The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Let us also be imitators of those who went[*](Humility in the Old Testament) about in the skins of goats and sheep, heralding the coming of Christ; we mean Elijah and Elisha, and moreover Ezekiel, the prophets, and in addition to them the famous men of old.

Great fame was given to Abraham, and he was called the Friend of God,[*](Abraham) and he, fixing his gaze in humility on the Glory of God, says But I am dust and ashes.

Moreover it is also written thus concerning Job:—Now Job[*](Job) was righteous and blameless, true, a worshipper of God, and kept himself from all evil.

But he accuses himself, saying, No man is clean from defilement, not even if his life be but for a single day.

Moses was called Faithful with all his[*](Noah) house, and through his ministry God judged Egypt with their scourges and tormen ts; but he, though he was given great glory, did not use great words, but, when an oracle was given to him from the bush, said:—Who am I that thou sendest me? Nay, I am a man of feeble speech, and a slow tongue.

And again he says, But I am as smoke from a pot.

But what shall we say of the famous David?[*](The humility of David) Of him said God, I have found a man after my own heart, David the son of Jesse, I have anointed him with eternal mercy;

but he too says to God Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy

Wash me yet more from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee only did I sin, and did evil before thee, that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

For, lo, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin did my mother bear me.

For, behold, thou hast loved truth, thou didst make plain to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; tliou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled shall rejoice.

Turn thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my inmost parts.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.