Chapter 1 #

¹ I, Patrick, a sinner, the most unlearned and least among all the faithful, and regarded by many as utterly insignificant, was the son of Calpornius, a deacon, who was the son of Potitus, a presbyter. We lived in the village of Bannavem Taburniae, near a small farm owned by my father, which was close to the place where I was taken captive. At that time, I was almost sixteen years old. I did not yet know the true God. Along with thousands of others, I was taken into captivity in Ireland, as we deserved, because we had turned away from God, disregarded His commandments, and failed to obey the priests who urged us to pursue salvation.

² And the Lord brought upon us the wrath of His anger and scattered us among many nations, even to the farthest ends of the earth, where my insignificance is now evident among foreigners. There, the Lord opened my understanding to recognize my unbelief, so that, even though it was late, I might remember my sins and turn back to the Lord my God with all my heart. He considered my humility, showed mercy on my youth and ignorance, cared for me before I knew Him, and before I had wisdom or the ability to distinguish between good and evil. He protected and comforted me, just as a father cares for his son.

³ Therefore, I cannot remain silent—nor would it be right to do so—about the great blessings and immense favor the Lord has shown me in the land of my captivity. For this is our proper response to Him: that after being disciplined or coming to the knowledge of God, we should glorify and proclaim His marvelous deeds to every nation under heaven.

⁴ For there is no other God—there never was, nor ever will be—apart from God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, from whom all things have their origin and who sustains all things, as we profess. Together with Him is His Son, Jesus Christ, who has always existed with the Father, even before the foundation of the world, begotten in a manner beyond human understanding, before all time. Through Him, all things visible and invisible were made. He became man, conquered death, and ascended to the Father in heaven. To Him has been given all authority “above every name, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth,” so that “every tongue should confess” that Jesus Christ is Lord and God. We believe in Him and eagerly await His return as the Judge of the living and the dead, who “will repay each according to their deeds.” He has “poured out abundantly” the Holy Spirit upon us—a gift and “pledge of immortality”. He transforms the faithful and obedient into “children of God and co-heirs with Christ.” This we proclaim and adore: one God in the Holy Trinity, bearing the sacred name.

⁵ For He Himself has declared through the prophet: “Call upon Me in the day of your trouble, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” And again, He says, “It is honorable to proclaim and confess the works of God.”

⁶ Although I am imperfect in many ways, I desire that my brothers and acquaintances understand my character and grasp the longing of my soul. I am not unaware of the testimony of my Lord, who declares in the Psalm, “You will destroy those that speak a lie,” and also, “The lying mouth deals death to the soul.” Furthermore, the same Lord says in the Gospel, “On the day of judgment men will render account for every idle word they utter.” Therefore, I must earnestly, with fear and trembling, regard this warning, dreading that day when no one can escape or hide, and when we shall all give an account, even of our smallest sins, before the judgment seat of the Lord Christ.

⁷ For this reason, I considered writing long ago but hesitated until now, fearing the judgment of others. Unlike those who have mastered both the law and sacred literature thoroughly and equally, I have not received such an education. These individuals, who from infancy have never altered their language but only refined and perfected it, possess an eloquence I lack. My own words and speech must be translated into a foreign language.

⁸ This is evident: the inadequacies of my writing reveal the limits of my instruction and learning in expression. As the wise man says, “For by the tongue is discerned understanding and knowledge, and the teaching of truth.” But what value is there in offering an excuse, even if it is truthful, especially when it might come across as presumptuous? Indeed, now in my old age, I strive to learn what I did not acquire in my youth, for I was prevented from fully understanding the things I had previously studied. Yet who would believe me, even if I repeated what I have already said? As a youth—indeed, almost still a boy in both age and understanding—I was taken captive before I knew what to seek, what to strive for, or what to avoid. Thus, today I feel both ashamed and deeply afraid to reveal my inadequacy. Being neither eloquent nor concise, I cannot clearly express myself as the spirit moves me, nor as my mind and the understanding with which I have been endowed would wish.

⁹ But if I had been granted the same ability as others, I would still not remain silent because of the reward that comes from speaking. And if some perceive my efforts as presumptuous due to my ignorance and slow speech, it is written: “Stammering tongues shall learn quickly to speak peace.” How much more should we strive for this, we who are the “epistle of Christ” for salvation, reaching even to the ends of the earth? Even if not eloquent, we are nonetheless powerful and strong, as it is written in your hearts, “not with ink,” but, as it is testified, “by the Spirit of the living God.”

¹⁰ And again, the Spirit testifies: “Husbandry was ordained by the Most High.” Thus, I—once a rustic, a fugitive, unlearned, and unable to plan for the future—know this for certain: before I was humbled, I was like a stone sunk deep in the mud. Yet He who is mighty came, and in His mercy raised me up, lifted me out, and set me upon the wall. Therefore, I must cry out with a loud voice and offer something in return to the Lord for His immeasurable blessings—both in this life and in eternity—blessings beyond human understanding. So, let all who fear God, both great and small, be amazed. And you rhetoricians who do not know the Lord, listen and reflect: Who was it that stirred me, a fool, from among those who are considered wise, skilled in the law, eloquent, and capable in every way? He has chosen me—despised by the world—and inspired me above others (if indeed this is so), but with the understanding that I must serve faithfully, with fear and reverence, and without complaint, the nation to which the love of Christ has brought me and entrusted my life. If I am found worthy, it is my duty to serve them with humility and truth.

Chapter 2 #

¹ Therefore, according to the measure of faith in the Trinity, I must distinguish and proclaim the gift of God and His “everlasting consolation.” Without shrinking from danger or fear, I am called to faithfully spread the name of God everywhere, so that even after my death, I may leave this as a legacy to my brothers and my spiritual children—those I have baptized in the Lord, numbering many thousands. I was neither worthy nor deserving that the Lord would grant this to His servant: that after enduring so many hardships, afflictions, captivity, and years of struggle, He would show me such great favor among the very nation where, in my youth, I never imagined I would find such grace or purpose.

² But after I arrived in Ireland, I tended cattle daily, and I prayed frequently throughout the day; the love of God and reverence for Him grew steadily within me, my faith became stronger, and my spirit was deeply stirred. On some days, I would say nearly a hundred prayers, and at night nearly as many. I often stayed in the woods or on the mountain; before daylight, I would rise to pray, enduring snow, frost, and rain without harm. There was no laziness in me as, I now understand, the spirit within me was fervent and alive.

³ And one night, as I slept, I heard a voice saying to me, “You fast well; you will soon return to your homeland.” Shortly after, I heard another voice saying, “Behold, your ship is ready.” However, the ship was not nearby—it was about two hundred miles away. I had never been to that place, nor was I acquainted with any of the men there.

⁴ After this, I fled from the man with whom I had served for six years, relying on the strength of the Lord, who guided my path for good. I felt no fear until I arrived at the ship. On the very day I reached it, the ship was preparing to depart. I approached the sailors and asked to join them on their voyage. The captain was displeased and responded sharply, saying with indignation, “Do not, under any circumstances, seek to travel with us.” Hearing this, I left them and returned to the hut where I had been staying. On the way, I began to pray; and before I had finished my prayer, I heard one of the men calling out to me loudly, “Come quickly, for these men are calling you.” I immediately went back to them, and they said to me, “Come, for we accept you in good faith. Make friendship with us however you wish.” That day, I declined to form a close bond with them out of reverence for God. However, I hoped that they might come to believe in Jesus Christ, for they were heathens, and because of this hope, I decided to stay with them. We set sail immediately.

⁵ After three days, we reached land, and for twenty-eight days, we traveled through a desolate wilderness. Food ran out, and hunger overwhelmed them. One day, the captain turned to me and said, “What is it, O Christian? You say your God is great and almighty. Why, then, can’t you pray for us? We are perishing with hunger, and it seems unlikely we will ever see another human being again.” I responded to them plainly, “Turn with faith to the Lord, my God, to whom nothing is impossible. Pray that He may send us food this very day, enough to satisfy all of you, for with Him, there is no lack.” And, by God’s help, it happened just as I had said. Behold, a herd of swine appeared on the path before our eyes. My companions killed many of them, and we stayed there for two nights, greatly refreshed. Even their dogs, which had fainted along the way and were left half-dead, were filled with food. After this, they offered their deepest thanks to God, and I found myself honored in their eyes.

⁶ From that day forward, we had an abundance of food and even discovered wild honey, which they offered to me. One of them mentioned, “It has been offered in sacrifice.” Giving thanks to God, I refrained from tasting it. That same night, as I slept, Satan tempted me in a manner so vivid that I shall never forget it while I live in this body. It felt as though he fell upon me like an enormous weight, a great rock pressing down on me, leaving me powerless in my limbs. But then, a thought came to my mind—I should cry out, “Helias!” In that instant, I saw the sun rise in the heavens, and as I called out “Helias” with all my strength, the radiant light of the sun poured over me, lifting the oppressive weight away. I believe that in that moment I was aided by Christ, my Lord, and that His Spirit cried out on my behalf. I trust that this will also be the case in future times of hardship, for as the Lord says in the Gospel: “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

Chapter 3 #

¹ And again, after many years, I was taken captive once more. On that first night, as I stayed among them, I heard a Divine voice saying to me, “For two months you shall remain with them.” And so it came to pass. On the sixtieth night, the Lord delivered me from their hands.

² Even on our journey, He provided us with food, fire, and dry weather each day, until on the fourteenth day we all arrived. As I mentioned before, we traveled for twenty-eight days through the desert, and on the very night we reached our destination, we had no food remaining.

³ And again, after a few years, I was in Britain with my parents, who welcomed me as a son and pleaded with me earnestly that, after all the hardships I had endured, I would never leave them again. One night, however, I saw a vision: a man named Victoricus seemed to come to me from Ireland, carrying countless letters. He handed me one, and as I began to read, the letter opened with the words, ‘The Voice of the Irish.’ While I was reading aloud, I thought I heard in my mind the voices of those who lived near the forest of Foclut, by the Western Sea. They seemed to cry out in unison, “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us.” My heart was deeply moved, and I could read no further. Then I awoke. Thanks be to God that, after many years, the Lord answered their plea!

⁴ And on another night—whether it was within me or near me, I do not know; God knows—I heard the most eloquent words, though I could not understand them except for the conclusion, which said, “He who gave His life for you is He who speaks in you.” I awoke filled with joy. Then again, I saw Him praying within me, as if He were inside my very body. I heard Him above me—above my inner self—praying fervently with deep groanings. I was overwhelmed, astonished, and wondered who it could be that was praying in me. At the conclusion of the prayer, He spoke as though He were the Spirit. When I awoke, I recalled the words of the Apostle: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” And again, it is written, “The Lord is our advocate and intercedes for us.”

⁵ When I was harassed by some of my senior colleagues, who accused me of sins and shortcomings in my difficult service as a bishop, I was deeply shaken that day, almost to the point of abandoning my mission—both then and forever. But the Lord, in His mercy, spared me, a convert and an outsider, for the sake of His name. He graciously and powerfully upheld me in the face of such attacks, so that even amidst the shame and disgrace, I did not falter. I pray that God does not hold their actions against them as a sin. After thirty years, they uncovered something I had confessed long before I was ordained as a deacon and used it against me.

⁶ In a moment of anxiety and with a troubled mind, I confided in my closest friend about something I had done one day in my boyhood—indeed, in just one hour—because at that time, I didn’t know how to resist temptation. I cannot say for certain—only God knows—if I was around fifteen years old then. I had not believed in the one true God from childhood, but instead lived in spiritual death and disbelief until I was severely disciplined. I was humbled by hunger and poverty, and I endured these trials daily. I did not go to Ireland of my own choosing; by the time I went, I was almost completely worn out. Yet, this turned out to be for my good, for through these hardships the Lord corrected me. He prepared me to become what I am today—something I never could have imagined back then. Now I am filled with concern for the salvation of others, whereas in those days, I barely even thought about my own.

⁷ On the day I was reproached for the things I mentioned earlier, that night I had a vision. In the vision, I saw a written accusation against me, full of dishonor. At the same time, I heard a voice responding to me, saying, “We have seen with displeasure the face of the chosen one, stripped of his name.” It did not say, “You have seen with displeasure,” but rather, “We have seen with displeasure,” as if God Himself stood with me. It reminded me of His words: “Whoever touches you touches the apple of My eye.” For this, I give thanks to Him who comforted me in all things. He did not prevent me from continuing on the journey I had resolved to take, nor from the work I had learned through Christ, my Lord. From that time onward, I felt a great strength within myself, and my faith was confirmed before both God and men.

⁸ But on this account, I boldly assert that my conscience does not condemn me now or in the future. “God is my witness” that I have not lied in the things I have said. I am deeply sorry for my very dear friend—to whom I entrusted even my life—that we should have deserved to hear such a response. I learned from several brethren before my defense that, when I was absent—not in Britain, and not involved in the matter—even he, in my absence, fought on my behalf. He had even said to me with his own mouth, “Behold, you are to be promoted to the rank of bishop,"—an honor I did not deserve. But how could it happen that, later, before everyone—both good and bad—he publicly discredited me, though he had previously, of his own accord, willingly granted me that honor? It is the Lord, who is greater than all.

⁹ I have said enough. However, I ought not to hide the gift of God which He bestowed upon us in the land of my captivity. There, I earnestly sought Him, and there I found Him. He preserved me from all sin, so I believe, because of His Spirit “that dwells in me,” which has continued to work in me boldly even to this day. But God knows—if a man had spoken this to me, I might have remained silent for the love of Christ.

¹⁰ For that reason, I give untiring thanks to my God, who has kept me faithful in the day of my temptation. I can confidently offer to Him my soul—to Christ my Lord—as a sacrifice, “a living victim”; who saved me from all my difficulties. I may say: “Who am I, Lord?” and what is my position, that You have worked through me with such Divine grace? Today I can constantly rejoice among the Gentiles and magnify Your name wherever I may be, not only in prosperity but also in distress. Whatever may happen to me, whether good or evil, I ought to receive it equally and always give thanks to God. He has shown me that I should believe in Him, the unfailing one, without ceasing, and that He will hear me. I, though ignorant, may in these last days attempt to undertake this work, so holy and so wonderful. I may imitate some of those whom the Lord long ago foretold would preach His Gospel “for a testimony to all nations” before the end of the world. This has now been fulfilled, as we have seen. Behold, we are witnesses that the Gospel has been preached everywhere, even in places where no man lives beyond.

Chapter 4 #

¹ It would take too long to recount all my efforts in detail or even partially. In brief, I can share how the most holy God frequently rescued me from slavery and delivered me from twelve life-threatening dangers, as well as countless traps and challenges that words cannot fully describe. I do not wish to burden my readers, but there is God, the Creator of all, who knew everything before it came to be.

² Nevertheless, the Divine response frequently admonished me, His humble pupil. From where did this wisdom come to me, one who neither knew the number of my days nor had any knowledge of God? How did I later receive such a great and precious gift—to know God and to love Him—to the point that I would leave my homeland, my parents, and many gifts offered to me with tears and pleading? Furthermore, I went against the wishes of certain elders, much to my regret. Yet, under God’s guidance, I did not yield or comply with them. It was not through my own strength but through God’s power within me that I resisted them all. This is how I came to the Irish people—to proclaim the Gospel, endure insults from unbelievers, bear reproaches for my journey, and suffer numerous persecutions, even imprisonment. I gave up my noble heritage for the sake of others.

³ If I am found worthy, I am ready to lay down my life without hesitation and with the greatest joy for His name. It is there that I wish to spend my life, even unto death, if the Lord allows.

⁴ I am deeply indebted to God, who has granted me such grace that, through me, many people have been reborn to God. Everywhere, clergy are being ordained for those newly coming to the faith—the very people the Lord has called from the ends of the earth, as He foretold long ago through His prophets: “To You, the Gentiles will come and say, ‘Our fathers made false idols, and there is no profit in them.’” And again: “I have set You to be a light to the Gentiles, that You may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” Here I am, ready to await the fulfillment of His promise—He who never fails, as declared in the Gospel: “They shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” for we believe that believers will come from all corners of the world.

⁵ Therefore, we must fish skilfully and diligently, as the Lord warns and teaches us, saying, “Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He also speaks through the prophets, saying, “Behold, I send many fishers and hunters, says the Lord.” It is essential, therefore, to spread our nets widely so that a great multitude may be gathered for God and that there may be clergy everywhere to baptize and encourage people who are needy and eager, as the Lord instructs in the Gospel: “Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” He further says, “Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Again, He declares, “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Foretelling through the prophet, the Lord says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord, I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy; your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Indeed, upon My servants and My handmaids, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.” In Hosea, He says, “I will call them My people who were not My people, and her who had not obtained mercy I will call beloved. And it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called the sons of the living God.”

⁶ How is it, then, that in Ireland, a land where the people had no prior knowledge of God and once worshipped idols and unclean things, they have now become a people of the Lord and are called the sons of God? Sons of the Scots and daughters of chieftains are now seen as monks and virgins dedicated to Christ. Among them was one blessed Scottic maiden, noble in birth, remarkably beautiful, and of mature age, whom I baptized. A few days later, she came to us for a purpose and told us she had received a divine message from a messenger of God. She was instructed to become a virgin of Christ and draw closer to God. Thanks be to God! Six days after this, she eagerly and excellently embraced the life of a virgin dedicated to God, as do all the virgins of God. They do this not with their fathers’ approval but often face persecution and false accusations from their parents. Yet, their numbers only continue to grow. Among our own people born in Ireland, we do not even know the number of those who have chosen this path, including widows and those who live in chastity. Those women who are enslaved suffer particularly harsh trials, yet, despite threats and terrors, they have persevered with remarkable diligence. The Lord has given His grace to many of these handmaids, for though they are forbidden, they zealously follow His example.

⁷ Therefore, although I have wished to leave them and was fully prepared to return to Britain, my homeland and my parents, and even to journey as far as Gaul to visit the brethren and see the faces of the saints of my Lord, God knows how greatly I desired this. Yet I am “bound in the Spirit,” who “testifies to me” that if I were to do so, He would hold me guilty. I fear losing the work I have begun—not my own work, but that of Christ the Lord, who commanded me to come and remain with these people for the rest of my life. If it is the Lord’s will, and if He preserves me from every evil path, I pray that I may not sin before Him. I hope to do what I ought, but I do not trust in myself, as long as I remain in “this body of death.” For the enemy, who is strong, constantly seeks to lead me away from faith and the chastity of the religious life I have resolved to live sincerely until the end of my days for Christ my Lord. Yet the flesh, which is hostile to the spirit, continually leads to death through unlawful desires. I know, in part, that I have not lived as perfectly as other believers. However, I confess openly to my Lord, without shame and without deceit, that since the time I came to know Him in my youth, His love and fear have grown within me. By the grace of the Lord, “I have kept the faith” to this day.

Chapter 5 #

¹ Let anyone who wishes to mock and insult do so; I will not remain silent, nor will I conceal the signs and wonders that the Lord revealed to me, long before they came to pass, for He, who knows all things, knew them even before the foundation of the world.

² Therefore, I ought to give unceasing thanks to God, who often forgave my ignorance and negligence, even when misplaced and not just on a single occasion, so that He did not become fiercely angry with me, despite allowing me to be His servant. Yet I did not immediately yield to what was revealed to me or to what the Spirit prompted. Nevertheless, the Lord showed mercy to me among thousands upon thousands because He saw that I was willing, though I was unsure how to proceed due to my circumstances. Many were opposing this mission and speaking among themselves, saying behind my back, “Why does that man put himself in danger among enemies who do not know God?” They did not say this out of malice but because they thought it unwise, and I admit they may have been right, given my inadequacy in learning. At the time, I did not fully recognize the grace that was within me, but now I understand that I should have obeyed God’s call sooner.

³ Now, therefore, I have plainly explained to my brethren and fellow servants who have believed me the reason why I have preached and continue to preach, so that your faith may be strengthened and confirmed. May you aspire to greater things and accomplish mightier works! This will be my glory, for “a wise son is the glory of a father.”

⁴ You know, and God also knows, how I have lived among you from my youth, in faithfulness to the truth and sincerity of heart. Even among the nations where I dwell, I have always acted with integrity, and I will continue to do so. God knows that I have wronged none of them, nor do I intend to, for the sake of God and His Church, in case I provoke persecution against them and all of us, and for fear that through me the name of the Lord be blasphemed. For it is written, “Woe to the man through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed.” Though I lack skill in certain matters, I have tried in some ways to serve my Christian brethren, the virgins of Christ, and the religious women who have given me small voluntary gifts or placed some of their ornaments upon the altar. I returned these to them, even though it caused offense, because I did so with the hope of eternal life, striving to act wisely in all things. My intention was to ensure that the unbelievers could not accuse me of wrongdoing or discredit my ministry. I have been careful, even in the smallest matters, so as not to give unbelievers any reason to defame or undervalue me.

⁵ But perhaps, since I have baptized so many thousands, I might have expected even half a screpall from any of them? If so, tell me, and I will repay it. Or, when the Lord established clergy everywhere through my humble ministry, did I not perform the rites freely? If I ever asked any of them for so much as the price of my shoe, speak out against me, and I will restore it to you with more. I spent for your sake so that they might receive me, and I traveled among you and elsewhere, enduring many dangers, even to the most remote regions where no one had ever ventured before me—to baptize, ordain clergy, or confirm the faithful. By the Lord’s grace, I carried out this mission diligently and with great joy for your salvation, covering all the costs myself. I gave gifts to kings and even paid their sons who escorted me, yet still, they seized me along with my companions. On that day, they were eager to kill me, but it was not yet my time. They took everything they could find with us and bound me in iron chains. On the fourteenth day, however, the Lord delivered me from their hands, and everything that had been taken from us was restored, thanks to God and the loyal friends He had given us beforehand.

⁶ You know how much I paid to those who served as judges in all the regions I visited most frequently. I believe I distributed among them no less than the wages of fifteen men, so that you might benefit from my ministry and I might continue to rejoice with you in the Lord. I do not regret this, nor do I consider it sufficient—I still “spend and will spend for your souls.” God is mighty, and may He grant me the grace to continue pouring myself out for your souls in the future. Behold, “I call God to witness upon my soul that I do not lie,” and I do this neither to give you cause for doubt nor because I seek honor from anyone. The honor that suffices for me is one that cannot be denied. I see now that the Lord has exalted me beyond measure in this present age, though I was neither worthy nor deserving of such assistance. I know that poverty and hardship are more fitting for me than wealth and luxury. Yet Christ the Lord was poor for our sake.

⁷ But I, poor and miserable, even if I desired riches, do not possess them, and “neither do I judge my own self,” for I live each day expecting either to be murdered, deceived, enslaved, or to suffer some other misfortune. Yet, “I fear none of these things” because of the promises of heaven. I have entrusted myself entirely to the hands of the Almighty God, who reigns over all, as the prophet says: “Cast your thought on the Lord, and He will sustain you.”

⁸ Now, I commit my soul to my most faithful God, for whom I serve as an ambassador in obscurity, because He does not show favoritism and has chosen me for this role, making me one of His least ministers. But what can I offer Him in return for all that He has done for me? What can I say or promise to my Lord? I have no power, unless He gave it to me, for He searches “the heart and mind.” I desire both enough and too much, and I am ready for Him to allow me “to drink from His cup,” just as He has granted this to others who love Him.

⁹ Therefore, may it never happen that I lose His people, the people He has gathered from the farthest corners of the earth. I pray to God that He may grant me perseverance and make me worthy to remain a faithful witness to Him, even until my death, for the sake of my God. And if I have ever done anything good for the sake of my God, whom I love, I ask Him to allow me, along with those converts and captives, to shed my blood for His name, even if I am deprived of a proper burial, and my body is torn apart by dogs, wild animals, or devoured by the birds of the air. I am absolutely certain that if this happens to me, I will have gained both soul and body.

¹⁰ For without a doubt, we will rise on that day in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, as “sons of the living God,” and “joint heirs with Christ,” and to be “conformed to His image.” For “from Him, through Him, and in Him,” we will reign.

¹¹ The sun we see, rising daily at God’s command, shines for us—but it will not reign forever, nor will its brilliance last. Those who worship it, poor souls, will ultimately face punishment. But we, who believe in and worship the true Sun, Jesus Christ, will never perish. He who does His will “will endure forever,” just as Christ, who reigns forever with God the Almighty Father and the Holy Spirit, continues eternally, before all ages, now, and throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

¹² Look, I will once again briefly declare the words of my confession. I testify in truth, and with a joyful heart, before God and His holy angels, that I had no reason, except for the Gospel and its promises, to return to that people from whom I had previously escaped with great difficulty.

¹³ But I ask those who believe and fear God, whoever may choose to read or receive this writing, which Patrick the sinner, indeed unlearned, has written in Ireland, that no one should ever say, if I have done or shown anything according to the will of God, no matter how small, that it was due to my ignorance. Instead, judge for yourselves, and let it be firmly believed that it was the gift of God. And this is my confession before I die.