Irenaeus of Lyons · a new plain-English translation from the original language
...hidden opinions, as they themselves suppose, into the open, and to show their inconsistency, and to bring forward an argument that destroys them. We set out, then, refuting them from Simon, the father of all heretics, both to make plain their teachings and successions, and to contradict them all: and since this work of theirs is one and the same, both its exposition and its refutation involving many points, we have sent you these books. Of these the first contains the opinions of all of them, and shows the customs and character of their manner of life. In the second, those who are wrongly taught by them are refuted and overturned, and their teachings are laid bare and shown for what they are. In this third book we shall bring forward proofs from the Scriptures, so that nothing may be lacking from us of what you had asked, but that, beyond what you expected, you may receive from us further occasions for refuting and overturning those who in any way teach wrongly. For the love that is in God, being rich and free of envy, gives more than anyone could ask of it. Remember, then, what we said in the first two books; and adding these to them, you will have from us a most complete refutation against all the heretics, and will withstand them with confidence and unwavering firmness for the sake of that single genuine, life-bestowing faith which the Church took from the Apostles and hands onward to her children. For it was the Master of all who granted his Apostles the authority of the Gospel, and through them we too came to grasp the truth, namely the doctrine concerning God's Son; of whom the Lord himself declared: Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and rejects him who sent me.