Chapter VIII.—Let other churches...

Chapter VIII.—Let other churches also send to Antioch.

Inasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will ¹¹¹⁹ [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose ¹¹²⁰ of God, wilt write to the adjacent Churches, that they also may act in like manner, such as are able to do so sending messengers, ¹¹²¹ and the others transmitting letters through those persons who are sent by thee, that thou ¹¹²² mayest be glorified by a work ¹¹²³ which shall be remembered for ever, as indeed thou art worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus, my beloved. I salute him who shall be deemed worthy to go [from you] into Syria. Grace shall be with him for ever, and with Polycarp that sends him. I pray for your happiness for ever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom continue ye in the unity and under the protection of God, ¹¹²⁴ I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. ¹¹²⁵ Fare ye well in the Lord.

Inasmuch, therefore, as I have not been able to write to all Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the will ¹¹²⁶ [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose ¹¹²⁷ of God, wilt write to the adjacent Churches, that they also may act in like manner, such as are able to do so sending messenger, and the others transmitting letters through those persons who are sent by thee, that thou mayest be glorified by a work ¹¹²⁸ which shall be remembered for ever, as indeed thou art worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and children. I salute Attalus, my beloved. I salute him who shall be deemed worthy to go [from you] into Syria. Grace shall be with him for ever, and with Polycarp that sends him. I pray for your happiness for ever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom continue ye in the unity and under the protection of God. I salute Alce, my dearly beloved. ¹¹²⁹ Amen. Grace [be with you]. Fare ye well in the Lord.

Footnotes

96:1119

Some suppose the reference to be to the soldiers, or perhaps to God Himself.

96:1120

Or, “as possessed of the judgment.”

96:1121

Literally, “men on foot.”

96:1122

Some have the plural “ye” here.

96:1123

Literally, “an eternal work.”

96:1124

Some propose to read, “and of the bishop.”

96:1125

Literally, “name desired by me.”

96:1126

Some suppose the reference to be to the soldiers, or perhaps to God Himself.

96:1127

Or, “as possessed of the judgment.”

96:1128

Literally, “an eternal work.”

96:1129

Literally, “name desired by me.”