Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines,[1337] fill thee with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble[1338] athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. And especially we ought to bear all things for the sake of God, that He also may bear with us, and bring us into His kingdom. Add more and more to thy diligence; run thy race with increasing energy; weigh carefully the times. Whilst thou art here, be a conqueror; for here is the course, and there are the crowns. Look for Christ, the Son of God; who was before time, yet appeared in time; who was invisible by nature, yet visible in the flesh; who was impalpable, and could not be touched, as being without a body, but for our sakes became such, might be touched and handled in the body; who was impassible as God, but became passible for our sakes as man; and who in every kind of way suffered for our sakes. CHAP. IV.—_Exhortations._ SHORTER. Let not widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector[1339] and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou dost not, inasmuch as thou art stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent[1340] occurrence: seek after all by name.[1341] Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves[1342] the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not long to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires. LONGER. Let not the widows be neglected. Be thou, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without thy consent; neither do thou anything without the approval of God, which indeed thou doest not. Be thou stedfast. Let your assembling together be of frequent[1343] occurrence: seek after all by name.[1344] Do not despise either male or female slaves, yet neither let them be puffed up with conceit, but rather let them submit themselves[1345] the more, for the glory of God, that they may obtain from God a better liberty. Let them not wish to be set free [from slavery] at the public expense, that they be not found slaves to their own desires. CHAP. V.—_The duties of husbands and wives._ SHORTER.