1 Clement 45

1You are contentious, brothers, and zealous about the things that pertain to salvation.

2You have looked closely into the holy Scriptures, the true ones, those given through the Holy Spirit.

3You know that nothing unjust or falsified has been written in them; you will not find righteous people cast off by holy men.

4The righteous were persecuted, but by the lawless; they were imprisoned, but by the unholy; they were stoned by transgressors; they were killed by the vile and unjust through unbearable jealousy.

5While suffering these things, they endured nobly.

6For what shall we say, brothers? Was Daniel thrown into a den of lions by those who feared God?

7Or were Hananiah and Azariah and Mishael cast down into a furnace of fire by those who practiced the magnificent and glorious religion of the Most High? May this never be! Who then were the ones who did these things? The hateful, and those full of every evil, were stirred up to such a pitch of wrath that they subjected to abuse those who served God in a holy and blameless purpose, not knowing that the Most High is the champion and defender of those who worship his all-virtuous name with a pure conscience—to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

8But those who endured in confidence inherited glory and honor, and were exalted, and were enrolled by God in their memorial forever and ever. Amen.