Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol I:
POLYCARP: Chapter XII.—Exhortation to various...

Chapter XII.—Exhortation to various graces.

For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted. 404 It is declared then in these Scriptures, “Be ye angry, and sin not,” 405 and, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” 406 Happy is he who remembers 407 this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord p. 36 Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead.” 408 Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, 409 and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, 410 and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.

Footnotes

This passage is very obscure. Some render it as follows: “But at present it is not granted unto me to practise that which is written, Be ye angry,” etc.

Ps. iv. 5.

Eph. iv. 26.

Some read, “believes.”

Gal. i. 1.

Comp. 1 Tim. ii. 2.

Matt. v. 44.