Library Theodoret Compendium of Heretical Fables
Book 1
Prologue
The all-wise God of all things entrusted the cultivation of the world that had lain fallow to a few men—and these fishermen and tax-collectors, and one tentmaker. But the thoroughly evil demon, the scourge of human beings, seeing these men tearing up by the roots the thorns of polytheistic error and stripping him of his subjects, being a contriver of schemes and a craftsman of wickedness, invented other devices for plotting. For choosing men worthy of his own working, and setting upon them as a kind of mask the name of Christians, and as if smearing the rim of the cup with honey, he has brought forward to human beings the poisonous drug of the lie. And thirsting for the ruin of human beings, he did not wait for the apostles’ preaching to be confirmed and then offer the deceit; but as soon as those began to cultivate and to cast down the seeds of piety, this one sowed the tares in between.
Greek: Theodoret of Cyrus, Haereticarum fabularum compendium / Αἱρετικῆς κακομυθίας ἐπιτομή (CPG 6223; PG 83, 336–556). English: study translation for BWAB Library—not a modern copyrighted translation. The full five books are hosted here.