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TO THE PHILADELPHIANS.
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| finite[1] meekness of the living God.
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the example of the infinite meekness of the living God.
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Chap. ii.—Maintain union with the bishop.
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Wherefore, as children of light and truth, flee from division and wicked doctrines; but where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves that appear worthy of credit, who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive[2] those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place. |
Wherefore, as children of light and truth, avoid the dividing of your unity, and the wicked doctrine of the heretics, from whom "a defiling influence has gone forth into all the earth."[3] But where the shepherd is, there do ye as sheep follow. For there are many wolves in sheep's clothing,[4] who, by means of a pernicious pleasure, carry captive[2] those that are running towards God; but in your unity they shall have no place. |
Chap. iii.—Avoid schismatics.
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Keep yourselves from those evil plants which Jesus Christ does not tend, because they are not the planting of the Father. Not that I have found any division among you, but exceeding purity. For as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop. And as many as shall, in the |
Keep yourselves, then, from those evil plants which Jesus Christ does not tend, but that wild beast, the destroyer of men, because they are not the planting of the Father, but the seed of the wicked one. Not that I have found any division among you do I write these things; but I arm you beforehand, as the children of God. For as many as are of Christ are also with the bishop; but as many as fall away from him, and embrace communion
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