The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians
Clemens Romanus (Clement of Rome)
Clement of Rome. The Apostolic Fathers, Volume 1. Lake, Kirsopp, editor. London: William Heinemann Ltd.; New York: The Macmillan Company, 1912.
And again he says, God led forth Abraham, and said to him, ‘Look up to the Heaven and number the stars, if thou canst number them; so shall thy seed be.’ And Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Because of his faith and hospitality a son was given him in
his old age, and in his obedience he offered him as a sacrifice to God on the mountain[*](Or possibly, with the other reading, on one of the mountains.) which he showed him.For his hospitality and piety Lot was saved out[*](Lot) of Sodom when the whole countryside was judged by fire and brimstone, and the Master made clear that he does not forsake those who hope in him, but delivers to punishment and torture those who turn aside to others.
For of this a sign was given[*](Lot’s wife) when his wife went with him, but changed her mind and did not remain in agreement with him, so that she became a pillar of salt unto this day, to make known to all, that those who are double-minded, and have doubts concerning the power of God, incur judgment and become a warning to all generations.
For her faith and hospitality Rahab the harlot[*](Or possibly who was called a harlot,)[*](Rahab) was saved.
For when the spies were sent to Jericho by Joshua the son of Nun, the King of the land knew that they had come to spy out his country, and sent men to take them, that they might be captured and put to death.
So the hospitable Rahab took them in, and hid them in the upper room under the stalks of flax.
And when the
king’s men came and said, The spies of our land came in to thee, bring them out, for the king orders thus, she answered The men whom ye seek did indeed come to me, but they went away forthwith, and are proceeding on their journey, and pointed in the wrong direction.And she said to the men, I know assuredly that the Lord God is delivering to you this land; for the fear and dread of you has fallen on those who dwell in it. When therefore it shall come to pass, that ye take it, save me and my father’s house.
And they said to her, It shall be as thou hast spoken to us; when therefore thou knowest that we are at hand, thou shalt gather all thy folk under thy roof, and they shall be safe; for as many as shall be found outside the house shall perish.
And they proceeded to give her a sign, that she should hang out a scarlet thread from her house, foreshowing that all who believe and hope on God shall have redemption through the blood of the Lord.
You see, beloved, that the woman is an instance not only of faith but also of prophecy.
Let us, therefore, be humble-minded, brethren,[*](The need of humble-mindedness) putting aside all arrogance and conceit and foolishness and wrath, and let us do that which is written (for the Holy Spirit says, Let not the wise man boast himself in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches, but he
that boasteth let him boast in the Lord, to seek him out and to do judgment and righteousness), especially remembering the words of the Lord Jesus which he spoke when he was teaching gentleness and longsuffering.For lie spoke thus: Be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy. Forgive, that ye may be forgiven. As ye do, so shall it be done unto you. As ye give, so shall it be given unto you. As ye judge, so shall ye be judged. As ye are kind, so shall kindness be shewn you. With wliat measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.
With this commandment and with these injunctions let us strengthen ourselves to walk in obedience to his hallowed words and let us be humble-minded, for the holy word says,
On whom shall I look, but on the meek and gentle and him who trembles at my oracles.
Therefore it is right and holy, my brethren,[*](Obedience to God, and abstinence from sedition.) for us to obey God rather than to follow those who in pride and unruliness are the instigators of an abominable jealousy.