Page:The Apocryphal Acts of Paul, Peter, John, Andrew and Thomas.djvu/48

 salvation, and the basis of immortal life. For he is a refuge to the tempest-tossed, a solace to the afflicted, a shelter to the despairing; in a word: whosoever believes not in him shall not live, but be dead forever."

38. When the proconsul heard these things he ordered garments to be brought, and to be put on. And she said, " He that clothed me when I was naked among the beasts, will in the day of judgment clothe me with salvation." And taking the garments, she put them on.

And the proconsul immediately issued an edict, saying, " I release to you the God-fearing Thecla, the servant of God." And the women shouted aloud, and with one mouth praised God: " (There is) one God; who saved Thecla" — so that the whole city was shaken by their voices.

39. And Tryphsena having received the good news, went with the multitude to meet Thecla. Having embraced her, she said, "Now I believe that the dead are raised! Now I believe that my child lives; come within, and all that is mine I shall assign to thee." And Thecla went in along with her, and rested eight days, instructing her in the word of God, so that even some of the maidservants believed. And there was great joy in the house.

40. And Thecla kept seeking Paul. And she was told that he was in Myra. And taking young men and maidens, she girded herself; and having