Codex: Clement of Rome
Book: First Epistle on Virginity
For True Virginity Perfect Virtue is Necessary.
2:1 Of all virgins of either sex who have truly resolved to preserve virginity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven—
2:2 of each and every one of them it is required that he be worthy of the kingdom of heaven in every thing.
2:3 For not by eloquence or renown, by station and descent, or by beauty or strength, or by length of life, is the kingdom of heaven obtained;
2:4 but it is obtained by the power of faith, when a man exhibits the works of faith.
2:5 For whosoever is truly righteous, his works testify concerning his faith, that he is truly a believer,
2:6 with a faith which is great, a faith which is perfect, a faith which is in God, a faith which shines in good works, that the Father of all may be glorified through Christ.
2:7 Now, those who are truly virgins for the sake of God give heed to Him who has said,
2:8 "Let not righteousness and faith fail you; bind them on your neck, and you shall find favour for yourself, and devise good things before God and before men."
2:9 "The paths," therefore, "of the righteous shine as the light, and the light of them advances until the day is perfect."
2:10 For the beams of their light illumine the whole creation even now by good works, as those who are truly "the light of the world," 1 xrefs
2:11 giving light to "those who sit in darkness," that they may arise and go forth from the darkness by the light of the good works of the fear of God,
2:12 "that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven."
2:13 For it is required of the man of God, that in all his words and works he be perfect,
2:14 and that in his life he be adorned with all exemplary and well-ordered behaviour, and do all his deeds in righteousness, as a man of God.
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