Polycarp, translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson

“ And let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always "providing for that which is becoming in the sight of God and men;" [38] abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unjust judgment; keeping far off from all covetousness, not quickly crediting [an evil report] against any one, not severe in judgment, as knowing that we are all under a debt of sin. If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive ”

“ Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. [12] His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. [13] But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise [14] up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil-speaking, false-witness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing," [15] or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: "Judge not, that ye be not judged ”

“ I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness, [60] and that ye be chaste and truthful. "Abstain from every form of evil." [61] For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, [60] he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? "Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world?" ”

“ Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offence, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error. ”

“ In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from [35] the lusts that are in the world, since "every lust warreth against the spirit;" ”

“ Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, [55] and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because "alms delivers from death." ”

“ Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.
Chap. vi.—The duties of presbyters and others. ”

“ Moreover, ye will hold his sister in esteem when she comes to you. Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all. [80] Amen.
↑ The title of this epistle in most of the mss. is, "The Epistle of St Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, and holy martyr, to the Philippians." ↑ Or, "Polycarp, and those who with him are presbyters." ↑ Literally, "ye have received the patterns of true love." ↑ Phil. i. 5. ↑ Acts ii. 24. Literally, "having loosed the pains of Hades." ↑ 1 Pet. i. 8. ↑ Eph. ii. 8, 9. ↑ Comp. 1 Pet. i. 13; Eph. vi. 14. ↑ Ps. ii. 11. ↑ 1 Pet. i. 21. ↑ Comp. 1 Pet. iii. 22; Phil. ii. ”