Book V - Snyder Bible

212
of the Torah, by adducing the example of those who came
from Gentile ignorance, and showing that the former were not
even equal to those who seemed to live in error. From all
these things, then, the statement that He propounded is proven,
that chastity, which is observed to a certain extent even by
those who live in error, should be held much more purely and
strictly, in all its forms, as we have already shown, by us who
follow the truth; and the rather because with us eternal re-
Chapter XV: Overseers, Elders, Attendants, and Widows Appointed
at Tripolis.
When he had said these things and others to the same effect,
he dismissed the crowds; and having, according to his custom,
supped with his friends, he went to sleep. And while in this
manner he was teaching the word of Yahweh for three whole
months, and converting multitudes to the faith, at the last he
ordered me to fast; and after the fast he conferred on me the
mikvah of ever-flowing water, in the fountains adjoining the
sea. And when, for the grace of regeneration divinely conferred
upon me, we had joyfully kept holiday with our brethren,
Kefa ordered those who had been appointed to go before
him, to proceed to Antioch, and there to wait three months
more. And they having gone, he himself led down to the fountains,
which, I have said, are near the sea, those who had fully
received the faith of Yahweh, and immersed them; and celebrating
the Passover with them, he appointed, as overseer
over them, Maro, who had entertained him in his house, and
who was now perfect in all things; and with him he appointed
twelve elders and attendants at the same time. He also instituted
the order of widows, and arranged all the services of the
congregation; and charged them all to obey Maro their overseer
in all things that he should command them. And thus all
things being suitably arranged, when the three months were
fulfilled, we bade farewell to those who were at Tripolis, and
set out for Antioch.