Letter 19: To Mar Qamishoʿ, a small admonition to the newly established director of the monastery

Letter 19: A small admonition to him who has recently been placed at the head of the community. To the venerable and God-loving brother, the esteemed Mar Qamishoʿ. Ishoʿyahb greets him in the Lord. I received and read the letter you sent. I also rejoiced at the arrival of the brothers who came to me. And concerning your diligence, I gave thanks to the Lord. And that I might complete my coming to you as requested, the multitude of affairs that have come upon me, along with the obstacles in the midst, have prevented me. A door has been opened for me in the Lord, well-prepared for coming. But concerning those matters which, through the presumption of zeal, you wrote to me as a reproach to the inner conscience, do not be quickly agitated as if by impossibilities or small hopes. For he is faithful in his words and rich in all that he calls to him. Only in peace, which is written. And if, according to the requests, changes have been made to its addition, and if otherwise and with the inner, even so it has been made. And concerning that which you also wrote to me about the weakness of the authority in the service of the brotherhood that was imposed upon you, do not even in vain hope in those who are enemies. For not by hands do paths succeed, even if there are many who are diligent. But in that which can do a power greater than all for you, and greater than what you ask and desire. Do not therefore be moved either by word or by voice. If you have placed yourself to serve the work of the many, but endure, be strong, and gain spirit. And even until that which Ezekiel said, if it should happen. For the world is not stripped of those like these: as many as are in the churches and in the laity. It is possible to benefit and profit, but to enliven and be enlivened, while the authority of the spirit becomes your guide and that of your subordinates. And if a man stumbles, the Lord heals him. Know, my brothers, that among the sons of peace and those who desire to live.

The Lord also knows his own works. Trust in him, then, and keep his path. And he will raise you to the lordship of the earth. And the hope that is set over every head is turned toward the Lord, and life is given. As for the story of his conduct, the venerable deeds of your blessed father, the bishop, I am prevented from writing. This very hour is an obstacle to me, along with this. For there is not even time, given the multitude of daily tasks. And this work of writing about the spirit of thoughts is difficult. As for the neighbor about whom you wrote to me, if you have not yet struck him down, let him now be his own concern, lest when his root is established, he disturb you daily. He who is able to be set for this, if he wishes, is only a misanthrope. And if he is a heretic, as is his custom, know that he wishes to mock you. And now one of two things is to be done: either to endure his help, or to follow after the patriarch and quickly choose from among them. As for the rest of everything: beware, and again beware, and especially beware, and always beware. Be strong, and pray for me.