Martírio de Policarpo 9

1Mas ao entrar Policarpo no estádio, veio-lhe uma voz do céu: 'Sê forte, Policarpo, e porta-te varonilmente!' E ninguém viu quem falava, mas a voz foi ouvida por aqueles dentre os nossos que se achavam presentes. Quando foi conduzido à presença da multidão, houve grande clamor ao ouvirem que Policarpo fora capturado.

1But as Polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven; 'Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.' And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And at length, when he was brought up, there was a great tumult, for they heard that Polycarp had been apprehended.

2Apresentado diante dele, o procônsul perguntou-lhe se ele era Policarpo; e tendo ele assentido, o governador procurou persuadi-lo a renegar a fé, dizendo: 'Tem respeito pela tua idade', e outras expressões costumeiras, tais como: 'Jura pelo gênio de César; arrepende-te; dize: Fora com os ateus!' Policarpo então, olhando com semblante grave para toda a multidão de gentios perversos que enchiam o estádio, acenou-lhes com a mão, e suspirando e erguendo os olhos ao céu, disse: 'Fora com os ateus!'

2When then he was brought before him, the proconsul enquired whether he were the man. And on his confessing that he was, he tried to persuade him to a denial saying, 'Have respect to thine age,' and other things in accordance therewith, as it is their wont to say; 'Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, Away with the atheists.' Then Polycarp with solemn countenance looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, 'Away with the atheists.'

3Mas insistindo o procônsul e dizendo: 'Presta o juramento e eu te solto; amaldiçoa a Cristo', respondeu Policarpo: 'Oitenta e seis anos faz que O sirvo, e Ele nunca me causou dano algum; como poderei eu blasfemar contra o meu Rei que me salvou?'

3But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, 'Swear the oath, and I will release thee; revile the Christ,' Polycarp said, 'Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?'