Chap. xii.—Salutations.
I salute the holy presbytery. I salute the sacred deacons, and that person most dear to me,[1] whom may I behold, through the Holy Spirit, occupying my place when I shall attain to Christ. My soul be in place of his. I salute the sub-deacons, the readers, the singers, the doorkeepers, the labourers,[2] the exorcists, the confessors.[3] I salute the keepers of the holy gates, the deaconesses in Christ. I salute the virgins betrothed to Christ, of whom may I have joy in the Lord Jesus.[4] I salute the people of the Lord, from the smallest to the greatest, and all my sisters in the Lord.
Chap. xiii.—Salutations continued.
I salute Cassian and his partner in life, and their very dear children. Polycarp, that most worthy bishop, who is also deeply interested in you, salutes you; and to him I have commended you in the Lord. The whole church of the Smyrnæans, indeed, is mindful of you in their prayers in the Lord. Onesimus, the pastor of the Ephesians, salutes you. Damas,[5] the bishop of Magnesia, salutes you. Polybius, bishop of the Trallians, salutes you. Philo and Agathopus, the deacons, my companions, salute you. "Salute one another with a holy kiss."[6]
Chap. xiv.—Conclusion.
I write this letter to you from Philippi. May He who is alone unbegotten, keep you stedfast both in the spirit and in the flesh, through Him who was begotten before time[7]began! And may I behold you in the kingdom of Christ! I salute him who is to bear rule over you in my stead: may I have joy of him in the Lord! Fare ye well in God, and in Christ, being enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
- ↑ Literally, "the name desirable to me," referring to Hero the deacon.
- ↑ A class of persons connected with the church, whose duty it was to bury the bodies of the martyrs and others.
- ↑ Such as voluntarily confessed Christ before Gentile rulers.
- ↑ Some insert here a clause referring to widows.
- ↑ Or as some read, "Demas."
- ↑ 2 Cor. xiii. 12.
- ↑ Literally, "before ages."
