Here is another person presenting you with a letter, which, if truth be told, you have brought on yourself, since you provoke them by the honor you show them. Here too is another petitioner before you, a prisoner of fear, our kinsman Eustratius, who with us and through us begs your goodness, because he cannot bear to remain in perpetual rebellion against your authority, even though a justified terror has frightened him, nor does he choose to appeal to you through anyone else but me, so that he may make your mercy toward him more evident through his use of such intercessors, whom you yourself make important by accepting their appeal in this way. I will say one thing, and that briefly. All the other favors you granted to me, but this one you will grant to your own judgment, since you once intended to comfort our old age and sickness with such honors. And I will add that you are continually making God more favorable to you.
Here is another laying before you a letter, of which, if the truth may be said, you are the cause yourself, for you provoke them by the honour you do them. Here too is another petitioner for you, a prisoner of fear, our kinsman Eustratius, who with us and by us entreats your goodness, inasmuch as he cannot endure to be in perpetual rebellion against your government, even though a just terror has frightened him, nor does he choose to entreat you by anyone else than me, that he may make your mercy to him more conspicuous through his use of such intercessors, whom at all events you yourself make great by thus accepting their appeal. I will say one thing, and that briefly. All the other favours you conferred upon me; but this you will confer upon your own judgment, since once you purposed to comfort our age and infirmity with such honours. And I will add that you are continually rendering God more propitious to you.