The Epistle of St. Zebedee

(A screed of unknown provenance, attributed most often to an obscure Solevite Saint, who was known to wake the comatose.)

1 1My most devote brother, I write this to you to instruct you on proper belief and behavior. 2It is known to all, believers and unbelievers, that the golden postulates are the most serious of the laws of men. In truth, none may deny them. 3So do not listen to those who would lie to you, for they know their own lies, 4and the truth cannot be forestalled forever. 5So then let us examine these, the greatest laws, to ensure sin remains far from us.

6The first postulate, among these precious rules, is the most precious. 7We must worship God, and without such practice we shall fail all other commandments. 8You may be disturbed, my brother, by the goodness that can be sometimes found among heathens. 9How can they do this, you might ask, If they do not know the light? 10Know that the light of Solaris is known to all men, and all men of any goodness know Him in proportion to their goodness. 11Though they are heathens and heretics, and cannot be perfect in goodness, many worship Solaris and the Host unknowing, under other names and in strange ways. 12Do not hesitate to correct them in their ignorance.

13Many find confusion in the second postulate. 14How can we so abstain, they say, in cases of danger or evil? 15I tell you, we need not abstain from fighting the wicked, for they have themselves renounced the gift of life 16(or if not renounced, insulted and spat on) 17But in your zeal, do not strike wrongly, against those who value life and love Solaris.

18The third postulate seems simple to everyone, but there is a tangle in it. 19Many times we make lies by accident. 20Many times we say it will storm, but it does not. 21Because of this, be not afraid of sounding unsure. 22Say always, "As my eyes have seen" or "So I think", because you cannot be confused about your sight, or your thoughts, 23though your sight or thoughts may be confused.

2 1The fourth postulate is good to always remember. 2The light, and fires, of Solaris demand wakefulness, and do not permit deception. Neither do they let worship be silent. 3In the whole day, sing His praises, and even Hypervoras below will join in joy. 4But neither in the night let idleness take you. 5Attend to the brilliance of the Consort, and do not insult her by turning away. 6A great piety can thus be gained by refusing sleep, and by fasting. 7By such a method, the gods have granted me joy by visions of the pale Luminarium, and here for your joy I will describe it.

8As I wandered in the night, the grass, trees, and water dissolved into brilliant sand, which was like clouds of silver and gold. The night turned pale, and I heard great thunders from far off. 9Near me passed the Consort, though I tremble to write it, arrayed in finery. 10Her attendants were spirits of peace and consolation, though they wept from many eyes for their imprisoned Master. 11My mouth could find no praises, and she passed in silence. 12After, the world returned to its mortal aspect, and I was among the saints no more. 13But since, I have heard great, distant, and red thunders.

 3 1To know the last postulate, and fulfill it, is the perfection of goodness. 2But, like the others, in it there is difficulty. 3For we worship Our Lord, and to worship another as Him would be blasphemy. 4But if treating Him is like treating ourself, then we commit blasphemy by our worship. 5How could this be? Assuredly, it is not. 6The righteous path is to keep Solaris in your heart, as one would a lover, so that towards Him is directed not only our outward worship, but our inward worship. 7Thereby we may avoid blasphemy, and reach the perfection of goodness.

8To the Light of the Host be honor and glory, and may Solaris shine justice upon us.

9To our Lord and His Consort may praises flow, and may the Imprisonment fade day by day.

10Let vigilance come to us, and may we be blessed with fire and thunder.

11Let the Light be shown through us, and through us let truth be seen.