June 18, 1523.
To the honorable, virtuous virgins, Hanna von Draschwitz, Milia von Oelsnitz and Ursula von Feilitzsch, my special friends in Christ, grace and peace in Christ.
Honorable, virtuous, dear virgins! Mr. Nicolaus von Amsdorf has informed me of your concerns and of the insults that have befallen you at the court of Freiberg for the sake of my books; he has also asked me to write a letter of comfort to you. Although I respect that you do not need my consolation and do not like to write to strangers, I do not know how to refuse him.
And first of all, my faithful request is that you should set your hearts contented, and neither grant nor wish ill to those who have done such things to you; but as St. Paul teaches and says, 1 Cor. 4:12, "We are ravished, so we praise"; to which also Christ, Matt. 5:44, "Bless them that blaspheme you, pray for them that offend you, and do good to them that persecute you."
So do you, seeing that you are enlightened by God's grace, and they are blind and obdurate, so that they do much worse to their souls than all the world would do to them. Unfortunately, you have smelled too much in them, that they do wrong to you, so that they can
They rage against God and run in horror; that they are more to be pitied than mad, senseless people, who do not see how miserably they are ruining themselves, because they think they are almost doing you harm. But wait, and let Christ work; he will repay you abundantly for your disgrace, and lift you up higher than you could have wished, if only you would not take up the matter, and leave it to him.
Even if you have a conscience that you have given cause for it, you should not hesitate because of it; for it is a precious, good sign that Christ has immediately taken you into repentance. Also, let it be understood that though you would do much against them, it would not avail. For it is a divine thing that you suffer, which God will not allow anyone to judge or avenge, except Himself, as He says through the prophet Zacharias, Cap. 2, 9: "He who touches you touches the apple of my eye." I can well think that the wretched, blind head, Doctor Wolf Stehlin, is master of this; but he is written in other sayings, as he means and unfortunately will all too soon realize. So do, my dear sisters, and keep your friends also, so God's grace and peace will be with you, amen. And hold my letter in good stead. On the Thursday after Viti, Anno 1523. Mart. Luther.