Letter 158: My sins have prevented me from carrying out the wish to meet you, which I have long entertained. Let me apologise by letter for my absence, and beseech you not to omit to remember me in your prayers, that, if I live, I may be permitted to enjoy your society. If not, by the aid of your prayers may I quit this world with good hope.
My sins have kept me from visiting you — something I've wanted to do for a long time. Accept this letter as my apology for the absence, and please don't forget to pray for me. If I'm still alive, I hope those prayers will bring us together in person. If not, may your prayers help me leave this world with a good conscience.
I'm also putting in a word for our brother the camel-master [likely a lay official managing transport logistics] — I commend him to your care.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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