Acts of Paul and Thecla

Historical source scan page 156

THE HISTORY OF THECLA. 129 - And Paul was fasting, he and Onesiphorus, with his wife and children,* in a sepulchre which was open by the roadside of the Iconians. And when they had been many days fasting, the youths say to Paul, ‘“ We are hungry ;” and they had not wherewith to buy for them- _ selves bread, for Onesiphorus had left his house and his property, (sas) and he and his houshold had gone forth with Paul. Then Paul stripped off his tunic, and gave (it) to a boy, and said to him: “ Go, sell (it), my son, and buy bread® in abundance, and come (back).” And the boy went to buy bread; and he saw Thecla their neighbour, and was astonished, and said to her: “ Thecla, whither art thou going ?”’. She saith to him : “ After Paul I am going, for I have escaped from the fire.” And the boy said to her: ‘‘Come with me, and I will lead thee to him; for he is supplicating* and weeping and fasting, lo, these six days, and begging of God concern- ing thee.”” And Thecla came with him to the sepulchre, and entered and stood over Paul, and found him kneeling on his knees and praying and saying: “Our Father, who art in Heaven, I beg of Thee, let not the fire touch Thecla, but extinguish it from her, because she is Thine.” And Thecla, whilst she was standing beside him, opened her mouth and saith: ‘Father, who hast made Heaven and earth, Thou Father of the Holy (One), I praise Thee, who hast made me, and hast preserved me alive that I might see Paul.” And Paul arose and saw her. And Paul a C. adds and his houshold. 9 C. Go, my son, buy bread, ° C. groaning.