Clement of Alexandria · a new plain-English translation from the original language
This visible shape deceives death and the devil; for the wealth within them and their beauty is invisible to it. And they rage madly over the poor flesh, which they themselves despise as weak. Being blind to the possessions within, they do not know what a great "treasure in an earthen vessel" we carry, walled about by the power of God the Father and the blood of God's Child and the dew of the Holy Spirit. But you, at least, must not be deceived — you who have tasted the truth and have been deemed worthy of the great redemption. Rather, in contrast to other men, enroll for yourself an army unarmed, unwarlike, bloodless, free of wrath, undefiled: god-fearing old men, orphans beloved of God, widows armed with gentleness, men adorned with love. Acquire such men, for your wealth and for your body and for your soul, as bodyguards, whose general is God. Because of them even a ship, when taking on water, is lightened, steered by the prayers of the holy alone. And a raging disease is tamed, driven off by the laying-on of hands. And the assault of robbers is disarmed, stripped of its weapons by pious prayers, and the violence of demons is shattered, refuted by strenuous commands.
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