Fragment 19

1Then Paul was brought before Caesar in accordance with the decree, and he held to his word that Paul should be beheaded. Paul said, “Caesar, I do not live for my king only for a short time. If you behead me, I will do this: I will rise and show myself to you, proving that I am not dead but live for my Lord Jesus Christ, who is coming to judge the world.”

2But Longus and Cestus said to Paul, “Where did you get this king, that you believe in him and will not change your mind even when facing death?” Paul shared the word with them and said, “You men who are living in this ignorance and error, change your minds and be saved from the fire that is coming upon the whole world. We do not serve, as you suppose, a king who comes from the earth, but one who comes from heaven—the living God. Because of the iniquities committed in this world, he comes as judge. Blessed is the person who believes in him and will live forever when he comes to burn the world and cleanse it thoroughly.” Then they pleaded with him, saying, “We beg you, help us, and we will let you go.” But he answered, “I am not a deserter from Christ, but a lawful soldier of the living God. If I had known that I was going to die, Longus and Cestus, I would have done it. But since I live to God and love myself, I am going to the Lord, so that I may come with him in the glory of his Father.” They said to him, “How, then, will we live when you have been beheaded?”