“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.”