Shorter Version

Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to Polycarp, Bishop of the Church of the Smyrnaeans, or rather, who has, as his
own bishop, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: [wishes] abundance of happiness.
 

Chapter I.-Commendation and Exhortation.

Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I
have been thought worthy [to behold] thy blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat thee, by the grace with
which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy position with all
care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord
does with thee. Support all in love, as also thou doest. Give thyself to prayer without ceasing. Implore additional
understanding to what thou already hast. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every man separately, as God
enables thee. Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete [in the Christian life]: where the labour is great, the gain is all
the more.

Chapter II.-Exhortations.

If thou lovest the good disciples, no thanks are due to thee on that account; but rather seek by meekness to subdue the more
troublesome. Every kind of wound is not healed with the same plaster. Mitigate violent attacks [of disease] by gentle
applications. Be in all things "wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove." For this purpose thou art composed of both flesh
and spirit, that thou mayest deal tenderly with those [evils] that present themselves visibly before thee. And as respects those
that are not seen, pray that [God] would reveal them unto thee, in order that thou mayest be wanting in nothing, but mayest
abound in every gift. The times call for thee, as pilots do for the winds, and as one tossed with tempest seeks for the haven,
so that both thou [and those under thy care] may attain to God. Be sober as an athlete of God: the prize set before thee is
immortality and eternal life, of which thou art also persuaded. In all things may my soul be for thing, and my bonds also,
which thou hast loved.

Chapter III.-Exhortations.

Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines, fill thee with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an
anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially, we ought to bear
all things for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us. Be ever becoming more zealous than what thou art. Weigh
carefully the times. Look for Him who is above all time, eternal and invisible, yet who became visible for our sakes;
impalpable and impassible, yet who became passible on our account; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes.

Chapter IV.-Exhortations.

Let not widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent;
neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou dost not, inasmuch as thou art stedfast. Let your
assembling together be of frequent occurrence: seek after all by name. Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet
neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves the more, for the glory of God, that they
may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not
found slaves to their own desires.

Chapter V.-The Duties of Husbands and Wives.

Flee evil arts; but all the more discourse in public regarding them. Speak to my sisters, that they love the Lord, and be
satisfied with their husbands both in the flesh and spirit. In like manner also, exhort my brethren, in the name of Jesus Christ,
that they love their wives, even as the Lord the Church. If any one can continue in a state of purity, to the honour of Him who
is Lord of the flesh, let him so remain without boasting. If he begins to boast, he is undone; and if he reckon himself greater
than the bishop, he is ruined. But it becomes both men and women who marry, to form their union with the approval of the
bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. Let all things be done to the honour of
God.

Chapter VI.-The Duties of the Christian Flock.

Give ye heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you. My soul be for theirs that are submissive to the bishop, to
the presbyters, and to the deacons, and may my portion be along with them in God! Labour together with one another; strive
in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together, as the stewards, and associates, and
servants of God. Please ye Him under whom ye fight, and from whom ye receive your wages. Let none of you be found a
deserter. Let your baptism endure as your arms; your faith as your helmet; your love as your spear; your patience as a
complete panoply. Let your works be the charge assigned to you, that ye may receive a worthy recompense. Be
long-suffering, therefore, with one another, in meekness, as God is towards you. May I have joy of you for ever!

Chapter VII.-Request that Polycarp Would Send a Messenger to Antioch.

Seeing that the Church which is at Antioch in Syria is, as report has informed me, at peace, through your prayers, I also am
the more encouraged, resting without anxiety in God, if indeed by means of suffering I may attain to God, so that, through
your prayers, I may be found a disciple [of Christ]. It is fitting, O Polycarp, most blessed in God, to assemble a very solemn
council, and to elect one whom you greatly love, and know to be a man of activity, who may be designated the messenger of
God; and to bestow on him this honour that he may go into Syria, and glorify your ever active love to the praise of Christ. A
Christian has not power over himself, but must always be ready for the service of God. Now, this work is both God's and
yours, when ye shall have completed it to His glory. For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work
pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief Epistle.

Chapter VIII.-Let Other Churches Also Send to Antioch.

Inasmuch as I have not been able to write to all the Churches, because I must suddenly sail from Troas to Neapolis, as the
will [of the emperor] enjoins, [I beg that] thou, as being acquainted with the purpose of God, wilt write to the adjacent
Churches, that they also may act in like manner, such as are able to do so sending messengers, and the others transmitting
letters through those persons who are sent by thee, that thou mayest be glorified by a work which shall be remembered for
ever, as indeed thou art worthy to be. I salute all by name, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house and
children. I salute Attalus, my beloved. I salute him who shall be deemed worthy to go [from you] into Syria. Grace shall be
with him for ever, and with Polycarp that sends him. I pray for your happiness for ever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom
continue ye in the unity and under the protection of God, I salute Alce, my dearly beloved.  Fare ye well in the Lord.