The First Apology

And everywhere, more readily than all others, we strive to pay the taxes, both regular and extraordinary, to those appointed by you, as we have been taught by Him. For at that time, some approached Him and asked if one ought to pay taxes to Caesar. He replied, “Tell Me, whose image is on the coin?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then He responded, “Give therefore to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Thus, we worship God alone, but in other matters, we gladly serve you, acknowledging you as kings and rulers of men, and praying that with your kingly power, you may also be found to possess sound judgment. However, if you disregard our prayers and honest explanations, we shall not suffer any loss, since we believe (or rather, are convinced) that every person will suffer punishment in eternal fire according to the merit of their deeds and will give an account according to the power they have received from God, as Christ indicated when He said, “To whom God has given more, of them shall more be required.”