1 Clement

1 Clement

The assembly of God that lives in Rome

to the assembly of God that lives in Corinth:

To those who are called, sanctified, and chosen in the will of God

through our Master Yeshua the Anointed —

Grace and peace to you in abundant truth,

in the name of God our Father

and of Yeshua the Anointed, our hope and assurance.

Beloved,

because of the sudden and repeated troubles that surround us,

we have been slow in responding to your plea —

but we now write to you with urgency and love.

A terrible and unholy rebellion has arisen among you —

some among the younger have set themselves against the elders,

causing envy, division, and sorrow.

This is not new.

From the beginning, envy has corrupted trust:

Cain envied Abel and murdered him.

Esau hated Jacob.

Joseph’s brothers sold him in jealousy.

Korah rose up against Moses.

Miriam became proud and was struck with leprosy.

These are written not just for memory

but for our warning.

Let us lay aside arrogance,

and remember the lowliness of our Master —

how He came not to be served, but to serve.

Though He had the form of God,

He did not cling to glory,

but humbled Himself to the point of death.

Let each one consider his neighbor

greater than himself.

Let the strong help the weak.

Let the wise not boast.

Let the rich provide for those in need.

Let the poor give thanks.

Let all things be done in love and order.

Look to the saints of old:

Enoch pleased God and was taken.

Noah was found righteous and saved his household.

Abraham was counted righteous for his trust.

Rahab, a Gentile and a sinner, welcomed the messengers and was spared.

These were not great in the eyes of men

but were known to God.

And what shall we say of Peter and Paul,

who walked among us?

Peter, who endured many trials

and in the end, died in honor.

Paul, who taught righteousness across the earth

and bore chains with joy.

They did not live for themselves,

but for the glory of God

and the good of all.

Our Master gave commandments

through the apostles,

that certain men, proven in Spirit,

should be appointed as elders and shepherds

to feed the flock with wisdom and not pride.

These were tested,

appointed with prayer and fasting,

and have served with blameless hearts.

But now —

some have been cast aside by those who are younger,

not for truth,

but for jealousy and self-will.

This is not from the Spirit.

Let us return to reverence and order,

and restore those who were removed without cause.

Do you not remember the words of Yeshua?

“Woe to the one through whom division comes.”

Is it not better to humble ourselves now,

than to harden our hearts and fall into judgment?

We are members of one another —

and if one part suffers, all suffer.

Let the one who planted rebellion

confess,

and let mercy flow like water.

Let us cast ourselves upon the compassion of God.

Let us weep for our sins

and plead for the erring ones among us.

Let there be no boasting,

but only trembling and trust.

For our Master is coming —

and He will judge not by words,

but by the fruit of our lives.

The time of reward is near.

Let no one be found empty.

We ask You, O Master,

be our helper and protector.

Rescue those in distress.

Have mercy on the humble.

Lift up the fallen.

Appear to the needy.

Heal the broken.

Turn back those who have gone astray.

Feed the hungry.

Release the imprisoned.

Raise up the weak.

Comfort the fainthearted.

Let the nations know You are God alone,

and that Yeshua is Your Son,

the Anointed One.

Through Him be glory and majesty,

now and forever.

Now, brothers and sisters,

we have written not as if we were teachers

but as fellow travelers.

If you heed this letter,

you do well.

If you choose otherwise,

you know your path.

We will continue to pray for peace,

and we urge those who have caused disorder

to repent with joy.

Restore your elders in love.

Lift one another up.

And may the God of peace

who called us through Yeshua

make us complete in every good work.

Send this letter from person to person

so it may bring light to all.

Grace be with you

in truth,

peace,

and the Set-Apart Breath of God.

Amen.