43. "They that are bidden, lo! all of them stand;-the Bridegroom's guests, lo! they bear witness-that day by day I said among them,-'I am the Voice and not the Word.' "
44. "Voice of him that cries in the wilderness,-fulfil thou the work for which thou camest,-that the desert whereunto thou wentest out may resound-with the mighty peace thou preachedst therein."
45. "The shout of the Watchers has come to my ears;-lo! I hear from the Father's house-the hosts that sound forth the cry,-'In Thy Epiphany, O Bridegroom, the worlds have life.' "
46. "The time hastes on, and the marriage guests-look to Me to see what is doing.-Come, baptize Me, that they may give praise-to the Voice of the Father when it is heard!"
47. "I hearken, my Lord, according to Thy Word:-come to Baptism as Thy love constrains Thee!-The dust worships that whereunto he has attained,-that on Him Who fashioned him he should lay his hand."
48. The heavenly ranks were silent as they stood,-and the Bridegroom went down into Jordan;-the Holy One was baptized and straightway went up,-and His Light shone forth on the world.
49. The doors of the highest were opened above,-and the voice of the Father was heard,-" This is my Beloved in Whom I am well pleased."-All ye peoples, come and worship Him.
50. They that saw were amazed as they stood, at the Spirit Who came down and bare witness to Him.-Praise to Thy Epiphany that gladdens all,-Thou in Whose revelation the worlds are lightened!
XV.
1. In the Birth of the Son light dawned,-and darkness fled from the world,-and the earth was enlightened; then let it give glory-to the brightness of the Father Who has enlightened it!
2. He dawned from the womb of the Virgin,-and the shadows passed away when He was seen,-and the darkness of error was strangled by Him,-and the ends of the earth were enlightened that they should give glory.
3. Among the peoples there was great tumult,-and in the darkness the light dawned,-and the nations rejoiced to give glory-to Him in Whose Birth they all were enlightened.
4. His light shone out over the east;-Persia was enlightened by the star:- His Epiphany gave good tidings to her and invited her,-" He is come for the sacrifice that brings joy to all."
5. The star of light hasted and came and dawned-through the darkness, and summoned them-that the peoples should come and exult-in the great Light that has come down to earth.
6. One envoy from among the stars-the firmament sent to proclaim to them,-to the sons of Persia, that they might make ready-to meet the King and to worship Him.
7. Great Assyria when she perceived it -called to the Magi and said to them,-"Take gifts and go, honour Him-the great King Who in Judea has dawned."
8. The princes of Persia, exulting,-carried gifts from their region;-and they brought to the Son of the Virgin-gold and myrrh and frankincense.
9. They entered and found Him as a child-as He dwelt in the house of the lowly woman;-and they drew near and worshipped with gladness,-and brought near before Him their treasures.
10. Mary said, "For whom are these?-and for what purpose? and what is the cause-that has called you to come from your country-to the Child with your treasures?"
11. They said, "Thy Son is a King,-and He binds crowns and is King of all;-and great is His power over the world,-and to His Kingdom shall all be obedient."
12. "At what time did this come to pass,-that a lowly woman should bring forth a King? I who am in need and in want,-how then could a king come forth from me?"
13. "In thee alone has this come to pass-that a mighty King from thee should appear;-thee in whom poverty shall be magnified,-and to thy Son shall crowns be made subject."
14. "Treasures of Kings I have not;-riches have never fallen to my lot.-My house is lowly and my dwelling needy;-why then proclaim ye that my Son is King?"
15. "Great treasure is in thy Son,-and wealth that suffices to make all rich;-for the treasures of kings are impoverished,-but He fails not nor can be measured."
16. "Whether haply some other be for your-the King that is born, enquire ye concerning Him.-This is the son of a lowly woman,-of one who is not meet to look on a King."