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.

What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we be[*](Continuance in good works) slothful in well-doing (ind cease from love? May the Master forbid that this should happen, at least to us, but let us be zealous to accomplish every good deed with energy and readiness.

For the Creator and Master of the universe himself rejoices in his works.

For by his infinitely great might did he establish the heavens, and by his incomprehensible understanding did he order them; and he separated the earth from the water that surrounds it, and fixed it upon the secure foundation of his own will; and the animals

that move in it did he command to exist by his own decree; the sea and the living things in it did he make ready, and enclosed by his own power.

Above all, man, the most excellent and from his intellect the greatest of his creatures, did he form in the likeness of his own image by his sacred and faultless hands.[*](Or perhaps did he form in accordance with his intellect.)

For God spake thus: Let us make man according to our image and likeness; and God made man, male and female made he them.

So when he had finished all these things he praised them and blessed them and said, Increase and multiply.

Let us observe that all the righteous have been adorned with good works; and the Lord himself adorned himself with good works and rejoiced.

Having therefore this pattern let us follow his will without delay, let us work the work of righteousness with all our strength.