Chapter XIII.—Conclusion.
The love of the Smyrnæans and Ephesians salutes you. Remember in your prayers the
Church which is in Syria, from which also I am not worthy to receive my appellation, being
the last335 of them. Fare ye well in Jesus Christ, while ye continue subject to the bishop, as
to the command [of God], and in like manner to the presbytery. And do ye, every man, love
one another with an undivided heart. Let my spirit be sanctified336 by yours, not only now,
but also when I shall attain to God. For I am as yet exposed to danger. But the Father is
faithful in Jesus Christ to fulfil both mine and your petitions: in whom may ye be found
unblameable.
The love of the Smyrnæans and Ephesians salutes you. Remember our Church which
is in Syria, from which I am not worthy to receive my appellation, being the last337 of those
of that place. Fare ye well in the Lord Jesus Christ, while ye continue subject to the bishop,
and in like manner to the presbyters and to the deacons. And do ye, every man, love one
another with an undivided heart. My spirit salutes you,338 not only now, but also when I
shall have attained to God; for I am as yet exposed to danger. But the Father of Jesus Christ
is faithful to fulfil both mine and your petitions: in whom may we be found without spot.
May I have joy of you in the Lord.
335 i.e., the least.
336 The shorter recension reads ἁγνίζετε, and the longer also hesitates between this and ἀσπάζεται. With the
former reading the meaning is very obscure: it has been corrected as above to ἁγνίζηται.
337 i.e., the least.
338 The shorter recension reads ἁγνίζετε, and the longer also hesitates between this and ἀσπάζεται. With the
former reading the meaning is very obscure: it has been corrected as above to ἁγνίζηται.
Chapter XIII.—Conclusion.
197
Chapter XIII.—Conclusion.