Chapter XII.--Ye are superior to me.
May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy! For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to any of you that are at liberty. I know that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus Christ in yourselves. And all the more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty [711] of spirit; as it is written, "The righteous man is his own accuser." [712]
May I enjoy you in all respects, if indeed I be worthy! For though I am bound, I am not worthy to be compared to one of you that are at liberty. I know that ye are not puffed up, for ye have Jesus in yourselves. And all the more when I commend you, I know that ye cherish modesty [713] of spirit; as it is written, "The righteous man is his own accuser;" [714] and again, "Declare thou first thine iniquities, that thou mayest be justified;" [715] and again, "When ye shall have done all things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants;" [716] "for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." [717] For says [the Scripture], "God be merciful to me a sinner." [718] Therefore those great ones, Abraham and Job, [719] styled themselves "dust and ashes" [720] before God. And David says, "Who am I before Thee, O Lord, that Thou hast glorified me hitherto?" [721] And Moses, who was "the meekest of all men," [722] saith to God, "I am of a feeble voice, and of a slow tongue." [723] Be ye therefore also of a humble spirit, that ye may be exalted; for "he that abaseth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased." [724]
[711] Literally, "are reverent."
[712] Prov. xviii. 17. (LXX).
[713] Literally, "are reverent."
[714] Prov. xviii. 17. (LXX).
[715] Isa. xliii. 26.
[716] Luke xvii. 10.
[717] Luke xvi. 15.
[718] Luke xviii. 13.
[719] Some read, "Jacob."
[720] Gen. xviii. 27; Job xxx. 19.
[721] 1 Chron. xvii. 16.
[722] Num. xii. 3.
[723] Ex. iv. 10.
[724] Luke xiv. 11.
Chapter XIII.--Be established in faith and unity.
Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things, whatsoever ye do, may prosper both in the flesh and spirit; in faith and love; in the Son, and in the Father, and in the Spirit; in the beginning and in the end; with your most admirable bishop, and the well-compacted spiritual crown of your presbytery, and the deacons who are according to God. Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Jesus Christ to the Father, according to the flesh, and the apostles to Christ, and to the Father, and to the Spirit; that so there may be a union both fleshly and spiritual.
Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things, whatsoever ye do, may prosper, both in the flesh and spirit, in faith and love, with your most admirable bishop, and the well-compacted [725] spiritual crown of your presbytery, and the deacons who are according to God. Be ye subject to the bishop, and to one another, as Christ to the Father, that there may be a unity according to God among you.
[725] Literally, "well-woven."
Chapter XIV.--Your prayers requested.
Knowing as I do that ye are full of God, I have but briefly exhorted you. Be mindful of me in your prayers, that I may attain to God; and of the Church which is in Syria, whence I am not worthy to derive my name: for I stand in need of your united prayer in God, and your love, that the Church which is in Syria may be deemed worthy of being refreshed [726] by your Church.
Knowing as I do that ye are full of all good, I have but briefly exhorted you in the love of Jesus Christ. Be mindful of me in your prayers, that I may attain to God; and of the Church which is in Syria, of whom I am not worthy to be called bishop. For I stand in need of your united prayer in God, and of your love, that the Church which is in Syria may be deemed worthy, by your good order, of being edified [727] in Christ.
[726] Literally, "of being sprinkled with dew."
[727] Literally, "of being fed as by a shepherd."