Chapter VI
1 Paul with Onesiphorus in a cave.
7 Thecla discovers Paul;
12 proffers to follow him:
13 he exhorts her not for fear of fornication.
IN the mean time Paul, together
with Onesiphorus, his wife and
children, was keeping a fast in a
certain cave, which was in the
road from Iconium to Daphne.
2 And when they had fasted for
several days, the children said to
Paul, Father, we are hungry, and
have not wherewithal to buy bread;
for Onesiphorus had left all his
substance to follow Paul with his
family.
3 Then Paul, taking off his coat,
said to the boy, Go, child, and buy
bread, and bring it hither.
4 But while the boy was buying
the bread, he saw his neighbour
Thecla, and was surprised, and
said to her, Thecla, where are you
going?
5 She replied, I am in pursuit
of Paul, having been delivered
from the flames.
6 The boy then said, I will bring
you to him, for he is under great
concern on your account, and has
been in prayer and fasting these
six days.
7 When Thecla came to the cave,
she found Paul upon his knees
praying and saying, O holy Father,
O Lord Jesus Christ, grant that
the fire may not touch Thecla;
but be her helper, for she is
thy servant.
8 Thecla then standing behind
him, cried out in the following
words: O sovereign Lord Creator
of heaven and earth, the Father of
thy beloved and holy Son, I praise
thee that thou hast preserved me
from the fire, to see Paul again.
9 Paul then arose, and when he
saw her, said, O God, who searchest
the heart, Father of my Lord Jesus
Christ, I praise thee that thou hast
answered my prayer.
10 And there prevailed among them
in the cave an entire affection to
each other; Paul, Onesiphorus,
and all that were with them being
filled with joy.
11 They had five loaves, some
herbs and water, and they solaced
each other in reflections upon the
holy works of Christ.
12 Then said Thecla to Paul,
If you be pleased with it, I will
follow you whithersoever you go.
13 He replied to her, Persons
are now much given to fornication,
and you being handsome, I am
afraid lest you should meet with
greater temptation than the former,
and should Not withstand, but be
overcome by it.
14 Thecla replied, Grant me
only the seal of Christ, and no
temptation shall affect me.
15 Paul answered, Thecla, wait
with patience, and you shall
receive the gift of Christ.