FROM HYMNS ON PARADISE by Saint Ephraem the Syrian #1 Posted March 2, 2024

H Y M N S   O N   P A R A D I S E

Saint Ephraem the Syrian

1.

When the hand of the Creator

fashioned and formed the body

so that it might sing to its Maker,

this lyre was silent and had not voice,

until at last

He breathed into it

the soul which sang therein.

Thus the strings acquired sound,

and the soul, by means of the body,

acquired speech to utter wisdom.

2.

When Adam was in all things complete, 

then the Lord took him and placed him in Paradise.
The soul could not enter there of itself

and for itself, 

but together they entered, body and soul, 

Pure and perfect to that perfect place 

and together they left it, 

once they had become stained.

From all this we should learn

that at the Resurrection
they will enter again together.