OECUMENUS BISHOP OF TRICCA. was present, whatever wonderful things were done through them, we know through this book. Namely, the Spirit working these things through them. But also the course of the prophecies of Christ is manifested through this book. For that saying: "Greater things than these you will do" was fulfilled through the shadow of the apostles which was producing miracles, and even the aprons from their body, which were working unheard-of things. A Therefore it is just that the Gospel should contain the actions of Christ, but the book of Acts those of the Holy Spirit. The outcome of the predictions of Christ is manifested through this book. For that saying: "Greater things than these you will do," through the shadow of the apostles producing miracles, and through the aprons and the body, which were working unheard-of things, received its end. Wherefore it is right that the Gospel should tell the deeds of Christ, but the book of Acts those of the Holy Spirit.
ARGUMENT OF THE EPISTLES IN IAMBICS
Paul, who is immaterial by his deeds, Appears in the distribution of his letters. For the one who takes away [p] easily gains knowledge of this, Especially by paying attention to the life he lived and wrote about. Call Paul himself the lyre of the Paraclete; Take the first letter, and when you place the tone, You will recognize him as the lyre of the Spirit, As an instrument of God's music-making. For divine grace, like a finger, striking him And causing creation to resonate, Drew and roused it B toward true belief, Through which it sounded a world-saving song. Let Apollo flow, and let the tripod be silent; But let Paul speak from the third heaven, Charming, drawing all into a threefold reverence. For if you faithfully go through his twice-seven epistles, Midst his living heart, You will recognize the one who speaks the Word, Who is Christ, the living Word of the Father. Hear, therefore, the depths of the epistles, And rather their heights in the briefest speech. The first epistle he writes to Rome, As to the first that had received Christ. With the second he strikes the Corinthians, As not keeping the faith accurately. Again, he writes reproaches to them, And adds his own presence. But the fourth, to the Galatians, he inscribes, Lest they offer toils, or return to the error Of the Jews, having rolled back again. To the Ephesians, and to those of Rome, one Purpose he has set, as to believers, from his words; For they had by no means seen this before. The sixth he writes to the inhabitants of Philippi, Weaving more praises than those for the Corinthians, Showing this to be his boast and his crown. To the seventh, he signifies to the Colossians That by acting piously they flee every error; And he wrote to warn Archippus the more. Writing twice to the Thessalonians, B with praises He wrote words, as if they also had suffered From kinsmen, just as some were in Sion. Again he was writing to them for cheer, And to endure in the despondencies of calamities; To whom he also wisely spoke of the end of the age. C Next he wrote the one to the Hebrews, Showing the change of faith from the records, The voices of the prophets, and the addition of the crowds. The first to Timothy teaches the manner Of the beginning and types of the Church, And that this order should be studied with desire. The six-times-two praises him, and shows That he holds the faith from his grandmother and mother; He blames the others, not Onesiphorus. He declares to Timothy to flee all that is fleeting, And now signifies his own end. Having written to him to come with speed, For "I am being poured out" is a clear sign of the end. Next he sets forth for Titus the ordinations of the clergy, And lays down the law of the Church. Philemon also received the twice-seven, The slave Onesimus having come into the rank D of the free, And having borne witness, And having endured the breaking of his legs, In Rome herself in the times of Tertullus. In the times of Caesar Tiberius, When the number was seven and twice six, Paul had begun to teach his preaching, Until the three and tenth years of Claudius, When Felix was hegemon of Judea, By whom Paul was imprisoned for two years In Caesarea. And again, standing before Marcius Festus, he was bringing his inquiries. And he contrives to escape him, Seeking to go to where Caesar happens to be. And he is sent with speed to the city of Rome, Where the abominable Caesar was, Nero. With Paul was the writer of the Acts, Luke, and Aristarchus with eagerness.
He writes up to this point; for Paul was bound for two years and had ceased writing. And Luke left him straightway with Aristarchus, and, alas, he lived alone. Next, Eusebius writes most beautifully of all Paul’s struggles and of the length of time, and how he had permission from Nero, and how he was teaching for the space of ten years. Stand away from the savage heart of Nero, who was shown to be not only, alas, a matricide, but also, for he became mad, he slew Octavia. A A helper of his, and countless kinsmen, and then the disciples of the Lord themselves, he had begun to slaughter in a beast-like manner. To him Paul was brought, and he had Luke with him again, and he has been put to death by the sword—he who lives always and speaks daily. It was the thirteenth year of Nero. From the Passion of the Lord, the course was ten years, multiplied by three, with six added.
This book comprises these things: Accept the Revelation of John, of him who flashed forth as a child of thunder. The matricide and destroyer of his race, he who is, alas, the servant of the ways of Zeus, Nero, the terrible and abominable, a whelp of a savage lioness, maddened. The soul of Nero, the most tyrannical, lies dead, ill-famed, dishonored, bound forever in inescapable fetters. I slaughtered, I held a desire long ago, which the whole creation, the maker of all, does not suffice to contain—to inscribe the words of your disciples and friends in a most beautiful and clear volume, and for these to have light, breath, the glory of life. I have ceased the desire now according to its worth, having adorned it outside, inside, everywhere. And I have added this to the craftsmanship, so that one might most easily find all the passages. B Having killed a cousin, then Christ’s shepherd, the lamb Paul, the shepherd of the whole earth, now he is food for the dog Cerberus. Paul delights, and delights in the Life-giving Light, threefold and simple, as one beholding the Godhead, having found as a prize the sovereignty on high.
To holy Paul
By an eternal scourge kept. But Paul both lives and speaks daily, seeing the face of God manifestly. For which he wishes to treat of without labor, as one having applied a straight rule skillfully to what is fittingly written on the table. But, O you who have gushed forth an abyss of inspired words, as from a spring flowing from your mystic tongue, may you water my soul, arid in the time of judgment, with a new immortal drink, which you said the disciples drank then.
Monostichs on each of the writings contained in this book:
The book of Acts which Luke writes. The words to the faithful Hebrews from James. Peter first orders these things to the faithful. The second words of Peter to those named for Christ. The first sound of the child of inspired thunder. This second collection of the virgin. The light of the third epistle of John. To all those called, these things from the mystic Jude. The word which Paul has sent in Rome. The first words sent to those in Corinth. The second writing of Paul to those in Corinth. The pious word of Paul to the Galatians. C The epistle written to the Ephesians. The epistle written to the Philippians. The inspired writing of Paul to the Colossians. The first things written by Paul to the Thessalonians. The second things written by Paul to the Thessalonians. What Paul writes first to Timothy. The second writing of Paul to Timothy. The epistle written by Paul to Titus. The discourse from Paul written to Philemon. Paul to the pious Hebrews thus. The hidden initiation of John.
THE ONE WHO HAS CORRECTED THE BOOK TO THE READERS
Know, O readers, that in this book you will not find the same order of the Epistles of holy Paul which the aforementioned verses signify, and which the copy—from which all these printed things were taken—contained. But we, having followed other manuscripts, not inferior to that one in antiquity and orthography, and furthermore having followed some that even see D the Romans keeping that same aforementioned arrangement, preferred this one especially, and deemed it worthy of the present edition. For there, indeed, the Epistle to the Hebrews was arranged before the two to Timothy and those that follow, so that the one to Philemon was placed last. Here, however, we have kept the same Epistle to the Hebrews written last of all. Farewell.
CHAPTERS OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
1. Regarding the teaching of Christ after His resurrection and His appearance to the disciples, and regarding the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the sight and manner of Christ’s ascension, and regarding His glorious second coming. A
2. Peter’s discourse to the disciples concerning the death and apostolate of Judas the traitor; wherein is narrated also the substitution of Matthias, who by prayer obtained the apostolate by the grace of God. B
3. Regarding the divine descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost upon those who had believed, wherein is contained Peter’s instruction from the prophets—namely, concerning the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit: concerning the faith of those who were present, and their salvation through baptism, concerning concord for the common good, and the addition of those who were believing. C
4. Regarding the healing in Christ of the man lame from birth, and Peter’s choice instruction, sympathetic and advisory, for their salvation. Wherein is also the reaction of the high priests, motivated by zeal regarding what had taken place, and the judgment of the miracle. D
5. Regarding the unbelieving high priests who were ordering that they should not speak openly in the name of Christ, and the renewal of the apostles, with thanksgiving from the Church for the faithful endurance of the apostles: regarding the unanimity and universal communion of those who believed. Wherein also is contained [the account] of Ananias and Sapphira, and their bitter death. A
6. The apostles cast into prison, whom an angel of God brought out by night, permitting them to preach Jesus without hindrance; wherein it is told that the high priests, seizing them again afterwards, ordered them to teach no more, and scourged them before releasing them. Gamaliel’s faithful judgment regarding the apostles, together with certain examples and proofs. B
7. Regarding the ordination of the seven deacons. C
8. The insurrection and calumny of the Jews against Stephen, and his public speech concerning God’s covenant with Abraham, and concerning
A the twelve patriarchs; in which is contained the account of the famine, the purchase of grain and the recognition of the sons of Jacob, and the birth of Moses, and the divine vision granted to him on Mount Sinai, the departure of the children of Israel, and the formation of the calf down to the times of Solomon and the construction of the temple. The confession of the super-celestial glory of Jesus Christ revealed to Stephen, in which having been pelted with stones, the same Stephen piously fell asleep.
9. Concerning the persecution of the Church and the burial of Stephen: in which is also treated Philip the apostle, who healed many in Samaria.
10. Concerning Simon Magus who having believed was baptized with many others: in which is treated the mission of Peter and John B to them, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit upon those who were baptized.
11. That the participation of the Holy Spirit is given not for money nor to hypocrites, but to the holy through faith: in which are set down the matters regarding the hypocrisy and rebuke of Simon.
12. That God prospers salvation for the good and faithful, taking the argument from those things which happened concerning the eunuch.
13. Concerning the divine calling of Paul from heaven to the apostleship of Christ. In which is treated the healing and baptism of Paul through Ananias according to the revelation of God, and his freedom of speech, and his meeting with the apostles C through Barnabas.
14. Concerning Aeneas the paralytic healed in Lydda by Peter; in which are the matters concerning Tabitha the friend of widows, whom Peter raised from the dead through prayer in Joppa.
15. Concerning Cornelius, and all that the angel said to him, and what in turn was revealed to Peter from heaven concerning the calling of the nations. In which [it is told] that Peter, being sent for, came to Cornelius. A recapitulation by Cornelius of the things which the angel had testified and had narrated to him, Cornelius. Peter’s instruction concerning Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit upon those who were listening; and how those from the nations D who believed were baptized.
16. Regarding how Peter narrates the following events and each of the things that had occurred to the apostles who were arguing against him at the time they sent Barnabas to the brethren in Antioch.
17. The prophecy of Agabus concerning a global famine, and the collection of alms among the brethren who were in Antioch.
18. The slaughter of James the apostle, in which [is told] the arrest of Peter by Herod; and how the angel by divine command delivered him from his chains. And [after] Peter had appeared [to them]
by night, he withdrew from the brethren. In which [is told] of the punishment of the guards, and afterwards of the bitter and ruinous destruction of the impious Herod.
19 19. The mission of Barnabas and Paul by the divine Spirit to Cyprus, and what they accomplished in the name of Christ against Elymas the sorcerer.
20. Paul’s flourishing teaching concerning Christ, both from the Law and subsequently from the prophets, historical and evangelical, which is both selective and logical. Concerning the transfer of the preaching to the gentiles, the persecution of them there, and their arrival in Iconium.
21. How the apostles, having preached Christ in Iconium, were persecuted after many had believed.
22. Concerning the man lame from birth who was healed by the apostles in Lystra, on account of which they appeared to the local inhabitants to be gods, and were thought to be mad. There, too, Paul is subsequently stoned by the neighboring Jews.
23. That those from the gentiles who believed should not be circumcised, according to the decree and judgment of the apostles; in which is the Epistle of the apostles to those from the gentiles concerning what must be observed. Paul’s disputation with Barnabas on account of Mark.
24. Concerning the catechesis of Timothy, and Paul’s arrival in Macedonia according to a revelation, in which [is told] of the faith and salvation of a certain woman, Lydia; concerning the healing of the slave girl who had a spirit of divination, on account of whom her masters imprisoned Paul. Concerning the earthquake and the miracle that happened there, and how the jailer, having believed in that same night, was immediately baptized with his whole family. That the apostles then left the prison, having been requested to do so.
25. Concerning the sedition which occurred in Thessalonica on account of the preaching, and Paul’s flight to Beroea, and from there to Athens.
26. Concerning the inscription on the altar in Athens, and Paul’s philosophical preaching and piety.
27. Concerning Aquila and Priscilla, and the disobedience of the Corinthians, and the good pleasure of God according to foreknowledge regarding them, which was revealed to Paul; in which [is told] of Crispus the synagogue leader who, with certain others, believed and was baptized; that when a sedition was stirred up in Corinth, Paul withdrew, and having come to Ephesus and disputed, he departed; concerning Apollos, a man both eloquent and faithful.
28. Concerning the baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit given through the prayer of Paul to those in Ephesus who believed, and concerning the healing of the people; in which [is told] of the sons of Sceva, and that one must not approach unbelievers and those who have shown themselves to be unworthy of the faith.
Also concerning the confession of the believers; concerning the sedition stirred up at Ephesus by Demetrius the silversmith against the apostles. A
29. The circuit of Paul, in which is also recounted the death of Eutychus and his recall from death through the prayer of Paul. His pastoral exhortation as to what sort of pastor one ought to have, addressed to the presbyters who were at Ephesus: in which is also Paul's sail past Ephesus as far as Caesarea Palaestina.
30. Agabus's prophecy concerning the things that were to happen to Paul at Jerusalem.
31. Jacob's (James's) exhortation to Paul concerning the not appearing to circumcise the Hebrews.
32. B Concerning the disorder stirred up at Jerusalem against Paul, and how the tribune rescued him from the crowd, in which Paul also recounts in order concerning himself and his own calling to the apostolate. Concerning those things which Ananias said to Paul in Damascus, and the vision and voice of God that once happened to him in the temple: and when after these things Paul was about to be scourged by them: where, having said that he were a Roman, he was set free.
33. Concerning those things which Paul, having gone down into the council, suffered and said; and that he acted uprightly.
34. Concerning the conspiracy planned by the Jews against Paul, and the revealing of it to Lysias. In which [it is told] that Paul was sent on to the governor at Caesarea with soldiers and letters. C
35. Tertullus's accusation against Paul, and his defense before the governor.
36. Concerning the succession of Felix, and the promotion of Festus, and the interrogation of Paul before him and his appeal.
37. The arrival of Agrippa and Bernice, and the questioning of the things concerning Paul: in which is Paul's apology before them concerning his legal worship and his calling to the Gospel: that Paul does no injury to the Jews, as Agrippa said to Festus.
38. Paul's voyage to Rome, full of many and very great dangers: in which is narrated also Paul's exhortation to those who were with him concerning the hope of salvation. Paul's shipwreck, and how they escaped unharmed to the island of Melite, and what miracles Paul performed therein. D
39. How from Melite, Paul arrived at Rome.
40. Concerning Paul's discourse to the Jews who were at Rome.
There are forty self-contained [chapters] that have been revealed. And those sub-chapters added to these are forty-seven.