Scholarship on Letter: T-S 8J16.29

1. To the honourable, great, holy, glorious crown and diadem,
2. to our master and our teacher ‘Eli the Parnas, the Trustee, the wise and  the discerning,  
3. the righteous, the pure, the upright man who has done me many favours
4. since my arrival. I, his blind servant, fast  
5. every Monday and Thursday, and it has been a year since I last ate
6. meat. I pray for you and for your son, R. Efraim,  
7. day and night that God may grant you the opportunity to see
8. male children from his loins and to delight in them. Amen. Your servant  
9. presents his supplication before the Lord and before you to act kindly  with me  
10. by holding a collection for me since my wife and my children,
11. who are due to come up from Alexandria, have written to me to say  that they lack  
12. the cost of the boat ride. So do me a kindness also  
13. this time too ‘and this last kindness shall be greater
14. than the first’ (Ruth 3:10) ‘and decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and  
15. light will shine on your ways’ (Job 22:28). Do not neglect your ser vant. ‘Do not  
16. let the oppressed return in shame’ (Pss 74:21). And the God of Israel  give you  
17. a good old age and a good end, and may you spend your days in prosperity  
18. and your years in delight. May your wellbeing increase forever.
19. Amen. 

Recto

1. To your honor, greatness, and holiness, excellent diadem and crown. 
2. To our master and teacher Eli the parnas, the trusted, the wise and discerning,
3. the righteous, the perfect and straight, who has done me many favors
4. since I came. I, your slave, the blind, fast
5. every Monday and Thursday. For a year I have not eaten
6. meat. I pray for you and your son R. Ephraim
7. day and night that God grant that you see sons
8. from him and rejoice in the[m], amen. Your slave
9. entreats God and you to do for me
10. a kindness by arranging [on my behalf] a pesiqa, because my wife and sons
11. are coming up from Alexandria, and they wrote to me that they do not have
12.  the fee for the boat. So do for me a kindness this
13. time, also, and your latter kindness toward me will be better
14. than the first. "You will decree and it will be fulfilled, and light will shine
15. upon your affairs" (Job 22:28). "Do not fail your servants" (Joshua 10:6). "Let not
16. the downtrodden turn away disappointed" (Psalm 74:21). May the God of Israel grant you good
17. old age and a good end and that you spend your days well.
18.  
19. Amen.