How the high God revealed to Moses, on whom be peace, (the words), “Wherefore didst not thou visit Me in sickness?”

To Moses there came from God this reproach: “O thou who hast seen the rising of the moon from thy bosom,

Thou whom I have illumined with the Divine Light! I am God, I fell sick, thou camest not.”

Moses said, “O Thou transcendent in Thy glory, Thou art clear of loss (defect). What mystery is this? Explain this, O Lord!”

God said unto him again, “Wherefore in My sickness didst not thou kindly ask after Me?”

He answered, “O Lord, Thou hast no imperfection. (My) understanding is lost: unfold (the meaning of) these words.”

God said, “Yea; a favourite and chosen slave (of Mine) fell sick. I am he. Consider well!

His excusability (infirmity) is My excusability, his sickness is My sickness.”

Whoever wishes to sit with God, let him sit in the presence of the saints.

If you are broken off (divided) from the presence of the saints, you are in perdition, because you are a part without the whole.

Whomsoever the Devil cuts off from the noble (saints), he finds him without any one (to help him), and he devours his head.

To go for one moment a single span apart from the community (of saints) is (a result of) the Devil's guile. Hearken, and know (it) well.