Cyprian & Lactantius · a new plain-English translation from the original language
By these meditations the soul must be strengthened, dearest brothers, and by exercises of this kind fortified against every dart of the devil. Let divine reading be in your hands, the Lord's own thought in your minds, let unbroken prayer never cease, let wholesome action continue. Let us always be occupied with spiritual deeds, so that whenever the enemy draws near, however often he tries to approach, he may find our breast shut against him and armed. For it is not the martyr's crown alone that belongs to the Christian, the one given in time of persecution. Peace too has its own crowns, by which, victorious over various and manifold conflicts, we are crowned once the adversary has been laid low and subdued. To have mastered lust is the palm of self-control. Patience earns its crown when a man resists rage and resists being wronged. To scorn money is a triumph over greed. It is the praise of faith to endure the world's adversities through confidence in what is to come. And whoever is not proud in prosperity wins glory from humility. And whoever is inclined to mercy in caring for the poor obtains the reward of a heavenly treasure. And whoever knows nothing of envy, and loves his brothers with a like mind and gentleness, is honored with the reward of love and peace. In this arena of virtues we run daily, and without pause of time we arrive at these palms and crowns of righteousness.
That you too, who were once possessed by envy and rancor, may be able to reach them, cast away all that malice by which you were formerly held, and reshape your steps toward the path of eternal life along the way of salvation. Pull out from your breast the thorns and briars, so that the seed the Lord sows may make you rich with fruitful yield, so that the divine and spiritual planting may overflow into an abundant harvest. Vomit out the poisons of bitterness, shut out the venom of discord, let the mind that serpentine envy had infected be cleansed, let all the bitterness that had settled within be soothed by the sweetness of Christ. From the mystery of the cross you take both food and drink; the wood which at Marah, in figure, brought sweetness to the taste, let it in truth bring to you the calming of a gentle heart, and you will not labor for the remedy of a flourishing health. Where you were wounded, there be healed. Love those you once hated; cherish those whom you envied with unjust slanders. Imitate the good, if you are able to follow them; if following is beyond you, then at minimum share their joy and offer congratulations to those who surpass you in virtue. Let a shared love make you their partner; let the fellowship of charity together with the bond of brotherhood make you their co-heir. Your debts will be forgiven you, when you yourself have forgiven; your sacrifices will be accepted, when you come to God in peace. Your thoughts and deeds will be guided by God, when you think what is divine and just, just as scripture states, may a man's heart ponder righteous things, so that God directs his footsteps.
But you have many things to think upon. Think of paradise, to which Cain, who slew his brother out of envy, does not return. Think of the heavenly kingdom, into which the Lord admits none but those of one accord and one mind. Consider that the title of sons of God belongs only to peacemakers, those who through birth and through divine law correspond, joined as one, to the image shared by God the Father and Christ. Consider that we stand under the gaze of God, running the whole course of our conduct and life while he himself watches and judges, and that we can only arrive, in the end, at seeing him face to face if our actions now please him as he watches us, if we prove ourselves worthy of his grace and mercy, and if, wanting always to please him in his kingdom, we please him here in this world first.