My LORD’s BibleIgnatius to Polycarp 3
1NOW forasmuch as the church of Antioch in Syria, is, as I am told, [one word illegible.—JBH] through your prayers; I also have been the more comforted and without care in God; if so be that by suffering, I shall attain unto God; that through your prayers I may be found a disciple of Christ.
Ἐπειδὴ ἡ ἐκκλησία ἡ ἐν ᾿Αντιοχείᾳ τῆς Συρίας εἰρηνεύει, ὡς ἐδηλώθη μοι, διὰ τῆς προσευχῆς ὑμῶν, κἀγὼ εὐθυμότερος ἐγενόμην ἐν ἀμεριμνίᾳ Θεοῦ, ἐάνπερ διὰ τοῦ παθεῖν Θεοῦ ἐπιτύχω, εἰς τὸ εὑρεθηναί pe ἐν τῇ αἰτήσει ὑμῶν μαθητήν.
2It will be very fit, O most worthy Polycarp, to call a select council, and choose some one whom ye particularly love, and who is patient of labour; that he may be the messenger of God; and that going unto Syria, he may glorify your incessant love, to the praise of Christ.
3A Christian has not the power of himself: but must be always at leisure for God's service. Now this work is both God's and your's: when ye shall have perfected it.
πρέπει, ΠΠολύκαρπε θεομακαριστότατε, συμβούλιον ἀγαγεῖν θεοπρεπέστατον καὶ χειροτονῆσαί τινα ὃν ἀγαπητὸν λίαν ἔχετε καὶ ἄοκνον, ὃς δυνήσεται θεοδρόμος καλεῖσθαι: τοῦτον καταξιῶσαι, ἵνα πορευθεὶς εἰς Συρίαν δοξάσῃ ὑμῶν τὴν ἄοκνον ἀγάπην εἰς δόξαν Θεοῦ.
4For I trust through the grace of God that ye are ready to every good work that is fitting for you in the Lord.
5Knowing therefore your earnest affection for the truth, I have exhorted you by these short letters.
Χριστι- ανὸς ἑαυτοῦ ἐξουσίαν οὐκ ἔχει ἀλλὰ Θεῷ σχολάζει. τοῦτο τὸ ἔργον Θεοῦ ἐστιν καὶ ὑμῶν, ὅταν αὐτὸ ἀπαρτίσητε. πιστεύω γὰρ τῇ χάριτι, ὅτι ἕτοιμοί ἐστε εἰς εὐποιΐαν Θεῷ ἀνήκουσαν. εἰδὼς ὑμῶν τὸ σύντονον τῆς ἀληθείας δι᾽ ὀλέγων ὑμᾶς γραμμάτων παρεκάλεσα.
6But forasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis; (for so is the command of those to whose pleasure I am subject;) do you write to the churches that are near you, as being instructed in the will of God, that they also may do in like manner.
7Let those that are able send messengers; and let the rest send their letters by those who shall be sent by you: that you may be glorified 1 to all eternity, of which you are worthy.
Ἐπεὶ πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις οὐκ ἠδυνήθην ypavas διὰ τὸ ἐξαίφνης πλεῖν με ἀπὸ Τρωάδος εἰς Νεάπολιν, ds τὸ θέλημα προστάσσει, γράψεις ταῖς ἔμπροσθεν ἐκκλη- clas, ὡς Θεοῦ γνώμην κεκτημένος, eis τὸ καὶ αὐτοὺς τὸ αὐτὸ ποιῆσαι---οἱ μὲν δυνάμενοι πεζοὺς πέμψαι, οἱ δὲ ἐπιστολὰς διὰ τῶν ὑπό σου πεμπομένων, ἵνα δοξασθῆτε αἰωνίῳ ἔργῳ--- ὡς ἄξιος wy.
8I salute all by name, particularly the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus my well-beloved.
9I salute him who shall be thought worthy to be sent by you into Syria. Let grace be ever with him, 2 and with Polycarp who sends him.
᾿Ασπάζομαι πάντας ἐξ ὀνόματος, καὶ τὴν τοῦ ’Emi- τρόπου σὺν ὅλῳ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτῆς καὶ τῶν τέκνων: ἀσπάζομαι "Artadoy τὸν ἀγαπητόν μου" ἀσπάζομαι τὸν μέλλοντα καταξ- ιοὔσθαι τοῦ εἰς Συρίαν πορεύεσθαι: ἔσται ἡ χάρις μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ διὰ παντός, καὶ τοῦ πέμποντος αὐτὸν Πολυκάρπου.
10I wish you all happiness in our God, Jesus Christ; in whom continue, in the unity and protection of God.
11I salute Alce my well-beloved. Farewell in the Lord. To Polycarp.
ἐρρῶσθαι ὑμᾶς διὰ παντὸς ἐν Θεῷ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ εὔχομαι, ἐν ᾧ διαμείνητε ἐν ἑνότητε Θεοῦ καὶ ἐπισκοπῇ. ἀσπάζομαι "λλκην τὸ ποθητόν μοι ὄνομα. ἔρρωσθε ἐν