Kareem Roustom

Κύριε αὶ Δέσποτα ου µου ، πνεῦµα ἀργίας ، περιεργίας ، φιλαρχίας ، καὶ ἀργολογίας µή µοι δῷς.

Πνεῦµα δὲ σωφροσύνης ، ταπεινοφροσύνης ، ὑποµονῆς ، καὶ ἀγάπης χάρισαί µοι τῷ σῷ δούλῳ.

Ναί ، Κύριε Βασιλεῦ ، δώρησαι µοι τοῦ ὁρᾶν τὰ ἐµ πταίσµατα ، καὶ µὴ ατακρίνειν τὸν ἀδελφόν µου ، ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ ، εἰς τοὺς αας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀµήν

Oh Monarch and Ruler of my life, the spirits of indolence, arrogance, desire and idle talk: do not give them to me, take them away.

But the spirits of virtue, patience, and love, give them to me, thy servant.  

Yes, O Sovereign, grant me the vision to see my defects, and not find it in others; for You are blessed throughout the ages. Amen.

Text by St. Ephrem the Syrian (306-373 C.E.)

Translation adapted by Kareem Roustom

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