Kebra Nagast

How the ff^agon was given to Ethiopia hath been done, but by the Will of Him that fashioned We wished, and it and made it hath this happened. we fulfilled God hath [our wish] agreed concerning we held converse [concernit, and God made it good we meditated [upon it], ing it], and God performed and God devised the plan we spoke, and God was well we directed our gaze, and God directed it pleased we meditated, and God hath justified. And rightly now God hath chosen thee, and is well pleased with thy and heavenly Zion, city, to be the servant of the holy and it shall be to the Tabernacle of the Law of God thee a guide for ever, to thee and thy seed after thee if thou wilt keep His command and perform the Will of For thou wilt not be able to take the Lord thy God. it back, even if thou wishest, and thy father cannot seize it, even if he wisheth, for it goeth of its own free will whithersoever it wisheth, and it cannot be removed And behold, it from its seat if it doth not desire it. and our our fortress is our our Mother salvation, Lady, and our place of refuge, our glory and the haven of our ; ; ; ; ; ; ; safety, to those who lean upon it." Azaryas made a sign to Elmeyas, And and he said " unto him, Go, beautify, and dress our Lady, so that our King may see her." And when Azaryas had said this, King David was perturbed and he laid both hands upon "his breast, and he drew breath three times and Hast thou in truth, O Lord, remembered us in said, Thy mercy, the castaways, the people whom Thou hast rejected, so that I may see Thy pure habitation, which is in heaven, the holy and heavenly Zion ? With what shall we requite the Lord in return for all the good there being with things which He hath done for us He hath crowned us with Him no glory and praise ? ! His grace, so that we may know upon earth His praise and may all serve Him according to His greatness. For He is the Good One to His chosen ones, and unto Him belongeth praise for ever." 79