But if someone has caused pain
he has not caused pain to me
but in a certain respect
– not to say too much-
(he has pained) all of you,
Enough it is
for such a one
this punishment
by the many;
so that you should rather
forgive and comfort him
lest somehow such a person
be swallowed up by too great a grief
Therefore I encourage you
to reaffirm love to him.
For this reason also I wrote to you:
that I might come to know your character-
if you are obedient in everything.
Then, anyone whom you forgive
– me too.
For what I have forgiven
– if I have forgiven something-
is because of you
‘in the presence of’ Christ.
so that we might not be bettered by Satan.
For we are not ignorant of his schemes.
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