Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to her who has obtained mercy in the greatness of God the Most High; to the community beloved and enlightened by the will of Him who has willed all things which are, according to His love, which also has the presidency in the country of the land of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of blessing, worthy of praise, worthy of success, worthy in its holiness, and pre-eminent in love, bearing the name of the faithful, which also I greet in the name of God; to those who are united in flesh and spirit in every one of His commandments, filled with the grace of God without wavering, and filtered clear from every foreign stain, abundant greeting in God, in blamelessness.

I

1 Forasmuch as I have gained my prayer to God to see your godly faces, so that I have obtained more than I asked,—for in bondage for God's sake I hope to greet you if it be His will that I be found worthy to the end. 2. For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to come unhindered to my lot. For I am afraid of your love, lest even that do me wrong. For it is easy for you to do what you will, but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if you do not spare me.

II

1 For I would not have you "men-pleasers" but "God-pleasers," even as you do indeed please Him. For neither shall I ever have such an opportunity of attaining to God, nor can you, if you be but silent, have any better deed ascribed to you. For if you are silent concerning me, I am a word of God; but if you love my flesh, I shall again be only a cry. 2. Grant me nothing more than that I be poured out to God, while there is still opportunity, that forming yourselves into a chorus of love, you may sing to God, that God has vouchsafed that the overseer of Syria shall be found in the west, having fetched him from the east. It is good to set to the world towards God, that I may rise to Him.

III

1 You never have envied anyone, you taught others. But I desire that those things may stand fast which you enjoin in your instructions. 2. Only pray for me for strength, both inward and outward, that I may not merely speak, but also have the will, that I may not only be called a believer, but may also be found to be one. For if I be found to be one, I can also be called one, and then be deemed faithful when I no longer am visible in the world. 3. Nothing visible is good, for our God is unseen, and is the more plainly perceived by the eye of faith. Faith is not the work of persuasiveness, but of greatness, when it is hated by the world.

IV

1 I am writing to all the communities, and I give injunctions to all men, that I am dying willingly for God's sake, if you do not hinder it. I beseech you, be not "an unseasonable kindness" to me. Suffer me to be eaten by the beasts, through whom I can attain to God. I am God's wheat, and I am ground by the teeth of wild beasts that I may be found pure bread. 2. Rather entice the wild beasts that they may become my tomb, and leave no trace of my body, that when I fall asleep I be not burdensome to any. Then shall I be truly a disciple of Jesus, when the world shall not even see my body. Beseech God on my behalf, that I may be found an offering through these instruments. 3. I do not order you as did Peter and Paul; they were Apostles, I am a convict; they were free, I am even until now a slave. But if I suffer I shall be God's freedman, and by His mercy I shall rise free. Now I am learning in my bonds to give up all desires.

V

1 From Syria to Rome I am fighting with wild beasts, by land and sea, by night and day, bound to ten "leopards" (that is, a company of soldiers), and they become worse for kind treatment. Now I become the more a disciple for their ill deeds, "but not by this am I justified." 2. I long for the beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray that they may be found prompt for me; I will even entice them to devour me promptly; not as has happened to some whom they have not touched from fear; even if they be unwilling of themselves, I will force them to it. 3. Grant me this favour. I know what is expedient for me; now I am beginning to be a disciple. May nothing of things seen or unseen envy me my attaining to God. Let there come on me fire, and cross, and struggles with wild beasts, cutting, and tearing asunder, rackings of bones, mangling of limbs, crushing of my whole body, cruel tortures of the devil, may I but attain to God!

VI

1 The ends of the earth and the kingdoms of this world shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die in God's cause than to be king over the ends of the earth. I seek Him who is the Living, the Eternal. The pains of birth are upon me. 2. Suffer me, my brethren; hinder me not from living, do not wish me to die. Do not give to the world one who desires to belong to God, nor deceive him with material things. Suffer me to receive the pure light; when I have come thither I shall become a man. 3. Suffer me to follow the example of the steadfastness of the messengers. If any man have faith within himself, let him understand what I wish, and let him sympathise with me, knowing the things which constrain me.

VII

1 The Prince of this world wishes to tear me in pieces, and to corrupt my mind towards God. Let none of you who are present help him. Be rather on my side, that is on God's. Do not speak of God, and yet desire the world. 2. Let no envy dwell among you. Even though when I come I beseech you myself, do not be persuaded by me, but rather obey this, which I write to you: for in the midst of life I write to you desiring death. My lust has been put to death, and there is in me no fire of love for material things; but only a voice living and speaking in me, and saying to me from within, "Come to God." 3. I have no pleasure in the food of corruption or in the delights of this life. I desire the "bread of God," which is His provision, and for drink I desire His love, which is incorruptible.

VIII

1 I no longer desire to live after the manner of men, and this shall be, if you desire it. Desire it, in order that you also may be desired. 2. I beg you by this short letter; believe me. And God shall make this plain to you, that I am speaking the truth. His is the mouth which cannot lie. 3. Pray for me that I may attain. I write to you not according to the flesh, but according to the mind of God. If I suffer, it was your favour: if I be rejected, it was your hatred.

IX

1 Remember in your prayers the community in Syria which has God for its Shepherd in my room. God alone shall watch over it, and your love. 2. But for myself I am ashamed to be called one of them, for I am not worthy; for I am the least of them, and "born out of time;" but I have obtained mercy to be someone, if I may attain to God. 3. My spirit greets you, and the love of the communities which have received me in the name of God, not as a mere passer by, for even those which did not lie on my road according to the flesh went before me from city to city.

X

1 Now I am writing these things to you from Smyrna by the blessed Ephesians, and Crocus, a name very dear to me, is also with me, and many others. 2. Concerning those who have preceded me from Syria to Rome to the glory of God, I believe that you have received information; tell them that I am close at hand; for they are all worthy of God and of you, and it is right for you to refresh them in every way. 3. I write this to you on the 24th of August. Farewell unto the end, in the endurance that God grants.