I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches
of God which are with me, whose rulers have refreshed
me in every respect, both in the flesh and in the spirit.
My bonds, which I carry about with me for the sake of
Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort
you. Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in
supplication ; for it becomes every one of you, and espe-
cially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the
honour of the Father, and to the honour of Jesus Christ
and of the apostles. I entreat you in love to hear me,
that I may not, by having thus written, be a testimony
against you. And do ye also pray for me, who have need
of your love, along with the mercy of God, that I may
be thought worthy to attain the lot for which I am now
designed, and that I may not be found reprobate.