ܬܰܚܘܺܝܬ݂ܳܐ ܕܥܰܠ ܣܓܽܘܠܬ݁ܳܐ Demonstration Concerning the Grape

DEMONSTRATIO XXIII Demonstration 23

DE ACINO On the Grape

I will write to you, my beloved brother, to instruct you regarding these chapters that you have proposed to me: concerning the blessing hidden in the grape Syriac: segulta (grape/cluster); because for the sake of the blessed grain, the cluster was not given over to destruction. For in the days of Isaiah, the master of the vineyard wanted to destroy it; but it was said to him in a word that the cluster should not be destroyed, original: "quoniam benedictio in ipso est" (because the blessing is in it). And because you asked me again whether the just and upright will always be on the earth, I will teach you about that blessing which flowed through all generations until the appointed time. And furthermore, I will institute for you a demonstration concerning the matter about which you asked me: why the just were sometimes heard when they prayed, and why God did not hear them at other times. Finally, I will describe to you the years of the ancient generations, calculating for each one.

1. I shall write to you, my most dear friend, to instruct you regarding these chapters which you have proposed to me, namely, the blessing hidden in the grape; since, on account of the blessed grain, the cluster was not given over to destruction. For in the days of Isaiah, the lord of the vine wished to destroy it; but it was said to the prophet in a word that the cluster would not be corrupted, original: "quoniam benedictio in ipso est" (because the blessing is in it). Since you also asked me whether the just and upright will always be on the earth, I will teach you about that blessing which flowed into all generations until the appointed time, and furthermore, I will institute for you a demonstration regarding the word about which you questioned me: why sometimes the just were heard when they prayed, and why indeed sometimes God did not hear them. Finally, I will describe the years of the ancient generations to you, instituting a calculation for each.