Letter to a holy father about copying a book for a boy TM 86673Theben (Ägypten)1. Hälfte VII

ⲭⲙⲅ † 99 I received the letter of your holiness; I learned of your health from it and I rejoiced greatly. Now, as your piety wrote to me concerning the [little] son, that I should write for him a book out of the Scripture, I do not remember that I wrote for him outside the Scripture since he came to my lowliness, except two days more […] lest a lie occur. I have not found […] for the present, except a book […] holy our father ⟦holy⟧ A[pa] […] the archbishop of Alexandria, interpreting […] the prophet, who wrote the two […] that book. I have not found a book […] again, as they said before […] that they write for people […] Scripture. And again, as you say, 'I am […]' Christ. I remember […] having said […] except that it is less than what you wrote, lest […] for I am truly less (?). Since again you […] Kyrikos, the Lord knows that from the day […] I do not cease announcing to him and teaching Ia[kob] […] to benefit him, according to God, my joy […] your godliness to command me a matter which […] my hesitating; you have heard up to this point. O brother, forgive me that I am carefree (?); I am not worthy to […] to worship the footprint of the feet of your holiness. Forgive me, for [I am] a babbler; I wrote many words, which is not my measure. Do the charity of remembering me in your holy prayers to God; make me worthy to do his will. Amen. I am negligent; I worship your piety through my letters, the least one, until the time when God will permit me to worship you face to face.