Two syllables and a peg; and two syllables; two syllables and a peg, and two syllables.

O master of words, what need have you today of the seventy elders, or of Aaron and Hur?

Turn to your discourse, to the foundation of grammar; behold, this book is called Ha-Bachur.

With it comes a tongue of pure gold and a mantle; speech upon the lips, pleasant all around, without flaw or breach.

Any matter that proves difficult for you—ask it; it will tell you an answer at once, without delay.

To those who ask the book, ‘To whom do you belong?’ it will reply: ‘To Elijah—Bachur is his byname.’

I cry out and call to all people— to youths, to elders, and to the aged as well.

Come to me, and I will teach you the rules of the holy tongue, set forth with new clarity.

The foundation of grammar is surely examined in my book, for those who know religion and law, the sages of the new age.

Behold, in it I will bring hidden things to light, and I will reveal the secrets treasured by the commentators.

Into four principal treatises I shall divide it, to clarify and explain the matters under discussion.

And thirteen principles to each one— that is, fifty-two in total.

Let my book be called by the name Bachur; may it gladden both God and humankind.

So I replied: do not despise it.

[A peg and two movements; and a peg and two movements in the opening and the closing.]

I praise the Lord God and bow down, to the Creator of light and the One who brings on evenings.

He granted me understanding to compose a book on grammar; its words are sweet nectar, pleasant as honey.

I gathered within it concise rules, both new and old, pleasing and clear.

Within it are proofs strong as lions, and sharp against the wolves of confusion.

All the books of grammarians before it are like barren fields, without sweetness.

It is better than fine gold, than gold of Ophir, and than all the merchandise of traders.

Acquire it, David, and labor within it, and you will prosper— like a tree planted by waters, with pleasant roots.

And even if you lack silver for its price, take it—give a pledge instead.

Thus we shall merit to gather what is scattered, when He who rides the clouds gathers us in.

And the Redeemer of Israel will rejoice in God, with Michael and Ishmael, the pleasant ones.

And whoever wishes to know the time and its details— let him take this into his hand.

completed and completed—praise to the eternal God.

On Tuesday, the 23rd of Marḥeshvan, year 317 according to the minor count, in the house of Messer Venturin Rofenileio, by the scribe, our teacher Rabbi Meir, son of Rabbi Ephraim of blessed memory, of Padua.

May He grant us merit to compose many books without end, and may He magnify Torah and make it glorious.

Amen: