of the Lord and the Apostles, that in all things whatsoever
To roe Macnesians
but to believe most steadfastly in the birth, the Passion, and the Resurrection,** which took place during the procuratorship of Pontius Pilate. Facts these are, real and established by Jesus Christ, our hope.** May God grant that none of you may relinquish it!
12. May you be my joy in all respects, if indeed I deserve it! For, though I am in chains, compared with one of you who are free, I am nothing. I know that you are not conceited, for you have Jesus Christ in you. What is more, I know that when I praise you, you blush, just as the Scripture says: °° The just man is his own accuser.
13. Be zealous, therefore, to stand squarely on the decrees of the Lord and the Apostles, that in all things whatsoever you may prosper,'° in body and in soul, in faith and in love, in the Son and the Father and the Spirit, in the beginning and the end, together with your most reverend bishop and with your presbytery—that fittingly woven spiritual crown! **
—and with your deacons, men of God.
2 Submit to the bishop and to each other's rights, just as did Jesus Christ in the flesh * to the Father, and as the Apostles did to Christ and the Father and the Spirit, so that there may be oneness both of flesh and of spirit.
14. Knowing that you are steeped in God,* I am exhorting you but briefly. Remember me in your prayers that I may happily make my way to God. Remember, too, the Church in Syria, of which I am an unworthy member. Yes,
I do stand in need of your God-inspired prayer and your _ love. Thus the Church in Syria will be privileged through your Church to be quickened with refreshing dew.
15. The Ephesians at Smyrna—the place from which | am writing to you—send their greetings.
Like yourselves,