I am astonished at you — that you have not written me a word for nearly a week — in particular since your brother-in-law is the messenger of this letter. Therefore see to inform us at once of your good welfare — and also of Rabbi Shimshon's welfare — and your considered view on my travel to you [וְדַעְתְּךָ — v'da'atcha: your opinion, your view. This is a genuine practical request — Reb Nussun wants to know whether Yitzchok thinks the visit is workable, whether it is expected, whether the timing suits. Not a rhetorical question but a real one requiring a real answer]. And Hashem the Good will do what is right. At this time I still do not know when I will travel or the order of the journey — and in all of it I rely on Him, Yisborach, alone.

And please, my son — be very, very strong — at every day and at every time. For you see what passes over each and every person — and in particular what passes over you — and all of it is for the good — in order to remind you through this specifically of the ultimate purpose, outside of which everything is vanity.

And the sign of the omer of barley — let it not leave your mind [סִימַן עֹמֶר שְׂעוֹרִים — "the sign of the omer of barley": a specific teaching from Reb Nussun's own Likutay Halachos, Hilchos T'fillin 6:32. The omer of barley is coarse, animal-grade grain — the lowest of offerings. Yet even this carries a divine sign within it. Reb Nussun teaches that even the most degraded state of a person contains a mark of holiness — a point of good — through which they can begin to turn. The reference serves as a compressed private signal between teacher and student, pointing to a specific written passage Yitzchok already knows]. For you can still prevail over your thoughts at every time through sit and do not act [שֵׁב וְאַל תַּעֲשֶׂה — the halachic principle of passive non-engagement: when foreign thoughts arise, do not fight them actively — simply do not act on them, sit still, and they will pass on their own] — as we have already spoken — and Hashem will save you.