Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume XIII/Ephraim the Syrian and Aphrahat/Hymns For the Feast of the Epiphany/Hymn XIII

(.&#8212;Brethren, sing praises, to the Son of the Lord of all; Who has bound for you crowns, such as kings long for!)

1.&#160; Your garments glisten, my brethren, as snow;&#8212;and fair is your shining in the likeness of Angels!

2.&#160; In the likeness of Angels, ye have come up, beloved,&#8212;from Jordan&#8217;s river, in the armour of the Holy Ghost.

3.&#160; The bridal chamber that fails not, my brethren, ye have received:&#8212;and the glory of Adam&#8217;s house to-day ye have put on.

4.&#160; The judgment that came of the fruit, was Adam&#8217;s condemnation:&#8212;but for you victory, has arisen this day.

5.&#160; Your vesture is shining, and goodly your crowns:&#8212;which the Firstborn has bound for you, by the priest&#8217;s hand this day.

6.&#160; Woe in Paradise, did Adam receive:&#8212;but you have received, glory this day.

7.&#160; The armour of victory, ye put on, my beloved:&#8212;in the hour when the priest, invoked the Holy Ghost.

8.&#160; The Angels rejoice, men here below exult:&#8212;in your feast, my brethren, wherein is no foulness.

9.&#160; The good things of Heaven, my brethren, ye have received:&#8212;beware of the Evil One, lest he despoil you.

10.&#160; The day when He dawned, the Heavenly King:&#8212;opens for you His door, and bids you enter Eden.

11.&#160; Crowns that fade not away, are set on your heads:&#8212;hymns of praise hourly, let your mouths sing.

12.&#160; Adam by means of the fruit, God cast forth in sorrow:&#8212;but you He makes glad, in the bride-chamber of joy.

13.&#160; Who would not rejoice, in your bridechamber, my brethren?&#8212;for the Father with His Son, and the Spirit rejoice in you.

14.&#160; Unto you shall the Father, be a wall of strength:&#8212;and the Son a Redeemer, and the Spirit a guard.

15.&#160; Martyrs by their blood, glorify their crowns:&#8212;but you our Redeemer, by His Blood glorifies.

16.&#160; Watchers and Angels, joy over the repentant:&#8212;they shall joy over you my brethren, that unto them ye are made like.

17.&#160; The fruit which Adam, tasted not in Paradise:&#8212;this day in your mouths, has been placed with joy.

18.&#160; Our Redeemer figured, His Body by the tree:&#8212;whereof Adam tasted not, because he had sinned.

19.&#160; The Evil One made war, and subdued Adam&#8217;s house:&#8212;through your baptism, my brethren, lo! he is subdued this day.

20.&#160; Great is the victory, but to-day you have won:&#8212;if so be ye neglect not, you shall not perish, my brethren.

21.&#160; Glory to them that are robed, glory to Adam&#8217;s house!&#8212;in the birth that is from the water, let them rejoice and be blessed!

22.&#160; Praise to Him Who has robed, His Churches in glory!&#8212;glory to Him Who has magnified, the race of Adam&#8217;s house.