The Second Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

Wherefore, my brethren, let us do the will of[*](Exhortation to godliness and warning against vice) the father who called us, that we may live, and let us rather follow after virtue, but give up vice as the forerunner of our sins, and let us flee from ungodliness lest evil overtake us.

For, if we are zealous to do good, peace will follow after us.

For this cause it is not possible for a man to find it,[*](i.e. peace.) when they bring in human fears, and prefer the pleasures

For they do not know how great torment the pleasures of the present entail, and what is the joy of the promised future.

And if they did these things by themselves it could be endured, but, as it is, they are continuing in teaching evil to innocent souls, and do not know that they will incur a double judgment, both themselves and their hearers.

Let us then serve God with a pure heart, and[*](Warning against doubt) we shall be righteous, but if we do not serve him, because we do not believe the promise of God, we shall be miserable.

For the prophetic word also says:—Miserable are the double-minded that doubt in their heart, who say. These things we heard long ago and in the time of our fathers, but we have waited from day to day, and have seen none of them.

O foolish men! compare yourselves to a tree; take a vine; first it sheds its leaves, then there comes a bud, after this the unripe grape, then the full bunch.

So also my people has had tumults and afflictions; afterwards it shall receive the good things.[*](The additional clause at the end of this quotation seems to show that it is not derived from I. Clement, but directly from the prophetic word, cf. note on p. 51.)

Therefore, my brethren, let us not be double-minded, but let us be patient in hope, that we may also receive the reward.

For he is faithful who promised to pay to each mall the recompense of his deeds.