Chapter 9 — Polycarp refuses to revile Christ.
2Now, as Polycarp was entering into the stadium, there came to him a voice from heaven, saying, "Be strong, and show thyself a man, O Polycarp!" No one saw who it was that spoke to him; but those of our brethren who were present heard the voice.
3And as he was brought forward, the tumult became great when they heard that Polycarp was taken.
4And when he came near, the proconsul asked him whether he was Polycarp.
5On his confessing that he was, the proconsul sought to persuade him to deny Christ, saying, "Have respect to thy old age," and other similar things, according to their custom, such as, "Swear by the fortune of Caesar; repent, and say, Away with the Atheists".
6But Polycarp, gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the stadium, and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, said, "Away with the Atheists".
7Then, the proconsul urging him, and saying, "Swear, and I will set thee at liberty, reproach Christ;" Polycarp declared, "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?".