Letter 180: I have been much distressed on meeting a worthy man involved in very great trouble. Being human, how could I fail to sympathise with a man of high character afflicted beyond his deserts? On thinking in what way I could be useful to him, I did find one means of helping him out of his difficulties, and that is by making him known to your excellency.
I have been greatly distressed at meeting a worthy man caught up in very serious trouble. How could I, being human, fail to sympathize with a man of high character suffering beyond what he deserves?
Thinking about how I could be useful to him, I found one way to help him out of his difficulties: making him known to your excellency. It is now for you to extend to him the same good offices that, as I can personally testify, you have shown to many.
You will learn the full details from the petition he has submitted to the emperors. I ask you to take this document into your hands, and I implore you to help him to the utmost of your power. You will be helping a Christian, a gentleman, and a man whose deep learning ought to command respect.
If I add that by helping him you will be conferring a great kindness on me -- well, I know my affairs are small matters. But since you are always generous enough to treat them as important, your favor to me will be no small thing.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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