Say, do not despair because the Beloved drives you away; if He drives you away today, will He not call you back tomorrow?
If He shuts the door on you, do not go away; be patient there, for after patience He will seat you in the place of honour.
And if He bars against you all ways and passages, He will show you a secret way, which no man knows.
Is it not the case that when the butcher cuts off the head of a sheep with his knife, he does not abandon what he has slain, but first slays, and then draws?
When no more breath remains to the sheep, he fills it with his own breath; you will see whither God’s breath will bring you!
I spoke this as a parable; else, His generosity slays no man, rather it rescues him from slaying.
He gives all the kingdom of Solomon to a single ant; He bestows both worlds, and does not startle a single heart.
My heart has travelled round the world and found none like Him; whom does He resemble? Whom does He resemble?
Ah, silence! For without speech He gives to all of this wine to taste, He gives to taste, He gives to taste, He gives to taste.
