Nisibene Hymns

¹ Hear, O Freedom, the dispute of two servants: how they are convicted by each other, that they are powerless.— 2. R., To You be glory by Whose humiliation Adam was exalted: and by Whose death he was raised, and regained Eden!— 3. If then the Evil One overcome you, great is the shame: Death his comrade has convicted him, as being weak.— 4. And if again Death subdue you, lo! What reproach: for the Evil One his comrade derides him, as but a shadow.— 5. Their dispute is for you a mirror, wherein you may see: that they both are but as chaff, before your breath.— 6.

Yea and Prophets and Apostles, in their promises: assure you that they like flowers, shall fade at the rising.— 7. S., You, Death, art he whom they hate, the quick and dead: for every combination you dissolve, and destroy.— 8. D., It is not open death that kills, O Satan: your death which is secret kills the sons of men.— 9. S., My name is not hateful as yours, for the angel: showed himself in Satan's likeness to Balaam on the way.— 10. D., How fit is this your name, O Satan: who has erred and made unwary Adam err, from the way!— 11. S., Wander not like one ignorant, and lose your cause: dispute, O Death, if you are competent, for replying.— 12. D., I know that you are wily, O Satan: so that you out of sand can twist a snare.— 13. S., Your disputing, Death, is ended: for he who is worsted: when his words fail and are ended, begins to rail.— 14. D., Among all I am conqueror, and by you am I worsted?

Let Adam persuade you whom I have overcome, O Satan!— 15. S., I am he who bound Adam, and cast him before you: the mighty man whom my wiles had bound, you came and subdue.— 16. D., I am he who have been crowned anew, with a diadem in the world: for Adam, chief of the mighty, I hold captive in Sheol.— 17. S., I killed him by secret death, even Adam when he sinned: you, Death, hast slain one that was dead, killed by me.— 18. D., In your desire to conquer, Evil One, you have made yourself hated: for you are Death as well as Satan, and this seems a little thing to you.— 19. S., You have then been silenced, Death, as a weakling: for neither in words nor in deeds, have you strength to stand.— 20. D., It is for your evil you conquer, O Evil One, if you discern, your crown is wholly of shame, if you perceive.— 21.

I shall be defeated and you shall be cursed, O Satan: it is well for me to be ignorant, and not mischievous.— 22. Blessed be the Just One who divided them, though they were quite of one mind: Blessed be the Good One who made us of one mind, when we were divided.— 23. I will overcome the Evil One through Your forgiveness, O All-Merciful: and I shall overcome death through Your Resurrection, O All-Life-giver!