For about the ministry
to the saints
it is unnecessary for me to write to you all.
For I know your eagerness
(such that) I boast about you to the Macedonians
that Archaia has been ready
since last year
and your zeal has stirred up most of them
I have sent the brothers,
so that our boasting about you
might not prove to be empty
in this matter
so that just as I said
you would be ready
Lest somehow
– (any) Macedonians might come with me
and find you unprepared –
we would be put to shame
not to mention you
in that situation.
So I considered it necessary to urge the brothers
to go before (me) to you
and to prepare in advance your promised generous-gift
so that this (generous-gift) will be ready
as a gift
and not as a grudging obligation.
Be thou a bright flame before me,
Be thou a guiding star above me
Be thou a smooth path below me
Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me
Today – tonight -forever
Amen.
St Columba