LETTER XV.

第十五封信

To the Rulers of the People.

致人民的统治者

To all those who are in authority, to councillors, judges, and governors of all countries in the world, and to others who may read this letter, Brother Francis, their little unworthy servant, wishes health and peace in the Lord.

致所有当权者、议员、法官，和世界上所有国家的官员们，及那些可能会阅读此信的人，方济各兄弟，他们无用的小兄弟，祝主内平安健康。

Consider and think that the hour of death approaches. I implore you, therefore, with all respect, not to forget the Lord, and not to decline from His commandments on account of the cares and solicitudes of the world which weigh upon you ； for those who forget Him, and neglect His commandments are cursed and will be forgotten by Him ; when the day of death comes, all that they have will be taken from them, and the wiser and more powerful they have been in this world, the greater torments they will have to endure in hell. For this reason I strongly advise you, my lords, to put aside all worldly cares and solicitudes, and to receive with good dispositions the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in remembrance of Him. Watch carefully over your people, and cause them to honour this Lord, and every night let them be reminded by a messenger, or by some other sign, to offer their praises and thanksgivings to God, the Lord of all things. If you neglect this, know that you will have to render an account of it at the day of judgment to your Lord Jesus Christ. Those who keep this writing and put it in practice will assuredly be blessed by God.

考虑考虑，想一想死亡的时刻临近了。因此，我恭敬地恳请你们，不要忘记天主，不要因世上重压在你们身上的牵挂和顾虑，使你们不再遵守天主的诫命，那些忘记祂并忽视祂诫命的人，也将被诅咒和被祂遗忘；当死亡到来的时日，他们所拥有的一切都将会被夺走；而且他们在世上越明智，越有权势，他们将在地狱里遭受越大的痛苦折磨。由于这个原因，我强烈地建议你们，我尊敬的人们，放下所有世俗的牵挂与羁绊，以良善的心性接受耶稣基督的圣体、圣血，以纪念祂。仔细看顾你们的人民，使他们都尊崇这个天主，每天晚上都要有一个人或其它标志提醒他们，去感恩称颂天主万有的主。如果你们忽略了这一点，要知道在审判的那一天，你们将要因此向你们的主耶稣基督交账。那些保留此信并付诸行动的人，必将受到天主的祝福。