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to rejoice, when they cast out your name as evil. But if it is necessary to rejoice at slander, when so many things are also added: slanders, beatings, tortures, sharpened swords, prisons, chains, abductions, being led about, so many throngs of enemies, consider how great is the reward, where the recompense reaches its peak. Therefore rejoice, leap for joy, be courageous, be strong, consider how many you have anointed through what you have suffered, how many spirits you have raised, how many you have strengthened who were shaken, not only those present, but also those absent, not by the sight of what you have endured, but also by hearing alone, having greatly benefited even those far away.

Constantly carry about that apostolic saying: That the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Expect also the swiftest release from temptations, and a complete deliverance, and pray continually for us. For though we are separated from you by a great length of road, and have been parted from you for a long time, yet as if present and with you, so we embrace you, so we kiss the beloved head of each of you, receiving with upturned hands those who wear the crown, and expecting that from this there will be for us the greatest gain from your great love for us. For if those who love you must await a great reward, consider how great will be the recompense for you who have shone in so many contests.

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ἥδεσθαι, ὅταν ὄνομα πονηρὸν ὑμῶν ἐκβάλλωσιν. Εἰ δὲ ἐπὶ συκοφαντίᾳ χαίρειν δεῖ, ὅταν καὶ τοσαῦτα προσῇ, συκοφαντίαι, πληγαὶ, βάσανοι, ξίφη ἠκονημένα, δεσμωτήρια, ἁλύσεις, ἀπαγωγαὶ, περιαγωγαὶ, ἐχθρῶν στίφη τοσαῦτα, ἐννόησον ἡλίκος ὁ μισθὸς, ποῦ κορυφοῦται τὰ τῆς ἀμοιβῆς. Χαίρετε τοίνυν, σκιρτᾶτε, ἀνδρίζεσθε, κραταιοῦσθε, ἐννοήσατε πόσους ἠλείψατε δι' ὧν ἐπάθετε, πόσων φρονήματα ἀνεστήσατε, πόσους ἐστηρίξατε σαλευομένους, οὐχὶ παρόντας, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀπόντας, οὐ διὰ τῆς ὄψεως ὧν ὑπομεμενήκατε, ἀλλὰ καὶ διὰ μόνης τῆς ἀκοῆς καὶ τοὺς πόῤῥωθεν τὰ μέγιστα ὠφελήσαντες.

Συνεχῶς ἐκεῖνο περιφέρετε τὸ ἀποστολικόν· Ὅτι οὐκ ἄξια τὰ παθήματα τοῦ νῦν καιροῦ πρὸς τὴν μέλλουσαν δόξαν ἀποκαλύπτεσθαι εἰς ἡμᾶς. Προσδοκᾶτε δὲ καὶ τὴν ταχίστην τῶν πειρασμῶν λύσιν, καὶ τελείαν ἀπαλλαγὴν, καὶ εὔχεσθε συνεχῶς ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ πολλῷ διωκίσμεθα ὑμῶν τῷ μήκει τῆς ὁδοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ πολὺν ἐχωρίσθημεν ὑμῶν χρόνον, ἀλλ' ὡς παρόντες καὶ συνόντες ὑμῖν, οὕτως ὑμᾶς περιπτυσσόμεθα, οὕτως ὑμῶν ἑκάστου τὴν φίλην καταφιλοῦμεν κεφαλὴν, ὑπτίαις χερσὶ τοὺς στεφανίτας δεχόμενοι, καὶ μέγιστον καὶ ἐντεῦθεν προσδοκῶντες ἡμῖν ἔσεσθαι κέρδος ἀπὸ τῆς πολλῆς περὶ ἡμᾶς ἀγάπης. Εἰ γὰρ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς πολὺν ἀναμένειν δεῖ τὸν μισθὸν, ἐννοήσατε ἡλίκα ὑμῖν τὰ τῆς ἀντιδόσεως τοῖς ἐν τοσούτοις διαλάμψασιν ἀγῶσιν.