ὦ ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἔχων τὴν ἀρετήν, ὅτι ἔχεις ἐν ἐμοὶ τὴν ἀλήθειαν, ὅτι ἐγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω, ὅτι ἔχω ἐν ὑμῖν τὴν ἀλήθειαν.
Chio suo plur(imam) sal(utem) s(i) v(ales) b(ene est) Theo adduxsit
de inprobitate
nihil ultra loquor quam ⟦no⟧ ne patiarus
crede mihi nimia bonitas pernicies homin[i]ḅus est vel maxsuma
deinde ipse tibi demonstrabit
set persevera qui de tam pusilla summa tam magnum lucrum facit
dominum occidere volt
deinde ego clamare debeo siquod video
atque hominum ⟦fidem si tu ἵστα non cuibis⟧
tuum erit vindicare ne alio libeat facere
O man who has virtue, because you have the truth in me, that I say to you, that I have the truth in you.
To Chio, your many greetings, if you are well, it is good that God has brought you to me.
About wickedness, I speak no more than ⟦no⟧ that I may not suffer.
Believe me, excessive goodness is destruction for men or the greatest.
Then he will demonstrate to you.
But persevere, who from such a small sum makes such a great profit.
He wishes to kill the master.
Then I must cry out if I see something.
And of men’s faith, if you do not stand with them.
It will be yours to vindicate lest another take the liberty to do so.
Syneros Chio suo plur(imam) sal(utem). s(i) v(ales) b(ene est). Theo adduxit ad me Ohapim regium mensularium Oxyrhynchitem, qui quidem mecum est locutus de improbitate Epaphraes. Itaque nihil ultra loquor quam ne patiaris te propter illos perire. Crede mihi, nimia bonitas pernicies hominibus est vel maxima. Deinde ipse tibi demonstrabit quid rei sit cum illum ad te vocaris. Sed persevera. Qui de tam pusilla summa tam magnum lucrum facit dominum occidere vult. Deinde ego clamare debeo si quod video divom atque hominum fidem. Tuum erit vindicare ne alii libeat facere.
Syneros sends warmest greetings to his dear Chios. If you are well, it is good. Theo has brought to me Ohapis, the royal banker from Oxyrhynchus, who indeed spoke with me about the dishonesty of Epaphraes. Therefore, I say nothing further except that you should not allow yourself to be ruined because of them. Believe me, excessive kindness is a great, even the greatest, ruin for people. Afterwards, he himself will show you clearly what the matter is when you summon him to yourself. But persist. He who makes such great profit from so small a sum wishes to kill his master. Therefore, I must cry out if I see anything, by the faith of gods and men! It will be your duty to punish this, lest others be tempted to do the same.