Fragment 18

1Among many others, Paul too was brought in bound. All his fellow prisoners paid attention to him, so that Caesar realized that he held sway over the camp. Caesar said to him, “You are the great king’s man, but you are my prisoner. Why did you think it right to enter the Roman government’s territory secretly and recruit soldiers from my province?”

2But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, said before them all, “Caesar, we recruit soldiers not only from your province but from the whole world. For it has been ordained for us that no one who wishes to serve my king should be refused. And if you too would like to serve him, it is not wealth or the splendor now found in this life that will save you. But if you submit to him and plead with him, you will be saved, for in one day he will fight against the world with fire.”

3When Caesar heard this, he ordered all the prisoners to be burned with fire, but Paul to be beheaded according to Roman law.

4But Paul did not remain silent concerning the word; instead, he shared it with Longus the prefect and Cestus the centurion.

5Nero therefore continued in Rome, killing many Christians without a hearing through the activity of the evil one. At last the Romans stood before the palace and cried out, “Enough, Caesar! These people are our own! You are destroying the strength of the Romans!” He was persuaded by this and stopped. He ordered that no one should touch any Christian until he had investigated them thoroughly.