There lived in the world a man for seventy years, and all his life
he lived in sin. And this man fell ill, and still he did not repent.
But when death was nigh, at the last hour, he began to weep, and
said, "Lord, as thou hast forgiven the thief on the cross, so do
thou forgive me!" He had scarcely spoken, and away flew his soul.
And the sinner's soul began to love God, and, trusting his mercy,
came to the gates of heaven.
And the sinner began to knock, and to ask admission into the kingdom
of heaven.
And from behind the door he heard a voice: "Who is this knocking for
admission into the gates of heaven, and what are the deeds this man
in his lifetime has done?"
And the voice of the accuser gave answer, and recounted all the
sinful deeds of this man; and of good deeds he named none.
And the voice from behind the door answered: "Sinners cannot enter
the kingdom of heaven. Get thee hence!"
Said the sinner: "Lord, I hear thy voice, but I see not thy
countenance and know not thy name."