of men,' but to please God, as indeed you do please Him.
To THE Romans
2. Surely, I do not want you to court the good pleasure of men,' but to please God, as indeed you do please Him.
Yes, I shall never again have such an opportunity of winning my way to God, nor can you, if you remain quiet, ever have your name inscribed* on a more glorious achievement. For, if you quietly ignore me, I am the word of God;° but if you fall in love with my human nature, I shall, on the contrary, be a mere sound. 2 Grant me no more than that you let my blood be spilled in sacrifice*® to God, while yet there is an altar ready. You should form a choir of love and sing a song to the Father through Jesus Christ, because God has graciously summoned the bishop of Syria to come from the rising of the sun to the setting. How glorious to be a setting sun— away from the world, on to God!
May I rise in His presence! ** 3. You have never grudged any man. You have taught others. All I want is that the lessons you inculcate in initiating disciples remain in force." 2 Only beg for me strength within and without, that I may be a man not merely of words, but also of resolution. In this way I shall not only be called a Christian, but also prove to be one. For if I prove to be one,
I can also be called a true believer even then when I am no longer seen by the world.** 3 Nothing that is seen is good.
Our God Jesus Christ certainly is the more clearly seen now that He is in the Father. Whenever Christianity is hated by the world, what counts is not power of persuasion, but greatness."
4, I amwriting to all the Churches and state emphatically to all that I die willingly for God, provided you do not interfere. I beg you, do not show me unseasonable kindness.
Suffer me to be the food of wild beasts, which are the means