Epistle to the Romans (Syriac Version)

IN THE PAST: I have prayed to God that I might be found worthy to see your faces, which are worthy of God. Now, being united in Jesus Christ, I hope to meet you and greet you, if it is God's will that I should be found worthy until the end. The beginning is well set, if I am found worthy to reach the end, so that I may receive my share, unhindered, through suffering. I am fearful of your love, that it might harm me. For you, it is easy to do whatever you wish, but for me, it is difficult to be found worthy of God, if you do not spare me.

FOR THERE IS NO OTHER TIME LIKE THIS: that I should be considered worthy of God; nor will you, if you remain silent, ever find a better work than this. If you let me be, I shall be the word of God; but if you love my flesh, again I am only a voice to myself. You cannot give me anything more valuable than this, that I should be sacrificed to God, while the altar is ready; that you may be united in love, and may praise God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, because He has deemed a bishop worthy to be God’s, having called him from the east to the west. It is good that I should leave the world in God, that I may rise in Him to life.

YOU HAVE NEVER ENVIED ANY MAN: You have taught others. Only pray for strength to be given to me from within and from without, that I may not only speak, but also be willing, and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but also be found to be one; for if I am found to be one, I may then also be called one. Then indeed shall I be faithful when I am no longer seen in the world. For there is nothing visible that is good. The work is not a matter of persuasion; but Christianity is great when the world hates it.

I WRITE TO ALL THE CHURCHES AND DECLARE TO EVERYONE THAT I WILLINGLY DIE FOR THE SAKE OF GOD: provided that you do not hinder me. I ask of you not to feel towards me with a love that is untimely. Allow me to become prey to the beasts, so that through them I may be deemed worthy of God. I am the wheat of God, and by the teeth of the beasts, I shall be ground, so that I may be found as the pure bread of God. Encourage the wild beasts, so they may become my grave, leaving nothing of my body, in order that, when I have passed away, I may not be a burden to anyone. Then I shall truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world does not even see my body. Pray to our Lord on my behalf, that through these means, I may be found a sacrifice to God. I do not, like Peter and Paul, give you commands. They are apostles, but I am one condemned; they are indeed free, but I am a slave, even to this moment. However, if I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus Christ, and I shall rise in Him from the dead, free. And now, being in bonds, I learn to desire nothing.

FROM SYRIA TO ROME: I am surrounded by wild beasts, whether by sea or land, day or night, bound by ten leopards, who are the soldiers. Even when I do good to them, they do more evil to me. However, I am taught by their mistreatment, but this does not justify me to myself. I rejoice in the beasts prepared for me, and I pray they are swiftly found for me; I will urge them quickly to devour me, and not be like those afraid of some other men and will not approach them. Even if they are unwilling to approach me, I will forcefully go against them. Understand from me what is best for me. Let no one envy me for things seen or unseen, so that I may be deemed worthy of Jesus Christ. Fire, the cross, the prepared beasts, the cutting off of limbs, scattering of bones, crushing of the whole body, harsh torments of the devil—let all these come upon me, only let me be deemed worthy of Jesus Christ.

THE PAINS OF BIRTH STAND AGAINST ME:

MY LOVE IS CRUCIFIED: and I have no passion for another love. I do not desire the food of corruption, nor the lusts of this world. I seek the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ; and I seek His blood, a drink that is love incorruptible.

MY SPIRIT GREETS YOU: and the love of the Churches that welcomed me in the name of Jesus Christ; for those who were close to my path in the flesh also went before me in every city.

NOW: therefore, being about to arrive soon in Rome, I know many things in God; but I keep myself within limits, so I may not perish through boasting: for now, it is necessary for me to fear more, and not pay attention to those who flatter me. For those who say such things to me discipline me; for I desire to suffer, but I do not know if I am worthy. For zeal is not visible to many, but with me, it has conflict. I need, therefore, meekness, by which the prince of this world is destroyed. I can write to you about heavenly things, but I fear that I might harm you. Know me from myself. For I am cautious lest you might not be able to receive such knowledge and become confused. For even I, not because I am in chains and can know heavenly things and the places of angels and the stations of the powers that are seen and not seen, am on this account a disciple; for I am far from the perfection that is worthy of God. Be perfectly strong in the patience of Jesus Christ our God.

HERE END THE THREE LETTERS OF IGNATIUS: bishop and martyr.