We Would Fulfill: Mani's Hymn to Jesus, the King
A hymn ascribed to Mani. Verses in Sogdian
Hymn in Praise of Jesus, the King.
With mouths full of praise we would bless thee,
Praise and honor to the great Moon of Light,
To the life-giver, the dear son of the god Zurvān,
To the merciful Lord of the whole world!
You we do invoke with a loud voice,
May your light enter our minds;
Your power is gathered in our limbs,
You have come with Salvation,
You have come with Salvation,
You have come with Salvation,
Light of the whole world!You have come with Salvation, our whole Self,
You have come with Salvation, Light in our minds,
You have come with Salvation, beneficent God
Who are kindlier than all other gods.Verses in Parthian, continuing:
You have come with Salvation, great life-giver of all life-givers.
You have come with Salvation, Third Great One, who are the
mediator between us and the Father.
You have come with Salvation, redeemer of our souls from the
midst of the dead.
You have come with Salvation, our upper eye, and our ear
with which we hear.
You have come with Salvation, our primeval right hand and our
breath of life.
You have come with Salvation, our unified nous and our true mind.
You have come with Salvation, our whole intelligence , our ardent
thought and our understanding free of grief.
(Some verses missing)
You have come with Salvation, our great door and ship of our souls.
You have come with Salvation, our new dominion and our exalted
flock, beloved Son.
You have come with Salvation, our beneficent Father and our true hope.
You have come like a father, our beneficent physician.
You have arisen like a mother, and you are helpful like a brother.
You have sent us like a son,
You have served like a servant.
Come quickly, beneficent Father, put our souls in order...