him. It is preferable, surely, to listen to a circumcized man
To THE PHILADELPHIANS
represented by the presbytery of the Church." 2 But let us also cherish the Prophets, because they, for their part, foreshadowed the Gospel; and they hoped in Him and waited for Him and were saved by their belief in Him; for thus they were one with Jesus Christ. O those lovable and wonderful saints! Their merits are attested by Jesus Christ, and their message is part and parcel of the Gospel of our common hope.** 6. But should anyone expound Judaism, do not listen to him. It is preferable, surely, to listen to a circumcized man preaching Christianity than to an uncircumcized man preaching Judaism. But if neither of them preaches Jesus Christ, they are to me tombstones and graves of the dead,"* on which only the names of the dead are inscribed.
2 Shun, then, the base artifices and snares of the Prince of this world, for fear you may be harassed by his scheming and grow weak in your love. Rather, come together, all of you, with undivided heart.
3 I thank my God that I have a good conscience as concerning you, and that no one has occasion to boast that I was a burden to anyone *' either secretly or openly, in great matters or in small. But I also pray for all those in whose midst I spoke, that they may not find in my words any testimony against them.
7. For, even though some were willing enough to lead my human spirit into error, yet the Spirit is not led into error, since He proceeds from God. Indeed, He knows where He comes from and whither He goes,'® and lays bare what is secret." I cried out, while in your midst, and said in a ringing voice—God's voice: "Give heed to the bishop and to the presbytery and to the deacons." 2 Some, however, suspected
I was saying this because I had previous knowledge of the