The Epistle to Diogentus
Pseudo-Justinus Martyr
The Epistle to Diogentus. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913
They obey the appointed laws, and they surpass the laws in their own lives.
They love all men and are persecuted by all men.
They are unknown and they are condemned. They are put to death and they gain life.
They are poor and make many rich; they lack all things and have all things in abundance.
They are dishonoured, and are glorified in their dishonour, they are spoken evil of and are justified.
They are abused and give blessing, they are insulted and render honour.
When they do good they are buffeted as evil-doers, when they are buffeted they rejoice as men who receive life.
They are warred upon by the Jews as foreigners and are persecuted by the Greeks, and those who hate them cannot state the cause of their enmity.
To put it shortly what the soul is in the body.[*](The world and Christians) that the Christians are in the world.