ing calamities and untoward experiences ° that have befallen
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT
TOV THE CORINTHIANS?
The Church of God which resides as a stranger at Rome' to the Church of God which is a stranger at Corinth; to those who are called and sanctified* by the will of God through * our Lord Jesus Christ. May grace and peace from Almighty
God flow to you in rich profusion through Jesus Christ!
1. Owing to the suddenly bursting and rapidly succeeding calamities and untoward experiences ° that have befallen us, we have been somewhat tardy, we think, in giving our attention to the subjects of dispute® in your community, beloved. We mean that execrable and godless schism so utterly foreign to the elect of God. And it is only a few rash and headstrong individuals that have inflamed it to such a degree of madness that your venerable, widely-renowned, and universally and deservedly cherished name has been greatly defamed.
2 Indeed, was there ever a visitor in your midst that did not approve your excellent and steadfast faith?
Or did not admire your discreet and thoughtful'
Christian piety? Or did not proclaim the magnificent character of your hospitality? Or did not congratulate you on your perfect and secure fund of knowledge? * 3 You certainly did everything without an eye to rank or station in life, and regulated your conduct by God's commandments. You were submissive to your officials and paid the older men among you the respect due to them. The young you trained to habits of