A Spiritual Psalter
or Reflections on God

from the writings of
Saint Ephraim the Syrian

127
The words to be spoken at the judgment to those at the right hand and to those at the left

At the terrible judgment the Lord will say to those at His right hand: come, O sons of My light, blessed heirs of My kingdom. Come, ye who for My sake have been impoverished, hungered and thirsted, who loved not the world nor all that is in it. Come, ye who for My sake have left all worldly power and joy, brothers and friends, parents and children. Come, ye who have dwelt in deserts, on mountains, in caves and crevices in the earth together with beasts, and rejoice with the angels in heaven. Come, all ye who are merciful and hospitable. Come, all ye who have walked the straight and narrow path. Come, ye who are blessed of My Father; inherit the kingdom that has been prepared for you since the creation of the world.

And to those at His left hand He will say: Go away from Me, into the fire that lies without. Go away from Me, ye heartless ones, who have hated both brothers and Christ. Ye were not merciful and neither shall ye obtain mercy. Ye did not heed My noble Gospels and My blessed disciples — and neither shall I heed your lamentation. You lived a life of luxury on earth, enjoyed good things in your life, and here there is nothing more for you to receive; you have already taken what is yours. Daily I called out to you through the Scriptures, but when you heard, you mocked those who read them. And now I say to you: I know you not. Go away from Me, ye accursed souls, into the eternal fire that is prepared for the devil and his angels.

And they will enter into eternal torment, but the righteous will enter into eternal life.

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From A Spiritual Psalter or Reflections on God, compiled from the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian.

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