1. Forgiveness is this world’s equivalent of Heaven’s justice. 2It translates the world of sin into a simple world, where justice can be reflected from beyond the gate behind which total lack of limits lies. 3Nothing in boundless love could need forgiveness. 4And what is charity within the world gives way to simple justice past the gate that opens into Heaven. 5No one forgives unless he has believed in sin, and still believes that he has much to be forgiven. 6Forgiveness thus becomes the means by which he learns he has done nothing to forgive. 7Forgiveness always rests upon the one who offers it, until he sees himself as needing it no more. 8And thus is he returned to his real function of creating, which his forgiveness offers him again.
2. Forgiveness turns the world of sin into a world of glory, wonderful to see. 2Each flower shines in light, and every bird sings of the joy of Heaven. 3There is no sadness and there is no parting here, for everything is totally forgiven. 4And what has been forgiven must join, for nothing stands between to keep them separate and apart. 5The sinless must perceive that they are one, for nothing stands between to push the other off. 6And in the space that sin left vacant do they join as one, in gladness recognizing what is part of them has not been kept apart and separate.
3. The holy place on which you stand is but the space that sin has left. 2And here you see the face of Christ, arising in its place. 3Who could behold the face of Christ and not recall His Father as He really is? 4Who could fear love, and stand upon the ground where sin has left a place for Heaven’s altar to rise and tower far above the world, and reach beyond the universe to touch the Heart of all creation? 5What is Heaven but a song of gratitude and love and praise by everything created to the Source of its creation? 6The holiest of altars is set where once sin was believed to be. 7And here does every light of Heaven come, to be rekindled and increased in joy. 8For here is what was lost restored to them, and all their radiance made whole again.
4. Forgiveness brings no little miracles to lay before the gate of Heaven. 2Here the Son of God Himself comes to receive each gift that brings him nearer to his home. 3Not one is lost, and none is cherished more than any other. 4Each reminds him of his Father’s Love as surely as the rest. 5And each one teaches him that what he feared he loves the most. 6What but a miracle could change his mind, so that he understands that love cannot be feared? 7What other miracle is there but this? 8And what else need there be to make the space between you disappear?
5. Where sin once was perceived will rise a world that will become an altar to the truth, and you will join the lights of Heaven there, and sing their song of gratitude and praise. 2And as they come to you to be complete, so will you go with them. 3For no one hears the song of Heaven and remains without a voice that adds its power to the song, and makes it sweeter still. 4And each one joins the singing at the altar that was raised within the tiny spot that sin proclaimed to be its own. 5And what was tiny then has soared into a magnitude of song in which the universe has joined with but a single voice.
6. This tiny spot of sin that stands between you and your brother still is holding back the happy opening of Heaven’s gate. 2How little is the hindrance that withholds the wealth of Heaven from you. 3And how great will be the joy in Heaven when you join the mighty chorus to the Love of God!