First Epistle of St Clement to the Corinthians @96 AD
Translated
by J.B. Lightfoot.
1 Clem. prologue:1 The Church of
God which sojourneth in Rome to the Church of God which sojourneth in Corinth,
to them which are called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from Almighty God through Jesus Christ be
multiplied.
1 Clem. 1:1 By reason of the sudden
and repeated calamities and reverses which are befalling us, brethren, we
consider that we have been somewhat tardy in giving heed to the matters of
dispute that have arisen among you, dearly beloved, and to the detestable and
unholy sedition, so alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few
headstrong and self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that
your name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men, hath
been greatly reviled.
1 Clem. 1:2 For
who that had sojourned among you did not approve your most virtuous and
steadfast faith? Who did not admire your sober and forbearing piety in Christ?
Who did not publish abroad your magnificent disposition of hospitality? Who did
not congratulate you on your perfect and sound knowledge?
1 Clem. 1:3 For ye did all things
without respect of persons, and ye walked after the ordinances of God,
submitting yourselves to your rulers and rendering to the older men among you
the honor which is their due. On the young too ye enjoined modest and seemly
thoughts: and the women ye charged to perform all their duties in a blameless
and seemly and pure conscience, cherishing their own husbands, as is meet; and
ye taught them to keep in the rule of obedience, and to manage the affairs of
their household in seemliness, with all discretion.
1 Clem. 2:1 And ye were all lowly
in mind and free from arrogance, yielding rather than claiming submission, more
glad to give than to receive, and content with the provisions which God
supplieth. And giving heed unto His words, ye laid them up diligently in your
hearts, and His sufferings were before your eyes.
1 Clem. 2:2 Thus
a profound and rich peace was given to all, and an insatiable desire of doing
good. An abundant outpouring also of the Holy Spirit fell upon all;
1 Clem. 2:3 and, being full of holy
counsel, in excellent zeal and with a pious confidence ye stretched out your
hands to Almighty God, supplicating Him to be propitious, if unwillingly ye had
committed any sin.
1 Clem. 2:4 Ye
had conflict day and night for all the brotherhood, that the number of His
elect might be saved with fearfulness and intentness of mind.
1 Clem. 2:5 Ye
were sincere and simple and free from malice one towards another.
1 Clem. 2:6 Every
sedition and every schism was abominable to you. Ye mourned over the
transgressions of your neighbors: ye judged their shortcomings to be your own.
1 Clem. 2:7 Ye
repented not of any well-doing, but were ready unto every good work.
1 Clem. 2:8 Being adorned with a
most virtuous and honorable life, ye performed all your duties in the fear of
Him. The commandments and the ordinances of the Lord were written on the
tablets of your hearts.
1 Clem. 3:1 All
glory and enlargement was given unto you, and that was fulfilled which is
written My beloved ate and drank and was enlarged and waxed fat and kicked.
1 Clem. 3:2 Hence come jealousy and
envy, strife and sedition, persecution and tumult, war and captivity.
1 Clem. 3:3 So
men were stirred up, the mean against the honorable, the ill reputed against
the highly reputed, the foolish against the wise, the young against the elder.
1 Clem. 3:4 For this cause
righteousness and peace stand aloof, while each man hath forsaken the fear of
the Lord and become purblind in the faith of Him, neither walketh in the
ordinances of His commandments nor liveth according to that which becometh
Christ, but each goeth after the lusts of his evil heart, seeing that they have
conceived an unrighteous and ungodly jealousy, through which also death entered
into the world.
1 Clem. 4:1 For so it is written,
And it came to pass after certain days that Cain brought of the fruits of the
earth a sacrifice unto God, and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of the
sheep and of their fatness.
1 Clem. 4:2 And
God looked upon Abel and upon his gifts, but unto Cain and unto his
sacrifices He gave no heed.
1 Clem. 4:3 And Cain sorrowed exceedingly, and his countenance fell.
1 Clem. 4:4 And God said unto Cain,
Wherefore art thou very sorrowful and wherefore did
thy countenance fall? If thou hast offered aright and hast not divided aright,
didst thou not sin? Hold thy peace.
1 Clem. 4:5 Unto
thee shall he turn, and thou shalt rule over him. {This last phrase has also
been translated: Be at peace: thine offering returns to thyself, and thou shalt
again possess it.}
1 Clem. 4:6 And Cain said unto Abel
his brother, Let us go over unto the plain. And it came to pass, while they Were in the plain, that Cain rose up against Abel his
brother and slew him.
1 Clem. 4:7 Ye
see, brethren, jealousy and envy wrought a brother's murder.
1 Clem. 4:8 By reason of jealousy
our father Jacob ran away from the face of Esau his brother.
1 Clem. 4:9 Jealousy caused Joseph
to be persecuted even unto death, and to come even unto .
1 Clem. 4:10 Jealousy compelled
Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt while it was said to him
by his own countryman, Who made thee a judge or a decider over us, Wouldest
thou slay me, even as yesterday thou slewest the Egyptian?
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1 Clem. 5:1 But,
to pass from the examples of ancient days, let us come to those champions who
lived nearest to our time. Let us set before us the noble examples which belong
to our generation.
1 Clem. 5:2 By reason of jealousy
and envy t atest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted, and
contended even unto death.
1 Clem. 5:3 Let us set before our
eyes the good Apostles.
1 Clem. 5:4 There
was Peter who by reason of unrighteous jealousy endured not one not one but
many labors, and thus having borne his testimony went to his appointed place of
glory.
1 Clem. 5:5 By reason of jealousy
and strife Paul by his example pointed out the prize of patient endurance.
After that he had been seven times in bonds, had been driven into exile, had
been stoned, had preached in the East and in the West, he won the noble renown
which was the reward of his faith,
1 Clem. 5:6 having taught
righteousness unto the whole world and having reached the farthest bounds of
the West; and when he had borne his testimony before the rulers, so he departed
from the world and went unto the holy place, having been found a notable
pattern of patient endurance.
1 Clem. 6:1 Unto
these men of holy lives was gathered a vast multitude of the elect, who through
many indignities and tortures, being the victims of jealousy, set a brave
example among ourselves.
1 Clem. 6:2 By reason of jealousy
women being persecuted, after that they had suffered cruel and unholy insults
as Danaids and Dircae, safely reached the goal in the race of faith, and
received a noble reward, feeble though they were in body.
1 Clem. 6:3 Jealousy hath estranged
wives from their husbands and changed the saying of our father Adam, This now
is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.
1 Clem. 6:4 Jealousy and strife
have overthrown great cities and uprooted great nations.
1 Clem. 7:1 These
things, dearly beloved, we write, not only as admonishing you, but also as
putting ourselves in remembrance. For we are in the same
lists, and the same contest awaiteth us.
1 Clem. 7:2 Wherefore
let us forsake idle and vain thoughts; and let us conform to the glorious and
venerable rule which hath been handed down to us;
1 Clem. 7:3 and let us see what is
good and what is pleasant and what is acceptable in the sight of Him that made
us.
1 Clem. 7:4 Let us fix our eyes on
the blood of Christ and understand how precious it is unto His Father, because
being shed for our salvation it won for the whole world the grace of
repentance.
1 Clem. 7:5 Let
us review all the generations in turn, and learn how from generation to
generation the Master hath given a place for repentance unto them that desire
to turn to Him.
1 Clem. 7:6 Noah preached repentance, and they that obeyed were saved.
1 Clem. 7:7 Jonah preached
destruction unto the men of
1 Clem. 8:1 The
ministers of the grace of God through the Holy Spirit spake concerning
repentance.
1 Clem. 8:2 Yea
and the Master of the universe Himself spake concerning repentance with an
oath:
1 Clem. 8:3 for, as I live saith
the Lord, I desire not the death of the sinner, so
much as his repentance,
1 Clem. 8:4 and He added also a
merciful judgment: Repent ye, O house of Israel, of your iniquity; say unto the
sons of My people, Though your sins reach from the earth even unto the heaven, and
though they be redder than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, and ye turn unto
Me with your whole heart and say Father, I will give ear unto you as unto a
holy people.
1 Clem. 8:5 And
in another place He saith on this wise,
1 Clem. 8:6 Seeing then that He
desireth all His beloved to be partakers of repentance, He confirmed it by an
act of His almighty will.
1 Clem. 9:1 Wherefore let us be
obedient unto His excellent and glorious will; and presenting ourselves as
suppliants of His mercy and goodness, let us fall down before Him and betake
ourselves unto His compassions, forsaking the vain toil and the strife and the
jealousy which leadeth unto death.
1 Clem. 9:2 Let
us fix our eyes on them that ministered perfectly unto His excellent glory.
1 Clem. 9:3 Let us set before us
Enoch, who being found righteous in obedience was translated, and his death was
not found.
1 Clem. 9:4 Noah, being found
faithful, by his ministration preached regeneration unto the world, and through
him the Master saved the living creatures that entered into the ark in concord.
1 Clem. 10:1 Abraham, who was
called the 'friend,' was found faithful in that he rendered obedience unto the
words of God.
1 Clem. 10:2 He through obedience
went forth from his land and from his kindred and from his father's house, that
leaving a scanty land and a feeble kindred and a mean house he might inherit
the promises of God.
1 Clem. 10:3 For He saith unto him
Go forth from thy land and from thy kindred and from thy father's house unto
the land which I shall show thee, and I will make thee into a great nation, and
I will bless thee and will magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed. And I
will bless them that bless thee, and I will curse them that curse thee; and in
thee shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed.
1 Clem. 10:4 And again, when he was
parted from Lot, God said unto him Look up with thine eyes, and behold from the
place where thou now art, unto the north and the south and the sunrise and the
sea; for all the land which thou seest, I will give it unto thee and to thy
seed for ever;
1 Clem. 10:5 and I will make thy
seed as the dust of the earth. If any man can count the dust of the earth, then
shall thy seed also be counted.
1 Clem. 10:6 And
again He saith; God led Abraham forth and said unto him, Look up unto the
heaven and count the stars, and see whether thou canst number them. So shall thy
seed be. And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for
righteousness.
1 Clem. 10:7 For
his faith and hospitality a son was given unto him in old age, and by obedience
he offered him a sacrifice unto God on one of the mountains which He showed
him.
1 Clem. 11:1 For
his hospitality and godliness
1 Clem. 11:2 For when his wife had
gone forth with him, being otherwise minded and not in accord, she was
appointed for a sign hereunto, so that she became a pillar of salt unto this
day, that it might be known unto all men that they which are double-minded and
they which doubt concerning the power of God are set for a judgment and for a
token unto all the generations.
1 Clem. 12:1 For
her faith and hospitality Rahab the harlot was saved.
1 Clem. 12:2 For when the spies
were sent forth unto Jericho by Joshua the son of Nun, the king of the land
perceived that they were come to spy out his country, and sent forth men to
seize them, that being seized they might be put to death.
1 Clem. 12:3 So
the hospitable Rahab received them and hid them in the upper chamber under the
flax stalks.
1 Clem. 12:4 And when the
messengers of the king came near and said, The spies of our land entered in
unto thee: bring them forth, for the king so ordereth: then she answered, The
men truly, whom ye seek, entered in unto me, but they departed forthwith and
are sojourning on the way; and she pointed out to them the opposite road.
1 Clem. 12:5 And
she said unto the men, Of a surety I perceive that the Lord your God delivereth
this city unto you; for the fear and the dread of you is fallen upon the
inhabitants thereof. When therefore it shall come to pass
that ye take it, save me and the house of my father.
1 Clem. 12:6 And
they said unto her, It shall be even so as thou hast spoken unto us. Whensoever
therefore thou perceivest that we are coming, thou shalt gather all thy folk
beneath thy roof and they shall be saved; for as many as shall be found without
the house shall perish.
1 Clem. 12:7 And moreover they gave
her a sign, that she should hang out from her house a scarlet thread, thereby
showing beforehand that through the blood of the Lord there shall be redemption
unto all them that believe and hope on God.
1 Clem. 12:8 Ye
see, dearly beloved, not only faith, but prophecy, is found in the woman.
1 Clem. 13:1 Let
us therefore be lowly minded, brethren, laying aside all arrogance and conceit
and folly and anger, and let us do that which is written. For the Holy Ghost
saith, Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong in his
strength, neither the rich in his riches; but he that boasteth let him boast in
the Lord, that he may seek Him out, and do judgment and righteousness most of
all remembering the words of the Lord Jesus which He spake, teaching
forbearance and long-suffering:
1 Clem. 13:2 for thus He spake Have mercy, that ye may receive mercy: forgive, that it may
be forgiven to you. As ye do, so shall it be done to you.
As ye give, so shall it be given unto you. As ye
judge, so shall ye be judged. As ye show kindness, so
shall kindness be showed unto you. With what measure
ye mete, it shall be measured withal to you.
1 Clem. 13:3 With
this commandment and these precepts let us confirm ourselves, that we may walk
in obedience to His hallowed words, with lowliness of mind.
1 Clem. 13:4 For
the holy word saith, Upon whom shall I look, save upon him that is gentle and
quiet and feareth Mine oracles?
1 Clem. 14:1 Therefore it is right
and proper, brethren, that we should be obedient unto God, rather than follow
those who in arrogance and unruliness have set themselves up as leaders in
abominable jealousy.
1 Clem. 14:2 For we shall bring
upon us no common harm, but rather great peril, if we surrender ourselves
recklessly to the purposes of men who launch out into strife and seditions, so
as to estrange us from that which is right.
1 Clem. 14:3 Let
us be good one towards another according to the compassion and sweetness of Him
that made us. For it is written:
1 Clem. 14:4 The
good shall be dwellers in the land, and the innocent shall be left on it but
they that transgress shall be destroyed utterly from it.
1 Clem. 14:5 And
again He saith I saw the ungodly lifted up on high and exalted as the cedars of
Lebanon. And I passed by, and behold he was not; and sought out his place, and
I found it not. Keep innocence and behold uprightness; for there is a remnant
for the peaceful man.
1 Clem. 15:1 Therefore
let us cleave unto them that practice peace with godliness, and not unto them
that desire peace with dissimulation.
1 Clem. 15:2 For He saith in a
certain place This people honoreth Me with their lips,
but their heart is far from Me,
1 Clem. 15:3 and again, they
blessed with their mouth, but they cursed with their heart.
1 Clem. 15:4 And
again He saith, They loved Him with their mouth, and with their tongue they
lied unto Him; and their heart was not upright with Him, neither were they
steadfast in His covenant.
1 Clem. 15:5 For
this cause let the deceitful lips be made dumb which speak iniquity against the
righteous. And again May the Lord utterly destroy all the deceitful lips, the
tongue that speaketh proud things, even them that say, Let us magnify our
tongue; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?
1 Clem. 15:6 For
the misery of the needy and for the groaning of the poor I will now arise,
saith the Lord. I will set him in safety; I will deal boldly by him.
1 Clem. 16:1 For Christ is with
them that are lowly of mind, not with them that exalt themselves over the
flock.
1 Clem. 16:2 The scepter of the
majesty of God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, came not in the pomp of arrogance
or of pride, though He might have done so, but in lowliness of mind, according
as the Holy Spirit spake concerning Him.
1 Clem. 16:3 For
He saith Lord, who believed our report? and to
whom was the arm of the Lord revealed? We announced Him in His presence. As a
child was He, as a root in a thirsty ground. There is no form in Him, neither
glory. And we beheld Him, and He had no form nor
comeliness, but His form was mean, lacking more than the form of men. He was a
man of stripes and of toil, and knowing how to bear infirmity: for His face is
turned away. He was dishonored and held of no account.
1 Clem. 16:4 He beareth our sins
and suffereth pain for our sakes: and we accounted Him to be in toil and in
stripes and in affliction.
1 Clem. 16:5 And
He was wounded for our sins and hath been afflicted for our iniquities.
The chastisement of our peace is upon Him. With His bruises we were healed.
1 Clem. 16:6 We
all went astray like sheep, each man went astray in his own path:
1 Clem. 16:7 and the Lord delivered
Him over for our sins. And He openeth not His mouth, because He is afflicted.
As a sheep He was led to slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
so openeth He not His mouth. In His humiliation His
judgment was taken away.
1 Clem. 16:8 His generation who
shall declare? For His life is taken away from the earth.
1 Clem. 16:9 For
the iniquities of my people He is come to death.
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1 Clem. 16:16 All they that beheld
me mocked at me; they spake with their lips; they wagged their heads, saying,
He hoped on the Lord; let Him deliver him, or let Him save him, for He desireth
him.
1 Clem. 16:17 Ye see, dearly
beloved, what is the pattern that hath been given unto us; for, if the Lord was
thus lowly of mind, what should we do, who through Him have been brought under
the yoke of His grace?
1 Clem. 17:1 Let
us be imitators also of them which went about in goatskins and sheepskins,
preaching the coming of Christ. We mean Elijah and Elisha and likewise Ezekiel,
the prophets, and besides them those men also that obtained a good report.
1 Clem. 17:2 Abraham obtained an
exceeding good report and was called the friend of God; and looking steadfastly
on the glory of God, he saith in lowliness of mind, But
I am dust and ashes.
1 Clem. 17:3 Moreover
concerning Job also it is thus written; And Job was righteous and unblamable,
one that was true and honored God and abstained from all evil.
1 Clem. 17:4 Yet
he himself accuseth himself saying, No man from filth; no, not though his life
be but for a day.
1 Clem. 17:5 Moses was called
faithful in all His house, and through his
ministration God judged
1 Clem. 17:6 Nay,
I am feeble of speech and slow of tongue. And again he saith, But I am smoke from the pot.
1 Clem. 18:1 But what must we say
of David that obtained a good report? of whom God
said, I have found a man after My heart, David the son of Jesse: with eternal
mercy have I anointed him.
1 Clem. 18:2 Yet he too saith unto
God Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to
the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out mine iniquity.
1 Clem. 18:3 Wash me yet more from
mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge
mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only did I
sin, and I wrought evil in Thy sight; that Thou mayest be justified in Thy
words, and mayest conquer in Thy pleading.
1 Clem. 18:4 For
behold, in iniquities was I conceived, and in sins did my mother bear me. For
behold Thou hast loved truth: the dark and hidden things of Thy wisdom hast
Thou showed unto me.
1 Clem. 18:5 Thou shalt sprinkle me
with hyssop, and I shall be made clean. Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become
whiter than snow.
1 Clem. 18:6 Thou
shalt make me to hear of joy and gladness. The bones which have been humbled
shall rejoice.
1 Clem. 18:7 Turn away Thy face
from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
1 Clem. 18:8 Make a clean heart
within me, O God, and renew a right spirit in mine inmost parts. Cast me not
away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
1 Clem. 18:9 Restore unto me the
joy of Thy salvation, and strengthen me with a princely spirit.
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1 Clem. 19:1 The humility therefore
and the submissiveness of so many and so great men, who have thus obtained a
good report, hath through obedience made better not only us but also the
generations which were before us, even them that received His oracles in fear
and truth.
1 Clem. 19:2 Seeing then that we
have been partakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten to return
unto the goal of peace which hath been handed down to us from the beginning,
and let us look steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and
cleave unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits.
1 Clem. 19:3 Let
us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His
long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He is towards all His
creatures.
1 Clem. 20:1 The
heavens are moved by His direction and obey Him in peace.
1 Clem. 20:2 Day and night
accomplish the course assigned to them by Him, without hindrance one to
another.
1 Clem. 20:3 The
sun and the moon and the dancing stars according to His appointment circle in
harmony within the bounds assigned to them, without any swerving aside.
1 Clem. 20:4 The earth, bearing
fruit in fulfillment of His will at her proper seasons, putteth forth the food
that supplieth abundantly both men and beasts and all living things which are
thereupon, making no dissension, neither altering anything which He hath
decreed.
1 Clem. 20:5 Moreover, the
inscrutable depths of the abysses and the unutterable statutes of the nether
regions are constrained by the same ordinances.
1 Clem. 20:6 The
basin of the boundless sea, gathered together by His workmanship into it's
reservoirs, passeth not the barriers wherewith it is surrounded; but even as He
ordered it, so it doeth.
1 Clem. 20:7 For
He said, So far shalt thou come, and thy waves shall be broken within
thee.
1 Clem. 20:8 The ocean
which is impassable for men, and the worlds beyond it, are directed by the same
ordinances of the Master.
1 Clem. 20:9 The
seasons of spring and summer and autumn and winter give way in succession one
to another in peace.
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1 Clem. 20:11 All these things t at
Creator and Master of the universe ordered to be in peace and concord, doing
good unto all things, but far beyond the rest unto us who have taken refuge in
His compassionate mercies through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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1 Clem. 21:1 Look ye, brethren,
lest His benefits, which are many, turn unto judgment to all of us, if we walk
not worthily of Him, and do those things which are good and well pleasing in
His sight with concord.
1 Clem. 21:2 For
He saith in a certain place, The Spirit of the Lord is a lamp searching
the closets of the belly.
1 Clem. 21:3 Let
us see how near He is, and how that nothing escapeth Him of our thoughts or our
devices which we make.
1 Clem. 21:4 It is right therefore
that we should not be deserters from His will.
1 Clem. 21:5 Let us
rather give offense to foolish and senseless men who exalt themselves and boast
in the arrogance of their words, than to God.
1 Clem. 21:6 Let
us fear the Lord Jesus [Christ], whose blood was given for us. Let us reverence
our rulers; let us honor our elders; let us instruct our young men in the
lesson of the fear of God. Let us guide our women toward that which is good:
1 Clem. 21:7 let them show forth
their lovely disposition of purity; let them prove their sincere affection of
gentleness; let them make manifest the moderation of their tongue through their
silence; let them show their love, not in factious preferences but without
partiality towards all them that fear God, in holiness. Let our children be
partakers of the instruction which is in Christ:
1 Clem. 21:8 let them learn how
lowliness of mind prevaileth with God, what power chaste love hath with God,
how the fear of Him is good and great and saveth all them that walk therein in
a pure mind with holiness.
1 Clem. 21:9 For
He is the searcher out of the intents and desires; whose breath is in
us, and when He listeth, He shall take it away.
1 Clem. 22:1 Now
all these things the faith which is in Christ confirmeth: for He Himself
through the Holy Spirit thus invite thus: Come, my children, hearken unto Me, I
will teach you the fear of the Lord.
1 Clem. 22:2 What
man is he that desireth life and loveth to see good days?
1 Clem. 22:3 Make
thy tongue to cease from evil, and thy lips that they speak no guile.
1 Clem. 22:4 Turn
aside from evil and do good.
1 Clem. 22:5 Seek peace and ensue
it.
1 Clem. 22:6 The
eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are turned to their
prayers. But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil, to destroy their
memorial from the earth.
1 Clem. 22:7 The
righteous cried out, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him from all his
troubles. Many are the troubles of the righteous, and the Lord shall deliver
him from them all.
1 Clem. 22:8 And
again Many are the stripes of the sinner, but them that set their hope on the
Lord mercy shall compass about.
1 Clem. 23:1 The Father, who is
pitiful in all things, and ready to do good, hath
compassion on them that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestoweth His favors
on them that draw nigh unto Him with a single mind.
1 Clem. 23:2 Therefore
let us not be double-minded, neither let our soul indulge in idle humors
respecting His exceeding and glorious gifts.
1 Clem. 23:3 Let this scripture be
far from us where He saith Wretched are the double-minded, Which
doubt in their soul and say, These things we did hear in the days of our
fathers also, and behold we have grown old, and none of these things hath
befallen us.
1 Clem. 23:4 Ye
fools, compare yourselves unto a tree; take a vine. First it sheddeth its
leaves, then a shoot cometh, then a leaf, then a flower, and after these a sour
berry, then a full ripe grape. Ye see that in a little time the fruit of the
tree attaineth unto mellowness.
1 Clem. 23:5 Of a truth quickly and
suddenly shall His will be accomplished, the scripture also bearing witness to
it, saying He shall come quickly and shall not tarry; and the Lord shall come
suddenly into His temple, even the Holy One, whom ye expect.
1 Clem. 24:1 Let us understand,
dearly beloved, how the Master continually showeth unto us the resurrection
that shall be hereafter; whereof He made the Lord Jesus Christ the firstfruit,
when He raised Him from the dead.
1 Clem. 24:2 Let us behold, dearly
beloved, the resurrection which happeneth at its proper season.
1 Clem. 24:3 Day and night show
unto us the resurrection. The night falleth asleep, and day ariseth; the day
departeth, and night cometh on.
1 Clem. 24:4 Let
us mark the fruits, how and in what manner the sowing taketh place.
1 Clem. 24:5 The
sower goeth forth and casteth into the earth each of the seeds; and these
falling into the earth dry and bare decay: then out of their decay the
mightiness of the Master's providence raiseth them up, and from being one they
increase manifold and bear fruit.
1 Clem. 25:1 Let
us consider the marvelous sign which is seen in the regions of the east, that
is, in the parts about
1 Clem. 25:2 There
is a bird, which is named the phoenix. This, being the only one of its kind,
liveth for five hundred years; and when it hath now reached the time of its
dissolution that it should die, it maketh for itself a coffin of frankincense
and myrrh and the other spices, into the which in the fullness of time it
entereth, and so it dieth.
1 Clem. 25:3 But, as the flesh
rotteth, a certain worm is engendered, which is nurtured from the moisture of
the dead creature and putteth forth wings. Then, when it is grown lusty, it
taketh up that coffin where are the bones of its parent, and carrying them
journeyeth from the country of Arabia even unto Egypt, to the place called the
City of the Sun;
1 Clem. 25:4 and in the daytime in
the sight of all, flying to the altar of the Sun, it layeth them thereupon; and
this done, it setteth forth to return.
1 Clem. 25:5 So
the priests examine the registers of the times, and they find that it hath come
when the five hundredth year is completed.
1 Clem. 26:1 Do we then think it to
be a great and marvelous thing, if the Creator of the universe shall bring
about the resurrection of them that have served Him with holiness in the
assurance of a good faith, seeing that He showeth to us even by a bird the
magnificence of His promise?
1 Clem. 26:2 For He saith in a
certain place And Thou shalt raise me up, and I will praise Thee; and; I went
to rest and slept, I was awaked, for Thou art with me.
1 Clem. 26:3 And
again Job saith And Thou shall raise this my flesh which hath endured all these
things.
1 Clem. 27:1 With
this hope therefore let our souls be bound unto Him that is faithful in His
promises and that is righteous in His judgments.
1 Clem. 27:2 He that commanded not
to lie, much more shall He Himself not lie: for nothing is impossible with God
save to lie.
1 Clem. 27:3 Therefore let our
faith in Him be kindled within us, and let us understand that all things are
nigh unto Him.
1 Clem. 27:4 By
a word of His majesty He compacted the universe; and by a word He can destroy
it.
1 Clem. 27:5 Who
shall say unto Him, What hast thou done? or who shall
resist the might of His strength? When He listeth, and as He listeth, He will
do all things; and nothing shall pass away of those things that He hath
decreed.
1 Clem. 27:6 All
things are in His sight, and nothing escapeth His counsel,
1 Clem. 27:7 seeing that The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament
proclaimeth His handiwork. Day uttereth word unto day, and night proclaimeth
knowledge unto night; and there are neither words nor speeches, whose voices
are not heard.
1 Clem. 28:1 Since therefore all
things are seen and heard, let us fear Him and forsake the abominable lusts of
evil works, that we maybe shielded by His mercy from the coming judgments.
1 Clem. 28:2 For
where can any of us escape from His strong hand? And what world will receive
any of them that desert from His service?
1 Clem. 28:3 For
the holy writing saith in a certain place Where shall I go, and where shall I
be hidden from Thy face? If I ascend into the heaven, Thou art there; if I
depart into the farthest parts of the earth, there is Thy right hand; if I make
my bed in the depths, there is Thy Spirit.
1 Clem. 28:4 Whither
then shall one depart, or where shall one flee, from Him that embraceth the
universe?
1 Clem. 29:1 Let
us therefore approach Him in holiness of soul, lifting up pure and undefiled
hands unto Him, with love towards our gentle and compassionate Father who made
us an elect portion unto Himself.
1 Clem. 29:2 For
thus it is written: When the Most High divided the nations, when He dispersed
the sons of Adam, He fixed the boundaries of the nations according to the
number of the angels of God. His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord,
and
1 Clem. 29:3 And in another place
He saith, Behold, the Lord taketh for Himself a nation out of the midst of the
nations, as a man taketh the first fruits of his threshing floor; and the holy
of holies shall come forth from that nation.
1 Clem. 30:1 Seeing then that we
are the special portion of a Holy God, let us do all things that pertain unto
holiness, forsaking evil speakings, abominable and impure embraces,
drunkennesses and tumults and hateful lusts, abominable adultery, hateful
pride.
1 Clem. 30:2 For
God, He saith, resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly.
1 Clem. 30:3 Let
us therefore cleave unto those to whom grace is given from God. Let us clothe
ourselves in concord, being lowlyminded and temperate, holding ourselves aloof
from all back biting and evil speaking, being justified by works and not by
words.
1 Clem. 30:4 For
He saith, He that saith much shall hear also again. Doth the ready
talker think to be righteous?
1 Clem. 30:5 Blessed
is the offspring of a woman that liveth but a short time. Be not thou abundant
in words.
1 Clem. 30:6 Let our praise be with
God, and not of ourselves: for God hateth them that praise themselves.
1 Clem. 30:7 Let
the testimony to our well doing be given by others, as it was given unto our
fathers who were righteous.
1 Clem. 30:8 Boldness and arrogance
and daring are for them that are accursed of God; but forbearance and humility
and gentleness are with them that are blessed of God.
1 Clem. 31:1 Let
us therefore cleave unto His blessing, and let us see what are the ways of
blessing. Let us study the records of the things that have happened from the
beginning.
1 Clem. 31:2 Wherefore
was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he wrought righteousness and
truth through faith?
1 Clem. 31:3 Isaac with confidence,
as knowing the future, was led a willing sacrifice.
1 Clem. 31:4 Jacob with humility
departed from his land because of his brother, and went unto Laban and served;
and the twelve tribes of
1 Clem. 32:1 If
any man will consider them one by one in sincerity, he shall understand the
magnificence of the gifts that are given by Him.
1 Clem. 32:2 For of Jacob are all
the priests and levites who minister unto the altar of God; of him is the Lord
Jesus as concerning the flesh; of him are kings and rulers and governors in the
line of Judah; yea and the rest of his tribes are held in no small honor,
seeing that God promised saying, Thy seed shall be as the stars of heaven.
1 Clem. 32:3 They
all therefore were glorified and magnified, not through themselves or their own
works or the righteous doing which they wrought, but through His will.
1 Clem. 32:4 And so we, having been
called through His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified through ourselves or
through our own wisdom or understanding or piety or works which we wrought in
holiness of heart, but through faith, whereby the Almighty God justified all
men that have been from the beginning; to whom be the glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
1 Clem. 33:1 What
then must we do, brethren? Must we idly abstain from doing good,
and forsake love? May the Master never allow this to befall us at least; but
let us hasten with instancy and zeal to accomplish every good work.
1 Clem. 33:2 For the Creator and
Master of the universe Himself rejoiceth in His works.
1 Clem. 33:3 For by His exceeding
great might He established the heavens, and in His
incomprehensible wisdom He set them in order. And the earth He separated from
the water that surroundeth it, and He set it firm on the sure foundation of His
own will; and the living creatures which walk upon it He commanded to exist by
His ordinance. Having before created the sea and the living creatures therein,
He enclosed it by His own power.
1 Clem. 33:4 Above
all, as the most excellent and exceeding great work of His intelligence, with
His sacred and faultless hands He formed man in the impress of His own image.
1 Clem. 33:5 For
thus saith God Let us make man after our image and after our likeness. And God
made man; male and female made He them.
1 Clem. 33:6 So
having finished all these things, He praised them and blessed them and said,
Increase and multiply.
1 Clem. 33:7 We
have seen that all the righteous were adorned in good works. Yea,
and the Lord Himself having adorned Himself with worlds rejoiced.
1 Clem. 33:8 Seeing
then that we have this pattern, let us conform ourselves with all diligence to
His will; let us with all our strength work the work of righteousness.
1 Clem. 34:1 The
good workman receiveth the bread of his work with boldness, but the slothful
and careless dareth not look his employer in the face.
1 Clem. 34:2 It is therefore
needful that we should be zealous unto well doing, for of Him are all things:
1 Clem. 34:3
since He forewarneth us saying, Behold, the Lord, and His reward is before His
face, to recompense each man according to his work.
1 Clem. 34:4 He exhorteth us
therefore to believe on Him with our whole heart, and to be not
idle nor careless unto every good work.
1 Clem. 34:5 Let
our boast and our confidence be in Him: let us submit ourselves to His will;
let us mark the whole host of His angels, how they stand by and minister unto
His will.
1 Clem. 34:6 For
the scripture saith, Ten thousands of ten thousands stood by Him, and thousands
of thousands ministered unto Him: and they cried aloud, Holy, holy, holy is the
Lord of Sabaoth; all creation is full of His glory.
1 Clem. 34:7 Yea, and let us
ourselves then, being gathered together in concord with intentness of heart,
cry unto Him as from one mouth earnestly that we may be made partakers of His
great and glorious promises.
1 Clem. 34:8 For He saith, Eye hath
not seen and ear hath not heard, and it hath not entered into the heart of man
what great things He hath prepared for them that patiently await Him.
1 Clem. 35:1 How
blessed and marvelous are the gifts of God, dearly beloved!!
1 Clem. 35:2 Life in immortality,
splendor in righteousness, truth in boldness, faith in confidence, temperance
in sanctification! And all these things fall under our apprehension.
1 Clem. 35:3 What
then, think ye, are the things preparing for them that patiently await Him? The
Creator and Father of the ages, the All holy One
Himself knoweth their number and their beauty.
1 Clem. 35:4 Let us therefore
contend, that we may be found in the number of those that patiently await Him,
to the end that we may be partakers of His promised gifts.
1 Clem. 35:5 But how shall this be,
dearly beloved? If our mind be fixed through faith towards God; if we seek out
those things which are well pleasing and acceptable unto Him; if we accomplish
such things as beseem His faultless will, and follow the way of truth, casting
off from ourselves all unrighteousness and iniquity, covetousness, strifes,
malignities and deceits, whisperings and backbitings, hatred of God, pride and
arrogance, vainglory and inhospitality.
1 Clem. 35:6 For
they that do these things are hateful to God; and not only they that do them,
but they also that consent unto them.
1 Clem. 35:7 For
the scripture saith, But unto the sinner said God, Wherefore dost thou declare
Mine ordinances, and takest My covenant upon thy lips?
1 Clem. 35:8 Yet Thou didst hate
instruction and didst cast away My words behind thee.
If thou sawest a thief thou didst keep company with him, and with the
adulterers thou didst set thy portion. Thy mouth multiplied wickedness and thy
tongue wove deceit. Thou sattest and spakest against thy brother, and against
the son of thy mother thou didst lay a stumbling block.
1 Clem. 35:9 These
things Thou hast done, and I kept silence. Thou thoughtest,
unrighteous man, that I should be like unto thee.
1 Clem. 35:10 I
will convict thee and will set thee face to face with thyself.
1 Clem. 35:11 Now
understand ye these things, ye that forget God, lest at any time He seize you
as a lion, and there be none to deliver.
1 Clem. 35:12 The
sacrifice of praise shall glorify Me, and there is the way wherein I will show
him the salvation of God.
1 Clem. 36:1 This
is the way, dearly beloved, wherein we found our salvation, even Jesus Christ
the High priest of our offerings, the Guardian and Helper of our weakness.
1 Clem. 36:2 Through Him let us
look steadfastly unto the heights of the heavens; through Him we behold as in a
mirror His faultless and most excellent visage; through Him the eyes of our
hearts were opened; through Him our foolish and darkened mind springeth up unto
the light; through Him the Master willed that we should taste of the immortal
knowledge Who being the brightness of His majesty is so much greater than
angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name.
1 Clem. 36:3 For
so it is written Who maketh His angels spirits and His ministers aflame of fire
1 Clem. 36:4 but of His Son the
Master said thus, Thou art My Son, I this day have begotten thee. Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thine inheritance,
and the ends of the earth for Thy possession.
1 Clem. 36:5 And
again He saith unto Him Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a
footstool for Thy feet.
1 Clem. 36:6 Who
then are these enemies? They that are wicked and resist His will.
1 Clem. 37:1 Let
us therefore enlist ourselves, brethren, with all earnestness in His faultless
ordinances.
1 Clem. 37:2 Let
us mark the soldiers that are enlisted under our rulers, how exactly, how
readily, how submissively, they execute the orders given them.
1 Clem. 37:3 All are not prefects,
nor rulers of thousands, nor rulers of hundreds, nor rulers of fifties, and so
forth; but each man in his own rank executeth the orders given by the king and
the governors.
1 Clem. 37:4 T at without the small
cannot exist, neither the small without t at. There is a certain mixture in all
things, and therein is utility.
1 Clem. 37:5 Let
us take our body as an example. The head without the feet is nothing; so
likewise the feet without the head are nothing: even the smallest limbs of our
body are necessary and useful for the whole body: but all the members conspire
and unite in subjection, that the whole body maybe
saved.
1 Clem. 38:1 So
in our case let the whole body be saved in Christ Jesus, and let each man be
subject unto his neighbor, according as also he was appointed with his special
grace.
1 Clem. 38:2 Let not the strong
neglect the weak; and let the weak respect the strong. Let the rich minister
aid to the poor; and let the poor give thanks to God, because He hath given him
one through whom his wants may be supplied. Let the wise display his wisdom,
not in words, but in good works. He that is lowly in mind, let him not bear
testimony to himself, but leave testimony to be borne to him by his neighbor.
He that is pure in the flesh, let him be so, and not boast, knowing that it is Another who bestoweth his continence upon him.
1 Clem. 38:3 Let us consider,
brethren, of what matter we were made; who and what manner of beings we were,
when we came into the world; from what a sepulchre and what darkness He that
molded and created us brought us into His world, having prepared His benefits
aforehand ere ever we were born.
1 Clem. 38:4 Seeing therefore that
we have all these things from Him, we ought in all things to give thanks to
Him, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Clem. 39:1 Senseless and stupid
and foolish and ignorant men jeer and mock at us, desiring that they themselves
should be exalted in their imaginations.
1 Clem. 39:2 For
what power hath a mortal? or what strength hath a
child of earth?
1 Clem. 39:3 For
it is written; There was no form before mine eyes; only I heard a breath and a
voice.
1 Clem. 39:4 What then? Shall a
mortal be clean in the sight of the Lord; or shall a man be unblamable for his
works? seeing that He is distrustful against His
servants and noteth some perversity against His angels.
1 Clem. 39:5 Nay,
the heaven is not clean in His sight. Away then, ye that
dwell in houses of clay, whereof, even of the same clay, we ourselves are made.
He smote them like a moth, and from morn to even they are no more. Because they
could not succor themselves, they perished.
1 Clem. 39:6 He breathed on them
and they died, because they had no wisdom.
1 Clem. 39:7 But
call thou, if perchance one shall obey thee, or if thou shalt see one of the
holy angels. For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy
slayeth him that has gone astray.
1 Clem. 39:8 And I have seen fools
throwing out roots, but forthwith their habitation was eaten up.
1 Clem. 39:9 Far
be their sons from safety. May they be mocked at the gates of inferiors, and
there shall be none to deliver them. For the things which are prepared for
them, the righteous shall eat; but they themselves shall not be delivered from
evils.
1 Clem. 40:1 Forasmuch then as
these things are manifest beforehand, and we have searched into the depths of
the Divine knowledge, we ought to do all things in order, as many as the Master
hath commanded us to perform at their appointed seasons.
1 Clem. 40:2 Now
the offerings and ministrations He commanded to be performed with care, and not
to be done rashly or in disorder, but at fixed times and seasons.
1 Clem. 40:3 And
where and by whom He would have them performed, He Himself fixed by His supreme
will: that all things being done with piety according to His good pleasure
might be acceptable to His will.
1 Clem. 40:4 They
therefore that make their offerings at the appointed seasons are acceptable and
blessed: for while they follow the institutions of the Master they cannot go
wrong.
1 Clem. 40:5 For
unto the high priest his proper services have been assigned, and to the priests
their proper office is appointed, and upon the levites their proper
ministrations are laid. The layman is bound by the layman's ordinances.
1 Clem. 41:1 Let each of you,
brethren, in his own order give thanks unto God, maintaining a good conscience
and not transgressing the appointed rule of his service, but acting with all
seemliness.
1 Clem. 41:2 Not in every place,
brethren, are the continual daily sacrifices offered, or the freewill
offerings, or the sin offerings and the trespass offerings, but in
1 Clem. 41:3 They
therefore who do any thing contrary to the seemly ordinance of His will receive
death as the penalty.
1 Clem. 41:4 Ye
see, brethren, in proportion as greater knowledge hath been vouchsafed unto us,
so much the more are we exposed to danger.
1 Clem. 42:1 The Apostles received
the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ was sent forth from
God.
1 Clem. 42:2 So
then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both therefore came
of the will of God in the appointed order.
1 Clem. 42:3 Having therefore
received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of
our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in the word of God with full assurance of
the Holy Ghost, they went forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God
should come.
1 Clem. 42:4 So
preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their firstfruits,
when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them
that should believe.
1 Clem. 42:5 And this they did in
no new fashion; for indeed it had been written concerning bishops and deacons
from very ancient times; for thus saith the scripture in a certain place, I
will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith.
1 Clem. 43:1 And
what marvel, if they which were entrusted in Christ with such a work by God
appointed the aforesaid persons? seeing that even the
blessed Moses who was a faithful servant in all His house recorded for a sign
in the sacred books all things that were enjoined upon him. And him also the
rest of the prophets followed, bearing witness with him unto the laws that were
ordained by him.
1 Clem. 43:2 For
he, when jealousy arose concerning the priesthood, and there was dissension
among the tribes which of them was adorned with the glorious name, commanded
the twelve chiefs of the tribes to bring to him rods inscribed with the name of
each tribe. And he took them and tied them and sealed them with the signet
rings of the chiefs of the tribes, and put them away in the tabernacle of the
testimony on the table of God.
1 Clem. 43:3 And
having shut the tabernacle he sealed the keys and likewise also the doors.
1 Clem. 43:4 And
he said unto them, Brethren, the tribe whose rod shall bud, this hath God
chosen to be priests and ministers unto Him.
1 Clem. 43:5 Now
when morning came, he called together all
1 Clem. 43:6 What
think ye, dearly beloved? Did not Moses know beforehand that this would come to
pass? Assuredly he knew it. But that disorder might not arise in
1 Clem. 44:1 And
our Apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife over
the name of the bishop's office.
1 Clem. 44:2 For
this cause therefore, having received complete foreknowledge, they appointed
the aforesaid persons, and afterwards they provided a continuance, that if
these should fall asleep, other approved men should succeed to their
ministration. Those therefore who were appointed by them, or afterward by other
men of repute with the consent of the whole Church, and have ministered unblamably
to the flock of Christ in lowliness of mind, peacefully and with all modesty,
and for long time have borne a good report with all these men we consider to be
unjustly thrust out from their ministration.
1 Clem. 44:3 For
it will be no light sin for us, if we thrust out those who have offered the
gifts of the bishop's office unblamably and holily.
1 Clem. 44:4 Blessed
are those presbyters who have gone before, seeing that their departure was
fruitful and ripe: for they have no fear lest any one should remove them from
their appointed place.
1 Clem. 44:5 For
we see that ye have displaced certain persons, though they were living
honorably, from the ministration which had been respected by them blamelessly.
1 Clem. 45:1 Be
ye contentious, brethren, and jealous about the things that pertain unto
salvation.
1 Clem. 45:2 Ye
have searched the scriptures, which are true, which were given through the Holy
Ghost;
1 Clem. 45:3 and ye know that
nothing unrighteous or counterfeit is written in them. Ye will not find that
righteous persons have been thrust out by holy men.
1 Clem. 45:4 Righteous men were
persecuted, but it was by the lawless; they were imprisoned, but it was by the
unholy. They were stoned by transgressors: they were slain by those who had
conceived a detestable and unrighteous jealousy.
1 Clem. 45:5 Suffering these
things, they endured nobly.
1 Clem. 45:6 For
what must we say, brethren? Was Daniel cast into the lions' den by them that
feared God?
1 Clem. 45:7 Or
were Ananias and Azarias and Misael shut up in the furnace of fire by them that
professed the excellent and glorious worship of the Most High? Far be this from our thoughts. Who then were they that did these
things? Abominable men and full of all wickedness were stirred up to such a
pitch of wrath, as to bring cruel suffering upon them that served God in a holy
and blameless purpose, not knowing that the Most High is the champion and
protector of them that in a pure conscience serve His excellent Name: unto whom
be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Clem. 45:8 But they that endured
patiently in confidence inherited glory and honor; they were exalted, and had
their names recorded by God in their memorial for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Clem. 46:1 To
such examples as these therefore, brethren, we also ought to cleave.
1 Clem. 46:2 For
it is written; Cleave unto the saints, for they that cleave unto them shall be
sanctified.
1 Clem. 46:3 And
again He saith in another place; With the guiltless man thou shalt be
guiltless, and with the elect thou shalt be elect, and with the crooked thou
shalt deal crookedly.
1 Clem. 46:4 Let
us therefore cleave to the guiltless and righteous: and these are the elect of
God.
1 Clem. 46:5 Wherefore
are there strifes and wraths and factions and divisions and war among you?
1 Clem. 46:6 Have we not one God
and one Christ and one Spirit of grace that was shed upon us? And is there not
one calling in Christ?
1 Clem. 46:7 Wherefore do we tear
and rend asunder the members of Christ, and stir up factions against our own
body, and reach such a pitch of folly, as to forget that we are members one of
another?
1 Clem. 46:8 Remember the words of
Jesus our Lord: for He said, Woe unto that man; it were good for him if he had
not been born, rather than that at he should offend one of Mine
elect. It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about him, and be
cast into the sea, than that he should pervert one of Mine elect.
1 Clem. 46:9 Your
division hath perverted many; it hath brought many to despair, many to
doubting, and all of us to sorrow. And your sedition still continueth.
1 Clem. 47:1 Take
up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle.
1 Clem. 47:2 What
wrote he first unto you in the beginning of the Gospel?
1 Clem. 47:3 Of
a truth he charged you in the Spirit concerning himself and Cephas and Apollos,
because that even then ye had made parties.
1 Clem. 47:4 Yet that making of
parties brought less sin upon you; for ye were partisans of Apostles that were
highly reputed, and of a man approved in their sight.
1 Clem. 47:5 But
now mark ye, who they are that have perverted you and diminished the glory of
your renowned love for the brotherhood.
1 Clem. 47:6 It
is shameful, dearly beloved, yes, utterly shameful and unworthy of your conduct
in Christ, that it should be reported that the very steadfast and ancient
Church of the Corinthians, for the sake of one or two persons, maketh sedition
against its presbyters.
1 Clem. 47:7 And this report hath
reached not only us, but them also which differ from us, so that ye even heap
blasphemies on the Name of the Lord by reason of your folly, and moreover create
peril for yourselves.
1 Clem. 48:1 Let us therefore root
this out quickly, and let us fall down before the Master and entreat Him with
tears, that He may show Himself propitious and be reconciled unto us, and may
restore us to the seemly and pure conduct which belongeth to our love of the
brethren.
1 Clem. 48:2 For
this is a gate of righteousness opened unto life, as it is written; Open me the
gates of righteousness, that I may enter in thereby and preach the Lord.
1 Clem. 48:3 This
is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter in thereby.
1 Clem. 48:4 Seeing then that many
gates are opened, this is that gate which is in righteousness, even that which
is in Christ, whereby all are blessed that have entered in and direct their
path in holiness and righteousness, performing all things without confusion.
1 Clem. 48:5 Let a man be faithful,
let him be able to expound a deep saying, let him be wise in the discernment of
words, let him be strenuous in deeds, let him be pure;
1 Clem. 48:6 for so much the more
ought he to be lowly in mind, in proportion as he seemeth to be t ater; and he
ought to seek the common advantage of all, and not his own.
1 Clem. 49:1 Let him that hath love
in Christ fulfill the commandments of Christ.
1 Clem. 49:2 Who
can declare the bond of the love of God?
1 Clem. 49:3 Who
is sufficient to tell the majesty of its beauty?
1 Clem. 49:4 The
height, where unto love exalteth, is unspeakable.
1 Clem. 49:5 Love
joineth us unto God; love covereth a multitude of sins; love endureth all
things, is long-suffering in all things. There is nothing coarse, nothing
arrogant in love. Love hath no divisions, love maketh no seditions, love doeth
all things in concord. In love were all the elect of God made perfect; without
love nothing is well pleasing to God:
1 Clem. 49:6 in love the Master
took us unto Himself; for the love which He had toward us, Jesus Christ our
Lord hath given His blood for us by the will of God, and His flesh for our
flesh and His life for our lives.
1 Clem. 50:1 Ye
see, dearly beloved, how great and marvelous a thing is love, and there is no
declaring its perfection.
1 Clem. 50:2 Who
is sufficient to be found therein, save those to whom God shall vouchsafe it?
Let us therefore entreat and ask of His mercy, that we may be found blameless
in love, standing apart from the factiousness of men. All the generations from
Adam unto this day have passed away: but they that by God's grace were
perfected in love dwell in the abode of the pious; and they shall be made
manifest in the visitation of the Kingdom of God.
1 Clem. 50:3 For
it is written; Enter into the closet for a very little while until Mine anger
and Mine wrath shall pass away, and I will remember a good day and will raise
you from your tombs.
1 Clem. 50:4 Blessed
were we, dearly beloved, if we should be doing the commandments of God in
concord of love, to the end that our sins may through love be forgiven us.
1 Clem. 50:5 For
it is written; Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins
are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall impute no sin, neither
is guile in his mouth.
1 Clem. 50:6 This
declaration of blessedness was pronounced upon them that have been elected by
God through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be the glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
1 Clem. 51:1 For
all our transgressions which we have committed through any of the wiles of the
adversary, let us entreat that we may obtain forgiveness. Yea and they also,
who set themselves up as leaders of faction and division, ought to look to the
common ground of hope.
1 Clem. 51:2 For such as walk in
fear and love desire that they themselves should fall into suffering rather
than their neighbors; and they pronounce condemnation against themselves rather
than against the harmony which hath been handed down to us nobly and
righteously.
1 Clem. 51:3 For it is good for a
man to make confession of his trespasses rather than to harden his heart, as the
heart of those was hardened who made sedition against Moses the servant of God;
whose condemnation was clearly manifest,
1 Clem. 51:4 for they went down to
hades alive, and Death shall be their shepherd.
1 Clem. 51:5 Pharaoh and his host
and all the rulers of Egypt, their chariots and their horsemen, were
overwhelmed in the depths of the Red Sea, and perished for none other reason
but because their foolish hearts were hardened after that the signs and the
wonders had been wrought in the land of Egypt by the hand of Moses the servant
of God.
1 Clem. 52:1 The Master, brethren,
hath need of nothing at all. He desireth not anything of any man, save to
confess unto Him.
1 Clem. 52:2 For
the elect David saith; I will confess unto the Lord, and it shall please Him
more than a young calf that groweth horns and hoofs. Let the poor see it, and
rejoice.
1 Clem. 52:3 And
again He saith; Sacrifice to God a sacrifice of praise, and pay thy vows to the
Most High: and call upon Me in the day of thine affliction, and I will deliver
thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.
1 Clem. 52:4 For
a sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit.
1 Clem. 53:1 For
ye know, and know well, the sacred scriptures, dearly beloved, and ye have
searched into the oracles of God. We write these things therefore to put you in
remembrance.
1 Clem. 53:2 When Moses went up
into the mountain and had spent forty days and forty nights in fasting and
humiliation, God said unto him; Moses, Moses, come down ,
quickly hence, for My people whom thou leadest forth from the land of Egypt
have wrought iniquity: they have transgressed quickly out of the way which thou
didst command unto them: they have made for themselves molten images.
1 Clem. 53:3 And the Lord said unto
him; I have spoken unto thee once and twice, saying, I have seen this people,
and behold it is stiff-necked. Let Me destroy them
utterly, and I will blot out their name from under heaven, and I will make of
thee a nation great and wonderful and numerous more than this.
1 Clem. 53:4 And Moses said; Nay, not so, Lord Forgive this people their sin, or blot me
also out of the book of the living.
1 Clem. 53:5 O mighty love! O unsurpassable perfection! The servant is bold with
his Master; he asketh forgiveness for the multitude, or he demandeth that himself also be blotted out with them.
1 Clem. 54:1 Who
therefore is noble among you? Who is compassionate? Who is fulfilled with love?
1 Clem. 54:2 Let
him say; If by reason of me there be faction and strife and divisions, I
retire, I depart, whither ye will, and I do that which is ordered by the
people: only let the flock of Christ be at peace with its duly appointed
presbyters.
1 Clem. 54:3 He that shall have done
this, shall win for himself great renown in Christ, and every place will
receive him: for the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.
1 Clem. 54:4 Thus have they done
and will do, that live as citizens of that
1 Clem. 55:1 But, to bring forward
examples of Gentiles also; many kings and rulers, when some season of
pestilence pressed upon them, being taught by oracles have delivered themselves
over to death, that they might rescue their fellow citizens through their own
blood. Many have retired from their own cities, that they might have no more seditions.
1 Clem. 55:2 We know that many
among ourselves have delivered themselves to , that
they might ransom others. Many have sold themselves to slavery, and receiving
the price paid for themselves have fed others.
1 Clem. 55:3 Many
women being strengthened through the grace of God have performed many manly
deeds.
1 Clem. 55:4 The
blessed Judith, when the city was beleaguered, asked of the elders that she
might be suffered to go forth into the camp of the aliens.
1 Clem. 55:5 So
she exposed herself to peril and went forth for love of her country and of her
people which were beleaguered; and the Lord delivered Holophernes into the hand
of a woman.
1 Clem. 55:6 To
no less peril did Esther also, who was perfect in faith, expose herself, that
she might deliver the twelve tribes of
1 Clem. 56:1 Therefore
let us also make intercession for them that are in any transgression, that
forbearance and humility may be given them, to the end that they may yield not
unto us, but unto the will of God. For so shall the
compassionate remembrance of them with God and the saints be fruitful unto
them, and perfect.
1 Clem. 56:2 Let
us accept chastisement, whereat no man ought to be vexed, dearly beloved. The
admonition which we give one to another is good and exceeding useful; for it
joineth us unto the will of God.
1 Clem. 56:3 For
thus saith the holy word; The Lord hath indeed chastened me, and hath not
delivered me over unto death.
1 Clem. 56:4 For
whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.
1 Clem. 56:5 For
the righteous, it is said, shall chasten me in mercy and shall reprove me, but
let not the mercy of sinners anoint my head.
1 Clem. 56:6 And
again He saith; Blessed is the man whom the Lord hath reproved, and refuse not
thou the admonition of the Almighty. For He causeth pain, and he restoreth
again:
1 Clem. 56:7 He hath smitten, and His hands have healed.
1 Clem. 56:8 Six
times shall He rescue thee from afflictions and at the seventh no evil shall
touch thee.
1 Clem. 56:9 In
famine he shall deliver thee from death, and in war He shall release thee from
the arm of the sword.
1 Clem. 56:10 And
from the scourge of the tongue He shall hide thee and thou shalt not be afraid
when evils approach.
1 Clem. 56:11 Thou shalt laugh at
the unrighteous and wicked, and of the wild beasts thou shalt not be afraid.
1 Clem. 56:12 For
wild beasts shall be at peace with thee.
1 Clem. 56:13 Then
shalt thou know that thy house shall be at peace: and the abode of thy
tabernacle shall not go wrong,
1 Clem. 56:14 and thou shalt know
that thy seed is many, and thy children as the plenteous herbage of the field.
1 Clem. 56:15 And
thou shalt come to the grave as ripe corn reaped in due season, or as the heap
of the threshing floor gathered together at the right time.
1 Clem. 56:16 Ye
see, dearly beloved, how great protection there is for them that are chastened
by the Master: for being a kind father He chasteneth us to the end that we may
obtain mercy through His holy chastisement.
1 Clem. 57:1 Ye
therefore that laid the foundation of the sedition, submit yourselves unto the
presbyters and receive chastisement unto repentance, bending the knees of your
heart.
1 Clem. 57:2 Learn to submit
yourselves, laying aside the arrogant and proud stubbornness of your tongue.
For it is better for you to be found little in the flock of Christ and to have
your name on God's roll, than to be had in exceeding honor and yet be cast out
from the hope of Him.
1 Clem. 57:3 For
thus saith the All virtuous Wisdom; Behold I will pour out for you a saying of
My breath, and I will teach you My word.
1 Clem. 57:4 Because I called and
ye obeyed not, and I held out words and ye heeded not, but made My councils of
none effect, and were disobedient unto My reproofs; therefore I also will laugh
at your destruction, and will rejoice over you when ruin cometh upon you, and
when confusion overtaketh you suddenly, and your overthrow is at hand like a
whirlwind,
1 Clem. 57:5 or when ye call upon Me, yet will I not here you. Evil men shall seek me and not
find me: for they hated wisdom, and chose not the fear of the Lord, neither
would they give head unto My councils, but mocked at
My reproofs.
1 Clem. 57:6 Therefore they shall
eat the fruits of their own way, and shall be filled with their own
ungodliness.
1 Clem. 57:7 For
because they wronged babes, they shall be slain, and inquisition shall destroy
the ungodly. But he that heareth Me shall dwell safely
trusting in hope, and shall be quiet from all fear of all evil.
1 Clem. 58:1 Let us therefore be
obedient unto His most holy and glorious Name, thereby escaping the
threatenings which were spoken of old by the mouth of Wisdom against them which
disobey, that we may dwell safely, trusting in the most holy Name of His
majesty.
1 Clem. 58:2 Receive
our counsel, and ye shall have no occasion of regret. For as God liveth, and
the Lord Jesus Christ liveth, and the Holy Spirit, who are the faith and the
hope of the elect, so surely shall he, who with lowliness of mind and instant
in gentleness hath without regretfulness performed the ordinances and
commandments that are given by God, be enrolled and have a name among the
number of them that are saved through Jesus Christ, through whom is the glory
unto Him for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Clem. 59:1 But
if certain persons should be disobedient unto the words spoken by Him through
us, let them understand that they will entangle themselves in no slight
transgression and danger;
1 Clem. 59:2 but we shall be
guiltless of this sin. And we will ask, with instancy of prayer and
supplication, that the Creator of the universe may guard intact unto the end
the number that hath been numbered of His elect throughout the whole world,
through His beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom He called us from darkness
to light, from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His Name.
1 Clem. 59:3 [Grant unto us, Lord,]
that we may set our hope on Thy Name which is the primal source of all creation,
and open the eyes of our hearts, that we may know Thee, who alone abidest
Highest in the lofty, Holy in the holy; who layest low in the insolence of the
proud, who settest the lowly on high, and bringest the lofty low; who makest
rich and makest poor; who killest and makest alive; who alone art the
Benefactor of spirits and the God of all flesh; who lookest into the abysses,
who scanest the works of man; the Succor of them that are in peril, the Savior
of them that are in despair; The Creator and Overseer of every spirit; who
multipliest the nations upon earth, and hast chosen out from all men those that
love Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, through whom Thou didst
instruct us, didst sanctify us, didst honor us.
1 Clem. 59:4 We
beseech Thee, Lord and Master, to be our help and succor. Save those among us
who are in tribulation; have mercy on the lowly; lift up the fallen; show Thyself unto the needy; heal the ungodly; convert the
wanderers of Thy people; feed the hungry; release our prisoners; raise up the
weak; comfort the fainthearted. Let all the Gentiles know that Thou art the God
alone, and Jesus Christ is Thy Son, and we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy
pasture.
1 Clem. 60:1 Thou through Thine
operations didst make manifest the everlasting fabric of the world. Thou, Lord,
didst create the earth. Thou that art faithful throughout all generations,
righteous in Thy judgments, marvelous in strength and excellence, Thou that art
wise in creating and prudent in establishing that which Thou hast made, that
art good in the things which are seen and faithful with them that trust on
Thee, pitiful and compassionate, forgive us our iniquities and our
unrighteousnesses and our transgressions and shortcomings.
1 Clem. 60:2 Lay not to our account
every sin of Thy servants and Thine handmaids, but cleanse us with the
cleansing of Thy truth, and guide our steps to walk in holiness and
righteousness and singleness of heart and to do such things as are good and
well pleasing in Thy sight and in the sight of our rulers.
1 Clem. 60:3 Yea,
Lord, make Thy face to shine upon us in peace for our good, that we may be
sheltered by Thy mighty hand and delivered from every sin by Thine uplifted
arm. And deliver us from them that hate us wrongfully.
1 Clem. 60:4 Give concord and peace
to us and to all that dwell on the earth, as Thou gavest to our fathers, when
they called on Thee in faith and truth with holiness, [that we may be saved,]
while we render obedience to Thine almighty and most excellent Name, and to our
rulers and governors upon the earth.
1 Clem. 61:1 Thou, Lord and Master,
hast given them the power of sovereignty through Thine excellent and
unspeakable might, that we knowing the glory and honor which Thou hast given
them may submit ourselves unto them, in nothing resisting Thy will. Grant unto
them therefore, O Lord, health peace, concord, stability, that they may
administer the government which Thou hast given them without failure.
1 Clem. 61:2 For Thou, O heavenly
Master, King of the ages, givest to the sons of men glory and honor and power
over all things that are upon the earth. Do Thou, Lord, direct their counsel
according to that which is good and well pleasing in Thy sight, that,
administering in peace and gentleness with Godliness the power which Thou hast
given them, they may obtain Thy favor.
1 Clem. 61:3 O Thou, who alone art
able to do these things and things far more exceeding good than these for us,
we praise Thee through the High priest and Guardian of our souls, Jesus Christ,
through whom be the glory and the majesty unto Thee both now and for all
generations and for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Clem. 62:1 As touching those
things which befit our religion and are most useful for a virtuous life to such
as would guide [their steps] in holiness and righteousness, we have written
fully unto you, brethren.
1 Clem. 62:2 For concerning faith
and repentance and genuine love and temperance and sobriety and patience we
have handled every argument, putting you in remembrance, that ye ought to
please Almighty God in righteousness and truth and long suffering with
holiness, laying aside malice and pursuing concord in love and peace, being
instant in gentleness; even as our fathers, of whom we spake before, pleased
Him, being lowly minded toward their Father and God and Creator and towards all
men.
1 Clem. 62:3 And we have put you in
mind of these things the more gladly, since we knew well that we were writing
to men who are faithful and highly accounted and have diligently searched into
the oracles of the teaching of God.
1 Clem. 63:1 Therefore it is right
for us to give heed to so great and so many examples and to submit the neck and
occupying the place of obedience to take our side with them that are the
leaders of our souls, that ceasing from this foolish dissension we may attain
unto the goal which lieth before us in truthfulness, keeping aloof from every
fault.
1 Clem. 63:2 For ye will give us
great joy and gladness, if ye render obedience unto the things written by us
through the Holy Spirit, and root out the unrighteous anger of your jealousy,
according to the entreaty which we have made for peace and concord in this
letter.
1 Clem. 63:3 And
we have also sent faithful and prudent men that have walked among us from youth
unto old age unblamably, who shall also be witnesses between you and us.
1 Clem. 63:4 And
this we have done that ye might know that we have had, and still have, every
solicitude that ye should be speedily at peace.
1 Clem. 64:1 Finally may the All
seeing God and Master of spirits and Lord of all flesh, who chose the Lord
Jesus Christ, and us through Him for a peculiar people, grant unto every soul
that is called after His excellent and holy Name faith, fear, peace, patience,
long-suffering, temperance, chastity and soberness, that they may be well
pleasing unto His Name through our High priest and Guardian Jesus Christ,
through whom unto Him be glory and majesty, might and honor, both now and for
ever and ever. Amen.
1 Clem. 65:1 Now send ye back
speedily unto us our messengers Claudius Ephebus and Valerius Bito, together
with Fortunatus also, in peace and with joy, to the end that they may the more
quickly report the peace and concord which is prayed for and earnestly desired
by us, that we also may the more speedily rejoice over your good order.
1 Clem. 65:2 The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with all men in all places who
have been called by God and through Him, through whom be glory and honor, power
and greatness and eternal dominion, unto Him, from the ages past and forever
and ever. Amen.
