When Simon Peter saw this he fell down at the knees of Jesus, exclaiming, "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man!"

"Which one of you convicts me of sin? Why then, if I am speaking the truth, do you not believe me?

"Believe me, all of you, that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very words' sake.

"They know me of old, if they are willing to testify, how that according to the strict sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.

Have I no right to take a believing wife with me on my journey, as the rest of the apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter do?

He delivered me from such a death, and will deliver me. On him I have set my hopes that he will continue to deliver me,

On Christ's behalf, then, I come as ambassador. It is as though God was entreating you, through me, on Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.

and not alone by his coming, but also by the comfort you had been to him. For he told me of your eager longing, of your penitence, and of your zeal on my behalf, so that I was happier still.

More than that, he is the one chosen by the churches to accompany me on my journey, in administering this gift of yours for the Lord's glory. And this has my full consent,

If I should choose to continue boasting I should not be foolish, for I should be speaking the truth. But I refrain, lest by the stupendous grandeur of the revelation any one should estimate me beyond what he sees in me, or hears from me.

and it is he who has told me of your love for me in the spirit.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

At the time of my first defense no one stood by me; on the contrary they all deserted me??ay it not be laid to their charge!

Then I said, "I am come??n the roll of the book it is written of me??o do thy will, O God."

To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit down with me on my throne, as I myself have overcome and have taken my seat with my Father on his throne.