When he had said this and much more besides—which there is no time now to relate—he went away, urging me to pursue these things; and I never saw him again. But straightway a fire was kindled in my soul, and a love seized me for the prophets and for those men who are friends of Christ. As I reflected within myself on his words, I found this alone to be a philosophy both sure and profitable.
Thus, and for these reasons, I am a philosopher. And I would wish that all men, kindling within themselves a zeal equal to mine, would not depart from the words of the Saviour; for they hold within them a certain awe, and are able to put to shame those who turn aside from the right way, while to those who diligently practise them they bring the sweetest rest. So then, if you have any care for yourself, and lay claim to salvation, and put your trust in God, it is open to you—for the matter is not foreign to you—once you have come to know the Christ of God and have been made perfect, to be truly happy.
When I had said this, my dear friend, those who were with Trypho laughed aloud, but he himself smiled gently and said: "As for the rest of what you say, I accept it, and I admire your ardour for the divine; yet it would have been better for you still to practise the philosophy of Plato or of some other man, exercising endurance, self-control, and temperance, than to be deceived by false words and to follow after men who are worth nothing. For while you remained in that mode of philosophy and lived blamelessly, a hope of a better lot was left to you; but having forsaken God and set your hope upon a man, what salvation can still remain for you?"
"If, then, you are willing to listen to me too—for I now count you as a friend—first be circumcised; then keep, as is the custom, the Sabbath and the feasts and the new moons of God, and in short do everything that is written in the Law; and then perhaps you will find mercy from God. As for Christ—if indeed he has been born and exists somewhere—he is unknown, and does not even yet know himself, nor has he any power, until Elijah comes and anoints him and makes him manifest to all. But you, having accepted an empty report, have fashioned for yourselves some Christ of your own, and for his sake you are now, without good reason, perishing."