Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus [mindful of GOD], to the Holy Church which is at Tralles in Asia, beloved of GOD, [the Lord] of Jesus Christ, elect and worthy of GOD, having peace in the flesh and in the Spirit [by the example of] the passion of Jesus Christ, [and] our hope through our resurrection unto Him. Which Church I also greet in the Divine fulness after the apostolic fashion, and I bid her abundant greeting.

I

1 I have learned that you possess a mind free from blame and unhesitating in endurance, not from habit, but by nature, as Polybius your bishop showed me, when he visited me in Smyrna by the will of GOD [and the guidance] of Jesus Christ, and so greatly rejoiced with me, prisoner for Jesus Christ as I was, that I saw your whole congregation in his person. 2. I received therefore your godly benevolence through him, and gave GOD glory that I found you, as I had learnt, imitators of GOD [in mercy].

II

1 For when you are in subjection to the bishop as [Jesus Christ taught] it is clear to me that you are living not after men, but after Jesus Christ, who [was persecuted] for our sake, that by believing [his message] you may escape death. 2. Therefore it is necessary (as is your practice) that you should do nothing without the bishop, but be also in subjection to the presbytery, as to the Apostles of Jesus Christ our hope, for if we live in him we shall be found in him. 3. And they also who are deacons of the mysteries of Jesus Christ must be in every way pleasing to all men. For they are not the ministers of food and drink, but servants of the Church of GOD; they must therefore guard against blame as against fire.

III

1 Likewise let all respect the deacons as [servants of GOD], even as the bishop is also [a servant of GOD], and the presbyters as the council of GOD and the college of Apostles. Without these the name of “Church” is not given. 2. I am confident that you accept this. For I have received the example of your love, and I have it with me in the person of your bishop, whose very demeanour is a great lesson, and whose meekness is a miracle, and I believe that even the godless pay respect to him. 3. I am sparing you in my love, though I might write more sharply on his behalf: I did not think myself competent, as a convict, to give you orders like an Apostle.

IV

1 I have many thoughts in GOD, but I take the measure of myself that I perish not through boasting, for at present it is far better for me to be timid, and not to give heed to them who puff me up. For they who speak thus are a scourge to me. 2. For I desire to suffer, but I know not if I am worthy, for the jealousy of the devil is to many not obvious, but against me it fights the more. I have need therefore of meekness, by which the prince of this world [Satan] is brought to nothing.

V

1 Am I not able to write to you heavenly things? Yes, but I am afraid that I should do you harm “seeing you are babes.” Pardon me, for I refrain lest you be choked by what you cannot receive. 2. For I myself, though I am in bonds and can understand heavenly things, and the places of the angels and the gatherings of principalities, and “things seen and unseen,” not for this am I a disciple even now, for much is lacking to us, that we may not lack GOD.

VI

1 I beseech you therefore (yet not I but the love of Jesus Christ) live only on Christian fare, and refrain from strange food, which is heresy. 2. For these men mingle Jesus Christ with themselves in specious honesty, mixing as it were a deadly poison with honeyed wine, which the ignorant takes gladly in his baneful pleasure, and it is his death.

VII

1 Beware therefore of such men; and this will be possible for you, if you are not puffed up, and are inseparable from GOD, from Jesus Christ and from the bishop and the ordinances of the Apostles. 2. He who is within the sanctuary is pure, but he who is without the sanctuary is not pure; that is to say whoever does anything apart from the bishop and the presbytery and the deacons is not pure in his conscience.

VIII

1 It is not that I know that there is anything of this kind among you, but I warn you because you are dear to me, and I foresee the snares of the devil. Therefore adopt meekness and be renewed in faith, which is [the soul's food], and in love, which is [its drink]. 2. Let none of you have a grudge against his neighbour. Give no occasion to the heathen, in order that the congregation of GOD may not be blasphemed for a few foolish persons. For “Woe unto him through whom My name is vainly blasphemed among any.”

IX

1 Be deaf therefore when anyone speaks to you apart from Jesus Christ, who was of the family of David, and of Mary, who was truly born, both ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly [taken up by GOD] in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth; 2. who also was truly raised from the dead, when [GOD] raised him up, as in the same manner [GOD] shall raise up in [the way of] Christ Jesus us who believe in [Him], without Whom we have no true life.

X

1 But if, as some affirm who are without GOD—that is, are unbelievers—his suffering was only a semblance (but it is they who are merely a semblance), why am I a prisoner, and why do I even long to fight with the beasts? In that case I am dying in vain. Then indeed am I lying concerning the [master].

XI

1 Flee from these wicked offshoots, which bear deadly fruit, which if a man eat he presently dies. For these are not the planting of [GOD]. 2. For if they were they would appear as branches of [the good tree] (and their fruit would be incorruptible) by which through his [steadfastness] he calls you who are his [followers]. The head therefore cannot be born without limbs, since GOD promises union, [of the believers].

XII

1 I greet you from Smyrna together with the Churches of GOD that are present with me, men who in all things have given me rest in the flesh and in the spirit. 2. My bonds exhort you, which I carry about for the sake of Jesus Christ, praying that I may attain to GOD; continue in your present harmony and in prayer with one another. For it is right that each of you, and especially the presbyters, should refresh the bishop, to the honour of [GOD], of Jesus Christ, and of the Apostles. 3. I entreat you to listen to me in love, that I become not by my writing a witness against you. And pray for me also, for I have need of your love in the mercy of GOD, that I may be granted the lot which I am set to obtain, that I be not found reprobate.

XIII

1 The love of the Smyrnaeans and Ephesians greet you: remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, in which I am not worthy to be reckoned, being the least of its members. 2. Farewell in Jesus Christ. Submit yourselves to the bishop as to the commandment, and likewise to the presbytery. Let each of you individually love one another with an undivided heart. 3. My spirit is consecrated to you not only now, but also when I attain to GOD. For I am still in peril, but [GOD] is faithful in Jesus Christ to fulfil both your and my prayer, in which may you be found blameless.