Epistle to Polycarp (Long Version)

I HAVE OBTAINED STRONG PROOF THAT YOUR MIND IS FIXED ON GOD AS ON AN IMMOVABLE ROCK: I loudly praise His name that I have been deemed worthy to behold your blameless face, which I hope to always enjoy in God! I urge you, by the grace with which you are adorned, to press forward in your journey and to encourage everyone to be saved. Maintain your position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Strive to preserve unity, as nothing is better. Bear with everyone just as the Lord does with you. Support all in love, as you already do. Commit yourself to prayer without ceasing. Seek additional understanding to what you already possess. Be watchful, with a vigilant spirit. Speak to each person individually, as God enables you. Bear the weaknesses of all as a perfect athlete in the Christian life, just as the Lord of all does. For the Scripture says, “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Where the labor is great, the reward is all the greater.

IF YOU LOVE THE GOOD DISCIPLES: you don't deserve any thanks for that; instead, strive with meekness to win over the more troublesome ones. Not every kind of wound can be healed with the same remedy. Calm violent attacks [of disease] with gentle treatments. In all things, be “wise as a serpent, and harmless always as a dove.” You are composed of both soul and body, both fleshly and spiritual, so that you may correct the evils that present themselves visibly before you; and for those that are not seen, pray that they should be revealed to you, so that you lack nothing and may abound in every gift. The times urge you to pray. Just as the wind helps the pilot of a ship, and harbors provide safety to a storm-tossed vessel, so does prayer help you, in order to reach God. Be disciplined like an athlete of God, whose goal is immortality and eternal life, which you are also convinced of. In all things, may my soul be for yours, and my bonds also, which you have loved.

LET NOT THOSE WHO SEEM WORTHY OF CREDIT: but teach strange doctrines, fill you with apprehension. Stand firm, like an anvil that is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that He may also bear with us and bring us into His kingdom. Add more and more to your diligence; run your race with increasing energy; consider the times carefully. While you are here, be a conqueror; for here is the course, and there are the crowns. Look for Christ, the Son of God, who was before time, yet appeared in time; who was invisible by nature, yet visible in the flesh; who was impalpable and could not be touched, being without a body, but for our sakes became such, so he might be touched and handled in the body; who was impassible as God, but became passible for our sakes as man; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes.

DO NOT NEGLECT THE WIDOWS: After the Lord, be their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without your consent; nor should you do anything without God's approval, which you indeed do not. Be steadfast. Gather together frequently and seek out everyone by name. Do not look down on either male or female slaves, yet do not let them become conceited, but rather have them submit themselves even more, for the glory of God, so they may obtain better freedom from God. They should not wish to be freed [from slavery] at public expense, so that they are not found to be slaves to their own desires.

Avoid evil practices; but more importantly, discuss them openly. Speak to my sisters, encouraging them to love the Lord and to be content with their husbands both physically and spiritually. Similarly, urge my brothers, in the name of Jesus Christ, to love their wives, just as the Lord loves the Church. If anyone can remain in a state of purity to honor the body of the Lord, let them do so without boasting. If they boast, they are undone; and if they seek to outshine the bishop, they are ruined. However, both men and women who marry should form their union with the bishop’s approval, so that their marriage aligns with the Lord's will and not their own desires. Let all things be done to honor God.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE BISHOP: so that God also may pay attention to you. My soul is with those who are submissive to the bishop, the presbytery, and the deacons: may I share in their portion from God! Work together; strive together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and wake up together, as the stewards, associates, and servants of God. Please Him under whom you fight, and from whom you will receive your wages. Let none of you be found a deserter. Let your baptism be as enduring as your weapons; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a complete armor. Let your works be the duties assigned to you, so that you may receive a most worthy reward. Be patient with one another, in meekness, and God will be with you in the same way. May I find joy in you forever!

SINCE I HAVE HEARD THAT THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH: Syria, is at peace because of your prayers, I am more encouraged and can rest without anxiety in God, hoping that through suffering I may attain to God, and, with your prayers, be found a disciple of Christ. It is appropriate, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to gather a very serious council and choose someone you greatly love and know to be active, who can be appointed as the messenger of God, and grant him the honor of going to Syria, so that by going there, he may glorify your ever-active love to the praise of God. A Christian does not have control over themselves but must always be ready for God's service. Now, this work is both God's and yours when you complete it. For I trust that, through grace, you are prepared for every good work related to God. Knowing your energetic love of the truth, I have encouraged you with this brief letter.

SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO WRITE TO ALL THE CHURCHES: because I must quickly sail from Troas to Neapolis due to the will of the emperor, I ask that you, knowing the purpose of God, write to the nearby Churches. Let them act in the same way: those who can, send a messenger; others, send letters through those sent by you. In doing this, you will be honored by a work that will be remembered forever, as you are indeed worthy. I greet everyone by name, especially the wife of Epitropus, along with her household and children. I greet Attalus, my beloved. I greet the one who will be found worthy to travel from you to Syria. Grace will be with him forever, and with Polycarp who sends him. I pray for your happiness forever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom you continue in unity and under the protection of God. I greet Alce, my dearly beloved. Amen. Grace be with you. Farewell in the Lord.