1Chapter 4 — Allow me to fall a prey to the wild beasts.
2I write to the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me.
3I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will towards me.
4Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God.
5I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ.
6Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep in death, I may be no trouble to any one.
7Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body.
8Entreat Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God.
9I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you.
10They were apostles; I am but a condemned man: they were free, while I am, even until now, a servant.
11But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus, and shall rise again emancipated in Him.
12And now, being a prisoner, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.
13I write to all the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me.
14I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will towards me.
15Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God.
16I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God.
17Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep in death, I may not be found troublesome to any one.
18Then shall I be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body.
19Entreat the Lord for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God.
20I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you.
21They were apostles of Jesus Christ, but I am the very least of believers: they were free, as the servants of God; while I am, even until now, a servant.
22But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus Christ, and shall rise again emancipated in Him.
23And now, being in bonds for Him, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.