John Sinaites, Climax

Let it be known to all who read or copy this holy book, the holy fathers of God, that this blessed father, to whom this soul-illuminating book is attributed, is not called Climax, but rather his name is John. However, the book is called Climax, and Climax in the Greek language means "Ladder." And for this reason the book is called Ladder, because this book created a ladder of virtues, beginning from humble works and ascending step by step to the heights, until at the end of the book a Ladder of Virtues is depicted. As for that small portion which was previously translated, it was called Climax for that reason. Now, if someone speaks of the name of the book, let him say Climax, which means Ladder; but if he speaks of the name of the saint, let him say John of Sinai. Since in the earlier translation many things were written incorrectly and many were omitted, for this reason I, the wretched Euthymius, by the command of my holy father John, have translated this as it was spoken by that holy one in Greek, for he was Greek by descent. And now, those who read this holy book, pray for our holy fathers John and John the Syncellus, and also for me, the sinful Euthymius; and those who copy it, write it as it is found here.

and place the chapters just as they are here, for I myself have set them down just as I found them, all of them in red; and do not let anyone omit these words, but write them for God's sake, and for the sake of my own sinful name.