The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans Shorter and Longer Versions

 Chapter I.—As a prisoner, I hope to see you.

 Chapter II.—Do not save me from martyrdom.

 Chapter III.—Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom.

 Chapter IV.—Allow me to fall a prey to the wild beasts.

 Chapter V.—I desire to die.

 Chapter VI.—By death I shall attain true life.

 Chapter VII.—Reason of desiring to die.

 Chapter VIII.—Be ye favourable to me.

 Chapter IX.—Pray for the church in Syria.

 Chapter X.—Conclusion.

Chapter X.—Conclusion.

Now I write these things to you from Smyrna by the Ephesians, who are deservedly most happy. There is also with me, along with many others, Crocus, one dearly beloved by me.60    Literally, “the name desired to me.” As to those who have gone before me from Syria to Rome for the glory of God, I believe that you are acquainted with them; to whom, [then,] do ye make known that I am at hand. For they are all worthy, both of God and of you; and it is becoming that you should refresh them in all things. I have written these things unto you, on the day before the ninth of the Kalends of September (that61    This clause is evidently an explanatory gloss which has crept into the text. is, on the twenty-third day of August). Fare ye well to the end, in the patience of Jesus Christ. Amen.

X 1. Γράφω δὲ ὑμῖν ταῦτα ἀπὸ Σμύρνης δι’ Ἐφεσίων τῶν ἀξιομακαρίστων. ἔστιν δὲ καὶ ἅμα ἐμοὶ σὺν πολλοῖς καὶ Κρόκος, τὸ ποθητόν μοι ὄνομα. 2. περὶ τῶν προελθόντων με ἀπὸ Συρίας εἰς ῾Ρώμην εἰς δόξαν τοῦ θεοῦ πιστεύω ὑμᾶς ἐπεγνωκέναι, οἷς καὶ δηλώσατε ἐγγύς με ὄντα. πάντες γάρ εἰσιν ἄξιοι τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν· οὓς πρέπον ὑμῖν ταῦτα τῇ πρὸ ἐννέα καλανδῶν Σεπτεμβρίων. ἔρρωσθε εἰς τέλος ἐν ὑπομονῇ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.