GREETINGS: I [pray] you are well! You write so often, dearest Martin, that you must doubt my devotion [to you].

Salutem et Se. (?) ') etc. Scribis totiens, optime Martine, et suspectam habes constanciam meam.

As for me: my faith in Christ and the Gospel is continually renewed, although my prayer is [ever] that Christ may help my unbelief (Mk 9.24), and keep me from succumbing to lukewarmness in regard to humankind and the Church..

Ad quod ego: fides mea in Christum et euangelium integra perseuerat, tametsi oratione opus habeam, ut Christus adiuvet incredulitatem meam, detesterque humana et ecclesiam tepide amplectar.

My love for you is forever constant, more wonderful than the love of women (2 Sam 1.26) – forever unbreakable,

In te constantissimus mihi amor est eciam supra amorem mulierum (2 Sam 1.26) semper infractus.

But forgive me, if sometimes because of my sluggish nature I fail to understand you and thus prefer to keep silence.

Sed parce mihi, si quandoque ob tarditatem ingenii mei tua non capio atque ita silencio pertranseo.

For it seems to me that you condemn many external things that affect neither faith nor justification, being neutral in themselves - matters that should not burden a conscience that is concerned with faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Videmini mihi damnare multa prorsus externa, quae ad fidem et iusticiam nihil faciunt, neutra sunt, et in fide domini nostri Jhesu Christi facta minime conscienciam grauant,

Why, then, ^[p.55] are simple hearts [so] troubled; and why do you detest the monk's habit as a stench in your nostrils,  when most who wear it bear the holy faith of Christ?

cur igitur [p.55] turbantur Simplicium corda, et quid monachorum habitus naribus tuis odio fecit, quem plerique in sancta fide Christi gestant.

Abuses do unfortunately arise in any human undertaking, rarely motivated by faith: but this by no means [characterizes] the whole; and a thing should not be thus  rejected because of a bad aspect that occurs in some cases

Intervenit prohdolor fere in singulis humanis exerciciis abusus, et rari1 sunt qui fide moventur, omnia sunt nihilominus alias, ideo non est rei substancia reprobanda propter accidens malum, quod in aliquibus est.

The [kind of] vows you so absolutely reject may exist in very few or only one [place]. And so, I implore you, my dearest friend, to bear in mind the consciences of children and not to disquiet the weak.

Vota passim omnia abijcitis, in paucissimis forte uno duntaxat fundati. Effundo itaque ad te preces, dulcissime amice, recordare paruulorum et non inquietcs pauidas consciencias.

Do not condemn indifferent matters that may be held with sincere faith; but never cease crying out against whatever is opposed to faith,

Que neutra sunt, et cum sincera fide stare possunt, oro ne damnes. In illis vero, que fidei aduersantur clama, ne cesses.

We owe much to you, Martin, who brought us up from the husks of swine (Lk 16.15) into the pastures of life, - to the words of salvation.

Debemus tibi Martine multa, qui nos a siliquis porcorum reduxisti ad pascua vite, ad verba salutis.

The Lord Jesus grants progress whereby the Gospel we first hear with our ears subsequently revolves in the mouths of many, and then we live it.  But it has indeed come to a carnal liberty that to many seems an abuse of the Gospel.

Dominus Jhesus tribuat incrementum, quatenus euangelium, quod nunc auribus percipimus, quod in ore multorum voluitur, tandem vivamus, siquidem ad libertatem carnis video innumeros abuti euangelio.

Nevertheless, the spirit blows where it wills (Jn 3.8), and we owe you thanks because you planted and watered (1Cor 3.8) God's servants, for His glory, to whom alone is given power to become sons of God. (Jn 1.12).

Sed Spiritus ubi vult spirat, vobis debemus gracias, quia plantastis et rigastis, deo seruantes gloriam, cui soli damus potestatem faciendi filios dei.

I have written enough. If only I could spend an hour with you in conversation, and we could open the secrets of our hearts!

Sat scripsi, vtinam vel vnica hora liceret tibi colloqui et aperire secreta cordis.

My brother, I entrust to you to the one you see before you as the bearer of these presents, please afford your disciple your energy and ability, so that he may more quickly received [?] and I may be forgiven.

Commendo tibi frater mi, quem coram cernis latorem presencium, discipulum tuum efficere tua industria et facultate, vt citius piretum accipiat magisterij et remittatur mihi.

I sincerely hope your studies in Wittenberg will bear good fruit and bring you honor in the future .

Spero certe, quod bonum fructum facturus sit, studio Wittenbergensi honori futurus.

I bid farewell to you who are always in my prayers, who first amazed me with the teaching of the holy Gospel: for just as I did then, so do I now hate the Babylonian captivity.

Valeant apud vos preces mee indigne, qui olim precursor extiti sancte euangelice doctrine, et quemadmodum eciam hodie exosam habui captivitatem babilonicam.

Farewell also to Philipp, Amsdorf, Jerome the teacher together with my other friends  - I bid you farewell!

Vale etPhilippum, Amsdorfium, doctorem Jeronimum cum ceteris amicissimis valere iubeas

Dated the first of April, 1524

Staupitz from Salzburg, after a long silence
to Dr. M. Luther,