Chapter 1

¹ 1.Having learned of your very orderly love according to God, I rejoiced and resolved in faith in Jesus Christ to speak to you. For having been counted worthy of a divine and desirable name, in these chains I carry about I sing of the churches, in which I pray for union of flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of believers, by whose blood you were redeemed, through whom you came to know God, or rather were known by him;

² in him, by enduring all the abuse of this age, you will escape. For he is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. 2.

³ Since, then, I have been counted worthy to see you through Damas your God-worthy bishop and the presbyters worthy of God, Bassus and Apollonius, and my fellow servant the deacon Zotion—may I benefit from him, because he is subject to the bishop and to the presbytery—by the grace of God in the law of Jesus Christ.