the Church at Smyrna, translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson

“ But he answered, "Call them then, for we are not accustomed to repent of what is good in order to adopt that which is evil; [30] and it is well for me to be changed from what is evil to what is righteous." [31] But again the proconsul said to him, "I will cause thee to be consumed by fire, seeing thou despisest the wild beasts, if thou wilt not repent." But Polycarp said, "Thou threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a little is extinguished, but art ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. ”

“ For the most noble Germanicus strengthened the timidity of others by his own patience, and fought heroically [6] with the wild beasts. For, when the proconsul sought to persuade him, and urged him [7] to take pity upon his age, he attracted the wild beast towards himself, and provoked it, being desirous to escape all the more quickly from an unrighteous and impious world. But upon this the whole multitude, marvelling at the nobility of mind displayed by the devout and godly race of Christians, [8] cried out, "Away with the atheists; let Polycarp be sought out!" ”

“ Away with the Atheists." But Polycarp, gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the stadium, and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, said, "Away with the Atheists." [26] Then, the proconsul urging him, and saying, "Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach Christ;" Polycarp declared, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?" ”

“ This proclamation having been made by the herald, the whole multitude both of the heathen and Jews, who dwelt at Smyrna, cried out with uncontrollable fury, and in a loud voice, "This is the teacher of Asia, [32] the father of the Christians, and the overthrower of our gods, he who has been teaching many not to sacrifice, or to worship the gods." Speaking thus, they cried out, and besought Philip the Asiarch [33] to let loose a lion upon Polycarp. But Philip answered that it was not lawful for him to do so, seeing the shows [34] of wild beasts were already finished. ”

“ Mercy, peace, and love from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
Chap. i.—Subject of which we write.
We have written to you, brethren, as to what relates to the martyrs, and especially to the blessed Polycarp, who put an end to the persecution, having, as it were, set a seal upon it by his martyrdom. For almost all the events that happened previously [to this one] , took place that the Lord might show us from above a martyrdom becoming the gospel. ”

“ Statius Quadratus being proconsul, but Jesus Christ being King for ever, to whom be glory, honour, majesty, and an everlasting throne, from generation to generation. Amen.
Chap. xxii.—Salutation.
We wish you, brethren, all happiness, while you walk according to the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ; with whom be glory to God the Father and the Holy Spirit, for the salvation of His holy elect, after whose example [60] the blessed Polycarp suffered, following in whose steps may we too be found in the kingdom of Jesus Christ! ”

“ Now one named Quintus, a Phrygian, who was but lately come from Phrygia, when he saw the wild beasts, became afraid. This was the man who forced himself and some others to come forward voluntarily [for trial] . Him the proconsul, after many entreaties, persuaded to swear and to offer sacrifice. Wherefore, brethren, we do not commend those who give themselves up [to suffering] , seeing the gospel does not teach so to do. [9]
Chap. v.—The departure and vision of Polycarp. ”

“ And, in like manner, those who were condemned to the wild beasts endured dreadful tortures, being stretched out upon beds full of spikes, and subjected to various other kinds of torments, in order that, if it were possible, the tyrant might, by their lingering tortures, lead them to a denial [of Christ] .
Chap. iii.—The constancy of Germanicus. The death of Polycarp is demanded.
For the devil did indeed invent many things against them; but thanks be to God, he could not prevail over all. ”

“ And truly, [4] who can fail to admire their nobleness of mind, and their patience, with that love towards their Lord which they displayed?—who, when they were so torn with scourges, that the frame of their bodies, even to the very inward veins and arteries, was laid open, still patiently endured, while even those that stood by pitied and bewailed them. ”

“ This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia) , yet occupies a place of his own [53] in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. ”

“ And on his doing this, there came forth a dove, [43] and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished; and all the people wondered that there should be such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect, of whom this most admirable Polycarp was one, having in our own times been an apostolic and prophetic teacher, and bishop of the catholic church which is in Smyrna. For every word that went out of his mouth either has been or shall yet be accomplished.
Chap. XVII.—The Christians are refused Polycarp's body. ”