John Chrysostom, A Disciple of Christ Should Be Kind

a deaf asp that stops its ears, which will not hear the voice of the charmer. Redeem the time, For the days are evil; walk in wisdom, knowing that you are a stranger and a sojourner upon the earth and a temporary resident, just as all your fathers were. You too have been sent as a sheep in the midst of wolves, just as the apostles were; do not become a wolf instead of a sheep; in contending with wolves, be on guard with all your might, lest you lose the treasure of righteousness; beware of those who would tear you apart; being wise as a serpent, guard against their plots; but if the wolf should harm you, and if it is about to tear you to pieces, prepare to bear it, remembering the one who says: We have become as sheep for the slaughter; looking to the Lord himself, Who was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent. The time of your victory will also come, when you conquer by forbearance with Christ. For the Lord did not quarrel or cry out, nor did anyone hear his voice in the streets. And the Apostle says he is ready to punish all disobedience, when the obedience of those who obey is complete. But as God is long-suffering, be long-suffering you also; for when Christ suffers today, in your suffering, the servant of Christ must also endure for Christ's sake. Cry out to him, and he will execute vengeance swiftly; he will bring the wickedness of sinners to an end, and he will guide the just, God the just judge, strong and long-suffering; for he is long-suffering, that we might turn back. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

ἀσπίδα κωφὴν καὶ βύουσαν τὰ ὦτα αὐτῆς, ἥτις οὐκ εἰσακούσεται φωνὴν ἐπᾴδοντος. Ἐξαγόρασον τὸν καιρὸν, Ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν· ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπάτει, εἰδὼς, ὅτι ξένος εἶ καὶ πάροικος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ παρεπίδημος, καθὼς πάντες οἱ πατέρες σου. Πρόβατον εἰς μέσον λύκων ἀπεστάλης καὶ σὺ, ὥσπερ καὶ οἱ ἀπόστολοι· μὴ λύκος ἀντὶ προβάτου γίνου· πρὸς λύκους φιλονεικῶν, φυλάσσου ὅση δύναμις, ἵνα μὴ τὸν θησαυρὸν τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἀπολέσῃς· φυλάσσου τοὺς διαρπάζοντας· φρόνιμος ὢν ὡς ὄφις φυλάσσου τὰς ἐπιβουλάς· εἰ δὲ καὶ βλάψειεν ὁ λύκος, εἰ δὲ καὶ σπαράττειν μέλλοι σε, παρασκευάζου φέρειν, μεμνημένος τοῦ λέγοντος· Ἐγενήθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς· ἀφορῶν εἰς αὐτὸν τὸν Κύριον, Ὃς ὡς πρόβατον ἐπὶ σφαγὴν ἤχθη, καὶ ὡς ἀμνὸς ἐναντίον τοῦ κείροντος αὐτὸν ἄφωνος. Ἥξει καὶ τῆς σῆς νίκης ὁ καιρὸς, ὅταν νικήσῃς ἀνεξικακῶν μετὰ Χριστοῦ. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Κύριος οὐκ ἤρισεν οὐδὲ ἐκραύγασεν, οὐδὲ ἤκουσέ τις ἐν ταῖς πλατείαις τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ. Καὶ ὁ Ἀπόστολος ἐν ἑτοίμῳ ἔχειν φησὶν ἐκδικῆσαι πᾶσαν παρακοὴν, ὅταν πληρωθῇ τῶν ὑπακουσάντων ἡ ὑπακοή. Θεοῦ δὲ μακροθυμοῦντος, μακροθύμει καὶ σύ· ὅτε γὰρ σήμερον πάσχει Χριστὸς, σοῦ πάσχοντος, διὰ Χριστὸν ὑπομένειν δεῖ καὶ τὸν Χριστοῦ διάκονον. Βόα πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ ποιήσει τὴν ἐκδίκησιν ἐν τάχει· συντελέσει τὴν πονηρίαν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ κατευθυνεῖ δίκαιον ὁ Θεὸς κριτὴς δίκαιος, ἰσχυρὸς καὶ μακρόθυμος· μακροθυμεῖ γὰρ πρὸς τὸ ἡμᾶς ἐπιστρέψαι. Αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. Ἀμήν.