ABGAR TO JESUS CHRIST.
“Abgar, Prince of Edessa, to Jesus, the merciful Saviour, who has appeared in the country of Jerusalem, greeting. I have been informed of the prodigies and cures wrought by you without the use of herbs or medicines, and by the efficacy of your words alone. I am told that you enable cripples to walk; that you force devils from the bodies possessed; that there is no disease, however incurable, which you do not heal; and that you restore the dead to life. These wonders convince me that you are some god descended from heaven, or that you are the Son of God. For this reason, I have taken the liberty of writing this letter to you, beseeching you to come to see me, and to cure me of the indisposition under which I have so long labored. I understand that the Jews persecute you, murmur at your miracles, and plan your destruction. I have here a beautiful and pleasant city which, though it be not very large, will be sufficient to supply you with every thing that is necessary.”