Lift your eyes and look around, whoever examines my words. See the crown of glory that has been woven, in place of Ephraim’s hired men and the crown of arrogance. See the council of presbyters, honored by gray hair and wisdom; the well-ordered deacons, who share closely in the same Spirit; the good order of the readers; and the people’s eagerness to learn.
Look at the men and women, equally honored for virtue. Among the men are those devoted to philosophy and simpler people, yet all are wise in the things of God. There are rulers and those under authority, yet here all are well governed. There are soldiers and nobles, and those engaged in speaking and study; yet all are soldiers of God—gentle in other matters, but ready to fight for the Spirit. All honor the senate above, into which we are admitted not by the mere letter but by the life-giving Spirit. All are truly people of the word and servants of the true Word.
Among the women, some are under the marriage yoke, yet bound more to God than to the flesh. Others are free of that yoke and have dedicated themselves wholly to God. Among young and old alike, the young make their way honorably toward old age, while the old strive to remain immortal, renewed by higher hopes.