)%! g%a!%# wa%( in the wa# of m#comman!ments" if on%# the# (new how an! if the# were instr)cte!" b)t

who tr# to ')t into 'ractice as m)ch as the# (now an! are ab%e.

These wi%% b# no means be sentence! together with #o). I now statem# grieance abo)t #o)" hea! of m# ch)rch" #o) who sit on m# seat. Igae this seat to Peter an! his s)ccessors to sit on with a threefo%!!ignit# an! a)thorit# first" in or!er that the# might hae the 'ower ofbin!ing an! %oosing so)%s from sin9 secon!" so that the# wo)%! o'enheaen for 'enitents9 thir!" so that the# wo)%! c%ose heaen to the

!amne! an! to those who scorn me. B)t #o)" who sho)%! be abso%ingso)%s an! 'resenting them to me" #o) are rea%%# a s%a#er of so)%s.


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I set )' Peter as she'her! an! serant of m# shee'. B)t #o) scatteran! wo)n! them9 #o) are worse than 2)cifer. He was enio)s of mean! %onge! to (i%% none b)t me so that he might r)%e in m# stea!. B)t#o) are a%% the worse in that not on%# !o #o) (i%% me b# c)tting me offfrom #o)rse%f thro)gh #o)r ba! wor(s b)t #o) a%so (i%% so)%s thro)gh#o)r ba! eam'%e. I re!eeme! so)%s with m# b%oo! an! entr)ste! themto #o) as to a faithf)% frien!. B)t #o) han! them bac( to the enem#from whom I re!eeme! them. 5o) are more )n0)st than Pi%ate. He on%#sentence! me to !eath. B)t #o) not on%# sentence me as if I were aworth%ess %or! of nothing" #o) a%so sentence the so)%s of m# chosenones an! %et the g)i%t# go free. 5o) are more merci%ess than ;)!as. He

on%# so%! me. B)t #o) not on%# se%% me b)t a%so the so)%s of m# chosenones for #o)r own base 'rofit an! em't# re')tation. 5o) are moreabominab%e than the ;ews. The# on%# cr)cifie! m# bo!#. B)t #o)cr)cif# an! ')nish the so)%s of m# chosen ones for whom #o)r ei% an!#o)r transgression are harsher than an# swor!.

An! so" since #o) are %i(e 2)cifer an! more )n0)st than Pi%ate an!more merci%ess than ;)!as an! more abominab%e than the ;ews" m#

grieance abo)t #o) is 0)stifie!. The 2or! sai! to the secon! man" thatis" to the %ait# 7I create! a%% things for #o)r )se. 5o) gae #o)r consentto me an! I to #o). 5o) '%e!ge! me #o)r faith an! 'romise! b# #o)roath that #o) wo)%! sere me. ow" howeer" #o) hae !e'arte! fromme %i(e someone who !oes not (now ,o!. 5o) regar! m# wor!s as a%ie" m# wor(s as meaning%ess. 5o) sa# m# wi%% an! m# comman!mentsare too hea#. 5o) hae io%ate! the faith #o) '%e!ge!. 5o) haebro(en #o)r oath an! aban!one! m# name. 5o) hae !isassociate!

#o)rse%f from the com'an# of m# saints an! hae 0oine! the com'an#of the !ei%s an! become their associate. 5o) !o not thin( an#one isworth# of 'raise an! honor ece't #o)rse%f.

5o) fin! !iffic)%t eer#thing haing to !o with me an! that #o) areob%ige! to !o for me" whi%e the things #o) %i(e to !o are eas# for #o).That is wh# m# grieance concerning #o) is 0)stifie!" for #o) haebro(en the faith #o) '%e!ge! me both in ba'tism an! s)bse/)ent%#. On

to' of that" #o) een charge me with %#ing abo)t the %oe I hae shown#o) in wor! an! !ee!. 5o) sa# I was a foo% for s)ffering.7 He sai! to


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Their hea!gear wi%% sin( into he%%+s m)!" an! the# themse%es wi%%neer get )' o)t of it. Th)s" 0)st as thro)gh honor an! 'ri!e the# roseaboe others here on earth" so in he%% the# wi%% sin( so m)ch more!ee'%# than others that it wi%% be im'ossib%e for them to rise. Their%imbs" I mean" a%% the fawning 'riests who fo%%owe! them" wi%% be c)toff from them an! ta(en a'art 0)st %i(e a wa%% that is torn !own wherestone is not %eft )'on stone an! the cement no %onger a!heres to thestones.

4erc# wi%% not come to them" for m# %oe wi%% neer warm themnor b)i%! them into an eterna% mansion in heaen. Instea!" stri''e! ofeer# goo!" the# wi%% be en!%ess%# tormente! a%ong with their hea!men.

I sa# to the secon! man &ince #o) !o not want to (ee' the faith'romise! to me or show %oe towar! me" I wi%% sen! to #o) an anima%that wi%% come from the im'et)o)s torrent to swa%%ow #o). An! as atorrent a%wa#s r)ns !ownwar!" so the anima% wi%% carr# #o) !own to the%owest 'arts of he%%. As im'ossib%e as it is for #o) to trae% )'streamagainst an im'et)o)s torrent" it wi%% be 0)st as har! for #o) eer toascen! from he%%.

I sa# to the thir! man &ince #o)" ;ew" !o not want to be%iee that Ihae come" therefore" when I come for the secon! 0)!gment" #o) wi%%see me not in m# g%or# b)t in #o)r conscience" an! #o) wi%% ascertainthat a%% the things I sai! to #o) were tr)e. Then there remains for #o) tobe ')nishe! as #o) !esere. I sa# to the fo)rth man &ince #o) !o notcare to be%iee or want to (now" #o)r own !ar(ness wi%% be #o)r %ight"an! #o)r heart wi%% be en%ightene! to )n!erstan! that m# 0)!gments aretr)e" b)t" howeer" #o) wi%% not come to the %ight. I sa# to the fifth man

I sha%% !o three things for #o). $irst" I wi%% fi%% #o) inwar!%# with m#warmth. &econ!" I wi%% ma(e #o)r mo)th har!er an! firmer than an#stone" so that the stones thrown at #o) wi%% bo)nce bac(.

Thir!" I wi%% arm #o) with m# wea'ons so that no s'ear wi%% harm#o) b)t eer#thing wi%% gie wa# before #o) %i(e wa in the face of fire.Be therefore ma!e strong an! stan! %i(e a man3 2i(e a so%!ier in warwho awaits the he%' of his %or! an! fights as %ong as he sti%% has somef%)i! in him" so too #o)" stan! firm an! fight3 The 2or!" #o)r ,o!"

whom none can withstan!" wi%% gie #o) he%'. An! since #o) are few inn)mber" I wi%% gie #o) honor an! ma(e #o) man#. Beho%!" m# frien!s"


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#o) see these things an! (now them in me" an! th)s the# stan! beforeme. The wor!s I hae now s'o(en wi%% be f)%fi%%e!. These men wi%%neer enter into m# (ing!om" as %ong as I am (ing" )n%ess the# men!their wa#s. $or heaen wi%% be gien to none b)t those who h)mb%ethemse%es an! !o 'enance.7 Then a%% the host answere! 7Praise be to#o)" 2or! ,o!" who are witho)t beginning or en!37

#he "irgin's words of exhortation to the bride concerning how she ought to loveher &on above all things, and about how every virtue and grace is contained in

the glorious "irgin.

BOOK1 - CHAPTERD8

The 4other s'o(e 7I ha! three irt)es b# which I '%ease! m# &on.I ha! s)ch h)mi%it# that no creat)re" whether ange% or man" wash)mb%er than I. &econ!" I ha! obe!ience b# which I stroe to obe# m#&on in a%% things. Thir!" I ha! o)tstan!ing charit#. $or this reason I haereceie! threefo%! honor from m# &on. $irst" I was gien more honor

than ange%s an! men" so that there is no irt)e in ,o! that !oes notshine in me" a%tho)gh he is the so)rce an! Creator of a%% things. B)t Iam the creat)re to whom he has grante! the most grace in com'arisonwith others.

&econ!" in ret)rn for m# obe!ience I ac/)ire! s)ch 'ower that thereis no sinner" howeer )nc%ean" who wi%% not receie 'ar!on if he t)rns tome with a ')r'ose of amen!ment an! a contrite heart. Thir!" in ret)rn

for m# charit#" ,o! has !rawn so c%ose to me that whoeer sees ,o!sees me" an! whoeer sees me can see the !iine an! h)man nat)re inme an! me in ,o! as tho)gh in a mirror. $or whoeer sees ,o! seesthree 'ersons in him an! whoeer sees me sees" as it were" three'ersons. $or ,o! has c%as'e! me in so)% an! bo!# to himse%f an! hasfi%%e! me with eer# irt)e" so that there is no irt)e in ,o! that !oesnot shine in me" a%tho)gh ,o! is the $ather an! gier of a%% irt)es. Aswith two con0oine! bo!ies - the one receies whateer the other

receies - so ,o! has !one with me. o sweetness eists that is not inme.


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It is %i(e someone who has a n)t an! shares a 'art of it with another'erson. 4# so)% an! bo!# are ')rer than the s)n an! c%eaner than amirror. Hence" 0)st as three 'ersons wo)%! be seen in a mirror if the#stoo! before it" so too the $ather an! &on an! Ho%# &'irit can be seen inm# ')rit#. Once I ha! m# &on in m# womb together with his !iinenat)re. ow he is to be seen in me with both his !iine an! h)mannat)res as in a mirror" for I hae been g%orifie!. &o" bri!e of m# &on"strie to imitate m# h)mi%it# an! %oe nothing b)t m# &on37

#he &on's words to the bride about how people rise up from a small good to theperfect good and sink down from a small evil to the greatest punishment.

BOOK1 - CHAPTERDP2AATIO

Christ" the &on of ,o!" s'ea(s 7This 'roost is materia% for thee'isco'ate. :hoeer wants to c%imb the tree of sweet fr)it sho)%! be

free from eer# b)r!en" gir!e! an! rea!# for gathering" haing a c%eanesse% in which to ')t the fr)it. 2et this man see( eager%# now to


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!ecorate his bo!# with irt)es. He sho)%! s)''%# it with the necessitiesb)t not the s)'erf%)ities of %ife. He sho)%! f%ee the occasions ofincontinence an! gree! an! show himse%f to be a c%ean mirror an! aneam'%e for im'erfect men. Otherwise a horrib%e fa%% wi%% come )'onhim" a s)!!en en! b# the stro(e of m# han!.7A%% this came to 'ass.

Christ's words to the bride comparing the good conduct and good deeds of theclergy to clear water and their bad conduct and bad deeds to filthy, brutish water.

BOOKD - CHAPTERG

The &on s'ea(s 75o) can te%% that water from a s'ring is not goo!"!e'en!ing on three things. $irst" if the water !oes not hae the 'ro'erco%or9 secon!" if it is m)!!#9 thir!" if it is a%wa#s stagnant an! not inmotion" %etting in !irt b)t not getting ri! of it.B# these waters" I hae in min! the con!)ct an! hearts of the c%erg#. Inthe goo!ness of their con!)ct" the# sho)%! be %i(e s'ringwater that is

sweet to !rin(" im'erio)s to a%% the !irt of ice. Therefore" a 'riest+s'ro'er co%or is tr)e h)mi%it#. The more he sees himse%f as ob%ige! towor( for ,o!" the more he wi%% h)mb%e himse%f in tho)ght an! !ee!.The !ei%+s co%or is fo)n! whereer there is 'ri!e. Pri!e is %i(e a %e'ro)shan! scoo'ing )' water from a s'ring an! ma(ing the water itse%f seemre')%sie to those watching. In the same wa#" a 'riest+s 'ri!e shows hiswor(s to be !efi%e!.

The water is m)!!# if a 'riest is gree!# an! not content with thenecessities of %ife. :hen he is anio)s he is )se%ess to himse%f an!harmf)% to others thro)gh the eam'%e of his gree!. Thir!" the water is)nc%ean when it %ets in b)t !oes not ri! itse%f of an# !irt. This arisesboth from its o)t%et being c%ose! an! beca)se it has no motion. A 'riestis th)s )nc%ean when he %oes carna% '%eas)res in his heart an! bo!# an!!oes not get ri! of the )nc%ean things that occ)r to him. B%emishesan#where on the bo!# are )g%# b)t es'ecia%%# so on the face. In the

same wa#" im')rit# sho)%! be hatef)% to eer#one b)t es'ecia%%# tothose who are ca%%e! to higher things. Accor!ing%#" those 'riests sho)%!


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be chosen for m# wor( who are not f)%% of erbose (now%e!ge b)t ofh)mi%it# an! ')rit#" who behae we%% in themse%es an! teach others b#wor! an! eam'%e. Een a %e'ro)s han! is )sef)% for m# wor("'roi!e! the min! is goo! an! the s'irit)a% han! is not %ac(ing.7

#he other's words to her daughter narrating in order the passion of her blessed&on, and describing her &on's beauty and form.

BOOKD - CHAPTER

The 4other s'ea(s 7:hen m# &on+s 'assion was near at han!"tears fi%%e! his e#es an! sweat coere! his bo!# from fear of s)ffering.et" he was ta(en from m# sight" an! I !i! not see him again )nti% hewas %e! o)t to be sco)rge!.He was then !ragge! a%ong the gro)n! an! thrown !own so cr)e%%# an!io%ent%# that it (noc(e! his hea! abo)t an! bro(e his teeth. He wasstr)c( on his nec( an! chee( so forcef)%%# that the so)n! of the b%owsreache! m# ears.

At the comman! of the eec)tioner" he )n!resse! himse%f an! free%#h)gge! the 'i%%ar. He was bo)n! with a ro'e an! then sco)rge! withbarbe! whi's. The barbs ca)ght in his s(in an! were then ')%%e!bac(war!" not 0)st tearing b)t '%owing into him so as to wo)n! hiswho%e bo!#.

At the first b%ow" it was as tho)gh m# heart ha! been 'ierce! an! Iha! %ost the )se of m# senses. Then" coming o)t of it" I see his who%e

wo)n!e! bo!# - for his bo!# was na(e! !)ring the sco)rging. Then oneof his enemies sai! to the eec)tioners +=o #o) inten! to (i%% this manwitho)t a sentence an! ca)se his !eath #o)rse%es6+ He c)t the ro'es ashe sai! this. Once re%ease! from the 'i%%ar" m# &on t)rne! first to get hisc%othes" #et he was not gien the time to ')t them on b)t was %e! awa#whi%e sti%% ')tting his arms into his s%eees. The foot'rints he %eft at the'i%%ar were so f)%% of b%oo! that I co)%! easi%# ma(e them o)t an! seewhich wa# the# %e! b# the mar( of his b%oo!. An! he wi'e! his b%oo!#

face with his t)nic.


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After the sentence he was %e! o)t carr#ing the cross" b)t" a%ong thewa#" another man too( his t)rn carr#ing it. Once he arrie! at the '%acefor cr)cifiion" a hammer an! fo)r shar' nai%s were rea!# for him there.He too( off his c%othes when or!ere! b)t coere! his 'riate 'arts witha sma%% c%oth. He 'rocee!e! to tie it on as tho)gh it gae him someconso%ation to !o so. The cross was '%ante! firm%#" an! the crossbeamwas so '%ace! that the 0)nct)re was at the center of the sho)%!er b%a!es.The cross !i! not hae an# (in! of hea!rest. The sign with his sentenceon it was attache! to each arm of the cross stic(ing o)t aboe the hea!.

On being or!ere!" he %a# !own with his bac( to the cross an!" whenhe was as(e! to !o so" first stretche! o)t his right han!. Then" since his

%eft han! co)%! not reach the other corner of the cross" it ha! to bestretche! o)t at f)%% %ength. His feet were simi%ar%# stretche! o)t toreach the s%ots for the nai%s an! '%ace! crosswise" an!" as if the# ha!been %oosene! from the shinbones" were fastene! to the woo! of thecross b# two nai%s !rien thro)gh so%i! bone" as ha! been !one with hishan!s. At the first hammer stro(e" I was thrown into a st)'or of sorrow"an! when I awo(e I saw m# &on a%rea!# fastene! to the cross. I hear!men sa#ing to one another +:hat has this man committe! - theft"

robber#" or fra)!6+ Others answere! that he was a fra)!. Then the crownof thorns was ')she! !own on his hea! so har! that it came !own to themi!!%e of his forehea!. &treams of b%oo! 'o)re! !own from where thethorns sat an! fi%%e! his face an! hair an! e#es an! bear! so that a%mostnothing at a%% b)t b%oo! co)%! be seen. He co)%! not een see mestan!ing there b# the cross witho)t b%in(ing to get ri! of the b%oo!.

After he ha! entr)ste! me to his !isci'%e" he %ifte! )' his hea!"

raise! his wee'ing e#es to heaen" an! crie! o)t with a oice from !ee'within his chest" sa#ing +4# ,o!" m# ,o!" wh# hae #o) aban!one!me6+ eer was I ab%e to forget that cr#" not )nti% I came to heaen" thecr# that he )ttere!" moe! more b# m# s)ffering than b# his own. owthe co%or of !eath a''eare! in those 'arts of his bo!# that wer

revelations of st bridget books 1-12

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