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Epistle to the Romans (Long Version)
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Chapter 4: Let Me Become Prey to Wild Beasts.
I WRITE TO ALL THE CHURCHES AND IMPRESS UPON THEM ALL THAT I SHALL WILLINGLY DIE FOR GOD: unless you hinder me. I beseech you not to show untimely goodwill towards me. Allow me to become food for the wild beasts, through whom it will be granted to me to reach God. I am the wheat of God and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts so that I may be found the pure bread of God. Rather, encourage the wild beasts that they may become my tomb and leave nothing of my body, so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may not be a burden to anyone. Then I shall be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see even my body. Pray to the Lord for me, that through these means I may be found a sacrifice to God. I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commands to you. They were apostles of Jesus Christ, but I am the very least [of believers]: they were free as the servants of God, while I am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus Christ and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, being in bonds for Him, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.