The Book of Steps

The Syriac text here appears to be a poetic or rhythmic arrangement of the themes regarding God’s acceptance of the humanity of His Son.

If the ship lacks skilled pilots, it cannot reach the harbor, but is overwhelmed by the waves, and its cargo perishes. If the righteous were to fail, sinners would be removed; and if the good were not found, the wicked would no longer be sustained.

11. If, however, my hearer should ask me: Since there are righteous and good people upon the earth, why does it happen in a miserable and troubled time that sometimes prayer is not heard? Let the hearer understand without dispute those things which I indicated above, namely that Moses, a man of prophecy and a great leader of all Israel, sometimes obtained propitiation for the whole people by his prayer, but at other times was not heard even for his own self. Hear now something more about Jesus, the supreme Savior, and Son of God, to whom, when God had heard his most acceptable prayer, He was reconciled to His creatures, just as the Apostle says: He reconciled us to His Fatheroriginal: "Ipse reconciliat nos Patri suo". But when his hour came, he prayed, he besought, and he entreated, although he had no need, and said: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from meoriginal: "Pater mi, si possibile est, transeat a me calix iste"; and this prayer which he offered for himself was not heard. But to...

The Syriac text repeats the preceding themes in a rhythmic structure, emphasizing how the Son of God took on humanity and interceded, and how the prophets and the righteous also participate in this mystery of prayer and being heard.

11. If, however, my hearer should ask me: Since there are righteous and good people upon the earth, why does it happen in a bitter and difficult time that sometimes prayer is not heard? Let the hearer understand without contention what I hinted at above. Moses, the man of prophecy and the great leader of all Israel, sometimes gained mercy for the whole people by his prayer, but at times he was not heard even on his own behalf. Hear now something more about Jesus, the great Savior and Son of God, whose most acceptable prayer God heard, and was reconciled to His creatures, just as the Apostle says: He reconciled us with His Fatheroriginal: "Hū ra‘y lan ‘am abūhī". But when his hour came, he prayed, and begged, and entreated—though he had no need—and said: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from meoriginal: "Abī in mšēḥā te‘bar minnī kāsā hānā". And this prayer, which he was making for himself, was not heard. But to...