Since we now have the complete text of this letter in Erl. Briefw., Vol. IX, p. 277, we share it here.
To the honorable and wise Paulo Lautensack, 2) citizen of Nuremberg, my good friend.
Grace and peace in Christ. My dear Paule! I have seen in the book, as it seems to me, that you have had great trouble with it, and also let others see it, because I am still half weak in the head, and feel well that you mean well and would like to do something to help the people. Now I find nothing bad in it, but because the time is now running out and the time is hard, I think that no one would like to print it at this time, nor perhaps be able to sell it, because the cost that would be involved is great, and the copies, for the sake of the figure, would be expensive to buy. Otherwise, I will gladly let you, and whoever else feels like it, be refreshed with it, as much as he can get out of it. Hiemit GOtt befehlt. Amen. Date Wittebergae post Lae
No. 1963.