1 Clement 45:1-16
1Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and full of zeal about things which do not pertain to salvation.
2Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit.
3Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them.
4There you will not find that the righteous were cast off by men who themselves were holy.
5The righteous were indeed persecuted, but only by the wicked.
6They were cast into prison, but only by the unholy; they were stoned, but only by transgressors; they were slain, but only by the accursed, and such as had conceived an unrighteous envy against them.
7Exposed to such sufferings, they endured them gloriously.
8For what shall we say, brethren?
9Was Daniel s cast into the den of lions by such as feared God?
10Were Ananias, and Azarias, and Mishael shut up in a furnace of fire by those who observed the great and glorious worship of the Most High?
11Far from us be such a thought!
12Who, then, were they that did such things?
13The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with a holy and blameless purpose [of heart], not knowing that the Most High is the Defender and Protector of all such as with a pure conscience venerate" His all-excellent name; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
14Amen.
15But they who with confidence endured [these things] are now heirs of glory and honour, and have been exalted and made illustrious by God in their memorial for ever and ever.
16Amen.