The great Paul was teaching thus, Let those that burn in the flesh observe lawful marriage, avoiding fornication, especially that with another's wife, and let those that are united keep to one another.
2Probus heard this teaching with delight, and said, O Paul, how excellently and wisely you employ this teaching.
3Why then has Xanthippe withdrawn from me?
4And Paul said, My son Probus, they that foresee that the works of men shall be tried with fire, and that have always in their mind the inexorableness of death, cast out all desire that cleaves to the flesh.
5But woe when the desire shall judge him that desired, then he shall gnash his teeth to no effect and in vain, for the amendment of repentance is past.
6Hearing this Probus went up into his house marvelling, and tasted nothing that day, but went and lay down upon his bed.
7And about the third hour of the night he arose and said, Alas, how wretched was the day in which I was wedded to Xanthippe.
8Would that I had died and not seen her.
9Saying this he arose and said, I shall pray to the God of Paul.
10Perchance he will do to me also what is fitting, that I may not become a reproach in the world, being rejected by her.
11And straightway falling upon the ground he said, O God of Paul, if, as I have heard from Xanthippe, you seek after the ignorant and turn back those that are astray, do to me also what is fitting; for you are the king of life and death, as I have heard, and have dominion over things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and over all the thoughts and desires of men, and to you alone belongs glory to all eternity.
12Amen.