Fela bith on foldan forthgesynra geongra geofona, tha tha gaestberend weath in gewitte,

Many on the earth are the manifest gifts that spirit-bearers carry in their minds, just as the God of hosts, the Measurer mighty in power, deals out to men, gives special gifts, sends far and wide His own bounty, of which each of the people's dwellers may receive a share. There is no man so wretched on this earth, nor so wanting in means, so small-minded, nor so slow-witted, that the Giver of grace should shear him of all skills of the mind or of mighty deeds, of wisdom in intellect or in spoken words, lest he be despairing of all things, of every gift he has wrought in this world-life. Never does God deem that any should become so destitute. Nor does any man so greatly advance through wisdom-craft in the glory of this life, that the Guardian of folk should send hither to him, through His holy gift, wise thoughts and worldly skills, leaving all under the might of one man, lest he, for pride, full of glorious gifts, a man mighty in spirit, should stray beyond measure and then despise the less endowed; but He deals them out, He who holds power of judgment, diversely throughout this middle-earth, the limb-crafts of men to the land-dwellers.

To one here on earth He lends possessions, world-treasures. Another is wanting in wealth, a hard-fated man, yet is keen in the skills of the mind. Another receives surpassing might. One is noble, beautiful in form. One is a master of song, gifted in verse. One is ready of speech. One is a driver of glorious beasts in the hunt. One is dear to a world-powerful man. One is hard in the fight, a battle-skilled warrior where shields resound. One in council can devise the people's law for the wise-minded, where a host of counselors is gathered. One can wondrously devise the work of every high timber; his hand is taught, wise and controlled, as is right for a wright, to set up a hall; he knows how to join fast the wide building against sudden collapse. One with his hands can greet the harp, he has the art of the glee-wood's swift touch. One is a runner, one a true archer, one learned in lays, one swift on land, foot-speedy. One on the fallow wave steers the prow, knows the stream-road, a guide to the troop over the wide sea, when the sea-brave with swift might pull at the oars near the wave-board. One is a swimmer, one artfully-skilled with gold and with gems, when the guardian of men bids him prepare treasures for his glory. One, a mind-skilled smith, can fashion many a weapon-clash, useful for war, when he works for the battle of men a helm or a hip-knife or a battle-byrnie, a bright sword or the boss of a shield, fastened firm against the flight of the spear. One is honorable and eager for alms, virtuous in his ways. One is an agile thane in the mead-hall. One is learned in horses, wise in steed-craft. One, self-controlled, suffers in patience what he then must. One knows judgments, where noblemen consider counsel. One is quick at board-games. One is witty at the wine-drinking, a good guardian of the feast. One is a good builder, apt to raise up a home. One is an army-leader, a bold director of the host. One is a counselor to the people. One is a bold-minded thane with his lord in time of need. One has patience, a steadfast spirit. One is a bird-killer, skilled with the hawk. One is bold on a horse. One is exceedingly swift, has cunning sport, the gift of glee-deeds before the retainers, light and lithe-limbed. One is beloved, has a mind and words agreeable to men. One here earnestly embraces in his mind the spirit's need, and chooses for himself the Measurer's grace over all earthly wealth. One is bold-hearted in the devil's strife, is ever ready for the fight against sins. One has the skill of many church-duties, can in songs of praise loudly laud the Ruler of life, has a high, bright voice. One is learned in books, firm in lore. One is cunning of hand to write down word-mysteries.

There is not now over the earth any man so skilled in mind, nor so mighty in strength, that all these gifts should ever be granted to one alone, lest vainglory should harm him, or his spirit rise up on account of that glory, if he alone has beauty and wisdom and the fruit of works above all men; but He diversely restrains boasting among mankind and portions out His gifts, to some in virtues, to some in skills, to some in beauty, to some in war; to some men He gives a mild heart, a thought firm in virtue; one is loyal to his lord. Thus worthily and wide does the Lord scatter His blessings. Forever may He have the glory, the light-bearing praise, He who gives us this life and makes known His mild spirit to men.