They give thanks for the willingness of the Wittenbergers to fulfill their wishes, and ask that John Aepinus be allowed to return to them as soon as possible.
Printed in the Mittheilungen des Vereins für Hamburger Geschichte, VIII, p. 69, No. 4, after the concept, and in the Erl. We give the letter, written in Low German dialect, in a High German translation.
To the worthy, highly learned and honorable gentlemen Martino Lutter, Justo Jonä, Doctors, and Philippo Melanthoni, holy divine Scripture teachers at Wittenbarge, our special generous lords and friends.
Grace and peace through Christ, our one and only Savior, also in all other ways that we can honor and do good, always first. Dignified, highly learned, honorable, arrogant gentlemen, special good friends! We have noted E. H. E. W.'s 3) reply to our recent request on behalf of our lord and friend Johannis Aepini, our superintendent, reading, and find E. H. E. W.'s request to be answered. H. E. W. in case of official gratitude, [that they] have favorably accepted our claim and have considered it fair with us (? We have also not failed to confer with an honorable, highly wise councilor of Hamburg, as our favorable lords, for such a requested time, as two or three months, to keep the said Johannem Aepinum with you, who is not unwilling to grant this, yet kindly and obligingly asks, E. H. E. W., that we may have the right to keep the said Johannem Aepinum with you for a period of two or three months. H. E. W., according to our request, do not want to extend (advance) such time, [as much] as always possible, but give things an acceleration 5) so that we may with the most conducive obtain our friend Johannem Aepinum in us again, in consideration of our need, and that in him, God knows (knows God), to whom we command H. H. E. W. in long-lasting welfare, we are noticeably concerned, and also owe so
3) Jsutve). H. E. W. is to be resolved by "Ew. Hochehrwürden" sem.
4) "daH us" put by us instead of: "the", which will hardly be correct.
5) In the original: "eynen Vorspoth". The word "Vorspoth" is probably derived from: Sputen == hurry.
Addendum to the letters from 1531 to 1536.
thanes of our utmost (uterigen) property always willingly gladly. Date under our signete, which only need at the (the) God's box, on Tuesday in the Pentecost (Pinxten) [June 3] anno XXXIII.
E. H. E. W. willing
Diaks and ordained Borger of the city of Hamborch.
No. 1980b.