Second Clement The Second Epistle Of Clement

 Chap. I.--We Ought To Think Highly Of Christ. Brethren, it is fitting that you should think of Jesus Christ as of God,--as the Judge of the living and

 Chap. II.--The Church, Formerly Barren, Is Now Fruitful. Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not break forth and cry, thou that travailest not for sh

 Chap. III.--The Duty Of Confessing Christ. Since, then, He has displayed so great mercy towards us, and especially in this respect, that we who are li

 Chap. IV.--True Confession Of Christ. Let us, then, not only call Him Lord, for that will not save us. For He saith, Not every one that saith to me,

 Chap. V.--This World Should Be Despised. Wherefore, brethren, leaving [willingly] our sojourn in this present world, let us do the will of Him that ca

 Chap. VI.--The Present And Future Worlds Are Enemies To Each Other. Now the Lord declares, No servant can serve two masters. If we desire, then, to

 Chap. VII.--We Must Strive In Order To Be Crowned. Wherefore, then, my brethren, let us struggle with all earnestness, knowing that the contest is [in

 Chap. VIII.--The Necessity Of Repentance While We Are On Earth. As long, therefore, as we are upon earth, let us practise repentance, for we are as cl

 Chap. IX.--We Shall Be Judged In The Flesh. And let no one of you say that this very flesh shall not be judged, nor rise again. Consider ye in what [s

 Chap. X.--Vice Is To Be Forsaken, And Virtue Followed. Wherefore, my brethren, let us do the will of the Father who called us, that we may live and l

 Chap. XI.--We Ought To Serve God, Trusting In His Promises. Let us therefore serve God with a pure heart, and we shall be righteous but if we do not

 Chap. XII.--We Are Constantly To Look For The Kingdom Of God. Let us expect, therefore, hour by hour, the kingdom of God in love and righteousness, si

 Chap. XIII.--God'S Name Not To Be Blasphemed. Brethren, then, let us now at length repent, let us soberly turn to that which is good for we are full

 Chap. XIV.--The Church Spiritual. So, then, brethren, if we do the will of our Father God, we shall be members of the first church, the spiritual,--th

 Chap. XV.--He Who Saves And He Who Is Saved. I think not that I counted trivial counsel concerning continence following it, a man will not repent the

 For in proportion to the pleasure with which these words are fraught to those who shall follow them, in that proportion is the condemnation with which

 Chap. XVI--Preparation For The Day Of Judgment. So, then, brethren, having received no small occasion to repent, while we have opportunity, let us tur

 Chap. XVII.--Same Subject Continued. Let us, then, repent with our whole heart, that no one of us may perish amiss. For if we have commands and engage

 Chap. XVIII.--The Author Sinful, Yet Pursuing. And let us, then, be of the number of those who give thanks, who have served God, and not of the ungodl

 Chap. XIX.--Reward Of The Righteous, Although They May Suffer. So then, brothers and sisters, after the God of truth I address to you an appeal that y

 Chap. XX.--Godliness, Not Gain, The True Riches. But let it not even trouble your mind, that we see the unrighteous possessed of riches and the servan

Chap. X.--Vice Is To Be Forsaken, And Virtue Followed.
Wherefore, my brethren, let us do the will of the Father who called us, that we may live; and let us earnestly follow after virtue, but forsake every wicked tendency which would lead us into transgression; and flee from ungodliness, lest evils overtake us. For if we are diligent in doing good, peace will follow us. On this account, such men cannot find it [i.e. peace] as are influenced by human terrors, and prefer rather present enjoyment to the promise which shall afterwards be fulfilled. For they know not what torment present enjoyment recurs, or what felicity is involved in the future promise. And if, indeed, they themselves only aid such things, it would be [the more] tolerable; but now they persist in imbuing innocent souls with their pernicious doctrines, not knowing that they shall receive a double condemnation, both they and those that hear them.

X 1. Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου, ποιήσωμεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρὸς τοῦ καλέσαντος ἡμᾶς, ἵνα ζήσωμεν, καὶ διώξωμεν μᾶλλον τὴν ἀρετήν, τὴν δὲ κακίαν καταλείψωμεν ὡς προοδοιπόρον τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ φύγωμεν τὴν ἀσέβειαν, μὴ ἡμᾶς καταλάβῃ κακά. 2. ἐὰν γὰρ σπουδάσωμεν ἀγαθοποιεῖν, διώξεται ἡμᾶς εἰρήνη. 3. διὰ ταύτην γὰρ τὴν αἰτίαν οὐκ ἔστιν εὑρεῖν ἄνθρωπον, οἵτινες παράγουσι φόβους ἀνθρωπίνους, προῃρημένοι μᾶλλον τὴν ἐνθάδε ἀπόλαυσιν ἢ τὴν μέλλουσαν ἐπαγγελίαν. 4. ἀγνοοῦσιν γὰρ ἡλίκην ἔχει βάσανον ἡ ἐνθάδε ἀπόλαυσις, καὶ οἵαν τρυφὴν ἔχει ἡ μέλλουσα ἐπαγγελία. 5. καὶ εἰ μὲν αὐτοὶ μόνοι ταῦτα ἔπρασσον, ἀνεκτὸν ἦν· νῦν δὲ ἐπιμένουσιν κακοδιδασκαλοῦντες τὰς ἀναιτίους ψυχάς, οὐκ εἰδότες, ὅτι δισσὴν ἕξουσιν τὴν κρίσιν, αὐτοί τε καὶ οἱ ἀκούοντες αὐτῶν.