Chapter 1

¹ Since by praying to God I succeeded in seeing your God-worthy faces, and even received more than I asked for—for bound in Christ Jesus I hope to greet you, if indeed it is the will of God that I be counted worthy to reach the end. The beginning is indeed well ordered, if only I may obtain the grace to receive my lot to the end without hindrance.

² For I fear your love, lest it do me wrong. For it’s easy for you to do what you want, but it’s hard for me to reach God if you don’t spare me under the pretext of fleshly friendship.