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Polycarp
I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the Church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness,[397] and that ye be chaste and truthful. “Abstain from every form of evil.”[398] For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness,[399] he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? “Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world?”[400] as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended[401] in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known Him. I am deeply grieved, therefore, brethren, for him (Valens) and his wife; to whom may the Lord grant true repentance! And be ye then moderate in regard to this matter, and “do not count such as enemies,”[402] but call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves.[403]
For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted.[404] It is declared then in these Scriptures, “Be ye angry, and sin not,”[405] and, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”[406] Happy is he who remembers[407] this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord<page 36> Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.”[408] Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings,[409] and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you,[410] and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.
Both you and Ignatius[411] wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter[412] with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him[413] to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any[414] more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were[415] with him, have the goodness to make known[416] to us.
These things I have written to you by Crescens, whom up to the present[417] time I have recommended unto you, and do now recommend. For he has acted blamelessly among us, and I believe also among you. Moreover, ye will hold his sister in esteem when she comes to you. Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all.[418] Amen.
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