The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians (Long Version)

I have become acquainted with your greatly-desired name in God, which you have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Christ Jesus our Savior. Being the followers of the love of God towards man, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of Christ, you have perfectly accomplished the work which was fitting for you. For, on hearing that I came bound from Syria for the sake of Christ, our common hope, trusting through your prayers to be permitted to fight with beasts at Rome, so that by martyrdom I may indeed become the disciple of Him “who gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God,” you hastened to see me. I have therefore received your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love, and who is your bishop, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. Blessed be God, who has granted to you, who are yourselves so excellent, to obtain such an excellent bishop.