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.

Let the strong care for the weak and let the weak reverence the strong. Let the rich man bestow help on the poor and let the poor give thanks to God, that he gave him one to supply his needs; let the wise manifest his wisdom not in words but in good deeds;

let him who is humble-minded not testify to his own humility, but let him leave it to others to bear him witness; let not him who is pure in the flesh be boastful, knowing that it is another who bestows on him his continence.

Let us consider, then, brethren, of what matter we were formed, who we are, and with what nature we came into the world, and how he who formed and created us brought us into his world from the darkness of a grave, and prepared his benefits for us before we were born.

Since, therefore, we have everything from him we ought in everything to give him thanks, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Foolish, imprudent, silly, and uninstructed men[*](Exhortation against those who act otherwise) mock and deride us, wishing to exalt themselves in their own conceits.

For what can mortal man do, or what is the strength of him who is a child of earth?

For it is written There was no shape before mine eyes, but I heard a sound and a voice.