1 Clement

The exhortation to repentance, humility, and obedience — examples drawn from the patriarchs and apostles; the order of the priesthood and the apostolic succession as the model of the Church's good order.

1Wherefore, beloved, hearken ye unto the words which I have written unto you, that ye may know that all envy and jealousy and strife and sedition and persecution and tumult are far from us. They which have feared God in time past have walked humbly; they have not exalted themselves; they have looked unto the example of the Lord, who, being the sceptre of the majesty of God, came not in the pomp of arrogance or pride — though He had power to do so — but in lowliness of mind, even as the Holy Spirit spake concerning Him.

2Behold the example of the Master. Let us therefore submit ourselves unto Him; let us follow His steps. Look ye unto Abraham. He was called the friend of God; for he was found faithful in being obedient unto the words of God. He, in obedience, went forth out of his country and from his kindred and from his father's house, that, leaving a small country and a feeble kindred and a paltry house, he might inherit the promises of God.

3Look ye unto Moses. He was called faithful in all God's house. By his ministry was God pleased to set His judgments and ordinances over Israel. He was a meek man — meeker than all men that were upon the face of the earth. Yet, although he was so glorified, he gave not himself airs; rather, when there was an oracle pronounced unto him from out of the bush, he said: Who am I, that Thou sendest me? I am of small voice, and of slow tongue.

4And yet what shall we say concerning the great example of David? Concerning him hath God borne witness, saying: I have found a man after Mine heart, even David, the son of Jesse — with everlasting mercy have I anointed him. Yet he too saith unto God: Have mercy upon me, O God, according unto Thy great mercy; and according unto the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out mine iniquity. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity; and cleanse me from my sin.

5Let us cleave therefore unto His blessing; and let us see the ways by which we may obtain it. Let us trace back in our minds the things which have happened from the beginning. For what cause was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith?

6On account of jealousy and envy the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted and contended even unto death. Let us set before our eyes the good apostles. Peter, by reason of jealousy unrighteous, endured many afflictions; and so, having borne his testimony, he went unto his appointed place of glory. By reason of jealousy and strife, Paul also pointed out the prize of patient endurance. Seven times he wore chains; he was driven into exile; he was stoned; he became a herald in the East and in the West; he won the noble renown which was the reward of his faith; he taught righteousness unto the whole world; and reaching the farthest bounds of the West, and bearing his testimony before the rulers, so departed from the world; and went unto the holy place — having become the greatest example of patient endurance.

7Now then, beloved, let us submit ourselves unto our rulers; let us honour our elders; let us instruct the young in the discipline of the fear of God. Let us guide our women toward that which is good. Let them display the lovely way of purity; let them show forth the sincere disposition of meekness; let them not according to their own will, but rather as is fitting unto God, show their love unto all men piously, equally.

8Let our children partake in the discipline that is in Christ. Let them learn how lowliness of mind prevaileth with God; how love that is pure prevaileth with God; how the fear of Him is good and great, and saveth all those that walk therein. He searcheth thoughts and intents; His breath is in us; and when He listeth, He shall take it from us.

9Faith — that is, that whereby Almighty God hath justified all them which from the beginning have been justified — confirmeth all these things. Unto Him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

10What then shall we do, brethren? Shall we leave off doing good, and forsake love? May the Master never permit it; at the least, never with respect unto us. Rather, let us hasten with earnestness and zeal to fulfil every good work. The Creator and Master of all things rejoiceth in His works. By His exceeding mighty might He hath established the heavens; by His incomprehensible understanding He hath ordered them; the earth He hath separated from the water that surroundeth it; and He hath set it firm upon the secure foundation of His own will.

11Let us look earnestly unto the blood of Christ, and let us see how precious His blood is unto God; for it was shed for our salvation, and won for the whole world the grace of repentance.

12Let us bow the neck and take up the yoke of obedience. Let us look unto them which have ministered perfectly unto His magnificent glory. Let us take Enoch, who being found righteous in obedience was translated, and his death was not seen. Noah, being found faithful, by his ministration preached regeneration unto the world; and through him the Master saved the living creatures that entered into the ark in concord.

13Abraham, who was called the friend, was found faithful in his obedience unto the words of God. He through obedience went forth from his land. Concerning hospitality and piety, Rahab the harlot was saved. The spies that Joshua sent forth into Jericho were received and hidden by her; and she said unto them: Of a surety I perceive that the Lord your God doth deliver this city unto you; for the fear and the dread of you hath fallen upon them which dwell therein. Now then, when ye shall take it, save me and the house of my father.

14Moreover they gave her a sign — that she should hang out from her house a scarlet thread; thereby showing beforehand that, through the blood of the Lord, redemption shall come unto all them which believe and hope on God. Beloved, ye see that there is not only faith, but prophecy in this woman.

15Let us therefore be lowly-minded, brethren — laying aside all arrogance and conceit and folly and wrath. Let us do that which is written. For the Holy Spirit saith: Let not the wise glory in his wisdom, nor the strong in his strength, nor the rich in his riches; but he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord — to seek Him out, and to do judgment and righteousness. Most of all let us remember the words of our Lord Jesus, which He spake when teaching gentleness and long-suffering. He said: Show mercy, that ye may receive mercy. Forgive, that ye may be forgiven. As ye do, so shall it be done unto you. As ye give, so shall it be given unto you. As ye judge, so shall ye be judged. As ye are kind, so shall kindness be shown unto you. With what measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured unto you.

16Let our whole body, then, be saved in Christ Jesus. Let each be subject unto his neighbour, according unto the gift of grace bestowed upon him. Let the strong care for the weak; let the weak reverence the strong. Let the rich furnish help unto the poor; and let the poor give thanks unto God; for He hath given him one through whom his needs may be satisfied. Let the wise display his wisdom not in words, but in good works. Let the lowly minded one bear no testimony unto himself, but leave the testifying unto another.

17Behold, we are now writing unto you, beloved, not so much unto your admonition as unto our own remembrance. For we are within the same arena, and the same struggle is set before us. Wherefore let us forsake vain and fruitless cares, and come unto the renowned and venerable rule of our tradition. Let us learn what is good, what is pleasing, what is acceptable in the sight of Him that made us. Let us look earnestly unto the blood of Christ, and let us know how precious it is unto His Father.

18Now the apostles received the gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; and Jesus Christ was sent forth from God. So then Christ is from God; and the apostles are from Christ. Both, therefore, came of the will of God in the appointed order. Having therefore received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and confirmed in the word of God with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, the apostles went forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come. So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their firstfruits, when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that should believe.

19And this they did in no new fashion; for indeed it had been written concerning bishops and deacons from very ancient times. For thus saith the scripture in a certain place: I will appoint their bishops in righteousness and their deacons in faith. So they that hold fast unto the divinely-appointed order shall not be cut off, neither shall their inheritance be taken from them.

20Now the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that we have suffered a little while, make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. Unto Him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.