After this Jerome retired into the lonely desert of Syria, where he spent four years in reading the holy Scripture, and in the contemplation of heavenly beatitude, afflicting his body by abstinence, weeping, and every kind of penance.
Baada ya hayo Jerome wastaafu ndani ya upweke jangwa la Syria, ambapo alitumia miaka minne katika kusoma maandiko matakatifu, na katika kutafakari ya Heri ya mbinguni, kutesa mwili wake na kuacha, kilio na kila aina ya toba.