Chapter 1

1A copy of a letter written by King Abgarus to Jesus, and sent to him by Ananias, his footman, to Jerusalem, 5 inviting him to Edessa . ABGARUS, king of Edessa, to Jesus the good Saviour, who appears at Jerusalem, greeting.
2I have been informed concerning you and your cures, which are performed without the use of medicines and herbs.
3For it is reported, that you cause the blind to see, the lame to walk, do both cleanse lepers, and cast out unclean spirits and devils, and restore them to health who have been long diseased, and raisest up the dead;
4All which when I heard, I was persuaded of one of these two, viz: either that you are God himself descended from heaven, who do these things, or the son of God.
5On this account therefore I have wrote to you, earnestly to desire you would take the trouble of a journey hither, and cure a disease which I am under.
6For I hear the Jews ridicule you, and intend you mischief.
7My city is indeed small, but neat, and large enough for us both.