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Epistles of Ignatius
Chapter IX.--Pray for the church in Syria.
Remember in your prayers the Church in Syria, which now has God for its shepherd, instead of me. Jesus Christ alone will oversee it, and your love [will also regard it]. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for indeed I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one born out of due time. 1 But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to God. My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches that have received me in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. For even those Churches which were not 2 near to me in the way, I mean according to the flesh, 3 have gone before me, 4 city by city, [to meet me.]
Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria, which, instead of me, has now for its shepherd the Lord, who says, "I am the good Shepherd." And He alone will oversee it, as well as your love towards Him. But as for me, I am ashamed to be counted one of them; for I am not worthy, as being the very last of them, and one born out of due time. But I have obtained mercy to be somebody, if I shall attain to God. My spirit salutes you, and the love of the Churches which have received me in the name of Jesus Christ, and not as a mere passer-by. For even those Churches which were not near to me in the way, have brought me forward, city by city.
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Die sieben Briefe des Ignatius von Antiochien (BKV)
9. Kap. Bitte ums Gebet für die Kirche in Syrien; Grüße.
S. 141 1. Gedenket in eurem Gebete der Kirche von Syrien, deren Hirte an meiner Statt Gott ist. Jesus Christus allein wird ihr Bischof sein und - eure Liebe. 2. Ich aber muss mich schämen, zu ihren Mitgliedern zu zählen; denn ich verdiene es nicht, da ich der letzte unter ihnen bin und eine Fehlgeburt; aber durch (Gottes) Erbarmung bin ich etwas, wenn ich zu Gott gelangt bin. 3. Meine Seele grüßt euch und die Liebe der Kirchen, die mich aufgenommen haben im Namen Jesu Christi, nicht wie einen (gewöhnlichen) Durchreisenden. Denn auch die, die nicht an meinem Wege - den ich dem Fleische nach mache - liegen, haben mir von Stadt zu Stadt das Geleite gegeben.
