Christians
“Christians are not distinguished from the rest of
mankind by country, by speech nor by customs,
but although they live in both Greek and foreign
cities and follow the local customs,
both in clothing and food and the rest of life,
they exhibit the wonderful and, admittedly, strange
nature of their own citizenship.
They live in their own homelands, but as sojourners.
They share all things as citizens and suffer all
things as aliens.
Every foreign country is their homeland and every homeland
a foreign country.
They marry as all do, they bear children, but do not
discard their children as some do.
They offer a common table, but not a common bed.
They find themselves in the flesh, but do not live
according to the flesh.
They pass their time upon earth, but are citizens of
heaven.
They obey the established laws and surpass the laws
in their own lives.
They love all and are persecuted by all.
They are put to death and are made alive.
They are poor, but make many rich.
They lack all things, yet abound in all things.
They are abused and give blessing.
They are insulted and give honour.
When they do good they are punished as evildoers.
When they are punished they rejoice as those
receiving life.
And those who hate them are not able to state the
cause of their hostility.”