400 ?????? THE STORY OF A GRAPEVINE

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400 ??????THE STORY OF A GRAPEVINE
??????,?????? Consider now, dear ones, The life
of a grapevine. ??????,?????? It had no easy
life, Its hardships intertwine ??,??????,??????,
Unlike wild flowers in the field That gayly,
wildly bloom, ??,??????,??????? In countless
patterns up they grow, Full liberty assume.
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(?) ??????,??????, The flowers of the vine Are
plain and small in size ??????,?????? So humbly
do they bloom, Unnoticed by most
eyes. ??,??????,??????, The time for blossoms is
so short, Soon into fruit they
grow. ??,??????,??????? No charm is there for
them to boast, No elegance to show.
3
(?) ??????,??????, So fastened to a post, it
cannot freely grow ??????,?????? Up to the
trellises Its branches tied must
go. ??,??????,??????, From stony soil the vine is
forced To draw its food supply
??,??????,??????? It has no way to change its
course, Or from its hardship fly.
4
(?) ??,????,??????, How lovely is the green Of
Springs beautiful scene! ??????,?????? So
natural is its growth, With brightness so
serene. ??,??????,??????, Out of the vines
abundant life So full and so complete, ??,??????,
??????? Against the azure, branches flow To
taste the air so sweet.
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(?) ??????,??????, Behold, the master comes His
guidance to provide ??????,?????? The pruning
knife he brings To strip it of its
pride, ??,??????,??????, Not minding all its
tender shoots, To cleanse and cleanse
again, ??,??????,??????? Till all excessive
branches fall To comply with his plan.
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(?) ??????,??????, During this time of loss, Dare
it self-pity show? ??????,??????, No, no, it
yields but more To him who wounds it
so, ??,??????,??????, Yes, to the hand that
strips it of All glory and all
pride. ??,??????,??????? The vine thus keeps the
strength of life That much fruit may abide.
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(?) ??????,?????? To hardend wood is turned
Each stump of bleeding shoot, ??????,?????? And
each remaining branch Brings forth abundant
fruit. ??,??????,??????, Scorched by the burning
sun, its leaves Turn dry and fall
away. ??,??????,??????? The fruit thus ripens
more and more Until the harvest day.
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(?) ??????,??????- Due to the fruitful load, The
branches are brought low, ??????,??????- The
consequence of pain And many a thoughtful
blow. ??,??????,?????? In bearing clusters of
fine fruit, Comforted it must be ??,??????,?????
?? But soon will come the harvest time, The days
of comfort flee.
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(?) ??????,??????, Upon the hand-picked fruit
Comes treading of the feet. ??????,??????, The
greatest treasure lies Where grapes and
wine-press meet. ??,??????,??????, When grapes
are crushed inside the press, Red wine begins to
flow, ??,??????,??????? Like surging rivers
bringing joy The earth to overflow.
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(?) ??????,??????, So barren is the vine, Its all
is spent in full, ??????,?????? And now its
plight again Is dreary night and
woe. ??,????????????, No one would stoop to thank
the vine For cheering wine thats
drunk ??,??????,??????? Instead, more stripping
is at hand To make a branchless trunk.
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(??) ??????,??????, Throughout the winter time,
Its wine gives warmth, and cheers ??????,??????
The shivring ones whose chill Is mixed with
grief and tears. ??,??????,??????, But midst the
ice and snow without, The vine is thus to
stand. ??,??????,??????? Why does it strive to
bear it all? Its hard to understand.
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(??) ??????,??????, When winters oer, it yearns
Once more much fruit to bear. ??????,?????? New
shoots come forth again To weave its garment
fair. ??,??????,??????, It has no murmring or
complaint For winters sore abuse. ??,??????,????
??? Its all it gives, and still wills not Its
offring to reduce.
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(??) ??????,??????, It stretches up toward
heavn, And breathes the fresh clean
air. ??????,?????? Untouched by earthly joy,
Self-love it does not bear. ??,??????,??????, It
smiles at sacrifice ahead, Accepting odds once
more ??,????????????? As if no strokes, no
stripping sore Can it ever recall.
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(??) ??????,????????, Much sap and wine and blood
Out from its branches flow. ??????,??????? Does
emptying itself Cause it more poor to
grow? ??,????,??, ???????, From it, drunkards and
wanderers Do drink and merry make. ??,???????????
??? Do they, from pleasure much, become More
wealthy when they wake?
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(??) ??????,?????? Measure your life by loss,
never measure by gain ??????,?????? Not by much
wine consumed, But wine poured out in
pain. ??,??????,?????? The strength of love
stands ever in Loves sacrifice to
show. ??,??????,??????? The more one suffers,
then the more True love can he bestow.
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(??) ??????,?????? He who spares not himself Is
best for God to gain ??????,?????? Who hurts
himself the most Can best soothe those in
pain. ??,??????,?????? Unless well-learned in
being stripped, A sounding brass is
he. ??,??????,??????? Unless averse to saving
self, Neer can he blissful be.