Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/170

 we lost it. We saw that our gods are erected in vain. We saw the great disgraceful laughing over them. But give us, we beseech thee, that help comes to us without hindrance, when we have come to our houses! Receive us, who are in anxiety!"

45. John answered them, "Men, believe that for your sakes I remained at Ephesus, although I was anxious to go to Smyrna and the other cities, that the people there become converted to Him as servants of Christ. But when I was about to leave and my mind was not yet completely composed with regard to you, I remained in prayer to my God and asked Him to leave Ephesus only after I have strengthened you. Since I have perceived that this is done, and still more, I shall not leave till I have weaned you like children from the milk of the nurse, and have set you upon a firm rock."

46. Thus John remained with them, and received them in the house of Andronicus. And one of those gathered there and placed the body of the Artemis priest, whose relative he was, before the gate, and had quickly come in with the others, without saying anything to anyone. After John had preached to the brethren, prayed, thanked and