1 Clement
Lightfoot's Translation
Roberts-Donaldson Translation
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS
Translated by J.B. Lightfoot.
1Clem prologue:1
The Church of God which sojourns in Rome to the Church of God which
sojourns in Corinth, to them which are called and sanctified by the
will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace
from Almighty God through Jesus Christ be multiplied.
1Clem 1:1
By reason of the sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which
are befalling us, brethren, we consider that we have been somewhat
tardy in giving heed to the matters of dispute that have arisen among
you, dearly beloved, and to the detestable and unholy sedition, so
alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few headstrong and
self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that your
name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men,
has been greatly reviled.
1Clem 1:2
For who that had sojourned among you did not approve your most
virtuous and steadfast faith? Who did not admire your sober and
forbearing piety in Christ? Who did not publish abroad your
magnificent disposition of hospitality? Who did not congratulate you
on your perfect and sound knowledge?
1Clem 1:3 [Household Rules]
For you did all things without respect of persons, and you walked after
the ordinances of God, submitting yourselves to your rulers and
rendering to the older men among you the honor which is their due.
On the young too you enjoined modest and seemly thoughts: and the
women you charged to perform all their duties in a blameless and
seemly and pure conscience, cherishing their own husbands, as is
meet; and you taught them to keep in the rule of obedience, and to
manage the affairs of their household in seemliness, with all
discretion.
1Clem 2:1
And you were all lowly in mind and free from arrogance, yielding
rather than claiming submission, more glad to give than to
receive, and content with the provisions which God supplies. And
giving heed unto His words, you laid them up diligently in your
hearts, and His sufferings were before your eyes.
1Clem 2:2
Thus a profound and rich peace was given to all, and an insatiable
desire of doing good. An abundant outpouring also of the Holy Spirit
fell upon all;
1Clem 2:3
and, being full of holy counsel, in excellent zeal and with a pious
confidence you stretched out your hands to Almighty God, supplicating
Him to be propitious, if unwillingly you had committed any sin.
1Clem 2:4
You had conflict day and night for all the brotherhood, that the
number of His elect might be saved with fearfulness and intentness of
mind.
1Clem 2:5
You were sincere and simple and free from malice one towards another.
1Clem 2:6
Every sedition and every schism was abominable to you. You mourned
over the transgressions of your neighbors: you judged their
shortcomings to be your own.
1Clem 2:7
You repented not of any well-doing, but were ready unto every good
work.
1Clem 2:8
Being adorned with a most virtuous and honorable life, you performed
all your duties in the fear of Him. The commandments and the
ordinances of the Lord were written on the tablets of your hearts.
1Clem 3:1
All glory and enlargement was given unto you, and that was fulfilled
which is written My beloved ate and drank and was enlarged and
waxed fat and kicked.
1Clem 3:2
Hence come jealousy and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and
tumult, war and captivity.
1Clem 3:3
So men were stirred up, the mean against the honorable, the ill
reputed against the highly reputed, the foolish against the wise, the
young against the elder.
1Clem 3:4
For this cause righteousness and peace stand aloof, while each
man have forsaken the fear of the Lord and become purblind in the
faith of Him, neither walks in the ordinances of His commandments
nor lives according to that which becomes Christ, but each goes
after the lusts of his evil heart, seeing that they have conceived an
unrighteous and ungodly jealousy, through which also death entered
into the world.
1Clem 4:1
For so it is written, And it came to pass after certain days that
Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice unto God, and
Abel he also brought of the firstlings of the sheep and of their
fatness.
1Clem 4:2
And God looked upon Abel and upon his gifts, but unto Cain and unto
his sacrifices He gave no heed.
1Clem 4:3
And Cain sorrowed exceedingly, and his countenance fell.
1Clem 4:4
And God said unto Cain, Why are you very sorrowful and
why did your countenance fall? If you have offered aright and
have not divided aright, did you not sin? Hold your peace.
1Clem 4:5
Unto you shall he turn, and you shall rule over him. {This last
phrase has also been translated: Be at peace: your offering
returns to yourself, and you shall again possess it.}
1Clem 4:6
And Cain said unto Abel his brother, Let us go over unto the plain.
And it came to pass, while they were in the plain, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother and slew him.
1Clem 4:7
You see, brethren, jealousy and envy wrought a brother's murder.
1Clem 4:8
By reason of jealousy our father Jacob ran away from the face of Esau
his brother.
1Clem 4:9
Jealousy caused Joseph to be persecuted even unto death, and to come
even unto bondage.
1Clem 4:10
Jealousy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of
Egypt while it was said to him by his own countryman, Who made you
a judge or a decider over us, Would you slay me, even as
yesterday you killed the Egyptian?
1Clem 4:11
By reason of jealousy Aaron and Miriam were lodged outside the camp.
1Clem 4:12
Jealousy brought Dathan and Abiram down alive to hades, because they
made sedition against Moses the servant of God.
1Clem 4:13
By reason of jealousy David was envied not only by the Philistines,
but was persecuted also by Saul [king of Israel].
1Clem 5:1
But, to pass from the examples of ancient days, let us come to those
champions who lived nearest to our time. Let us set before us the
noble examples which belong to our generation.
1Clem 5:2
By reason of jealousy and envy the greatest and most righteous
pillars of the Church were persecuted, and contended even unto death.
1Clem 5:3
Let us set before our eyes the good Apostles.
1Clem 5:4
There was Peter who by reason of unrighteous jealousy endured not one
not one but many labors, and thus having borne his testimony went to
his appointed place of glory.
1Clem 5:5
By reason of jealousy and strife Paul by his example pointed out the
prize of patient endurance. After that he had been seven times in
bonds, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, had preached in
the East and in the West, he won the noble renown which was the
reward of his faith,
1Clem 5:6
having taught righteousness unto the whole world and having reached
the farthest bounds of the West; and when he had borne his testimony
before the rulers, so he departed from the world and went unto the
holy place, having been found a notable pattern of patient endurance.
1Clem 6:1
Unto these men of holy lives was gathered a vast multitude of the
elect, who through many indignities and tortures, being the victims
of jealousy, set a brave example among ourselves.
1Clem 6:2
By reason of jealousy women being persecuted, after that they had
suffered cruel and unholy insults as Danaids and Dircae, safely
reached the goal in the race of faith, and received a noble reward,
feeble though they were in body.
1Clem 6:3
Jealousy have estranged wives from their husbands and changed the
saying of our father Adam, This now is bone of my bones and flesh
of my flesh.
1Clem 6:4
Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted great
nations.
1Clem 7:1
These things, dearly beloved, we write, not only as admonishing you,
but also as putting ourselves in remembrance. For we are in the same
lists, and the same contest awaits us.
1Clem 7:2
Wherefore let us forsake idle and vain thoughts; and let us conform
to the glorious and venerable rule which have been handed down to us;
1Clem 7:3
and let us see what is good and what is pleasant and what is
acceptable in the sight of Him that made us.
1Clem 7:4
Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ and understand how
precious it is unto His Father, because being shed for our salvation
it won for the whole world the grace of repentance.
1Clem 7:5
Let us review all the generations in turn, and learn how from
generation to generation the Master has given a place for repentance
unto them that desire to turn to Him.
1Clem 7:6
Noah preached repentance, and they that obeyed were saved.
1Clem 7:7
Jonah preached destruction unto the men of Nineveh; but they,
repenting of their sins, obtained pardon of God by their
supplications and received salvation, albeit they were aliens from
God.
1Clem 8:1
The ministers of the grace of God through the Holy Spirit spoke
concerning repentance.
1Clem 8:2
Yea and the Master of the universe Himself spoke concerning
repentance with an oath:
1Clem 8:3
for, as I live says the Lord, I desire not the death of the
sinner, so much as his repentance,
1Clem 8:4
and He added also a merciful judgment: Repent you, O house of
Israel, of your iniquity; say unto the sons of My people, Though
your sins reach from the earth even unto the heaven, and though
they be redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, and you turn
unto Me with your whole heart and say Father, I will give ear unto
you as unto a holy people.
1Clem 8:5
And in another place He says on this wise, Wash, be you clean. Put
away your iniquities from your souls out of My sight. Cease from
your iniquities; learn to do good; seek out judgment; defend him
that is wronged: give judgment for the orphan, and execute
righteousness for the widow; and come and let us reason together,
says He; and though your sins be as crimson, I will make them
white as snow; and though they be as scarlet, I will make them
white as wool. And if you be willing and will hearken unto Me, you
shall eat the good things of the earth; but if you be not willing,
neither hearken unto Me, a sword shall devour you; for the mouth of
the Lord have spoken these things.
1Clem 8:6
Seeing then that He desires all His beloved to be partakers of
repentance, He confirmed it by an act of His almighty will.
1Clem 9:1
Wherefore let us be obedient unto His excellent and glorious will;
and presenting ourselves as suppliants of His mercy and goodness, let
us fall down before Him and betake ourselves unto His compassions,
forsaking the vain toil and the strife and the jealousy which leads
unto death.
1Clem 9:2
Let us fix our eyes on them that ministered perfectly unto His
excellent glory.
1Clem 9:3
Let us set before us Enoch, who being found righteous in obedience
was translated, and his death was not found.
1Clem 9:4
Noah, being found faithful, by his ministration preached regeneration
unto the world, and through him the Master saved the living creatures
that entered into the ark in concord.
1Clem 10:1
Abraham, who was called the 'friend,' was found faithful in that he
rendered obedience unto the words of God.
1Clem 10:2
He through obedience went forth from his land and from his kindred
and from his father's house, that leaving a scanty land and a feeble
kindred and a mean house he might inherit the promises of God.
1Clem 10:3
For He says unto him Go forth from your land and from your kindred
and from your father's house unto the land which I shall show you,
and I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you and
will magnify your name, and you shall be blessed. And I will bless
those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you; and in
you shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed.
1Clem 10:4
And again, when he was parted from Lot, God said unto him Look up
with your eyes, and behold from the place where you now are, unto
the north and the south and the sunrise and the sea; for all the
land which you see, I will give it unto you and to your seed for
ever;
1Clem 10:5
and I will make your seed as the dust of the earth. If any man can
count the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be counted.
1Clem 10:6
And again He says; God led Abraham forth and said unto him, Look
up unto the heaven and count the stars, and see whether you can
number them. So shall your seed be. And Abraham believed God, and it
was reckoned unto him for righteousness.
1Clem 10:7
For his faith and hospitality a son was given unto him in old age,
and by obedience he offered him a sacrifice unto God on one of the
mountains which He showed him.
1Clem 11:1
For his hospitality and godliness Lot was saved from Sodom, when all
the country round about was judged by fire and brimstone; the Master
having thus foreshown that He forsakes not them which set their
hope on Him, but appoints unto punishment and torment them which
swerve aside.
1Clem 11:2
For when his wife had gone forth with him, being otherwise minded and
not in accord, she was appointed for a sign hereunto, so that she
became a pillar of salt unto this day, that it might be known unto
all men that they which are double-minded and they which doubt
concerning the power of God are set for a judgment and for a token
unto all the generations.
1Clem 12:1
For her faith and hospitality Rahab the harlot was saved.
1Clem 12:2
For when the spies were sent forth unto Jericho by Joshua the son of
Nun, the king of the land perceived that they were come to spy out
his country, and sent forth men to seize them, that being seized they
might be put to death.
1Clem 12:3
So the hospitable Rahab received them and hid them in the upper
chamber under the flax stalks.
1Clem 12:4
And when the messengers of the king came near and said, The spies
of our land entered in unto you: bring them forth, for the king so
orders: then she answered, The men truly, whom you seek,
entered in unto me, but they departed forthwith and are sojourning
on the way; and she pointed out to them the opposite road.
1Clem 12:5
And she said unto the men, Of a surety I perceive that the Lord
your God delivers this city unto you; for the fear and the dread
of you is fallen upon the inhabitants thereof. When therefore it
shall come to pass that you take it, save me and the house of my
father.
1Clem 12:6
And they said unto her, It shall be even so as you have spoken
unto us. Whenever therefore you perceive that we are coming,
you shall gather all your folk beneath your roof and they shall be
saved; for as many as shall be found without the house shall
perish.
1Clem 12:7
And moreover they gave her a sign, that she should hang out from her
house a scarlet thread, thereby showing beforehand that through the
blood of the Lord there shall be redemption unto all them that
believe and hope on God.
1Clem 12:8
You see, dearly beloved, not only faith, but prophecy, is found in the
woman.
1Clem 13:1
Let us therefore be lowly minded, brethren, laying aside all
arrogance and conceit and folly and anger, and let us do that which
is written. For the Holy Spirit says, Let not the wise man boast in
his wisdom, nor the strong in his strength, neither the rich in his
riches; but he that boasts let him boast in the Lord, that he may
seek Him out, and do judgment and righteousness most of all
remembering the words of the Lord Jesus which He spoke, teaching
forbearance and long-suffering:
1Clem 13:2
for thus He spoke Have mercy, that you may receive mercy: forgive,
that it may be forgiven to you. As you do, so shall it be done to
you. As you give, so shall it be given unto you. As you judge, so
shall you be judged. As you show kindness, so shall kindness be
showed unto you. With what measure you mete, it shall be measured
withal to you.
1Clem 13:3
With this commandment and these precepts let us confirm ourselves,
that we may walk in obedience to His hallowed words, with lowliness
of mind.
1Clem 13:4
For the holy word says, Upon whom shall I look, save upon him that
is gentle and quiet and fears my oracles?
1Clem 14:1
Therefore it is right and proper, brethren, that we should be
obedient unto God, rather than follow those who in arrogance and
unruliness have set themselves up as leaders in abominable jealousy.
1Clem 14:2
For we shall bring upon us no common harm, but rather great peril, if
we surrender ourselves recklessly to the purposes of men who launch
out into strife and seditions, so as to estrange us from that which
is right.
1Clem 14:3
Let us be good one towards another according to the compassion and
sweetness of Him that made us. For it is written:
1Clem 14:4
The good shall be dwellers in the land, and the innocent shall be
left on it but those who transgress shall be destroyed utterly from
it.
1Clem 14:5
And again He says I saw the ungodly lifted up on high and exalted
as the cedars of Lebanon. And I passed by, and behold he was not;
and sought out his place, and I found it not. Keep innocence and
behold uprightness; for there is a remnant for the peaceful man.
1Clem 15:1
Therefore let us cleave unto them that practice peace with
godliness, and not unto them that desire peace with dissimulation.
1Clem 15:2
For He says in a certain place This people honors Me with their
lips, but their heart is far from Me,
1Clem 15:3
and again, they blessed with their mouth, but they cursed with
their heart.
1Clem 15:4
And again He says, They loved Him with their mouth, and with their
tongue they lied unto Him; and their heart was not upright with
Him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant.
1Clem 15:5
For this cause let the deceitful lips be made dumb which speak
iniquity against the righteous. And again May the Lord utterly
destroy all the deceitful lips, the tongue that speaks proud
things, even them who say, Let us magnify our tongue; our lips are
our own; who is lord over us?
1Clem 15:6
For the misery of the needy and for the groaning of the poor I will
now arise, says the Lord. I will set him in safety; I will deal
boldly by him.
1Clem 16:1
For Christ is with them that are lowly of mind, not with them that
exalt themselves over the flock.
1Clem 16:2
The scepter of the majesty of God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, came
not in the pomp of arrogance or of pride, though He might have done
so, but in lowliness of mind, according as the Holy Spirit spoke
concerning Him.
1Clem 16:3
For He says Lord, who believed our report? and to whom was the arm
of the Lord revealed? We announced Him in His presence. As a child
was He, as a root in a thirsty ground. There is no form in Him,
neither glory. And we beheld Him, and He had no form nor
comeliness, but His form was mean, lacking more than the form of
men. He was a man of stripes and of toil, and knowing how to bear
infirmity: for His face is turned away. He was dishonored and held
of no account.
1Clem 16:4
He bears our sins and suffers pain for our sakes: and we
accounted Him to be in toil and in stripes and in affliction.
1Clem 16:5
And He was wounded for our sins and have been afflicted for our
iniquities. The chastisement of our peace is upon Him. With His
bruises we were healed.
1Clem 16:6
We all went astray like sheep, each man went astray in his own
path:
1Clem 16:7
and the Lord delivered Him over for our sins. And He opens not
His mouth, because He is afflicted. As a sheep He was led to
slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so opens He
not His mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away.
1Clem 16:8
His generation who shall declare? For His life is taken away from
the earth.
1Clem 16:9
For the iniquities of my people He is come to death.
1Clem 16:10
And I will give the wicked for His burial, and the rich for His
death; for He wrought no iniquity, neither was guile found in His
mouth. And the Lord desires to cleanse Him from His stripes.
1Clem 16:11
If you offer for sin, your soul shall see along lived seed.
1Clem 16:12
And the Lord desires to take away from the toil of His soul, to
show Him light and to mould Him with understanding, to justify a
Just One that is a good servant unto many. And He shall bear their
sins.
1Clem 16:13
Therefore He shall inherit many, and shall divide the spoils of the
strong; because His soul was delivered unto death, and He was
reckoned unto the transgressors;
1Clem 16:14
and He bore the sins of many, and for their sins was He delivered
up.
1Clem 16:15
And again He Himself says; But I am a worm and no man, a reproach
of men and an outcast of the people.
1Clem 16:16
All they that beheld me mocked at me; they spoke with their lips;
they wagged their heads, saying, He hoped on the Lord; let Him
deliver him, or let Him save him, for He desires him.
1Clem 16:17
You see, dearly beloved, what is the pattern that have been given unto
us; for, if the Lord was thus lowly of mind, what should we do, who
through Him have been brought under the yoke of His grace?
1Clem 17:1
Let us be imitators also of them which went about in goatskins and
sheepskins, preaching the coming of Christ. We mean Elijah and Elisha
and likewise Ezekiel, the prophets, and besides them those men also
that obtained a good report.
1Clem 17:2
Abraham obtained an exceeding good report and was called the friend
of God; and looking steadfastly on the glory of God, he says in
lowliness of mind, But I am dust and ashes.
1Clem 17:3
Moreover concerning Job also it is thus written; And Job was
righteous and unblamable, one that was true and honored God and
abstained from all evil.
1Clem 17:4
Yet he himself accuses himself saying, No man from filth; no, not
though his life be but for a day.
1Clem 17:5
Moses was called faithful in all His house, and through his
ministration God judged Egypt with the plagues and the torments which
befell them. Howbeit he also, though greatly glorified, yet spoke no
proud words, but said, when an oracle was given to him at the bush,
Who am I, that you send me?
1Clem 17:6
Nay, I am feeble of speech and slow of tongue. And again he says,
But I am smoke from the pot.
1Clem 18:1
But what must we say of David that obtained a good report? of whom
God said, I have found a man after My heart, David the son of
Jesse: with eternal mercy have I anointed him.
1Clem 18:2
Yet he too says unto God Have mercy upon me, O God, according to
your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassions,
blot out mine iniquity.
1Clem 18:3
Wash me yet more from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only did I sin, and I wrought evil in your sight; that
you may be justified in your words, and may conquer in your
pleading.
1Clem 18:4
For behold, in iniquities was I conceived, and in sins did my
mother bear me. For behold you have loved truth: the dark and
hidden things of your wisdom have you showed unto me.
1Clem 18:5
you shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean. You
shall wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
1Clem 18:6
you shall make me to hear of joy and gladness. The bones which
have been humbled shall rejoice.
1Clem 18:7
Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
1Clem 18:8
Make a clean heart within me, O God, and renew a right spirit in
mine inmost parts. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not
your Holy Spirit from me.
1Clem 18:9
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and strengthen me with a
princely spirit.
1Clem 18:10
I will teach sinners your ways, and godless men shall be converted
unto you.
1Clem 18:11
Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue shall rejoice in your righteousness.
1Clem 18:12
Lord, you shall open my mouth, and my lips shall declare your
praise.
1Clem 18:13
For, if you had desired sacrifice, I would have given it: in
whole burnt offerings you will have no pleasure.
1Clem 18:14
A sacrifice unto God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humbled
heart God will not despise.
1Clem 19:1
The humility therefore and the submissiveness of so many and so
great men, who have thus obtained a good report, have through
obedience made better not only us but also the generations which were
before us, even them that received His oracles in fear and truth.
1Clem 19:2
Seeing then that we have been partakers of many great and glorious
doings, let us hasten to return unto the goal of peace which hath
been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us look
steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave
unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits.
1Clem 19:3
Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our
soul unto His long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He
is towards all His creatures.
1Clem 20:1
The heavens are moved by His direction and obey Him in peace.
1Clem 20:2
Day and night accomplish the course assigned to them by Him, without
hindrance one to another.
1Clem 20:3
The sun and the moon and the dancing stars according to His
appointment circle in harmony within the bounds assigned to them,
without any swerving aside.
1Clem 20:4
The earth, bearing fruit in fulfillment of His will at her proper
seasons, puts forth the food that supplies abundantly both men
and beasts and all living things which are thereupon, making no
dissension, neither altering anything which He have decreed.
1Clem 20:5
Moreover, the inscrutable depths of the abysses and the unutterable
statutes of the nether regions are constrained by the same
ordinances.
1Clem 20:6
The basin of the boundless sea, gathered together by His workmanship
into its reservoirs, passes not the barriers wherewith it is
surrounded; but even as He ordered it, so it doeth.
1Clem 20:7
For He said, So far shall you come, and your waves shall be broken
within you.
1Clem 20:8
The ocean which is impassable for men, and the worlds beyond it, are
directed by the same ordinances of the Master.
1Clem 20:9
The seasons of spring and summer and autumn and winter give way in
succession one to another in peace.
1Clem 20:10
The winds in their several quarters at their proper season fulfill
their ministry without disturbance; and the ever flowing fountains,
created for enjoyment and health, without fail give their breasts
which sustain the life for men. Yea, the smallest of living things
come together in concord and peace.
1Clem 20:11
All these things the great Creator and Master of the universe ordered
to be in peace and concord, doing good unto all things, but far
beyond the rest unto us who have taken refuge in His compassionate
mercies through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Clem 20:12
to whom be the glory and the majesty for ever and ever. Amen.
1Clem 21:1
Look, brethren, lest His benefits, which are many, turn unto
judgment to all of us, if we walk not worthily of Him, and do those
things which are good and well pleasing in His sight with concord.
1Clem 21:2
For He says in a certain place, The Spirit of the Lord is a lamp
searching the closets of the belly.
1Clem 21:3
Let us see how near He is, and how that nothing escapes Him of our
thoughts or our devices which we make.
1Clem 21:4
It is right therefore that we should not be deserters from His will.
1Clem 21:5
Let us rather give offense to foolish and senseless men who exalt
themselves and boast in the arrogance of their words, than to God.
1Clem 21:6 [Gender issues]
Let us fear the Lord Jesus [Christ], whose blood was given for us.
Let us reverence our rulers; let us honor our elders; let us instruct
our young men in the lesson of the fear of God. Let us guide our
women toward that which is good:
1Clem 21:7
let them show forth their lovely disposition of purity; let them
prove their sincere affection of gentleness; let them make manifest
the moderation of their tongue through their silence; let them show
their love, not in factious preferences but without partiality
towards all them that fear God, in holiness. Let our children be
partakers of the instruction which is in Christ:
1Clem 21:8
let them learn how lowliness of mind prevails with God, what power
chaste love have with God, how the fear of Him is good and great and
saves all them that walk therein in a pure mind with holiness.
1Clem 21:9
For He is the searcher out of the intents and desires; whose breath
is in us, and when He lists, He shall take it away.
1Clem 22:1
Now all these things the faith which is in Christ confirms: for He
Himself through the Holy Spirit thus invite thus: Come, my
children, hearken unto Me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
1Clem 22:2
What man is he that desires life and loves to see good days?
1Clem 22:3
Make your tongue to cease from evil, and your lips that they speak no
guile.
1Clem 22:4
Turn aside from evil and do good.
1Clem 22:5
Seek peace and ensue it.
1Clem 22:6
The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are
turned to their prayers. But the face of the Lord is upon them that
do evil, to destroy their memorial from the earth.
1Clem 22:7
The righteous cried out, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him
from all his troubles. Many are the troubles of the righteous, and
the Lord shall deliver him from them all.
1Clem 22:8
And again Many are the stripes of the sinner, but them that set
their hope on the Lord mercy shall compass about.
1Clem 23:1
The Father, who is pitiful in all things, and ready to do good, has
compassion on them that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows
His favors on them that draw nigh unto Him with a single mind.
1Clem 23:2
Therefore let us not be double-minded, neither let our soul indulge in
idle humors respecting His exceeding and glorious gifts.
1Clem 23:3
Let this scripture be far from us where He says Wretched are the
double-minded, Which doubt in their soul and say, These things we
did hear in the days of our fathers also, and behold we have grown
old, and none of these things have befallen us.
1Clem 23:4
You fools, compare yourselves unto a tree; take a vine. First it
sheds its leaves, then a shoot cometh, then a leaf, then a
flower, and after these a sour berry, then a full ripe grape. You
see that in a little time the fruit of the tree attains unto
mellowness.
1Clem 23:5
Of a truth quickly and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, the
scripture also bearing witness to it, saying He shall come quickly
and shall not tarry; and the Lord shall come suddenly into His
temple, even the Holy One, whom you expect.
1Clem 24:1
Let us understand, dearly beloved, how the Master continually
shows unto us the resurrection that shall be hereafter; whereof He
made the Lord Jesus Christ the firstfruit, when He raised Him from
the dead.
1Clem 24:2
Let us behold, dearly beloved, the resurrection which happens at
its proper season.
1Clem 24:3
Day and night show unto us the resurrection. The night falls
asleep, and day arises; the day departs, and night comes on.
1Clem 24:4
Let us mark the fruits, how and in what manner the sowing takes
place.
1Clem 24:5
The sower goes forth and casts into the earth each of the
seeds; and these falling into the earth dry and bare decay: then out
of their decay the mightiness of the Master's providence raises them
up, and from being one they increase manifold and bear fruit.
1Clem 25:1
Let us consider the marvelous sign which is seen in the regions of
the east, that is, in the parts about Arabia.
1Clem 25:2
There is a bird, which is named the phoenix. This, being the only
one of its kind, lives for five hundred years; and when it have now
reached the time of its dissolution that it should die, it makes for
itself a coffin of frankincense and myrrh and the other spices, into
the which in the fullness of time it enters, and so it dies.
1Clem 25:3
But, as the flesh rots, a certain worm is engendered, which is
nurtured from the moisture of the dead creature and puts forth
wings. Then, when it is grown lusty, it takes up that coffin where
are the bones of its parent, and carrying them journeys from the
country of Arabia even unto Egypt, to the place called the City of
the Sun;
1Clem 25:4
and in the daytime in the sight of all, flying to the altar of the
Sun, it lays them thereupon; and this done, it sets forth to
return.
1Clem 25:5
So the priests examine the registers of the times, and they find that
it have come when the five hundredth year is completed.
1Clem 26:1
Do we then think it to be a great and marvelous thing, if the
Creator of the universe shall bring about the resurrection of them
that have served Him with holiness in the assurance of a good faith,
seeing that He shows to us even by a bird the magnificence of His
promise?
1Clem 26:2
For He says in a certain place And you shall raise me up, and I
will praise you; and I went to rest and slept, I was awaked,
for you are with me.
1Clem 26:3
And again Job says And you shall raise this my flesh which hath
endured all these things.
1Clem 27:1
With this hope therefore let our souls be bound unto Him that is
faithful in His promises and that is righteous in His judgments.
1Clem 27:2
He that commanded not to lie, much more shall He Himself not lie:
for nothing is impossible with God save to lie.
1Clem 27:3
Therefore let our faith in Him be kindled within us, and let us
understand that all things are nigh unto Him.
1Clem 27:4
By a word of His majesty He compacted the universe; and by a word He
can destroy it.
1Clem 27:5
Who shall say unto Him, What have you done? or who shall resist
the might of His strength? When He lists, and as He lists, He
will do all things; and nothing shall pass away of those things that
He have decreed.
1Clem 27:6
All things are in His sight, and nothing escapes His counsel,
1Clem 27:7
seeing that The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament
proclaims His handiwork. Day utters word unto day, and night
proclaims knowledge unto night; and there are neither words nor
speeches, whose voices are not heard.
1Clem 28:1
Since therefore all things are seen and heard, let us fear Him and
forsake the abominable lusts of evil works, that we maybe shielded by
His mercy from the coming judgments.
1Clem 28:2
For where can any of us escape from His strong hand? And what world
will receive any of them that desert from His service?
1Clem 28:3
For the holy writing says in a certain place Where shall I go, and
where shall I be hidden from your face? If I ascend into the heaven,
you are there; if I depart into the farthest parts of the earth,
there is your right hand; if I make my bed in the depths, there is
your Spirit.
1Clem 28:4
Whither then shall one depart, or where shall one flee, from Him that
embraces the universe?
1Clem 29:1
Let us therefore approach Him in holiness of soul, lifting up pure
and undefiled hands unto Him, with love towards our gentle and
compassionate Father who made us an elect portion unto Himself.
1Clem 29:2
For thus it is written: When the Most High divided the nations, when He
dispersed the sons of Adam, He fixed the boundaries of the nations
according to the number of the angels of God. His people Jacob
became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the measurement of His
inheritance.
1Clem 29:3
And in another place He says, Behold, the Lord takes for Himself
a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first
fruits of his threshing floor; and the holy of holies shall come
forth from that nation.
1Clem 30:1
Seeing then that we are the special portion of a Holy God, let us do
all things that pertain unto holiness, forsaking evil speaking,
abominable and impure embraces, drunkenness and tumults and hateful
lusts, abominable adultery, hateful pride.
1Clem 30:2
For God, He says, resists the proud, but gives grace to the
lowly.
1Clem 30:3
Let us therefore cleave unto those to whom grace is given from God.
Let us clothe ourselves in concord, being lowlyminded and temperate,
holding ourselves aloof from all back biting and evil speaking, being
justified by works and not by words.
1Clem 30:4
For He says, He that says much shall hear also again. Does the
ready talker think to be righteous?
1Clem 30:5
Blessed is the offspring of a woman that lives but a short time.
Be not you abundant in words.
1Clem 30:6
Let our praise be with God, and not of ourselves: for God hates
them that praise themselves.
1Clem 30:7
Let the testimony to our well doing be given by others, as it was
given unto our fathers who were righteous.
1Clem 30:8
Boldness and arrogance and daring are for them that are accursed of
God; but forbearance and humility and gentleness are with those who
are blessed of God.
1Clem 31:1
Let us therefore cleave unto His blessing, and let us see what are
the ways of blessing. Let us study the records of the things that
have happened from the beginning.
1Clem 31:2
Why was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he
wrought righteousness and truth through faith?
1Clem 31:3
Isaac with confidence, as knowing the future, was led a willing
sacrifice.
1Clem 31:4
Jacob with humility departed from his land because of his brother,
and went unto Laban and served; and the twelve tribes of Israel were
given unto him.
1Clem 32:1
If any man will consider them one by one in sincerity, he shall
understand the magnificence of the gifts that are given by Him.
1Clem 32:2
For of Jacob are all the priests and Levites who minister unto the
altar of God; of him is the Lord Jesus as concerning the flesh; of
him are kings and rulers and governors in the line of Judah; yea and
the rest of his tribes are held in no small honor, seeing that God
promised saying, your seed shall be as the stars of heaven.
1Clem 32:3
They all therefore were glorified and magnified, not through
themselves or their own works or the righteous doing which they
wrought, but through His will.
1Clem 32:4
And so we, having been called through His will in Christ Jesus, are
not justified through ourselves or through our own wisdom or
understanding or piety or works which we wrought in holiness of
heart, but through faith, whereby the Almighty God justified all men
that have been from the beginning; to whom be the glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
1Clem 33:1
What then must we do, brethren? Must we idly abstain from doing
good, and forsake love? May the Master never allow this to befall us
at least; but let us hasten with speed and zeal to accomplish
every good work.
1Clem 33:2
For the Creator and Master of the universe Himself rejoices in His
works.
1Clem 33:3
For by His exceeding great might He established the heavens, and in
His incomprehensible wisdom He set them in order. And the earth He
separated from the water that surrounds it, and He set it firm on
the sure foundation of His own will; and the living creatures which
walk upon it He commanded to exist by His ordinance. Having before
created the sea and the living creatures therein, He enclosed it by
His own power.
1Clem 33:4
Above all, as the most excellent and exceeding great work of His
intelligence, with His sacred and faultless hands He formed man in
the impress of His own image.
1Clem 33:5
For thus says God Let us make man after our image and after our
likeness. And God made man; male and female made He them.
1Clem 33:6
So having finished all these things, He praised them and blessed them
and said, Increase and multiply.
1Clem 33:7
We have seen that all the righteous were adorned in good works. Yea,
and the Lord Himself having adorned Himself with worlds rejoiced.
1Clem 33:8
Seeing then that we have this pattern, let us conform ourselves with
all diligence to His will; let us with all our strength work the work
of righteousness.
1Clem 34:1
The good workman receives the bread of his work with boldness, but
the slothful and careless dares not look his employer in the face.
1Clem 34:2
It is therefore needful that we should be zealous unto well doing,
for of Him are all things:
1Clem 34:3
since He forewarns us saying, Behold, the Lord, and His reward is
before His face, to recompense each man according to his work.
1Clem 34:4
He exhorts us therefore to believe on Him with our whole heart, and
to be not idle nor careless unto every good work.
1Clem 34:5
Let our boast and our confidence be in Him: let us submit ourselves
to His will; let us mark the whole host of His angels, how they stand
by and minister unto His will.
1Clem 34:6
For the scripture says, Ten thousands of ten thousands stood by
Him, and thousands of thousands ministered unto Him: and they cried
aloud, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Sabaoth; all creation is
full of His glory.
1Clem 34:7
Yea, and let us ourselves then, being gathered together in concord
with intentness of heart, cry unto Him as from one mouth earnestly
that we may be made partakers of His great and glorious promises.
1Clem 34:8
For He says, Eye have not seen and ear have not heard, and it has
not entered into the heart of man what great things He has
prepared for them that patiently await Him.
1Clem 35:1
How blessed and marvelous are the gifts of God, dearly beloved!!
1Clem 35:2
Life in immortality, splendor in righteousness, truth in boldness,
faith in confidence, temperance in sanctification! And all these
things fall under our apprehension.
1Clem 35:3
What then, do you think, are the things preparing for those who patiently
await Him? The Creator and Father of the ages, the All holy One
Himself knows their number and their beauty.
1Clem 35:4
Let us therefore contend, that we may be found in the number of those
that patiently await Him, to the end that we may be partakers of His
promised gifts.
1Clem 35:5
But how shall this be, dearly beloved? If our mind be fixed through
faith towards God; if we seek out those things which are well
pleasing and acceptable unto Him; if we accomplish such things as
beseem His faultless will, and follow the way of truth, casting off
from ourselves all unrighteousness and iniquity, covetousness,
strifes, malignities and deceits, whisperings and backbitings, hatred
of God, pride and arrogance, vainglory and inhospitality.
1Clem 35:6
For they that do these things are hateful to God; and not only they
that do them, but they also that consent unto them.
1Clem 35:7
For the scripture says, But unto the sinner said God, Why
do you declare my ordinances, and take My covenant upon your
lips?
1Clem 35:8
Yet you did hate instruction and did cast away My words behind
you. If you saw a thief you did keep company with him, and
with the adulterers you did set your portion. Your mouth
multiplied wickedness and your tongue wove deceit. You sat and
spoke against your brother, and against the son of your mother you
did lay a stumbling block.
1Clem 35:9
These things you have done, and I kept silence. you thought,
unrighteous man, that I should be like unto you.
1Clem 35:10
I will convict you and will set you face to face with yourself.
1Clem 35:11
Now understand you these things, you that forget God, lest at any
time He seize you as a lion, and there be none to deliver.
1Clem 35:12
The sacrifice of praise shall glorify Me, and there is the way
wherein I will show him the salvation of God.
1Clem 36:1
This is the way, dearly beloved, wherein we found our salvation,
even Jesus Christ the High priest of our offerings, the Guardian and
Helper of our weakness.
1Clem 36:2
Through Him let us look steadfastly unto the heights of the heavens;
through Him we behold as in a mirror His faultless and most excellent
visage; through Him the eyes of our hearts were opened; through Him
our foolish and darkened mind springs up unto the light; through
Him the Master willed that we should taste of the immortal knowledge
Who being the brightness of His majesty is so much greater than
angels, as He have inherited a more excellent name.
1Clem 36:3
For so it is written Who makes His angels spirits and His
ministers aflame of fire
1Clem 36:4
but of His Son the Master said thus, you are My Son, I this day
have begotten you. Ask of Me, and I will give you the Gentiles
for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your
possession.
1Clem 36:5
And again He says unto Him Sit you on My right hand, until I make
Your enemies a footstool for your feet.
1Clem 36:6
Who then are these enemies? They that are wicked and resist His
will.
1Clem 37:1
Let us therefore enlist ourselves, brethren, with all earnestness in
His faultless ordinances.
1Clem 37:2
Let us mark the soldiers that are enlisted under our rulers, how
exactly, how readily, how submissively, they execute the orders given
them.
1Clem 37:3
All are not prefects, nor rulers of thousands, nor rulers of
hundreds, nor rulers of fifties, and so forth; but each man in his
own rank executes the orders given by the king and the governors.
1Clem 37:4
The great without the small cannot exist, neither the small without
the great. There is a certain mixture in all things, and therein is
utility.
1Clem 37:5
Let us take our body as an example. The head without the feet is
nothing; so likewise the feet without the head are nothing: even the
smallest limbs of our body are necessary and useful for the whole
body: but all the members conspire and unite in subjection, that the
whole body maybe saved.
1Clem 38:1
So in our case let the whole body be saved in Christ Jesus, and let
each man be subject unto his neighbor, according as also he was
appointed with his special grace.
1Clem 38:2
Let not the strong neglect the weak; and let the weak respect the
strong. Let the rich minister aid to the poor; and let the poor give
thanks to God, because He have given him one through whom his wants
may be supplied. Let the wise display his wisdom, not in words, but
in good works. He that is lowly in mind, let him not bear testimony
to himself, but leave testimony to be borne to him by his neighbor.
He that is pure in the flesh, let him be so, and not boast, knowing
that it is Another who bestows his continence upon him.
1Clem 38:3
Let us consider, brethren, of what matter we were made; who and what
manner of beings we were, when we came into the world; from what a
sepulchre and what darkness He that molded and created us brought us
into His world, having prepared His benefits beforehand ere ever we
were born.
1Clem 38:4
Seeing therefore that we have all these things from Him, we ought in
all things to give thanks to Him, to whom be the glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
1Clem 39:1
Senseless and stupid and foolish and ignorant men jeer and mock at
us, desiring that they themselves should be exalted in their
imaginations.
1Clem 39:2
For what power have a mortal? or what strength have a child of earth?
1Clem 39:3
For it is written; There was no form before mine eyes; only I heard
a breath and a voice.
1Clem 39:4
What then? Shall a mortal be clean in the sight of the Lord; or
shall a man be unblamable for his works? seeing that He is
distrustful against His servants and notes some perversity against
His angels.
1Clem 39:5
Nay, the heaven is not clean in His sight. Away then, you that dwell
in houses of clay, whereof, even of the same clay, we ourselves are
made. He smote them like a moth, and from morn to even they are no
more. Because they could not succor themselves, they perished.
1Clem 39:6
He breathed on them and they died, because they had no wisdom.
1Clem 39:7
But call you, if perchance one shall obey you, or if you shall
see one of the holy angels. For wrath kills the foolish man, and
envy slays him that has gone astray.
1Clem 39:8
And I have seen fools throwing out roots, but forthwith their
habitation was eaten up.
1Clem 39:9
Far be their sons from safety. May they be mocked at the gates of
inferiors, and there shall be none to deliver them. For the things
which are prepared for them, the righteous shall eat; but they
themselves shall not be delivered from evils.
1Clem 40:1
Forasmuch then as these things are manifest beforehand, and we have
searched into the depths of the Divine knowledge, we ought to do all
things in order, as many as the Master have commanded us to perform
at their appointed seasons.
1Clem 40:2
Now the offerings and ministrations He commanded to be performed with
care, and not to be done rashly or in disorder, but at fixed times
and seasons.
1Clem 40:3
And where and by whom He would have them performed, He Himself fixed
by His supreme will: that all things being done with piety according
to His good pleasure might be acceptable to His will.
1Clem 40:4
They therefore that make their offerings at the appointed seasons are
acceptable and blessed: for while they follow the institutions of
the Master they cannot go wrong.
1Clem 40:5
For unto the high priest his proper services have been assigned, and
to the priests their proper office is appointed, and upon the Levites
their proper ministrations are laid. The layman is bound by the
layman's ordinances.
1Clem 41:1
Let each of you, brethren, in his own order give thanks unto God,
maintaining a good conscience and not transgressing the appointed
rule of his service, but acting with all seemliness.
1Clem 41:2
Not in every place, brethren, are the continual daily sacrifices
offered, or the freewill offerings, or the sin offerings and the
trespass offerings, but in Jerusalem alone. And even there the
offering is not made in every place, but before the sanctuary in the
court of the altar; and this too through the high priest and the afore
said ministers, after that the victim to be offered have been
inspected for blemishes.
1Clem 41:3
They therefore who do any thing contrary to the seemly ordinance of
His will receive death as the penalty.
1Clem 41:4
You see, brethren, in proportion as greater knowledge have been
vouchsafed unto us, so much the more are we exposed to danger.
1Clem 42:1
The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus
Christ; Jesus Christ was sent forth from God.
1Clem 42:2
So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both
therefore came of the will of God in the appointed order.
1Clem 42:3
Having therefore received a charge, and having been fully assured
through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in
the word of God with full assurance of the Holy Spirit, they went
forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come.
1Clem 42:4
So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their
firstfruits, when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops
and deacons unto those who should believe.
1Clem 42:5
And this they did in no new fashion; for indeed it had been written
concerning bishops and deacons from very ancient times; for thus
says the scripture in a certain place, I will appoint their
bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith.
1Clem 43:1
And what marvel, if they which were entrusted in Christ with such a
work by God appointed the aforesaid persons? seeing that even the
blessed Moses who was a faithful servant in all His house recorded
for a sign in the sacred books all things that were enjoined upon
him. And him also the rest of the prophets followed, bearing witness
with him unto the laws that were ordained by him.
1Clem 43:2
For he, when jealousy arose concerning the priesthood, and there was
dissension among the tribes which of them was adorned with the
glorious name, commanded the twelve chiefs of the tribes to bring to
him rods inscribed with the name of each tribe. And he took them and
tied them and sealed them with the signet rings of the chiefs of the
tribes, and put them away in the tabernacle of the testimony on the
table of God.
1Clem 43:3
And having shut the tabernacle he sealed the keys and likewise also
the doors.
1Clem 43:4
And he said unto them, Brethren, the tribe whose rod shall bud, this
has God chosen to be priests and ministers unto Him.
1Clem 43:5
Now when morning came, he called together all Israel, even the six
hundred thousand men, and showed the seals to the chiefs of the
tribes and opened the tabernacle of the testimony and drew forth the
rods. And the rod of Aaron was found not only with buds, but also
bearing fruit.
1Clem 43:6
What do you think, dearly beloved? Did not Moses know beforehand that
this would come to pass? Assuredly he knew it. But that disorder
might not arise in Israel, he did thus, to the end that the Name of
the true and only God might be glorified: to whom he the glory for
ever and ever. Amen...
1Clem 44:1
And our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would
be strife over the name of the bishop's office.
1Clem 44:2
For this cause therefore, having received complete foreknowledge,
they appointed the aforesaid persons, and afterwards they provided a
continuance, that if these should fall asleep, other approved men
should succeed to their ministration. Those therefore who were
appointed by them, or afterward by other men of repute with the
consent of the whole Church, and have ministered unblamably to the
flock of Christ in lowliness of mind, peacefully and with all
modesty, and for long time have borne a good report with all these
men we consider to be unjustly thrust out from their ministration.
1Clem 44:3
For it will be no light sin for us, if we thrust out those who have
offered the gifts of the bishop's office unblamably and holily.
1Clem 44:4
Blessed are those presbyters who have gone before, seeing that their
departure was fruitful and ripe: for they have no fear lest any one
should remove them from their appointed place.
1Clem 44:5
For we see that you have displaced certain persons, though they were
living honorably, from the ministration which had been respected by
them blamelessly.
1Clem 45:1
Be you contentious, brethren, and jealous about the things that
pertain unto salvation.
1Clem 45:2
You have searched the scriptures, which are true, which were given
through the Holy Spirit;
1Clem 45:3
and you know that nothing unrighteous or counterfeit is written in
them. you will not find that righteous persons have been thrust out
by holy men.
1Clem 45:4
Righteous men were persecuted, but it was by the lawless; they were
imprisoned, but it was by the unholy. They were stoned by
transgressors: they were slain by those who had conceived a
detestable and unrighteous jealousy.
1Clem 45:5
Suffering these things, they endured nobly.
1Clem 45:6
For what must we say, brethren? Was Daniel cast into the lions' den
by them that feared God?
1Clem 45:7
Or were Ananias and Azarias and Misael shut up in the furnace of fire
by them that professed the excellent and glorious worship of the Most
High? Far be this from our thoughts. Who then were they that did
these things? Abominable men and full of all wickedness were stirred
up to such a pitch of wrath, as to bring cruel suffering upon them
that served God in a holy and blameless purpose, not knowing that the
Most High is the champion and protector of them that in a pure
conscience serve His excellent Name: unto whom be the glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
1Clem 45:8
But they that endured patiently in confidence inherited glory and honor;
they were exalted, and had their names recorded by God in their memorial
for ever and ever. Amen.
1Clem 46:1
To such examples as these therefore, brethren, we also ought to
cleave.
1Clem 46:2
For it is written; Cleave unto the saints, for they that cleave
unto them shall be sanctified.
1Clem 46:3
And again He says in another place; With the guiltless man thou
shall be guiltless, and with the elect you shall be elect, and
with the crooked you shall deal crookedly.
1Clem 46:4
Let us therefore cleave to the guiltless and righteous: and these
are the elect of God.
1Clem 46:5
Why are there strifes and wraths and factions and divisions and
war among you?
1Clem 46:6
Have we not one God and one Christ and one Spirit of grace that was
shed upon us? And is there not one calling in Christ?
1Clem 46:7
Why do we tear and rend asunder the members of Christ, and stir
up factions against our own body, and reach such a pitch of folly, as
to forget that we are members one of another?
1Clem 46:8
Remember the words of Jesus our Lord: for He said, Woe unto that
man; it were good for him if he had not been born, rather than that
at he should offend one of my elect. It were better for him that
a millstone were hanged about him, and be cast into the sea, than
that he should pervert one of Mine elect.
1Clem 46:9
Your division have perverted many; it have brought many to despair,
many to doubting, and all of us to sorrow. And your sedition still
continues.
1Clem 47:1
Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle.
1Clem 47:2
What wrote he first unto you in the beginning of the Gospel?
1Clem 47:3
Of a truth he charged you in the Spirit concerning himself and Cephas
[Peter] and Apollos, because that even then you had made parties.
1Clem 47:4
Yet that making of parties brought less sin upon you; for you were
partisans of Apostles that were highly reputed, and of a man approved
in their sight.
1Clem 47:5
But now mark, who they are that have perverted you and diminished
the glory of your renowned love for the brotherhood.
1Clem 47:6
It is shameful, dearly beloved, yes, utterly shameful and unworthy of
your conduct in Christ, that it should be reported that the very
steadfast and ancient Church of the Corinthians, for the sake of one
or two persons, makes sedition against its presbyters.
1Clem 47:7
And this report have reached not only us, but them also which differ
from us, so that you even heap blasphemies on the name of the Lord by
reason of your folly, and moreover create peril for yourselves.
1Clem 48:1
Let us therefore root this out quickly, and let us fall down before
the Master and entreat Him with tears, that He may show Himself
propitious and be reconciled unto us, and may restore us to the
seemly and pure conduct which belongs to our love of the brethren.
1Clem 48:2
For this is a gate of righteousness opened unto life, as it is
written; Open me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter in
thereby and preach the Lord.
1Clem 48:3
This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter in
thereby.
1Clem 48:4
Seeing then that many gates are opened, this is that gate which is in
righteousness, even that which is in Christ, whereby all are blessed
that have entered in and direct their path in holiness and
righteousness, performing all things without confusion.
1Clem 48:5
Let a man be faithful, let him be able to expound a deep saying, let
him be wise in the discernment of words, let him be strenuous in
deeds, let him be pure;
1Clem 48:6
for so much the more ought he to be lowly in mind, in proportion as
he seems to be the greater; and he ought to seek the common
advantage of all, and not his own.
1Clem 49:1
Let him that have love in Christ fulfill the commandments of Christ.
1Clem 49:2
Who can declare the bond of the love of God?
1Clem 49:3
Who is sufficient to tell the majesty of its beauty?
1Clem 49:4
The height, where unto love exalts, is unspeakable.
1Clem 49:5
Love joins us unto God; love covers a multitude of sins; love
endures all things, is long-suffering in all things. There is
nothing coarse, nothing arrogant in love. Love has no divisions,
love makes no seditions, love does all things in concord. In love
were all the elect of God made perfect; without love nothing is well
pleasing to God:
1Clem 49:6
in love the Master took us unto Himself; for the
love which He had toward us, Jesus Christ our Lord have given His
blood for us by the will of God, and His flesh for our flesh and His
life for our lives.
1Clem 50:1
you see, dearly beloved, how great and marvelous a thing is love, and
there is no declaring its perfection.
1Clem 50:2
Who is sufficient to be found therein, save those to whom God shall
vouchsafe it? Let us therefore entreat and ask of His mercy, that we
may be found blameless in love, standing apart from the factiousness
of men. All the generations from Adam unto this day have passed
away: but they that by God's grace were perfected in love dwell in
the abode of the pious; and they shall be made manifest in the
visitation of the Kingdom of God.
1Clem 50:3
For it is written; Enter into the closet for a very little while
until my anger and my wrath shall pass away, and I will
remember a good day and will raise you from your tombs.
1Clem 50:4
Blessed were we, dearly beloved, if we should be doing the
commandments of God in concord of love, to the end that our sins may
through love be forgiven us.
1Clem 50:5
For it is written; Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord
shall impute no sin, neither is guile in his mouth.
1Clem 50:6
This declaration of blessedness was pronounced upon them that have
been elected by God through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be the
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1Clem 51:1
For all our transgressions which we have committed through any of
the wiles of the adversary, let us entreat that we may obtain
forgiveness. Yea and they also, who set themselves up as leaders of
faction and division, ought to look to the common ground of hope.
1Clem 51:2
For such as walk in fear and love desire that they themselves should
fall into suffering rather than their neighbors; and they pronounce
condemnation against themselves rather than against the harmony which
has been handed down to us nobly and righteously.
1Clem 51:3
For it is good for a man to make confession of his trespasses rather
than to harden his heart, as the heart of those was hardened who made
sedition against Moses the servant of God; whose condemnation was
clearly manifest,
1Clem 51:4
for they went down to hades alive, and Death shall be their
shepherd.
1Clem 51:5
Pharaoh and his host and all the rulers of Egypt, their chariots
and their horsemen, were overwhelmed in the depths of the Red Sea,
and perished for none other reason but because their foolish hearts
were hardened after that the signs and the wonders had been wrought
in the land of Egypt by the hand of Moses the servant of God.
1Clem 52:1
The Master, brethren, have need of nothing at all. He desires not
anything of any man, save to confess unto Him.
1Clem 52:2
For the elect David says; I will confess unto the Lord, and it
shall please Him more than a young calf that grows horns and
hoofs. Let the poor see it, and rejoice.
1Clem 52:3
And again He says; Sacrifice to God a sacrifice of praise, and pay
your vows to the Most High: and call upon Me in the day of your
affliction, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
1Clem 52:4
For a sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit.
1Clem 53:1
For you know, and know well, the sacred scriptures, dearly beloved,
and you have searched into the oracles of God. We write these things
therefore to put you in remembrance.
1Clem 53:2
When Moses went up into the mountain and had spent forty days and
forty nights in fasting and humiliation, God said unto him; Moses,
Moses, come down, quickly hence, for My people whom you lead
forth from the land of Egypt have wrought iniquity: they have
transgressed quickly out of the way which you did command unto
them: they have made for themselves molten images.
1Clem 53:3
And the Lord said unto him; I have spoken unto you once and twice,
saying, I have seen this people, and behold it is stiff-necked. Let
Me destroy them utterly, and I will blot out their name from under
heaven, and I will make of you a nation great and wonderful and
numerous more than this.
1Clem 53:4
And Moses said; Nay, not so, Lord forgive this people their sin, or
blot me also out of the book of the living.
1Clem 53:5
O mighty love! O unsurpassable perfection! The servant is bold with
his Master; he asks forgiveness for the multitude, or he demands
that himself also be blotted out with them.
1Clem 54:1
Who therefore is noble among you? Who is compassionate? Who is
fulfilled with love?
1Clem 54:2
Let him say; If by reason of me there be faction and strife and
divisions, I retire, I depart, whither you will, and I do that which
is ordered by the people: only let the flock of Christ be at peace
with its duly appointed presbyters.
1Clem 54:3
He that shall have done this, shall win for himself great renown in
Christ, and every place will receive him: for the earth is the
Lord's and the fullness thereof.
1Clem 54:4
Thus have they done and will do, that live as citizens of that
kingdom of God which brings no regrets.
1Clem 55:1
But, to bring forward examples of Gentiles also; many kings and
rulers, when some season of pestilence pressed upon them, being
taught by oracles have delivered themselves over to death, that they
might rescue their fellow citizens through their own blood. Many
have retired from their own cities, that they might have no more
seditions.
1Clem 55:2
We know that many among ourselves have delivered themselves to
bondage, that they might ransom others. Many have sold themselves to
slavery, and receiving the price paid for themselves have fed others.
1Clem 55:3
Many women being strengthened through the grace of God have
performed many manly deeds.
1Clem 55:4
The blessed Judith, when the city was beleaguered, asked of the
elders that she might be suffered to go forth into the camp of the
aliens.
1Clem 55:5
So she exposed herself to peril and went forth for love of her
country and of her people which were beleaguered; and the Lord
delivered Holophernes into the hand of a woman.
1Clem 55:6
To no less peril did Esther also, who was perfect in faith, expose
herself, that she might deliver the twelve tribes of Israel, when
they were on the point to perish. For through her fasting and her
humiliation she entreated the all seeing Master, the God of the
ages; and He, seeing the humility of her soul, delivered the people
for whose sake she encountered the peril.
1Clem 56:1
Therefore let us also make intercession for them that are in any
transgression, that forbearance and humility may be given them, to
the end that they may yield not unto us, but unto the will of God.
For so shall the compassionate remembrance of them with God and the
saints be fruitful unto them, and perfect.
1Clem 56:2
Let us accept chastisement, with which no man ought to be vexed, dearly
beloved. The admonition which we give one to another is good and
exceeding useful; for it joins us unto the will of God.
1Clem 56:3
For thus says the holy word; The Lord have indeed chastened me,
and have not delivered me over unto death.
1Clem 56:4
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son
whom He receives.
1Clem 56:5
For the righteous, it is said, shall chasten me in mercy and
shall reprove me, but let not the mercy of sinners anoint my head.
1Clem 56:6
And again He says; Blessed is the man whom the Lord have reproved,
and refuse not you the admonition of the Almighty. For He causes
pain, and he restores again:
1Clem 56:7
He have smitten, and His hands have healed.
1Clem 56:8
Six times shall He rescue you from afflictions and at the seventh
no evil shall touch you.
1Clem 56:9
In famine he shall deliver you from death, and in war He shall
release you from the arm of the sword.
1Clem 56:10
And from the scourge of the tongue He shall hide you and you
shall not be afraid when evils approach.
1Clem 56:11
you shall laugh at the unrighteous and wicked, and of the wild
beasts you shall not be afraid.
1Clem 56:12
For wild beasts shall be at peace with you.
1Clem 56:13
Then shall you know that your house shall be at peace: and the
abode of your tabernacle shall not go wrong,
1Clem 56:14
and you shall know that your seed is many, and your children as the
plenteous herbage of the field.
1Clem 56:15
And you shall come to the grave as ripe corn reaped in due season,
or as the heap of the threshing floor gathered together at the
right time.
1Clem 56:16
You see, dearly beloved, how great protection there is for them that
are chastened by the Master: for being a kind father He chastens
us to the end that we may obtain mercy through His holy chastisement.
1Clem 57:1
You therefore that laid the foundation of the sedition, submit
yourselves unto the presbyters and receive chastisement unto
repentance, bending the knees of your heart.
1Clem 57:2
Learn to submit yourselves, laying aside the arrogant and proud
stubbornness of your tongue. For it is better for you to be found
little in the flock of Christ and to have your name on God's roll,
than to be had in exceeding honor and yet be cast out from the hope
of Him.
1Clem 57:3
For thus says the All virtuous Wisdom; Behold I will pour out for
you a saying of My breath, and I will teach you My word.
1Clem 57:4
Because I called and you obeyed not, and I held out words and you
heeded not, but made My councils of none effect, and were
disobedient unto My reproofs; therefore I also will laugh at your
destruction, and will rejoice over you when ruin comes upon you,
and when confusion overtakes you suddenly, and your overthrow is
at hand like a whirlwind,
1Clem 57:5
or when you call upon Me, yet will I not here you. Evil men shall
seek me and not find me: for they hated wisdom, and chose not the
fear of the Lord, neither would they give head unto My councils,
but mocked at My reproofs.
1Clem 57:6
Therefore they shall eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be
filled with their own ungodliness.
1Clem 57:7
For because they wronged babes, they shall be slain, and
inquisition shall destroy the ungodly. But he that hears Me shall
dwell safely trusting in hope, and shall be quiet from all fear of
all evil.
1Clem 58:1
Let us therefore be obedient unto His most holy and glorious Name,
thereby escaping the threats which were spoken of old by the
mouth of Wisdom against them which disobey, that we may dwell safely,
trusting in the most holy Name of His majesty.
1Clem 58:2
Receive our counsel, and you shall have no occasion of regret. For as
God lives, and the Lord Jesus Christ lives, and the Holy Spirit,
who are the faith and the hope of the elect, so surely shall he, who
with lowliness of mind and instant in gentleness have without
regretfulness performed the ordinances and commandments that are
given by God, be enrolled and have a name among the number of them
that are saved through Jesus Christ, through whom is the glory unto
Him for ever and ever. Amen.
1Clem 59:1
But if certain persons should be disobedient unto the words spoken
by Him through us, let them understand that they will entangle
themselves in no slight transgression and danger;
1Clem 59:2
but we shall be guiltless of this sin. And we will ask, with
speed of prayer and supplication, that the Creator of the universe
may guard intact unto the end the number that have been numbered of
His elect throughout the whole world, through His beloved Son Jesus
Christ, through whom He called us from darkness to light, from
ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His Name.
1Clem 59:3
[Grant unto us, Lord,] that we may set our hope on your Name which is
the primal source of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know you, who alone abide Highest in the lofty, Holy
in the holy; who lay low in the insolence of the proud, who
set the lowly on high, and bring the lofty low; who
makes rich and makes poor; who kills and makes alive; who
alone art the Benefactor of spirits and the God of all flesh; who
looks into the abysses, who scans the works of man; the Succor
of them that are in peril, the Savior of them that are in
despair; The Creator and Overseer of every spirit; who multiples
the nations upon earth, and have chosen out from all men those that
love you through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, through whom you
did instruct us, did sanctify us, did honor us.
1Clem 59:4
We beseech Thee, Lord and Master, to be our help and succor. Save
those among us who are in tribulation; have mercy on the lowly; lift
up the fallen; show Yourself unto the needy; heal the ungodly; convert
the wanderers of your people; feed the hungry; release our prisoners;
raise up the weak; comfort the fainthearted. Let all the Gentiles
know that you art the God alone, and Jesus Christ is your Son, and
we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.
1Clem 60:1
you through Your operations did make manifest the everlasting
fabric of the world. You, Lord, did create the earth. You that
art faithful throughout all generations, righteous in your judgments,
marvelous in strength and excellence, you who are wise in creating
and prudent in establishing that which you has made, that art good
in the things which are seen and faithful with them that trust on
you, pitiful and compassionate, forgive us our iniquities and our
unrighteousness and our transgressions and shortcomings.
1Clem 60:2
Lay not to our account every sin of your servants and Your handmaids,
but cleanse us with the cleansing of your truth, and guide our steps
to walk in holiness and righteousness and singleness of heart
and to do such things as are good and well pleasing in your sight
and in the sight of our rulers.
1Clem 60:3
Yea, Lord, make your face to shine upon us in peace for our good,
that we may be sheltered by your mighty hand and delivered from
every sin by Your uplifted arm. And deliver us from them that
hate us wrongfully.
1Clem 60:4
Give concord and peace to us and to all that dwell on the earth, as
you gave to our fathers, when they called on you in faith
and truth with holiness, [that we may be saved,] while we render
obedience to Your almighty and most excellent Name, and to our
rulers and governors upon the earth.
1Clem 61:1
You, Lord and Master, has given them the power of sovereignty
through Your excellent and unspeakable might, that we knowing the
glory and honor which you have given them may submit ourselves unto
them, in nothing resisting your will. Grant unto them therefore, O
Lord, health peace, concord, stability, that they may administer the
government which you have given them without failure.
1Clem 61:2
For you, O heavenly Master, King of the ages, give to the sons of
men glory and honor and power over all things that are upon the
earth. Do you, Lord, direct their counsel according to that which
is good and well pleasing in your sight, that, administering in peace
and gentleness with Godliness the power which you have given them,
they may obtain your favor.
1Clem 61:3
O you, who alone are able to do these things and things far more
exceeding good than these for us, we praise you through the High
priest and Guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ, through whom be the
glory and the majesty unto you both now and for all generations and
for ever and ever. Amen.
1Clem 62:1
As touching those things which befit our religion and are most
useful for a virtuous life to such as would guide [their steps] in
holiness and righteousness, we have written fully unto you, brethren.
1Clem 62:2
For concerning faith and repentance and genuine love and temperance
and sobriety and patience we have handled every argument, putting you
in remembrance, that you ought to please Almighty God in righteousness
and truth and long suffering with holiness, laying aside malice and
pursuing concord in love and peace, being instant in gentleness; even
as our fathers, of whom we spoke before, pleased Him, being lowly
minded toward their Father and God and Creator and towards all men.
1Clem 62:3
And we have put you in mind of these things the more gladly, since we
knew well that we were writing to men who are faithful and highly
accounted and have diligently searched into the oracles of the
teaching of God.
1Clem 63:1
Therefore it is right for us to give heed to so great and so many
examples and to submit the neck and occupying the place of obedience
to take our side with them that are the leaders of our souls, that
ceasing from this foolish dissension we may attain unto the goal
which lies before us in truthfulness, keeping aloof from every
fault.
1Clem 63:2
For you will give us great joy and gladness, if you render obedience
unto the things written by us through the Holy Spirit, and root out
the unrighteous anger of your jealousy, according to the entreaty
which we have made for peace and concord in this letter.
1Clem 63:3
And we have also sent faithful and prudent men that have walked among
us from youth unto old age unblamably, who shall also be witnesses
between you and us.
1Clem 63:4
And this we have done that you might know that we have had, and still
have, every solicitude that you should be speedily at peace.
1Clem 64:1
Finally may the All seeing God and Master of spirits and Lord of all
flesh, who chose the Lord Jesus Christ, and us through Him for a
peculiar people, grant unto every soul that is called after His
excellent and holy Name faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering,
temperance, chastity and soberness, that they may be well pleasing
unto His Name through our High priest and Guardian Jesus Christ,
through whom unto Him be glory and majesty, might and honor, both now
and for ever and ever. Amen.
1Clem 65:1
Now send you back speedily unto us our messengers Claudius Ephebus
and Valerius Bito, together with Fortunatus also, in peace and with
joy, to the end that they may the more quickly report the peace and
concord which is prayed for and earnestly desired by us, that we also
may the more speedily rejoice over your good order.
1Clem 65:2
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all men in
all places who have been called by God and through Him, through whom
be glory and honor, power and greatness and eternal dominion, unto
Him, from the ages past and forever and ever. Amen.
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Roberts-Donaldson Translation
CHAPTER 1 -- SALUTATION, AND PRAISE FOR THE CORINTHIANS BEFORE SCHISM BROKE FORTH AMONG THEM.
The Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury. For who ever dwelt even for a short time among you, and did not find your faith to be as fruitful of virtue as it was firmly established? Who did not admire the sobriety and moderation of your godliness in Christ? Who did not proclaim the magnificence of your habitual hospitality? And who did not rejoice over your perfect and well-grounded knowledge? For you did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the commandments of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and giving all fitting honor to the presbyters among you. You enjoined young men to be of a sober and serious mind; you instructed your wives to do all things with a blameless, becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound; and you taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect marked by discretion.
CHAPTER 2 -- PRAISE OF THE CORINTHIANS CONTINUED.
Moreover, you were all distinguished by humility, and were in no respect puffed up with pride, but yielded obedience rather than extorted it, and were more willing to give than to receive? Content with the provision which God had made for you, and carefully attending to His words, you were inwardly filled with His doctrine, and His sufferings were before your eyes. Thus a profound and abundant peace was given to you all, and you had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. Full of holy designs, and with true earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, you stretched forth your hands to God Almighty, beseeching Him to be merciful to you, if you had been guilty of any involuntary transgression. Day and night you were anxious for the whole brotherhood, that the number of God's elect might be saved with mercy and a good conscience. You were sincere and uncorrupted, and forgetful of injuries between one another. Every kind of faction and schism was abominable in your sight. You mourned over the transgressions of your neighbors: their deficiencies you deemed your own. You never grudged any act of kindness, being "ready to every good work." Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, you did all things in the fear of God. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts.
CHAPTER 3 -- THE SAD STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH AFTER SEDITION AROSE IN IT FROM ENVY AND EMULATION.
Every kind of honor and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, "My beloved ate and drink, and was enlarged and became fat, and kicked." Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against the honored, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world.
CHAPTER 4 -- MANY EVILS HAVE ALREADY FLOWED FROM THIS SOURCE IN ANCIENT TIMES.
For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why are you grieved, and why is your countenance fallen? If you offer rightly, but do not divide rightly, have you not sinned? Be at peace: your offering returns to yourself, and you shall again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him." You see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother. Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage. Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow countryman, "Who made you a judge or a ruler over us? Will you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their home outside of the camp. Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses. Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel.
CHAPTER 5 -- NO LESS EVILS HAVE ARISEN FROM THE SAME SOURCE IN THE MOST RECENT TIMES. THE MARTYRDOM OF PETER AND PAUL.
But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labors, and when he had finally suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.
CHAPTER 6 -- CONTINUATION. SEVERAL OTHER MARTYRS.
To these men who spent their lives in the practice of holiness, there is to be added a great multitude of the elect, who, having through envy endured many indignities and tortures, furnished us with a most excellent example. Through envy, those women, the Danaids and Dircae, being persecuted, after they had suffered terrible and unspeakable torments, finished the course of their faith with steadfastness, and though weak in body, received a noble reward. Envy has alienated wives from their husbands, and changed that saying of our father Adam, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." Envy and strife have overthrown great cities and rooted up mighty nations.
CHAPTER 7 -- AN EXHORTATION TO REPENTANCE.
These things, beloved, we write to you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves. For we are struggling in the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both of us. So let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us turn to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all who would be converted to Him. Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved. Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; but they, repenting of their sins, propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were aliens [to the covenant] of God.
CHAPTER 8 -- CONTINUATION RESPECTING REPENTANCE.
The ministers of the grace of God have, by the Holy Spirit, spoken of repentance; and the Lord of all things has himself declared with an oath regarding it, "As I live, says the Lord, I desire not the death of the sinner, but rather his repentance;" adding, moreover, this gracious declaration: "Repent O house of Israel, of your iniquity. Say to the children of My people, Though your sins reach from earth to heaven, and though they be redder than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth, if you turn to Me with your whole heart, and say, Father! I will listen to you, as to a holy people." And in another place He says: "Wash, and become clean; put away the wickedness of your souls from before my eyes; cease from your evil ways, and learn to do well; seek out judgment, deliver the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and see that justice is done to the widow; and come, and let us reason together. He declares, "Though your sins be like crimson, I will make them white as snow; though they be like scarlet, I will whiten them like wool. And if you are willing and obey Me, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse, and will not listen to Me, the sword shall devour you, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken these things." Desiring, therefore, that all His beloved should be partakers of repentance, He has, by His almighty will, established [these declarations].
CHAPTER 9 -- EXAMPLES OF THE SAINTS.
So let us yield obedience to His excellent and glorious will; and imploring His mercy and loving-kindness, while we forsake all fruitless labors, and strife, and envy, which leads to death, let us turn and have recourse to His compassions. Let us steadfastly contemplate those who have perfectly ministered to His excellent glory. Let us take (for instance) Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was translated, and death was never known to happen to him? Noah, being found faithful, preached regeneration to the world through his ministry; and the Lord saved by him the animals which, with one accord, entered into the ark.
CHAPTER 10 -- CONTINUATION OF THE ABOVE.
Abraham, called "the friend," was found faithful, inasmuch as he obeyed the words of God. He, in the exercise of obedience, went out from his own country, and from his kindred, and from his father's house, in order that, by forsaking a small territory, and a weak family, and an insignificant house, he might inherit the promises of God. For God said to him, "Leave your country, and your kindred, and your father's house, and go into the land which I shall show you. And I will make you a great nation, and will bless you, and make your name great, and you shall be blessed. And I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you; and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed." And again, on his departing from Lot, God said to him. "Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you now are, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed for ever. And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, [so that] if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered." And again [the Scripture] says, "God brought forth Abram, and said to him, Look up now to heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them; so shall your seed be. And Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness." On account of his faith and hospitality, a son was given him in his old age; and in the exercise of obedience, he offered him as a sacrifice to God on one of the mountains which He showed him.
CHAPTER 11 -- CONTINUATION. LOT.
On account of his hospitality and godliness, Lot was saved out of Sodom when all the country around him was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake those who hope in Him, but gives up those who depart from Him to punishment and torture. For Lot's wife, who went forth with him, being of a different mind from himself and not continuing in agreement with him [as to the command which had been given them], was made an example of, so as to be a pillar of salt to this day. This was done that all might know that those who are of a double mind, and who distrust the power of God, bring down judgment on themselves, and become a sign to all succeeding generations.
CHAPTER 12 -- THE REWARDS OF FAITH AND HOSPITALITY. RAHAB.
On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they had come to spy out their land, and sent men to seize them, in order that, when taken, they might be put to death. But the hospitable Rahab received them, and hid them on the roof of her house under some stalks of flax. And when the men sent by the king arrived and said "There came men to you who are to spy out our land; bring them forth, for so the king commands," she answered them, "The two men whom you seek came to me, but quickly departed again and are gone," thus not discovering the spies to them. Then she said to the men, "I know assuredly that the Lord your God has given you this city, for the fear and dread of you have fallen on its inhabitants. When therefore you shall have taken it, keep me and the house of my father in safety." And they said to her, "It shall be as you have spoken to us. As soon, therefore, as you know that we are at hand, you shall gather all your family under your roof, and they shall be preserved, but anyone found outside of your dwelling shall perish." Moreover, they gave her a sign to this effect, that she should hang forth from her house a scarlet thread. And thus they made it manifest that redemption should flow through the blood of the Lord to all those who believe and hope in God. You see, beloved, that there was not only faith, but prophecy, in this woman.
CHAPTER 13 -- AN EXHORTATION TO HUMILITY.
Let us therefore, brethren, be of humble mind, laying aside all haughtiness, and pride, and foolishness, and angry feelings; and let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit says, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man Story in his riches; but let him that glories glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness" ), being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spoke, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spoke: "Be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as you do, so shall it be done to you; as you judge, so shall you be judged; as you are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure you measure, with the same it shall be measured to you." By this precept and by these rules let us establish ourselves, that we walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words. For the holy word says, "On whom shall I look, but on him that is meek and peaceable, and who trembles at My words?"
CHAPTER 14 -- WE SHOULD OBEY GOD RATHER THAN THE AUTHORS OF SEDITION.
It is right and holy therefore, men and brethren, to obey God rather than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, "The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it, but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it." And again [the Scripture] says, "I saw the ungodly highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon: I passed by, and, behold, he was not; and I diligently sought his place, and could not find it. Preserve innocence, and look on equity: for there shall be a remnant to the peaceful man."
CHAPTER 15 -- WE MUST ADHERE TO THOSE WHO CULTIVATE PEACE, NOT TO THOSE WHO MERELY PRETEND TO DO SO.
Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it. For [the Scripture] says in a certain place, "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me." And again: "They bless with their mouth, but curse with their heart." And again it says, "They loved Him with their mouth, and lied to Him with their tongue; but their heart was not right with Him, neither were they faithful in His covenant." "Let the deceitful lips become silent," [and "let the Lord destroy all the lying lips,] and the boastful tongue of those who have said, Let us magnify our tongue; our lips are our own; who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, and for the sighing of the needy, will I now arise, says the Lord: I will place him in safety; I will deal confidently with him."
CHAPTER 16 -- CHRIST AS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY.
For Christ is of those who are humble-minded, and not of those who exalt themselves over His flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance, although He might have done so, but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit had declared regarding Him. For He says, "Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have declared [our message] in His presence: He is, as it were, a child, and like a root in thirsty ground; He has no form nor glory, yea, we saw Him, and He had no form nor comeliness; but His form was without eminence, yea, deficient in comparison with the [ordinary] form of men. He is a man exposed to stripes and suffering, and acquainted with the endurance of grief: for His countenance was turned away; He was despised, and not esteemed. He bears our iniquities, and is in sorrow for our sakes; yet we supposed that [on His own account] He was exposed to labor, and stripes, and affliction. But He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we were healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; [every] man has wandered in his own way; and the Lord has delivered Him up for our sins, while He in the midst of His sufferings opens not His mouth. He was brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before her shearer is dumb, so He opens not His mouth. In His humiliation His judgment was taken away; who shall declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth. For the transgressions of my people was He brought down to death. And I will give the wicked for His sepulchre, and the rich for His death, because He did no iniquity, nor was guile found in His mouth. And the Lord is pleased to purify Him by stripes. If you make an offering for sin, your soul shall see a long-lived seed. And the Lord is pleased to relieve Him of the affliction of His soul, to show Him light, and to form Him with understanding, to justify the Just One who ministers well to many; and He Himself shall carry their sins. On this account He shall inherit many, and shall divide the spoil of the strong; because His soul was delivered to death, and He was reckoned among the transgressors, and He bare the sins of many, and for their sins was He delivered." And again He says, "I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All who see Me have derided Me; they have spoken with their lips; they have wagged their head, [saying] He hoped in God, let Him deliver Him, let Him save Him, since He delights in Him." You see, beloved, what is the example which has been given us; for if the Lord thus humbled Himself, what shall we do who have through Him come under the yoke of His grace?
CHAPTER 17 -- THE SAINTS AS EXAMPLES OF HUMILITY.
Let us be imitators also of those who in goat-skins and sheep-skins went about proclaiming the coming of Christ; I mean Elijah, Elisha, and Ezekiel among the prophets, with those others to whom a like testimony is borne [in Scripture]. Abraham was specially honored, and was called the friend of God; yet he, earnestly regarding the glory of God, humbly declared, "I am but dust and ashes." Moreover, it is thus written of Job, "Job was a righteous man, and blameless, truthful, God-fearing, and one that kept himself from all evil." But bringing an accusation against himself, he said, "No man is free from defilement, even if his life be but of one day." Moses was called faithful in all God's house; and through his instrumentality, God punished Egypt with plagues and tortures. Yet he, though thus greatly honored, did not adopt lofty language, but said, when the divine oracle came to him out of the bush, "Who am I, that You send me? I am a man of a feeble voice and a slow tongue." And again he said, "I am but as the smoke of a pot."
CHAPTER 18 -- DAVID AS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY.
But what shall we say concerning David, to whom such testimony was borne, and of whom God said, "I have found a man after My own heart, David the son of Jesse; and in everlasting mercy have I anointed him?" Yet this very man says to God, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me still more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against You only have I sinned, and done that which was evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your sayings, and may overcome when You are judged. For, behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in my sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, You have loved truth; the secret and hidden things of wisdom have You shown me. you shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; you shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. you shall make me to hear joy and gladness; my bones, which have been humbled, shall exult. Turn away Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and establish me by Your governing Spirit. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: my tongue shall exult in Your righteousness. O Lord, you shall open my mouth, and my lips shall show forth Your praise. For if You had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; You will not delight in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a bruised spirit; a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise."
CHAPTER 19 -- IMITATING THESE EXAMPLES, LET US SEEK AFTER PEACE.
Thus the humility and godly submission of so great and illustrious men have rendered not only us, but also all the generations before us, better; even as many as have received His oracles in fear and truth. So, having so many great and glorious examples set before us, let us turn again to the practice of that peace which from the beginning was the mark set before us; and let us look steadfastly to the Father and Creator of the universe, and cleave to His mighty and surpassingly great gifts and benefactions, of peace. Let us contemplate Him with our understanding, and look with the eyes of our soul to His long-suffering will. Let us reflect how free from wrath He is towards all His creation.
CHAPTER 20 -- THE PEACE AND HARMONY OF THE UNIVERSE.
The heavens, revolving under His government, are subject to Him in peace. Day and night run the course appointed by Him, in no way hindering each other. The sun and moon, with the companies of the stars, roll on in harmony according to His command, within their prescribed limits, and without any deviation. The fruitful earth, according to His will, brings forth food in abundance, at the proper seasons, for man and beast and all the living beings upon it, never hesitating, nor changing any of the ordinances which He has fixed. The unsearchable places of abysses, and the indescribable arrangements of the lower world, are restrained by the same laws. The vast unmeasurable sea, gathered together by His working into various basins, never passes beyond the bounds placed around it, but does as He has commanded. For He said, "Thus far shall you come, and your waves shall be broken within you." The ocean, impassible to man, and the worlds beyond it, are regulated by the same enactments of the Lord. The seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, peacefully give place to one another. The winds in their several quarters fulfill, at the proper time, their service without hindrance. The ever-flowing fountains, formed both for enjoyment and health, furnish without fail their breasts for the life of men. The very smallest of living beings meet together in peace and concord. All these the great Creator and Lord of all has appointed to exist in peace and harmony; while He does good to all, but most abundantly to us who have fled for refuge to His compassions through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be glory and majesty for ever and ever. Amen. xxxxx
CHAPTER 21 -- LET US OBEY GOD, AND NOT THE AUTHORS OF SEDITION.
Take heed, beloved, lest His many kindnesses lead to the condemnation of us all. [For thus it must be] unless we walk worthy of Him, and with one mind do those things which are good and well-pleasing in His sight. For [the Scripture] says in a certain place, "The Spirit of the Lord is a candle searching the secret parts of the belly." Let us reflect how near He is, and that none of the thoughts or reasonings in which we engage are hid from Him. It is right, therefore, that we should not leave the post which His will has assigned us. Let us rather offend those men who are foolish, and inconsiderate, and lifted up, and who glory in the pride of their speech, than [offend] God. Let us reverence the Lord Jesus Christ, whose blood was given for us; let us esteem those who have the rule over us; let us honor the aged among us; let us train up the young men in the fear of God; let us direct our wives to that which is good. Let them exhibit the lovely habit of purity [in all their conduct]; let them show forth the sincere disposition of meekness; let them make manifest the command which they have of their tongue, by their manner of speaking; let them display their love, not by preferring one to another, but by showing equal affection to all that piously fear God. Let your children be partakers of true Christian training; let them learn of how great avail humility is with God -- how much the spirit of pure affection can prevail with Him -- how excellent and great His fear is, and how it saves all those who walk in it with a pure mind. For He is a Searcher of the thoughts and desires [of the heart]: His breath is in us; and when He pleases, He will take it away.
CHAPTER 22 -- THESE EXHORTATIONS ARE CONFIRMED BY THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, WHICH PROCLAIMS THE MISERY OF SINFUL CONDUCT.
Now the faith which is in Christ confirms all these [admonitions]. For He Himself by the Holy Ghost thus addresses us: "Come, you children, listen to Me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desires life, and loves to see good days? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are [open] to their prayers. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his troubles." "Many are the stripes [appointed for] the wicked; but mercy shall compass those about who hope in the Lord."
CHAPTER 23 -- BE HUMBLE, AND BELIEVE THAT CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.
The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those who fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favors upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. So let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted up on account of His exceedingly great and glorious gifts. Far from us be that which is written, "Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who say, These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but, behold, we have grown old, and none of them has happened to us.." You foolish ones! compare yourselves to a tree: take [for instance] the vine. First of all, it sheds its leaves, then it buds, next it puts forth leaves, and then it flowers; after that comes the sour grape, and then follows the ripened fruit. You perceive how in a little time the fruit of a tree comes to maturity. Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, "Speedily will He come, and will not tarry;" and, "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom you look."
CHAPTER 24 -- GOD CONTINUALLY SHOWS US IN NATURE THAT THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION.
Let us consider, beloved, how the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruits by raising Him from the dead. Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all times taking place. Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks to sleep, and the day arises; the day [again] departs, and the night comes on. Let us behold the fruits [of the earth], how the sowing of grain takes place. The sower goes forth, and casts it into the ground; and the seed being thus scattered, though dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually dissolved. Then out of its dissolution the mighty power of the providence of the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth fruit.
CHAPTER 25 -- THE PHOENIX AN EMBLEM OF OUR RESURRECTION.
Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which takes place in Eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed.
CHAPTER 26 -- WE SHALL RISE AGAIN, THEN, AS THE SCRIPTURE ALSO TESTIFIES.
Do we then deem it any great and wonderful thing for the Maker of all things to raise up again those who have piously served Him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird He shows us the mightiness of His power to fulfill His promise? For [the Scripture] says in a certain place, "You shall raise me up, and I shall confess to You;" and again, "I laid down, and slept; I awaked, because You are with me;" and again, Job says, "you shall raise up this flesh of mine, which has suffered all these things."
CHAPTER 27 -- IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION, LET US CLEAVE TO THE OMNIPOTENT AND OMNISCIENT GOD.
Having then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to lie. Let His faith therefore be stirred up again within us, and let us consider that all things are nigh unto Him. By the word of His might He established all things, and by His word He can overthrow them. "Who shall say to Him, What have you done? or, Who shall resist the power of His strength?" When and as He pleases He will do all things, and none of the things determined by Him shall pass away? All things are open before Him, and nothing can be hidden from His counsel. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handy-work. Day to day utters speech, and night to night shows knowledge. And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not heard."
CHAPTER 28 -- GOD SEES ALL THINGS: THEREFORE LET US AVOID TRANSGRESSION.
Since then all things are seen and heard [by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from evil desires; so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His mighty hand? Or what world will receive any of those who run away from Him? For the Scripture says in a certain place, "Whither shall I go, and where shall I be hid from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I go away even to the uttermost parts of the earth, there is Your right hand; if I make my bed in the abyss, there is Your Spirit." Whither, then, shall any one go, or where shall he escape from Him who comprehends all things?
CHAPTER 29 -- LET US ALSO DRAW NEAR TO GOD IN PURITY OF HEART.
Let us then draw near to Him with holiness of spirit, lifting up pure and undefiled hands to Him, loving our gracious and merciful Father, who has made us partakers in the blessings of His elect. For thus it is written, "When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered the sons of Adam, He fixed the bounds of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of His inheritance." And in another place [the Scripture] says, "Behold, the Lord takes to Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first-fruits of his threshing-floor; and from that nation shall come forth the Most Holy.
CHAPTER 30 -- LET US DO THOSE THINGS THAT PLEASE GOD, AND FLEE FROM THOSE HE HATES, THAT WE MAY BE BLESSED.
Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. "For God," says [the Scripture], "resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For [the Scripture] says, "He that speaks much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous? Blessed is he that is born of woman, who lives but a short time: be not given to much speaking." Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hates those who commend themselves. Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.
CHAPTER 31 -- LET US SEE BY WHAT MEANS WE MAY OBTAIN THE DIVINE BLESSING.
Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider what are the means of possessing it. Let us think over the things which have taken place from the beginning. For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith? Isaac, with perfect confidence, as if knowing what was to happen, cheerfully yielded himself as a sacrifice. Jacob, through reason of his brother, went forth with humility from his own land, and came to Laban and served him; and there was given to him the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel.
CHAPTER 32 -- WE ARE JUSTIFIED NOT BY OUR OWN WORKS, BUT BY FAITH.
Whosoever will candidly consider each particular, will recognize the greatness of the gifts which were given by him. For from him have sprung the priests and all the Levites who minister at the altar of God. From him also [was descended] our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. From him [arose] kings, princes, and rulers of the race of Judah. Nor are his other tribes in small glory, inasmuch as God had promised, "Your seed shall be as the stars of heaven." All these, therefore, were highly honored, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER 33 -- BUT LET US NOT OWE UP THE PRACTICE OF GOOD WORKS AND LOVE. GOD HIMSELF IS AN EXAMPLE TO US OF GOOD WORKS.
What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His works. For by His infinitely great power He established the heavens, and by His incomprehensible wisdom He adorned them. He also divided the earth from the water which surrounds it, and fixed it upon the immoveable foundation of His own will. The animals also which are upon it He commanded by His own word into existence. So likewise, when He had formed the sea, and the living creatures which are in it, He enclosed them [within their proper bounds] by His own power. Above all, with His holy and undefiled hands He formed man, the most excellent [of His creatures], and truly great through the understanding given him -- the express likeness of His own image. For thus says God: "Let us make man in Our image, and after Our likeness. So God made man; male and female He created them." Having thus finished all these things, He approved them, and blessed them, and said, "Increase and multiply." We see, then, how all righteous men have been adorned with good works, and how the Lord Himself, adorning Himself with His works, rejoiced. Having therefore such an example, let us without delay accede to His will, and let us work the work of righteousness with our whole strength.
CHAPTER 34 -- GREAT IS THE REWARD OF GOOD WORKS WITH GOD. JOINED TOGETHER IN HARMONY, LET US IMPLORE THAT REWARD FROM HIM.
The good servant receives the bread of his labor with confidence; the lazy and slothful cannot look his employer in the face. It is requisite, therefore, that we be prompt in the practice of well-doing; for of Him are all things. And thus He forewarns us: "Behold, the Lord [cometh], and His reward is before His face, to render to every man according to his work." He exhorts us, therefore, with our whole heart to attend to this, that we be not lazy or slothful in any good work. Let our boasting and our confidence be in Him. Let us submit ourselves to His will. Let us consider the whole multitude of His angels, how they stand ever ready to minister to His will. For the Scripture says, "Ten thousand times ten thousand stood around Him, and thousands of thousands ministered to Him, and cried, Holy, holy, holy, the Lord of Sabaoth; the whole creation is full of His glory." And let us therefore, conscientiously gathering together in harmony, cry to Him earnestly, as with one mouth, that we may be made partakers of His great and glorious promises. For [the Scripture] says, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which He has prepared for those who wait for Him."
CHAPTER 35 -- IMMENSE IS THIS REWARD. HOW SHALL WE OBTAIN IT?
How blessed and wonderful, beloved, are the gifts of God! Life in immortality, splendor in righteousness, truth in perfect confidence, faith in assurance, self-control in holiness! And all these fall under the cognizance of our understandings [now]; what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him? The Creator and Father of all worlds, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those who wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised gifts. But how, beloved, shall this be done? If our understanding be fixed by faith rewards God; if we earnestly seek the things which are pleasing and acceptable to Him; if we do the things which are in harmony with His blameless will; and if we follow the way of truth, casting away from us all unrighteousness and iniquity, along with all covetousness, strife, evil practices, deceit, whispering, and evil-speaking, all hatred of God, pride and haughtiness, vainglory and ambition. For they that do such things are hateful to God; and not only they that do them, but also those who take pleasure in those who do them. For the Scripture says, "But to the sinner God said, Why do you declare my statutes, and take my covenant into your mouth, seeing you hate instruction, and cast my words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and made your portion with adulterers. Your mouth has abounded with wickedness, and your tongue contrived deceit. You sit, and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done, and I kept silence; you thought, wicked one, that I should be like you. But I will reprove you, and set yourself before you. Consider now these things, you who forget God, lest He tear you in pieces, like a lion, and there be none to deliver. The sacrifice of praise will glorify Me, and a way is there by which I will show him the salvation of God."
CHAPTER 36 -- ALL BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH CHRIST.
This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Savior, even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our infirmity. By Him we look up to the heights of heaven. By Him we behold, as in a glass, His immaculate and most excellent visage. By Him are the eyes of our hearts opened. By Him our foolish and darkened understanding blossoms up anew towards His marvelous light. By Him the Lord has willed that we should taste of immortal knowledge, "who, being the brightness of His majesty, is by so much greater than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." For it is thus written, "Who makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire." But concerning His Son the Lord spoke thus: "You are my Son, today have I begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the heathen for Your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession." And again He says to Him, "Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool." But who are His enemies? All the wicked, and those who set themselves to oppose the will of God.
CHAPTER 37 -- CHRIST IS OUR LEADER, AND WE HIS SOLDIERS.
Let us then, men and brethren, with all energy act the part of soldiers, in accordance with His holy commandments. Let us consider those who serve under our generals, with what order, obedience, and submissiveness they perform the things which are commanded them. All are not prefects, nor commanders of a thousand, nor of a hundred, nor of fifty, nor the like, but each one in his own rank performs the things commanded by the king and the generals. The great cannot subsist without the small, nor the small without the great. There is a kind of mixture in all things, and thence arises mutual advantage. Let us take our body for an example. The head is nothing without the feet, and the feet are nothing without the head; yea, the very smallest members of our body are necessary and useful to the whole body. But all work harmoniously together, and are under one common rule for the preservation of the whole body.
CHAPTER 38 -- LET THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH SUBMIT THEMSELVES, AND NO ONE EXALT HIMSELF ABOVE ANOTHER.
Let our whole body, then, be preserved in, Christ Jesus; and let every one be subject to his neighbor, according to the special gift bestowed upon him. Let the strong not despise the weak, and let the weak show respect to the strong. Let the rich man provide for the wants of the poor; and let the poor man bless God, because He has given him one by whom his need may be supplied. Let the wise man display his wisdom, not by [mere] words, but through good deeds. Let the humble not bear testimony to himself, but leave witness to be borne to him by another. Let him that is pure in the flesh not grow proud of it, and boast, knowing that it was another who bestowed on him the gift of continence. Let us consider, then, brethren, of what matter we were made, -- who and what manner of beings we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from utter darkness. He who made us and fashioned us, having prepared His bountiful gifts for us before we were born, introduced us into His world. Since, therefore, we receive all these things from Him, we ought for everything to give Him thanks; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER 39 -- THERE IS NO REASON FOR SELF-CONCEIT.
Foolish and inconsiderate men, who have neither wisdom nor instruction, mock and deride us, being eager to exalt themselves in their own conceits. For what can a mortal man do? or what strength is there in one made out of the dust? For it is written, "There was no shape before mine eyes, only I heard a sound, and a voice [saying], What then? Shall a man be pure before the Lord? or shall such an one be [counted] blameless in his deeds, seeing He does not confide in His servants, and has charged even His angels with perversity? The heaven is not clean in His sight: how much less they that dwell in houses of clay, of which also we ourselves were made! He smote them as a moth; and from morning even until evening they endure not. Because they could furnish no assistance to themselves, they perished. He breathed upon them, and they died, because they had no wisdom. But call now, if any one will answer you, or if you will look to any of the holy angels; for wrath destroys the foolish man, and envy kills him that is in error. I have seen the foolish taking root, but their habitation was presently consumed. Let their sons be far from safety; let them be despised before the gates of those less than themselves, and there shall be none to deliver. For what was prepared for them, the righteous shall eat; and they shall not be delivered from evil."
CHAPTER 40 -- LET US PRESERVE IN THE CHURCH THE ORDER APPOINTED BY GOD.
These things therefore being manifest to us, and since we look into the depths of the divine knowledge, it behoves us to do all things in [their proper] order, which the Lord has commanded us to perform at stated times. He has enjoined offerings [to be presented] and service to be performed [to Him], and that not thoughtlessly or irregularly, but at the appointed times and hours. Where and by whom He desires these things to be done, He Himself has fixed by His own supreme will, in order that all things being piously done according to His good pleasure, may be acceptable to Him. Those, therefore, who present their offerings at the appointed times, are accepted and blessed; for inasmuch as they follow the laws of the Lord, they sin not. For his own peculiar services are assigned to the high priest, and their own proper place is prescribed to the priests, and their own special ministrations devolve on the Levites. The layman is bound by the laws that pertain to laymen.
CHAPTER 41 -- CONTINUATION OF THE SAME SUBJECT.
Let every one of you, brethren, give thanks to God in his own order, living in all good conscience, with becoming gravity, and not going beyond the rule of the ministry prescribed to him. Not in every place, brethren, are the daily sacrifices offered, or the peace-offerings, or the sin-offerings and the trespass-offerings, but in Jerusalem only. And even there they are not offered in any place, but only at the altar before the temple, that which is offered being first carefully examined by the high priest and the ministers already mentioned. Those, therefore, who do anything beyond that which is agreeable to His will, are punished with death. You see, brethren, that the greater the knowledge that has been vouchsafed to us, the greater also is the danger to which we are exposed.
CHAPTER 42 -- THE ORDER OF MINISTERS IN THE CHURCH.
The apostles have preached the Gospel to us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ [has done sol from God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ. Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and established in the word of God, with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth proclaiming that the kingdom of God was at hand. And thus preaching through countries and cities, they appointed the first-fruits [of their labors], having first proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons of those who should afterwards believe. Nor was this any new thing, since indeed many ages before it was written concerning bishops and deacons. For thus says the Scripture a certain place, "I will appoint their bishops s in righteousness, and their deacons in faith."
CHAPTER 42 -- MOSES OF OLD STILLED THE CONTENTION WHICH AROSE CONCERNING THE PRIESTLY DIGNITY.
And what wonder is it if those in Christ who were entrusted with such a duty by God, appointed those [ministers] before mentioned, when the blessed Moses also, "a faithful servant in all his house," noted down in the sacred books all the injunctions which were given him, and when the other prophets also followed him, bearing witness with one consent to the ordinances which he had appointed? For, when rivalry arose concerning the priesthood, and the tribes were contending among themselves as to which of them should be adorned with that glorious title, he commanded the twelve princes of the tribes to bring him their rods, each one being inscribed with the name of the tribe. And he took them and bound them [together], and sealed them with the rings of the princes of the tribes, and laid them up in the tabernacle of witness on the table of God. And having shut the doors of the tabernacle, he sealed the keys, as he had done the rods, and said to them, Men and brethren, the tribe whose rod shall blossom has God chosen to fulfill the office of the priesthood, and to minister to Him. And when the morning was come, he assembled all Israel, six hundred thousand men, and showed the seals to the princes of the tribes, and opened the tabernacle of witness, and brought forth the rods. And the rod of Aaron was found not only to have blossomed, but to bear fruit upon it. What think you, beloved? Did not Moses know beforehand that this would happen? Undoubtedly he knew; but he acted thus, that there might be no sedition in Israel, and that the name of the true and only God might be glorified; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER 44 -- THE ORDINANCES OF THE APOSTLES, THAT THERE MIGHT BE NO CONTENTION RESPECTING THE PRIESTLY OFFICE.
Our apostles also knew, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and there would be strife on account of the office of the episcopate. For this reason, therefore, inasmuch as they had obtained a perfect fore-knowledge of this, they appointed those [ministers] already mentioned, and afterwards gave instructions, that when these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed them in their ministry. We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blamelessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. For our sin will not be small, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But we see that you have removed some men of excellent behavior from the ministry, which they fulfilled blamelessly and with honor.
CHAPTER 45 -- IT IS THE PART OF THE WICKED TO VEX THE RIGHTEOUS.
Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and full of zeal about things which do not pertain to salvation. Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them. There you will not find that the righteous were cast off by men who themselves were holy. The righteous were indeed persecuted, but only by the wicked. They were cast into prison, but only by the unholy; they were stoned, but only by transgressors; they were slain, but only by the accursed, and such as had conceived an unrighteous envy against them. Exposed to such sufferings, they endured them gloriously. For what shall we say, brethren? Was Daniel s cast into the den of lions by such as feared God? Were Ananias, and Azarias, and Mishael shut up in a furnace of fire by those who observed the great and glorious worship of the Most High? Far from us be such a thought! Who, then, were they that did such things? The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose [of heart], not knowing that the Most High is the Defender and Protector of all such as with a pure conscience venerate" His all-excellent name; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. But they who with confidence endured [these things] are now heirs of glory and honor, and have been exalted and made illustrious by God in their memorial for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER 46 -- LET US CLEAVE TO THE RIGHTEOUS: YOUR STRIFE IS PERNICIOUS.
Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we should follow; since it is written, "Cleave to the holy, for those who cleave to them shall [themselves] be made holy." And again, in another place, [the Scripture] says, "With a harmless man you shall prove yourself harmless, and with an elect man you shall be elect, and with a perverse man you shall show yourself perverse." Let us cleave, therefore, to the innocent and righteous, since these are the elect of God. Why are there strifes, and tumults, and divisions, and schisms, and wars among you? Have we not [all] one God and one Christ? Is there not one Spirit of grace poured out upon us? And have we not one calling in Christ? Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that "we are members one of another?" Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, "Woe to that man [by whom offences come]! It were better for him that he had never been born, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my elect. Yea, it were better for him that a millstone should be hung about [his neck], and he should be sunk in the depths of the sea, than that he should cast a stumbling-block before one of my little ones. Your schism has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your sedition continues.
CHAPTER 47 -- YOUR RECENT DISCORD IS WORSE THAN THE FORMER WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE TIMES OF PAUL.
Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the Gospel first began to be preached? Truly, under the inspiration of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because even then parties had been formed among you. But that inclination for one above another entailed less guilt upon you, inasmuch as your partialities were then shown towards apostles, already of high reputation, and towards a man whom they had approved. But now reflect who those are that have perverted you, and lessened the renown of your far-famed brotherly love. It is disgraceful, beloved, yea, highly disgraceful, and unworthy of your Christian profession, that such a thing should be heard of as that the most steadfast and ancient Church of the Corinthians should, on account of one or two persons, engage in sedition against its presbyters. And this rumor has reached not only us, but those also who are unconnected with us; so that, through your infatuation, the name of the Lord is blasphemed, while danger is also brought upon yourselves.
CHAPTER 48 -- LET US RETURN TO THE PRACTICE OF BROTHERLY LOVE.
Let us therefore, with all haste, put an end s to this [state of things]; and let us fall down before the Lord, and beseech Him with tears, that He would mercifully be reconciled to us, and restore us to our former seemly and holy practice of brotherly love. For [such conduct] is the gate of righteousness, which is set open for the attainment of life, as it is written, "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go in by them, and will praise the Lord: this is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter in by it." Although, therefore, many gates have been set open, yet this gate of righteousness is that gate in Christ by which blessed are all they that have entered in and have directed their way in holiness and righteousness, doing all things without disorder. Let a man be faithful: let him be powerful in the utterance of knowledge; let him be wise in judging of words; let him be pure in all his deeds; yet the more he seems to be superior to others [in these respects], the more humble-minded ought he to be, and to seek the common good of all, and not merely his own advantage.
CHAPTER 49 -- THE PRAISE OF LOVE.
Let him who has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love bears all things, is long-suffering in all things. There is nothing base, nothing arrogant in love. Love admits of no schisms: love gives rise to no seditions: love does all things in harmony. By love have all the elect of God been made perfect; without love nothing is well-pleasing to God. In love has the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the Love he bore us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and His soul for our souls.
CHAPTER 50 -- LET US PRAY TO BE THOUGHT WORTHY OF LOVE.
Ye see, beloved, how great and wonderful a thing is love, and that there is no declaring its perfection. Who is fit to be found in it, except such as God has vouchsafed to render so? Let us pray, therefore, and implore of His mercy, that we may live blameless in love, free from all human partialities for one above another. All the generations from Adam even to this day have passed away; but those who, through the grace of God, have been made perfect in love, now possess a place among the godly, and shall be made manifest at the revelation of the kingdom of Christ. For it is written, "Enter into your secret chambers for a little time, until my wrath and fury pass away; and I will remember a propitious day, and will raise you up out of your graves." Blessed are we, beloved, if we keep the commandments of God in the harmony of love; that so through love our sins may be forgiven us. For it is written, "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not impute to him, and in whose mouth there is no guile." This blessedness comes upon those who have been chosen by God through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER 51 -- LET THE PARTAKERS IN STRIFE ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SINS.
Let us therefore implore forgiveness for all those transgressions which through any [suggestion] of the adversary we have committed. And those who have been the leaders of sedition and disagreement ought to have respect to the common hope. For such as live in fear and love would rather that they themselves than their neighbors should be involved in suffering. And they prefer to bear blame themselves, rather than that the concord which has been well and piously handed down to us should suffer. For it is better that a man should acknowledge his transgressions than that he should harden his heart, as the hearts of those were hardened who stirred up sedition against Moses the servant of God, and whose condemnation was made manifest [to all]. For they went down alive into Hades, and death swallowed them up. Pharaoh with his army and all the princes of Egypt, and the chariots with their riders, were sunk in the depths of the Red Sea, and perished, for no other reason than that their foolish hearts were hardened, after so many signs and wonders had been wrought in the land of Egypt by Moses the servant of God.
CHAPTER 52 -- SUCH A CONFESSION IS PLEASING TO GOD.
The Lord, brethren, stands in need of nothing; and He desires nothing of any one, except that confession be made to Him. For, says the elect David, "I will confess to the Lord; and that will please Him more than a young bullock that has horns and hoofs. Let the poor see it, and be glad." And again he says, "Offer to God the sacrifice of praise, and pay your vows to the Most High. And call upon Me in the day of your trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." For "the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit."
CHAPTER 53 -- THE LOVE OF MOSES TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE.
Ye understand, beloved, you understand well the Sacred Scriptures, and you have looked very earnestly into the oracles of God. Call then these things to your remembrance. When Moses went up into the mount, and abode there, with fasting and humiliation, forty days and forty nights, the Lord said to him, "Moses, Moses, get down quickly from here; for your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have committed iniquity. They have quickly departed from the way in which I commanded them to walk, and have made to themselves molten images." And the Lord said to him, "I have spoken to you once and again, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people: let Me destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make you a great and wonderful nation, and one much more numerous than this." But Moses said, "Far be it from You, Lord: pardon the sin of this people; else blot me also out of the book of the living." O marvelous love! O insuperable perfection! The servant speaks freely to his Lord, and asks forgiveness for the people, or begs that he himself might perish along with them.
CHAPTER 54 -- HE WHO IS FULL OF LOVE WILL INCUR EVERY LOSS, THAT PEACE MAY BE RESTORED TO THE CHURCH.
Who then among you is noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? Let him declare, "If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever you desire, and I will do whatever the majority commands; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it." He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him. For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do.
CHAPTER 55 -- EXAMPLES OF SUCH LOVE.
To bring forward some examples from among the heathen: Many kings and princes, in times of pestilence, when they had been instructed by an oracle, have given themselves up to death, in order that by their own blood they might deliver their fellow-citizens [from destruction]. Many have gone forth from their own cities, that so sedition might be brought to an end within them. We know many among ourselves who have given themselves up to bonds, in order that they might ransom others. Many, too, have surrendered themselves to slavery, that with the price which they received for themselves, they might provide food for others. Many women also, being strengthened by the grace of God, have performed numerous manly exploits. The blessed Judith, when her city was besieged, asked of the elders permission to go forth into the camp of the strangers; and, exposing herself to danger, she went out for the love which she bare to her country and people then besieged; and the Lord delivered Holofernes into the hands of a woman. Esther also, being perfect in faith, exposed herself to no less danger, in order to deliver the twelve tribes of Israel from impending destruction. For with fasting and humiliation she entreated the everlasting God, who sees all things; and He, perceiving the humility of her spirit, delivered the people for whose sake she had encountered peril.
CHAPTER 56 -- LET US ADMONISH AND CORRECT ONE ANOTHER.
Let us then also pray for those who have fallen into any sin, that meekness and humility may be given to them, so that they may submit, not to us, but to the will of God. For in this way they shall secure a fruitful and perfect remembrance from us, with sympathy for them, both in our prayers to God, and our mention of them to the saints. Let us receive correction, beloved, on account of which no one should feel displeased. Those exhortations by which we admonish one another are both good [in themselves] and highly profitable, for they tend to unite us to the will of God. For thus says the holy Word: "The Lord has severely chastened me, yet has not given me over to death." "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." "The righteous," it says, "shall chasten me in mercy, and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners make fat my head." And again he says, "Blessed is the man whom the Lord reproves, and reject not the warning of the Almighty. For He causes sorrow, and again restores [to gladness]; He wounds, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver you in six troubles, yea, in the seventh no evil shall touch you. In famine He shall rescue you from death, and in war He shall free you from the power of the sword. From the scourge of the tongue will He hide you, and you shall not fear when evil comes. You shall hugh at the unrighteous and the wicked, and shall not be afraid of the beasts of the field. For the wild beasts shall be at peace with you: then shall you know that your house shall be in peace, and the habitation of your tabernacle shall not fail? You shall know also that your seed shall be great, and your children like the grass of the field. And you shall come to the grave like ripened corn which is reaped in its season, or like a heap of the threshing-floor which is gathered together at the proper time." You see, beloved, that protection is afforded to those who are chastened of the Lord; for since God is good, He corrects us, that we may be admonished by His holy chastisement.
CHAPTER 57 -- LET THE AUTHORS OF SEDITION SUBMIT THEMSELVES.
Ye therefore, who laid the foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves to the presbyters, and receive correction so as to repent, bending the knees of your hearts. Learn to be subject, laying aside the proud and arrogant self-confidence of your tongue. For it is better for you that you should occupy a humble but honorable place in the flock of Christ, than that, being highly exalted, you should be cast out from the hope of His people. For thus speaks all-virtuous Wisdom: "Behold, I will bring forth to you the words of My Spirit, and I will teach you My speech. Since I called, and you did not hear; I held forth My words, and you regarded not, but set at naught My counsels, and yielded not at My reproofs; therefore I too will laugh at your destruction; yea, I will rejoice when ruin comes upon you, and when sudden confusion overtakes you, when overturning presents itself like a tempest, or when tribulation and oppression fall upon you. For it shall come to pass, that when you call upon Me, I will not hear you; the wicked shall seek Me, and they shall not find Me. For they hated wisdom, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; nor would they listen to My counsels, but despised My reproofs. So they shall eat the fruits of their own way, and they shall be filled with their own ungodliness." . . .
CHAPTER 58 -- BLESSINGS SOUGHT FOR ALL THAT CALL UPON GOD.
May God, who sees all things, and who is the Ruler of all spirits and the Lord of all flesh -- who chose our Lord Jesus Christ and us through Him to be a peculiar people -- grant to every soul that calls upon His glorious and holy Name, faith, fear, peace, patience, long-suffering, self-control, purity, and sobriety, to the well-pleasing of His Name, through our High Priest and Protector, Jesus Christ, by whom be to Him glory, and majesty, and power, and honor, both now and for evermore. Amen.
CHAPTER 59 -- THE CORINTHIANS ARE EXHORTED SPEEDILY TO SEND BACK WORD THAT PEACE HAS BEEN RESTORED. THE BENEDICTION.
Send back speedily to us in peace and with joy these our messengers to you: Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Bito, with Fortunatus: that they may the sooner announce to us the peace and harmony we so earnestly desire and long for [among you], and that we may the more quickly rejoice over the good order re-established among you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and with all everywhere that are the called of God through Him, by whom be to Him glory, honor, power, majesty, and eternal dominion, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.
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