Shepherd of Hermas 1:2
After a certain time, I saw her bathing in the river Tiber; and I gave her my hand, and led her out of the river. So, seeing her beauty, I reasoned in my heart, saying, "Happy would I be, if I had such to wife, both in beauty and in character." I merely reflected on this and nothing more.
Shepherd of Hermas 1:3
After a certain time, as I was journeying to Cumae, and glorifying God's creatures for their greatness and splendor and power, as I walked, I fell asleep. And a Spirit took me, and bore me away through a pathless tract, through which no man could pass: for the place was precipitous, and broken into clefts by reason of the waters. When I had then crossed the river, I came into the level country, and knelt down, and began to pray to the Lord and to confess my sins.
Shepherd of Hermas 1:4
Now, while I prayed, the heaven was opened, and I see the lady, whom I had desired, greeting me from heaven, saying, "Good morrow, Hermas."
Shepherd of Hermas 1:5
And, looking at her, I said to her, "Lady, what do you do here?" Then she answered me, "I was taken up, that I might convict you of your sins before the Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 1:6
I said to her, "Do you now convict me?" "No, not so," she said, "But hear the words, that I will say to you. God, who dwells in the heavens, and created out of nothing, the things which are, and increased and multiplied them for His holy church's sake, is indignant with you, for you sinned against me."
Shepherd of Hermas 1:7
I answered her and said, "Sin against you? In what way? Did I ever speak an unseemly word to you? Did I not always regard you as a goddess? Did I not always respect you as a sister? How could you falsely charge me, lady, with such villainy and uncleanness?"
Shepherd of Hermas 1:8
Laughing she says to me, "The desire after evil entered into your heart. No, do you not think that it is an evil deed for a righteous man, if the evil desire should enter into his heart? It is indeed a sin and a great one too," she says; "For the righteous man entertains righteous purposes. While then his purposes are righteous, his repute stands steadfast in the heavens, and he finds the Lord easily propitiated in all that he does. But those who entertain evil purposes in their hearts, bring death and captivity upon themselves, especially those who claim this present work for themselves and boast in its riches, and do not cleave to the good things that are to come.
Shepherd of Hermas 1:9
Their souls will rue it, seeing that they have no hope, but have abandoned themselves and their life. But pray to God and He will heal your own sins, and those of your whole house, and of all the saints."
Shepherd of Hermas 2:1
As soon as she had spoken these words, the heavens were shut and I was given over to horror and grief. Then I said within myself, "If this sin is recorded against me, how can I be saved? Or how will I propitiate God for my sins which are full-blown? Or with which words will I entreat the Lord that He may be propitious to me?"
Shepherd of Hermas 2:2
While I was advising and discussing these matters in my heart, I see, before me, a great white chair of snow-white wool; and there came an aged lady in glistening raiment, having a book in her hands, and she sat down alone, and she saluted me, "Good morrow, Hermas." Then I grieved, and weeping, said, "Good morrow, lady."
Shepherd of Hermas 2:3
And she said to me "Why so gloomy, Hermas, you who are patient and good-tempered and are always smiling? Why so downcast in your looks, and far from cheerful?" And I said to her, "Because of an excellent lady's saying that I had sinned against her."
Shepherd of Hermas 2:4
Then she said, "Far be this thing from the servant of God! Nevertheless, the thought did enter into your heart concerning her. Now to the servants of God, such a purpose brings sin. For it is an evil and mad purpose to overtake a devout spirit that has been already approved, that it should desire an evil deed, and especially if it is Hermas the temperate, who abstains from every evil desire, and is full of all simplicity and of great guilelessness.
Shepherd of Hermas 3:1
Yet it is not for this that God is indignant with you, but that you may convert your family, who have done wrong against the Lord and against you, their parents. But out of fondness for your children, you did not admonish your family, but allowed it to become fearfully corrupt. Therefore the Lord is indignant with you. But He will heal all your past sins, which have been committed in your family; for by reason of their sins and iniquities, you have been corrupted by the affairs of this world.
Shepherd of Hermas 3:2
But the great mercy of the Lord had pity on you and your family, and will strengthen you, and establish you in His glory. Only do not be careless, but take courage, and strengthen your family. For as the smith, hammering his work, conquers the task which he wills, so also does righteous discourse repeated daily conquer all evil. Do not therefore cease to reprove your children; for I know that if they will repent with all their heart, they will be written in the books of life with the saints."
Shepherd of Hermas 3:3
After these words of hers had ceased, she says to me, "Will you listen to me as I read?" Then I say, "Yes, lady." She says to me, "Be attentive, and hear the glories of God." I listened with attention and with wonder to that which I had no power to remember; for all the words were terrible, such that man cannot bear. The last words however I remembered, for they were suitable for us and gentle.
Shepherd of Hermas 3:4
Behold, the God of hosts, who, by His invisible and mighty power and by His great wisdom, created the world, and by His glorious purpose clothed His creation with comeliness, and by His strong word fixed the heaven, and founded the earth upon the waters, and by His own wisdom and providence formed, His holy church, which He also blessed. Behold, He removes the heavens and the mountains and the hills and the seas, and all things are made level *Baruch 5:7, *18:47, *18:98, *20:106, *69:14, *84:3, *89:21 for His elect, that He may fulfill the promise to them which He promised with great glory and rejoicing, if so be that they will keep the ordinances of God, which they received, with great faith.
Shepherd of Hermas 4:1
When she then finished reading and arose from her chair, there came four young men, and they took away the chair, and departed towards the East.
Shepherd of Hermas 4:2
Then she calls me to her, and she touched my breast, and says to me, "Did my reading please you?" And I say to her, "Lady, these last words please me, but the former were difficult and hard." Then she spoke to me, saying, "These last words are for the righteous, but the former are for the heathen and the rebellious."
Shepherd of Hermas 4:3
While she yet spoke with me, two men appeared, and took her by the arms, and they departed, where the chair also had gone, towards the East. And she smiled as she departed and, as she was going, she says to me, "Be manly, Hermas."
Shepherd of Hermas 5:1
I was on the way to Cumae, at the same season as last year, and called to mind my last year's vision as I walked; and again, a Spirit takes me, and carries me away to the same place as last year.
Shepherd of Hermas 5:2
When I then arrived at the place, I fell upon my knees, and began to pray to the Lord, and to glorify His name, for He counted me worthy, and made my former sins known to me.
Shepherd of Hermas 5:3
But after I had risen up from prayer, I behold the aged lady before me, whom I had also seen last year, walking and reading a little book. And she says to me, "Can you report these things to the elect of God?" I say to her, "Lady, I cannot recollect so much; but give me the little book, that I may copy it." "Take it," she says, "And be sure and return it to me."
Shepherd of Hermas 5:4
I took it, and retiring to a certain spot in the country, I copied it letter for letter: for I could not make out the syllables. When I had then finished the letters of the book, suddenly the book was snatched out of my hand; but by whom, I did not see.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:1
Now after fifteen days, when I had fasted and entreated the Lord earnestly, the knowledge of the writing was revealed to me. And this is what was written:
Shepherd of Hermas 6:2
"Your seed, Hermas, have sinned against God, and have blasphemed the Lord, and have betrayed their parents through great wickedness, indeed, they have gotten the name of betrayers of parents, and yet they did not profit by their betrayal; and they still further added wanton deeds and reckless wickedness to their sins; and so the measure of their transgressions was filled up.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:3
But make these words known to all your children, and to your wife who will be as your sister; for she too does not refrain from using her tongue, wherewith she does evil. But, when she hears these words, she will refrain, and will find mercy.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:4
After you have made all these words known to them, which the Lord commanded me that they should be revealed to you, then all their sins which they sinned aforetime are forgiven to them; indeed, and to all the saints who have sinned to this day, if they repent with their whole heart, and remove double-mindedness from their heart.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:5
For the Lord swore by His own glory, as concerning His elect; that if, now that this day has been set as a limit, sin will hereafter be committed, they will not find salvation; for repentance for the righteous has an end; the days of repentance are accomplished for all the saints; whereas for the Gentiles, there is repentance until the Last Day.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:6
You will therefore say to the elders of the church, that they direct their paths in righteousness, that they may receive the promises in full with abundant glory.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:7
You therefore who work righteousness, be steadfast, and do not be double-minded, that you may have admission with the holy angels. Blessed are you, as many who patiently endure the great tribulation that comes, and as many who will not deny their life.
Shepherd of Hermas 6:8
For the Lord swears concerning His son, that those who denied their Lord should be rejected from their life, even those who are now about to deny Him in the coming days; but to those who denied Him aforetime, mercy was given to them of His great loving kindness.
Shepherd of Hermas 7:1
But you, Hermas, no longer bear a grudge against your children, neither let your sister have her way, so that they may be purified from their former sins. For they will be chastised with a righteous chastisement, unless you bear a grudge against them yourself. The bearing of a grudge works death. But you, Hermas, have had great tribulations of your own, by reason of the transgressions of your family, because you had no care for them. For you were neglectful of them, and were mixed up with your evil transactions.
Shepherd of Hermas 7:2
But herein is your salvation, in that you did not depart from the living God, and in your simplicity and your great continence. These have saved you, if you abide therein; and they save all who do such things, and walk in guilelessness and simplicity. These men prevail over all wickedness, and continue to life eternal.
Shepherd of Hermas 7:3
Blessed are all those who work righteousness. They will never be destroyed.
Shepherd of Hermas 7:4
But you will say to Maximus, Behold tribulation comes (upon you), if you think it fit to deny a second time. The Lord is near those who turn to Him, as it is written in Eldad and Modat, who prophesied to the people in the wilderness."
Shepherd of Hermas 8:1
Now, brethren, a revelation was made to me in my sleep by a youth of exceedingly fair form, who said to me, "Whom do you think the aged woman, from whom you received the book, is?" I say, "The Sibyl" "You are wrong," he says, "She is not." "Who then is she?" I say. "The church," he says. I said to him, "Then why is she aged?" "Because," he says, "She was created before all things; therefore she is aged; and for her sake, the world was framed."
Shepherd of Hermas 8:2
And afterwards, I saw a vision in my house. The aged woman came, and asked me, if I had already given the book to the elders. I said that I had not given it. "You have done well," she said, "For I have words to add. When I will have then finished all the words, it will be made known by your means to all the elect.
Shepherd of Hermas 8:3
You will therefore write two little books, and will send one to Clement, and one to Grapte. So Clement will send to the foreign cities, for this is his duty; while Grapte will instruct the widows and the orphans. But you will read (the book) to this city along with the elders who preside over the church."
Shepherd of Hermas 9:1
The third vision, which I saw, brethren, was as follows:
Shepherd of Hermas 9:2
After fasting often, and entreating the Lord to declare to me the revelation which He promised to show me by the mouth of the aged woman, that very night, the aged woman was seen of me, and she said to me, "Seeing that you are so importunate and eager to know all things, come into the country where you abide, and about the fifth hour, I will appear, and will show you what you should see."
Shepherd of Hermas 9:3
I asked her, saying, "Lady, to what part of the country?" "Where you will," she says. I selected a beautiful and retired spot; but before I spoke to her and named the spot, she says to me, "I will come, where you will."
Shepherd of Hermas 9:4
I then went, brethren, into the country, and I counted up the hours, and came to the place where I appointed her to come, and I see an ivory couch placed there, and on the couch, there lay a linen cushion, and on the cushion, a coverlet of fine linen of flax was spread.
Shepherd of Hermas 9:5
When I saw these things so ordered, and no one in the place, I was amazed, and a fit of trembling seized me, and my hair stood on end; and a fit of shuddering came upon me, because I was alone. When I then recovered myself, and remembered the glory of God, and took courage, I knelt down and confessed my sins to the Lord once more, as I had done on the former occasion.
Shepherd of Hermas 9:6
Then she came with six young men, the same whom I had seen before, and she stood by me, and listened attentively to me, as I prayed and confessed my sins to the Lord. And she touched me, and said: "Hermas, make an end of constantly entreating for your sins; entreat also for righteousness, that you may take some part forthwith to your family."
Shepherd of Hermas 9:7
Then she raises me by the hand, and leads me to the couch, and says to the young men, "Go, and build."
Shepherd of Hermas 9:8
And after the young men had retired and we were left alone, she says to me, "Sit down here." I say to her, "Lady, let the elders sit down first." "Do as I bid you," she says, "Sit down."
Shepherd of Hermas 9:9
When I then wanted to sit down on the right side, she would not allow me, but beckoned me with her hand that I should sit on the left side. As I was then musing thereon, and was sad because she would not permit me to sit on the right side, she says to me, "Are you sad, Hermas? The place on the right side is for others, even for those who have already been well-pleasing to God, and have suffered for the Name's sake. But you lack much that you should sit with them; but as you abide in your simplicity, even so, and you will sit with them, you and as many who will have done their deeds, and have suffered what they suffered."
Shepherd of Hermas 10:1
What did they suffer? I say. "Listen," she says. "Stripes, imprisonments, great tribulations, crosses, wild beasts, for the Name's sake. Therefore to them belongs the right side of the Holiness - to them, and to all who will suffer for the Name. But for the rest is the left side. Howbeit, to both, to those who sit on the right, and to those who sit on the left, are the same gifts, and the same promises, only they sit on the right and have a certain glory.
Shepherd of Hermas 10:2
You indeed are very desirous to sit on the right with them, but your shortcomings are many; yet you will be purified from your shortcomings; indeed, and all who are not double-minded will be purified from all their sins to this day."
Shepherd of Hermas 10:3
When she had said this, she wished to depart; but, falling at her feet, I entreated her by the Lord that she would show me the vision which she promised.
Shepherd of Hermas 10:4
Then she again took me by the hand, and raises me, and seats me on the couch at the left hand, while she herself sat on the right. And lifting up a certain glistening rod, she says to me, "Do you see a great thing?" I say to her, "Lady, I see nothing." She says to me, "Look; do you not see a great tower being built upon the waters in front of you, of glistening square stones?"
Shepherd of Hermas 10:5
Now the tower was being built foursquare by the six young men who came with her. And countless other men were bringing stones, some of them from the deep, and others from the land, and were handing them to the six young men. And they took them and built.
Shepherd of Hermas 10:6
The stones that were dragged from the deep, they placed in every case, just as they were, into the building, for they had been shaped, and they fitted in their joining with the other stones; and they adhered so closely with one another that their joining could not possibly be detected; and the building of the tower appeared as if it were built of one stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 10:7
But of the other stones which were brought from the dry land, some, they threw away, and some, they put into the building; and others, they broke in pieces, and threw at a distance from the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 10:8
Now many other stones were lying round the tower, and they did not use them for the building; for some of them were mildewed, and others had cracks in them, and others were too short, and others were white and round, and did not fit into the building.
Shepherd of Hermas 10:9
And I saw other stones thrown at a distance from the tower, and coming to the way, and not yet staying in the way, but rolling to where there was no way; and others falling into the fire and burning there; and others falling near the waters, and yet not able to roll into the water, although they desired to roll and to come to the water.
Shepherd of Hermas 11:1
When she had shown me these things, she wished to hurry away. I say to her, "Lady, what advantage is it to me to have seen these things, and yet not know what the things mean?" She answered and said to me, "You are an over-curious fellow, in desiring to know all that concerns the tower." "Indeed, lady," I said, "That I may announce it to my brethren, and that they [may be more gladdened and] when they hear [these things,] they may know the Lord in great glory." Then she said,
Shepherd of Hermas 11:2
Many will hear; but when they hear, some of them will be glad, and others will weep. Yet even these latter, if they hear and repent, will likewise be glad. Hear therefore the parables of the tower; for I will reveal all things to you. And no longer trouble me about revelation; for these revelations have an end, seeing that they have been completed. Nevertheless you will not cease asking for revelations; for you are shameless.
Shepherd of Hermas 11:3
The tower, which you see building, is myself, the church, which was seen of you, both now and aforetime. Ask, therefore, what you will concerning the tower, and I will reveal it to you, that you may rejoice with the saints."
Shepherd of Hermas 11:4
I say to her, "Lady, since you held me worthy once for all, that you should reveal all things to me, reveal them." Then she says to me, "Whatever is possible to be revealed to you, will be revealed. Only let your heart be with God, and do not doubt in your mind about that which you see."
Shepherd of Hermas 11:5
I asked her, "Why is the tower built upon waters, lady?" "I told you so before," she said, "And indeed you inquire diligently. So by your inquiry, you discover the truth. Hear then why the tower is built upon waters; it is because your life is saved and will be saved by water. But the tower has been founded by the word of the Almighty and Glorious Name, and is strengthened by the unseen power of the Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 12:1
I answered and said to her, "Lady, this thing is great and marvelous. But the six young men who build, who are they, lady?" "These are the holy angels of God, that were created first of all, to whom the Lord delivered all His creation to increase and to build it, and to be masters of all creation. By their hands therefore, the building of the tower will be accomplished."
Shepherd of Hermas 12:2
And who are the others who are bringing the stones in? "They are also holy angels of God; but these six are superior to them. The building of the tower will then be accomplished, and all alike will rejoice in the (completed) circle of the tower, and will glorify God that the building of the tower was accomplished."
Shepherd of Hermas 12:3
I inquired of her, saying, "Lady, I could wish to know concerning the end of the stones, and their power, of what kind it is." She answered and said to me, "It is not that you of all men are especially worthy that it should be revealed to you; for there are others before you, and better than you are, to whom these visions should have been revealed. But that the name of God may be glorified, it has been revealed to you, all will be revealed, for the sake of the doubtful-minded, who question in their hearts whether these things are so or not. Tell those that all these things are true, and that there is nothing beside the truth, but that all are steadfast, and valid, and established on a firm foundation.
Shepherd of Hermas 13:1
Hear now concerning the stones that go to the building. The stones that are squared and white, and that fit together in their joints, these are the apostles and bishops and teachers and deacons, who walked after the holiness of God, and exercised their office of bishop and teacher and deacon in purity and sanctity for the elect of God, some of them have already fallen on sleep, and others still living. And because they always agreed with one another, they both had peace among themselves and listened to one another. Therefore their joinings fit together in the building of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 13:2
But those who are dragged from the deep, and placed in the building, and that fit together in their joinings with the other stones that are already built in, who are they? "These are those who suffered for the name of the Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 13:3
But the other stones that are brought from the dry land, I would gladly know who these are, lady. She said, "Those who go to the building, and yet are not hewn, the Lord has approved these because they walked in the uprightness of the Lord, and rightly performed His commandments."
Shepherd of Hermas 13:4
But those who are brought and placed in the building, who are they? "They are young in the faith, and faithful; but they are warned by the angels to do good, because wickedness was found in them."
Shepherd of Hermas 13:5
But those whom they rejected and threw away, who are they? "These have sinned, and desire to repent, therefore they were not cast to a great distance from the tower, because they will be useful for the building, if they repent. They then who will repent, if they repent, will be strong in the faith, if they repent now while the tower is building. But if the building will be finished, they have no more place, but will be castaways. They only have this privilege: that they lie near the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 14:1
But would you know about those who are broken in pieces, and cast away far from the tower? These are the sons of lawlessness. They received the faith in hypocrisy, and no wickedness was absent from them. Therefore they do not have salvation, for they are not useful for building by reason of their wickednesses. Therefore they were broken up and thrown far away by reason of the wrath of the Lord, for they excited Him to wrath.
Shepherd of Hermas 14:2
But the rest whom you have seen lying in great numbers, not going to the building, of these, those who are mildewed, are those who knew the truth, but did not abide in it, nor cleave to the saints. Therefore they are useless."
Shepherd of Hermas 14:3
But those who have the cracks, who are they? "These are those who have discord in their hearts against one another, and are not at peace among themselves; who have an appearance of peace, but when they depart from one another, their wickednesses abide in their hearts. These are the cracks which the stones have.
Shepherd of Hermas 14:4
But those who are broken off short, these have believed, and have their greater part in righteousness, but have some parts of lawlessness; therefore they are too short, and are not perfect."
Shepherd of Hermas 14:5
But the white and round stones, which did not fit into the building, who are they, lady? She answered and said to me, "How long are you foolish and stupid, and inquire everything, and understand nothing? These are those who have faith, but also have riches of this world. When tribulation comes, they deny their Lord by reason of their riches and their business affairs."
Shepherd of Hermas 14:6
And I answered and said to her, "When then, lady, will they be useful for the building?" "When," she replied, "Their wealth, which leads their souls astray, will be cut away, then will they be useful for God. For just as the round stone, unless it is cut away, and loses some portion of itself, cannot become square, so also those who are rich in this world, unless their riches are cut away, cannot become useful to the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 14:7
Learn first from yourself. When you had riches, you were useless; but now you are useful and profitable to life. Be useful to God, for you yourself are also taken from the same stones.
Shepherd of Hermas 15:1
But the other stones which you saw cast far away from the tower and falling into the way and rolling out of the way into the regions where there is no way, these are those who have believed, but by reason of their double heart, they abandon their true way. Thus thinking that they can find a better way, they go astray and are sore distressed, as they walk about in the regions where there is no way.
Shepherd of Hermas 15:2
But those who fall into the fire and are burned, these are those who finally rebelled from the living God, and it no longer entered into their hearts to repent by reason of the lusts of their wantonness and of the wickednesses which they worked.
Shepherd of Hermas 15:3
But the others, which are near the waters and yet cannot roll into the water, would you know who they are? These are those who heard the word, and would be baptized to the name of the Lord. Then, when they call to their remembrance, the purity of the truth, they change their minds, and go back again after their evil desires."
Shepherd of Hermas 15:4
So she finished the explanation of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 15:5
Still importunate, I asked her further, whether for all these stones that were rejected and would not fit into the building of the tower that was repentance, and they had a place in this tower. "They can repent," she said, "But they cannot be fitted into this tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 15:6
Yet they will be fitted into another place much more humble, but not until they have undergone torments, and have fulfilled the days of their sins. And they will be changed for this reason, because they participated in the righteous word; and then will it befall them to be relieved from their torments, if the evil deeds, which they have done, come into their heart; but if these do not come into their heart, they are not saved by reason of the hardness of their hearts."
Shepherd of Hermas 16:1
When I then ceased asking her concerning all these things, she says to me; "Would you see something else?" Being very desirous of beholding, I was greatly rejoiced that I should see it.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:2
She looked upon me, and smiled, and she says to me, "Do you see seven women round the tower?" "I see them, lady," I say. "This tower is supported by them by commandment of the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:3
Now hear their employments. The first of them, the woman with the strong hands, is called Faith; through her, the elect of God are saved.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:4
And the second, who is girded about and looks like a man, is called Continence; she is the daughter of Faith. Whoever then will follow her, becomes happy in his life, for he will refrain from all evil deeds, believing that, if he refrains from every evil desire, he will inherit eternal life."
Shepherd of Hermas 16:5
And the others, lady, who are they? "They are daughters, one of the other. The name of the one is Simplicity, of the next, Knowledge, of the next, Guilelessness, of the next, Reverence, of the next, Love. When you will then do all the works of their mother, you can live."
Shepherd of Hermas 16:6
I would gladly know, lady, I say, "What power does each of them possess." "Listen then," she says, "To the powers that they have.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:7
Their powers are mastered, each by the other, and they follow each other, in the order in which they were born. From Faith is born Continence, from Continence, Simplicity, from Simplicity, Guilelessness, from Guilelessness, Reverence, from Reverence, Knowledge, from Knowledge, Love. Their works are then pure and reverent and divine.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:8
Whoever therefore will serve these women, and will have strength to master their works, will have his dwelling in the tower with the saints of God."
Shepherd of Hermas 16:9
Then I asked her concerning the seasons, whether the consummation is even now. But she cried aloud, saying, "Foolish man, do you not see that the tower is still building? Whenever therefore the tower will be finished building, the end comes; but it will be built up quickly. Ask me no more questions: this reminder is sufficient for you and for the saints, and is the renewal of your spirits.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:10
But it was not revealed to yourself alone, but in order that you might show these things to all. After three days.
Shepherd of Hermas 16:11
For you must understand first, and I charge you, Hermas, first with these words, which I am about to speak to you - (I charge you to) tell all these things into the ears of the saints, that hearing them and doing them, they may be purified from their wickednesses, and yourself also with them."
Shepherd of Hermas 17:1
"Hear me, my children. I brought you up in much simplicity and guilelessness and reverence, through the mercy of the Lord, who instilled righteousness into you, that you might be justified and sanctified from all wickedness and all crookedness. But you will not cease from your wickedness.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:2
Now hear me then and be at peace among yourselves, and have regard to one another, and assist one another, and do not partake of the creatures of God alone in abundance, but also share them with those who are in want.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:3
For some men, through their much eating, bring weakness on the flesh, and injure their flesh: whereas the flesh of those who have nothing to eat is injured by their not having sufficient nourishment, and their body is ruined.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:4
This exclusiveness therefore is hurtful to you who have, and do not share with those who are in want.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:5
Look to the Judgment that comes. You then who have more than enough, seek out those who are hungry, while the tower is still unfinished; for after the tower is finished, you will desire to do good, *Book of Enoch 63:1,*2:167, *6:27, *23:99 - 100, *23:107, *26:102, *32:12, *35:37, *39:58 and will find no place for it. *Book of Enoch 63:5 - 6
Shepherd of Hermas 17:6
Look therefore, you who exult in your wealth, unless those who are in want will moan, and their moaning will go up to the Lord, and you, with your [abundance of] good things, are shut outside the door of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:7
Now therefore I say to you who are rulers of the church, and who occupy the chief seats; do not be like the sorcerers. The sorcerers indeed carry their drugs in boxes, but you carry your drug and your poison in your heart.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:8
You are case-hardened, and you will not cleanse your hearts and mix your wisdom together in a clean heart, that you may obtain mercy from the Great King.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:9
Look therefore, children, unless these divisions of yours deprive you of your life.
Shepherd of Hermas 17:10
How is it that you wish to instruct the elect of the Lord, while you yourselves have no instruction? Instruct one another therefore, and have peace among yourselves, that I may also stand gladsome before the Father, and give an account concerning you all to your Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 18:1
When she then ceased speaking with me, the six young men who were building, came, and took her away to the tower, and the other four lifted the couch, and also took it away to the tower. I did not see the face of these, for they had turned away.
Shepherd of Hermas 18:2
And as she went, I asked her to reveal to me concerning the three forms, in which she had appeared to me. She answered and said to me; "As concerning these things, you must ask another, that they may be revealed to you."
Shepherd of Hermas 18:3
Now she was seen of me, brethren, in my first vision of last year, as a very aged woman and seated on a chair.
Shepherd of Hermas 18:4
In the second vision, her face was youthful, but her flesh and her hair were aged, and she spoke to me standing; and she was more gladsome than before.
Shepherd of Hermas 18:5
But in the third vision she was altogether youthful and of exceedingly great beauty, and her hair alone was aged; and she was exceedingly gladsome and seated on a couch. Touching these things, I was very greatly anxious to learn this revelation.
Shepherd of Hermas 18:6
And I see the aged woman in a vision of the night, saying to me, "Every inquiry needs humility. Fast therefore, and you will receive what you ask from the Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 18:7
So I fasted one day; and that very night, there appeared a young man to me, and he says to me, "Seeing that you ask me revelations offhand with entreaty, take heed unless by your much asking, you injure your flesh.
Shepherd of Hermas 18:8
Sufficient for you are these revelations. Can you see mightier revelations than those you have seen?"
Shepherd of Hermas 18:9
I say to him in reply, "Sir, this one thing alone I ask, concerning the three forms of the aged woman, that a complete revelation may be vouchsafed me." He says to me in answer, "How long are you without understanding? It is your double-mindedness that makes you of no understanding, and because your heart is not set towards the Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 18:10
I answered and said to him again, "From you, Sir, we will learn the matters more accurately."
Shepherd of Hermas 19:1
Listen, he says, "Concerning the three forms, of which you inquire.
Shepherd of Hermas 19:2
In the first vision, why did she appear to you [as] an aged woman and seated on a chair? Because your spirit was aged, and already decayed, and had no power by reason of your infirmities and acts of double-mindedness.
Shepherd of Hermas 19:3
For as aged people, no longer having hope of renewing their youth, expect nothing else but to fall asleep, so you also, being weakened with the affairs of this world, gave yourselves over to repining, and did not cast your cares on the Lord; but your spirit was broken, and you were aged by your sorrows."
Shepherd of Hermas 19:4
Why then was she seated on a chair, I would gladly know, Sir? "Because every weak person sits on a chair by reason of his weakness, that the weakness of his body may be supported. So you have the symbolism of the first vision."
Shepherd of Hermas 20:1
But in the second vision you saw her standing, and with her countenance more youthful and more gladsome than before; but her flesh and her hair aged. Listen to this parable also, he says.
Shepherd of Hermas 20:2
"Imagine an old man, who has now lost all hope of himself by reason of his weakness and his poverty, and expects nothing else except the last day of his life. Suddenly an inheritance is left to him. He hears the news, rises up, and full of joy, clothes himself with strength, and no longer lies down, but stands up, and his spirit, which was now broken by reason of his former circumstances, is renewed again, and he no longer sits, but takes courage; so also was it with you, when you heard the revelation which the Lord revealed to you.
Shepherd of Hermas 20:3
For He had compassion on you, and renewed your spirits, and you laid aside your maladies, and strength came to you, and you were made powerful in the faith, and the Lord rejoiced to see you put on your strength. And therefore He showed you the building of the tower; indeed, and other things also will He show you, if with your whole heart you are at peace among yourselves.
Shepherd of Hermas 21:1
But in the third vision you saw her younger and fair and gladsome, and her form, fair.
Shepherd of Hermas 21:2
For just as when some piece of good tidings comes to some mourner, immediately he forgets his former sorrows, and admits nothing but the tidings which he has heard, and is strengthened from then on to that which is good, and his spirit is renewed by reason of the joy which he has received; so also have you received a renewal of your spirits by seeing these good things.
Shepherd of Hermas 21:3
And whereas you saw her seated on a couch, the position is a firm one; for the couch has four feet and stands firmly; for the world too is upheld through four rows.
Shepherd of Hermas 21:4
They then who have fully repented will be young again, and founded firmly, seeing that they have repented with their whole heart. There you have the revelation, entire and complete. You will ask nothing more as touching revelation - but if anything is still lacking, it will be revealed to you."
Shepherd of Hermas 22:1
The fourth vision which I saw, brethren, twenty days after the former vision which came to me, for a type of the impending tribulation.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:2
I was going into the country by the Companion Way. From the high road, it is about ten stades; and the place is easy for traveling.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:3
While I am then walking alone, I entreat the Lord that He will accomplish the revelations and the visions which He showed me through His holy church, that He may strengthen me and may give repentance to His servants who have stumbled, that His great and glorious name may be glorified, for He held me worthy that He should show me His marvels.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:4
And as I gave glory and thanksgiving to Him, there answered me as it were, the sound of a voice, "Do not be of a doubtful mind, Hermas." I began to question in myself and to say, "How can I be of a doubtful mind, seeing that I am so firmly founded by the Lord, and have seen glorious things?"
Shepherd of Hermas 22:5
And I went on a little, brethren, and behold, I see a cloud of dust rising as it were to heaven, and I began to say within myself, "Can it be that cattle are coming, and raising a cloud of dust?" for it was just about a stade from me.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:6
As the cloud of dust waxed greater and greater, I suspected that it was something supernatural. Then the sun shone out a little, and behold, I see a huge beast like some sea-monster, and from its mouth, fiery locusts issued forth. And the beast was about a hundred feet in length, and its head was as it were of pottery.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:7
And I began to weep, and to entreat the Lord that He would rescue me from it. And I remembered the word which I had heard, "Do not be of a doubtful mind, Hermas."
Shepherd of Hermas 22:8
Having therefore, brethren, put on the faith of the Lord and called to mind the mighty works that He had taught me, I took courage and gave myself up to the beast. Now the beast was coming on with such a rush, that it might have ruined a city.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:9
I come near it, and, huge a monster as it was, it stretches itself on the ground, and merely put forth its tongue, and did not stir at all until I had passed by it.
Shepherd of Hermas 22:10
And the beast had four colors on its head; black then fire and blood color, then gold, then white.
Shepherd of Hermas 23:1
Now after I had passed the beast, and had gone forward about thirty feet, behold, a virgin meets me, arrayed as if she were going forth from a bridal-chamber all in white and with white sandals, veiled up to her forehead, and her head-covering consisted of a turban, and her hair was white.
Shepherd of Hermas 23:2
I knew from the former visions that it was the church, and I became more cheerful. She salutes me, saying, "Good morrow, my good man"; and I saluted her in turn, "Lady, good morrow."
Shepherd of Hermas 23:3
She answered and said to me, "Did nothing meet you? "I say to her, Lady, such a huge beast, that could have destroyed whole peoples: but, by the power of the Lord and by His great mercy, I escaped it."
Shepherd of Hermas 23:4
You did escape it well, she says, "Because you cast your care upon God, and opened your heart to the Lord, believing that you can be saved by nothing else but by His great and glorious name. Therefore the Lord sent His angel, which is over the beasts, whose name is Segri, and shut his mouth that it might not hurt you. You have escaped a great tribulation by reason of your faith, and because, though you saw so huge a beast, you did not doubt in your mind.
Shepherd of Hermas 23:5
Go therefore, and declare to the elect of the Lord, His mighty works, and tell them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation which is to come. If you therefore prepare yourselves beforehand, and repent (and turn) to the Lord with your whole heart, you will be able to escape it, if your heart is made pure and without blemish, and if for the remaining days of your life, you serve the Lord blamelessly. Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will set them straight.
Shepherd of Hermas 23:6
Trust in the Lord, you men of doubtful mind, for He can do all things, indeed, He both turns away His wrath from you, and again He sends forth His plagues upon you who are of a doubtful mind. Woe to those who hear these words and are disobedient; it were better for them that they had not been born."
Shepherd of Hermas 24:1
I asked her concerning the four colors, which the beast had upon its head. Then she answered me and said, "Again you are curious about such matters." "Yes, lady," I said, "Make known to me what these things are."
Shepherd of Hermas 24:2
Listen, she said; "The black is this world in which you dwell;
Shepherd of Hermas 24:3
And the fire and blood color shows that this world must perish by blood and fire;
Shepherd of Hermas 24:4
And the golden part is you, who have escaped from this world. For as the gold is tested by the fire and is made useful, so you also [who dwell in it] are being tested in yourselves. *2 Ezra 16:73 You then who abides and passes through the fire, will be purified by it. For as the old loses its dross. So you also will cast away all sorrow and tribulation, and will be purified, and will be useful for the building of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 24:5
But the white portion is the coming age, in which the elect of God will dwell; because the elect of God will be without spot and pure to eternal life.
Shepherd of Hermas 24:6
Therefore do not cease to speak in the ears of the saints. You now have the symbolism also of the tribulation which is coming in power. But if you are willing, it will be nothing. Remember the things that are written beforehand."
Shepherd of Hermas 24:7
With these words she departed, and I did not see in what direction she departed; for a noise was made: and I turned back in fear, thinking that the beast was coming.
Shepherd of Hermas 25:1
As I prayed in the house, and sat on the couch, a man glorious in his visage entered, in the garb of a shepherd, with a white skin wrapped about him, and with a wallet on his shoulders and a staff in his hand. And he saluted me, and I saluted him in return.
Shepherd of Hermas 25:2
And he immediately sat down by my side, and he says to me, "I was sent by the most holy angel, that I might dwell with you the remaining days of your life."
Shepherd of Hermas 25:3
I thought he came to tempt me, and I say to him, "Why, who are you? For I know," I say, "To whom I was delivered." He says to me, "Do you not recognize me?" "No," I say. "I," he says, "Am the shepherd, to whom you were delivered."
Shepherd of Hermas 25:4
While he was still speaking, his form was changed, and I recognized him as being the same, to whom I was delivered; and straightway I was confounded, and fear seized me, and I was altogether overwhelmed with distress that I had answered him so wickedly and senselessly.
Shepherd of Hermas 25:5
But he answered and said to me, "Do not be confounded, but strengthen yourself in my commandments which I am about to command you. For I was sent," he says, "That I might again show you all the things which you saw before, merely the heads that are convenient for you. First of all, write down my commandments and my parables; and you will write down the other matters as I will show them to you. The reason why," he says, "I command you to first write down the commandments and parables is, that you may read them off-hand, and may be able to keep them."
Shepherd of Hermas 25:6
So I wrote down the commandments and parables, as he commanded me.
Shepherd of Hermas 25:7
If then, when you hear them, you keep them and walk in them, and do them with a pure heart, you will receive from the Lord, all things that He promised you; but if, when you hear them, you do not repent, but still add to your sins, you will receive from the Lord the opposite." All these, the shepherd, the angel of repentance, commanded me to write.
Shepherd of Hermas 26:1
"First of all, believe that God is One, *Deuteronomy 6:4, *2:163, *4:171, *5:73, *6:19, *14:52, *16:22, *16:51, *18:110, *21:108, *37:4, *41:6, *112:1 even He who created all things and set them in order, and brought all things from non-existence into being, who comprehends all things, being alone incomprehensible.
Shepherd of Hermas 26:2
Believe Him therefore, and fear Him, and in this fear be self-restrained. Keep these things, and you will cast off all wickedness from yourself, and will clothe yourself with every excellence of righteousness, and will live to God, if you keep this commandment."
Shepherd of Hermas 27:1
He says to me; "Keep simplicity and be guileless, and you will be as little children, who do not know the wickedness which destroys the life of men.
Shepherd of Hermas 27:2
First of all, speak evil of no man, neither take pleasure in listening to a slanderer. Otherwise you who hear too will be responsible for the sin of him who speaks the evil, if you believe the slander, which you hear; for in believing it, you yourself will also have a grudge against your brother. So you will then be responsible for the sin of him who speaks the evil.
Shepherd of Hermas 27:3
Slander is evil; it is a restless demon, never at peace, but always having its home among factions. Refrain from it therefore, and you will have success at all times with all men.
Shepherd of Hermas 27:4
But clothe yourself in reverence, wherein is no evil stumbling-block, but all things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of your labors, which God gives you, give to all who are in want freely, not questioning to whom you will give, and to whom you will not give. Give to all; for to all, God desires that there should be given of His own bounties.
Shepherd of Hermas 27:5
They then who receive will render an account to God why they received it, and to what end; for those who receive in distress will not be judged, but those who receive by false pretence will pay the penalty.
Shepherd of Hermas 27:6
He then who gives is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord, the ministration to perform it, he has performed it in sincerity, by making no distinction to whom to give or not to give. This ministration then, when sincerely performed, becomes glorious in the sight of God. He therefore who ministers thus sincerely will live to God.
Shepherd of Hermas 27:7
Therefore keep this commandment, as I have told you, that your own repentance and that of your household may be found to be sincere, and [your] heart, pure and undefiled."
Shepherd of Hermas 28:1
Again he says to me; "Love truth, and let nothing but truth proceed out of your mouth, that the spirit which God made to dwell in this flesh, may be found true in the sight of all men; and thus will the Lord, who dwells in you, be glorified; for the Lord is true in every word, and with Him, there is no falsehood.
Shepherd of Hermas 28:2
They therefore who speak lies set the Lord at nothing, and become robbers of the Lord, for they do not deliver up to Him the deposit which they received. For they received of Him, a spirit free from lies. This, if they will return a lying spirit, they have defiled the commandment of the Lord and have become robbers."
Shepherd of Hermas 28:3
When I then heard these things, I wept bitterly. But seeing me weep he says, "Why do you weep?" "Because, Sir," I say "I do not know if I can be saved." "Why so?" he says. "Because, Sir," I say, "Never in my life did I speak a true word, but I always lied deceitfully with all men and dressed up my falsehood as truth before all men; and no man ever contradicted me, but confidence was placed in my word. How then, Sir," I say, "Can I live, seeing that I have done these things?"
Shepherd of Hermas 28:4
Your supposition, he says, "Is right and true, for it behoved you as a servant of God to walk in truth, and no complicity with evil should abide with the Spirit of Truth, nor bring grief to the Spirit which is holy and true." "Never, Sir," I say, "Did I clearly hear words such as these."
Shepherd of Hermas 28:5
Now then, he says, "You hear. Guard them, that the former falsehoods also which you spoke in your business affairs may become credible themselves, now that these are found true; for they too can become trustworthy. If you keep these things, and from henceforward speak nothing but truth, you will be able to secure life for yourself. And whoever will hear this command, and abstain from falsehood, that most pernicious habit, will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 29:1
I charge you, He says, "To keep purity, and do not let a thought enter into your heart concerning another's wife, or concerning fornication, or concerning any such like evil deeds; for in so doing, you commit a great sin. But remember your own wife always, and you will never go wrong.
Shepherd of Hermas 29:2
For should this desire enter into your heart, you will go wrong, and should any other as evil as this, you commit sin. For this desire in a servant of God is a great sin; and if any man does this evil deed, he works out death for himself.
Shepherd of Hermas 29:3
Look to it therefore. Abstain from this desire; for, where holiness dwells, there, lawlessness should not enter into the heart of a righteous man."
Shepherd of Hermas 29:4
I say to him, "Sir, permit me to ask you a few more questions" "Say on," he says. "Sir," I say, "If a man who has a wife who is faithful in the Lord, detects her in adultery, does the husband sin in living with her?"
Shepherd of Hermas 29:5
So long as he is ignorant, he says, "He does not sin; but if the husband knows of her sin, and the wife does not repent, but continues in her fornication, and her husband lives with her, he makes himself responsible for her sin and an accomplice in her adultery."
Shepherd of Hermas 29:6
What then, Sir, I say, "Will the husband do, if the wife continues in this case?" "Let him divorce her," he says, "And let the husband abide alone: but if after divorcing his wife he will marry another, he likewise commits adultery."
Shepherd of Hermas 29:7
If then, Sir, I say, "After the wife is divorced, she repents and desires to return to her own husband, will she not be received?"
Shepherd of Hermas 29:8
Certainly, he says, "If the husband does not receive her, he sins and brings great sin upon himself; no, one who has sinned and repented must be received, yet not often; for there is but one repentance for the servants of God. For the sake of her repentance therefore the husband should not marry. This is the manner of acting enjoined on husband and wife.
Shepherd of Hermas 29:9
Not only," he says, "Is it adultery, if a man pollutes his flesh, but whoever does things like the heathen, commits adultery. If therefore in such deeds as these, a man likewise continues and does not repent, keep away from him, and do not live with him. Otherwise, you are also a partaker of his sin.
Shepherd of Hermas 29:10
For this cause, you were enjoined to remain single, whether husband or wife; for in such cases, repentance is possible.
Shepherd of Hermas 29:11
I," he said, "Am not giving an excuse that this matter should be concluded thus, but to the end that the sinner should sin no more. But as concerning his former sin, there is One who is able to give healing; it is He who has authority over all things."
Shepherd of Hermas 30:1
I asked him again, saying, "Seeing that the Lord held me worthy that you should always dwell with me, let me still say a few words, since I understand nothing, and my heart has been made dense by my former deeds. Make me to understand, for I am very foolish, and I apprehend absolutely nothing."
Shepherd of Hermas 30:2
He answered and said to me, "I," he says, "Preside over repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. No, you do not think," he says, "That this very act of repentance is understanding? To repent is great understanding," he says. "For the man who has sinned understands that he has done evil before the Lord, and the deed which he has done enters into his heart, and he repents, and does no more evil, but does good lavishly, and humbles his own soul and puts it to torture because it sinned. You see then that repentance is great understanding."
Shepherd of Hermas 30:3
It is on this account therefore, Sir, I say, "That I inquire everything accurately of you; first, because I am a sinner; secondly, because I do not know what deeds I must do that I may live, for my sins are many and various."
Shepherd of Hermas 30:4
You will live, he says, "If you keep my commandments and walk in them and whoever will hear these commandments and keep them, will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 31:1
I will still proceed, Sir, I say, "To ask a further question." "Speak on," he says. "I have heard, Sir," I say, "From certain teachers, that there is no other repentance, except that which took place when we went down into the water and obtained remission of our former sins."
Shepherd of Hermas 31:2
He says to me; "You have well heard; for so it is. For he who has received remission of sins should no longer sin, but dwell in purity.
Shepherd of Hermas 31:3
But, since you inquire all things accurately, I will also declare this to you, so as to give no excuse to those who will hereafter believe or those who have already believed, on the Lord. For those who have already believed, or will hereafter believe, have no repentance for sins, but have only remission of their former sins.
Shepherd of Hermas 31:4
To those then who were called before these days, the Lord has appointed repentance. For the Lord, being a discerner of hearts and foreknowing all things, perceived the weakness of men and the manifold wiles of the devil, how he will be doing some mischief to the servants of God, and will deal wickedly with them.
Shepherd of Hermas 31:5
The Lord then, being very compassionate, had pity on His handiwork, and appointed this (opportunity of) repentance, and the authority was given to me over this repentance.
Shepherd of Hermas 31:6
But I say to you," he says, "If anyone, after this great and holy calling, being tempted of the devil, will commit sin, he has only one (opportunity of) repentance. But if he sins off-hand and repents, repentance is unprofitable for such a man; for he will live with difficulty."
Shepherd of Hermas 31:7
I say to him, "I was quickened to life again, when I heard these things from you so precisely. For I know that, if I will add no more to my sins, I will be saved." "You will be saved," he says, "You and all, as many who will do these things."
Shepherd of Hermas 32:1
I asked him again, saying, "Sir, since you bear with me once, declare to me this further matter also." "Say on," he says. "If a wife, Sir," I say, "Or, it may be, a husband falls asleep, and one of them marries, does the one who marries, sin?"
Shepherd of Hermas 32:2
He does not sin, he says, "But if he remains single, he invests himself with more exceeding honor and with great glory before the Lord; yet even if he should marry, he does not sin.
Shepherd of Hermas 32:3
Preserve purity and holiness therefore, and you will live to God. All these things, which I speak and will hereafter speak to you, guard from this time forward, from the day when you were committed to me, and I will dwell in your house.
Shepherd of Hermas 32:4
But for your former transgressions, there will be remission, if you keep my commandments. Indeed, and all will have remission, if they keep these my commandments, and walk in this purity."
Shepherd of Hermas 33:1
Be long-suffering and understanding, he says, "And you will have the mastery over all evil deeds, and will work all righteousness.
Shepherd of Hermas 33:2
For if you are long-suffering, the Holy Spirit that abides in you will be pure, not being darkened by another evil spirit, but dwelling in a large room, will rejoice and be glad with the vessel in which he dwells, and will serve God with much cheerfulness, having prosperity in himself.
Shepherd of Hermas 33:3
But if any angry temper approaches, forthwith, the Holy Spirit, being delicate, is straitened, not having [the] place clear, and seeks to retire from the place; for he is being choked by the evil spirit, and has no room to minister to the Lord, as he desires, being polluted by angry temper. For the Lord dwells in long-suffering, but the devil in angry temper.
Shepherd of Hermas 33:4
Thus, that both the spirits should then be dwelling together is inconvenient and evil for that man in whom they dwell.
Shepherd of Hermas 33:5
For if you take a little wormwood, and pour it into a jar of honey, is the whole of the honey not spoiled, and all that honey ruined by a very small quantity of wormwood? For it destroys the sweetness of the honey, and it no longer has the same attraction for the owner, because it is rendered bitter and has lost its use. But if the wormwood is not put into the honey, the honey is found sweet and becomes useful to its owner.
Shepherd of Hermas 33:6
You see [then] that long-suffering is very sweet, beyond the sweetness of honey, and is useful to the Lord, and He dwells in it. But angry, temper is bitter and useless. If then angry temper is mixed with long-suffering, long-suffering is polluted and the man's intercession is no longer useful to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 33:7
I would gladly know, Sir, I say, "The working of angry temper, that I may guard myself from it." "Indeed, verily," he says, "If you do not guard yourself from it, you and your family, you have lost all your hope. But guard yourself from it; for I am with you. Indeed, and all men will hold aloof from it, as many who have repented with their whole heart. For I will be with them and will preserve them; for they were all justified by the most holy angel.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:1
Hear now, he says, "The working of angry temper, how evil it is, and how it subverts the servants of God by its own working, and how it leads them astray from righteousness. But it does not lead astray those who are full in the faith, nor can it work upon them, because the power of the Lord is with them; but those who are empty and double-minded, it leads astray.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:2
For when it sees such men in prosperity, it insinuates itself into the heart of the man, and for no cause whatever, the man or the woman is embittered on account of worldly matters, either about meats, or some triviality, or about some friend, or about giving or receiving, or about follies of this kind. For all these things are foolish and vain and senseless and inexpedient for the servants of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:3
But long-suffering is great and strong, and has a mighty and vigorous power, and is prosperous in great enlargement, gladsome, exultant, free from care, glorifying the Lord at every season, having no bitterness in itself, always remaining gentle and tranquil. This long-suffering therefore dwells with those whose faith is perfect.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:4
But angry temper is in the first place, foolish, fickle and senseless; then from foolishness is engendered bitterness, and from bitterness wrath, and from wrath anger, and from anger spite; then spite being composed of all these evil elements becomes a great sin and incurable.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:5
For when all these spirits dwell in one vessel, where the Holy Spirit also dwells, that vessel cannot contain them, but overflows.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:6
The delicate spirit therefore, as not being accustomed to dwell with an evil spirit or with harshness, departs from a man of that kind, and seeks to dwell with gentleness and tranquillity.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:7
Then, when it has removed from that man, in whom it dwells, that man becomes emptied of the righteous spirit, and henceforward, being filled with the evil spirits, he is unstable in all his actions, being dragged about here and there by the evil spirits, and is altogether blinded and bereft of his good intent. Thus it then happens to all persons of angry temper.
Shepherd of Hermas 34:8
Refrain therefore from angry temper, the most evil of evil spirits. But clothe yourself in long-suffering, and resist angry temper and bitterness, and you will be round in company with the holiness which is beloved of the Lord. See then that you never neglect this commandment; for if you master this commandment, you will be able to likewise keep the remaining commandments, which I am about to give you. Be strong in them and endowed with power; and let all be endowed with power, as many who desire to walk in them."
Shepherd of Hermas 35:1
I charged you, he says, "In my first commandment to guard faith and fear and temperance." "Yes, Sir," I say. "But now," he says, "I wish to show you their powers also, that you may understand what is the power and effect of each one of them. For their effects are two fold. Now they are prescribed alike to the righteous and the unrighteous.
Shepherd of Hermas 35:2
Do you therefore trust righteousness, but not trust unrighteousness? For the way of righteousness is straight, but the way of unrighteousness is crooked. But walk in the straight [and level] path, and leave the crooked one alone.
Shepherd of Hermas 35:3
For the crooked way has no tracks, but only pathlessness and many stumbling stones, and is rough and thorny. So it is therefore harmful to those who walk in it.
Shepherd of Hermas 35:4
But those who walk in the straight way walk on the level and without stumbling: for it is neither rough or thorny. You see then that it is more expedient to walk in this way."
Shepherd of Hermas 35:5
I am pleased, Sir, I say, "To walk in this way." "You will walk," he says, "Indeed, and whoever will turn to the Lord with his whole heart will walk in it.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:1
Hear now, he says, "Concerning faith. There are two angels with a man, one of righteousness and one of wickedness."
Shepherd of Hermas 36:2
How then, Sir, I say, "Will I know their workings, seeing that both angels dwell with me?"
Shepherd of Hermas 36:3
Hear, he says, "And understand their workings. The angel of righteousness is delicate and bashful and gentle and tranquil. When this one then enters into your heart, he forthwith speaks with you of righteousness, of purity, of holiness, and of contentment, of every righteous deed and of every glorious virtue. When all these things enter into your heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with you. [These then are the works of the angel of righteousness.] Trust him therefore and his works.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:4
Now see the works of the angel of wickedness also. First of all, he is quick tempered and bitter and senseless, and his works are evil, overthrowing the servants of God. Whenever then, he enters into your heart, know him by his works."
Shepherd of Hermas 36:5
How will I discern him, Sir? I reply, "I do not know." "Listen," he says. "When a fit of angry temper or bitterness comes upon you, know that he is in you. Then the desire of much business and the costliness of many viands and drinking bouts and of many drunken fits and of various luxuries which are unseemly, and the desire of women, and avarice, and haughtiness and boastfulness, and whatever things are akin and like these - when then these things enter into your heart, know that the angel of wickedness is with you.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:6
Therefore, recognizing his works, stand aloof from him, and trust him in nothing, for his works are evil and inexpedient for the servants of God. Here then you have the workings of both the angels. Understand them, and trust the angel of righteousness.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:7
But from the angel of wickedness, stand aloof, for his teaching is evil in every matter; for though one is a man of faith, and the desire of this angel enters into his heart, that man, or that woman, must commit some sin.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:8
And again, if a man or a woman is exceedingly wicked, and the works of the angel of righteousness come into that man's heart, he must of necessity, do something good.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:9
You see then," he says, "That it is good to follow the angel of righteousness, and to bid farewell to the angel of wickedness.
Shepherd of Hermas 36:10
This commandment declares what concerns faith, that you may trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and doing them, may live to God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are difficult; so by not doing them, you will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 37:1
Fear the Lord, he says, "And keep His commandments. So keeping the commandments of God you will be powerful in every deed, and your doing will be incomparable. For while you fear the Lord, you will do all things well. But this is the fear wherewith you should be afraid, and you will be saved.
Shepherd of Hermas 37:2
But do not fear the devil; for, if you fear the Lord, you will be master over the devil, for there is no power in him. [For] in whom is no power, neither is there fear of him; but in whom power is glorious, of him is fear likewise. For every one that has power has fear, whereas he who has no power is despised of all.
Shepherd of Hermas 37:3
But fear the works of the devil, for they are evil. While then you fear the Lord, you will fear the works of the devil, and will not do them, but abstain from them.
Shepherd of Hermas 37:4
Fear therefore is of two kinds. If you desire to do evil, fear the Lord, and you will not do it. If again you desire to do good, fear the Lord and you will do it. Therefore the fear of the Lord is powerful and great and glorious. Fear the Lord then, and you will live to Him; indeed, and as many of those who keep His commandments as will fear Him, will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 38:2
Make known to me, Sir, I say, "In what things it is right to be temperate, and in what things it is not right." "Listen," he says. "Be temperate as to what is evil, and do not do it; but do not be temperate as to what is good, but do it. For if you are temperate as to what is good, so as to not do it, you commit a great sin; but if you are temperate as to what is evil, so as to not do it, you do great righteousness. Be temperate therefore in abstaining from all wickedness, and do that which is good."
Shepherd of Hermas 38:3
What kinds of wickedness, Sir, I say, "Are they from which we must be temperate and abstain?" "Listen," he says; "From adultery and fornication, from the lawlessness of drunkenness, from wicked luxury, from many viands and the costliness of riches, and vaunting and haughtiness and pride, and from falsehood and evil speaking and hypocrisy, malice and all blasphemy.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:4
These works are the most wicked of all in the life of men. From these works therefore, the servant of God must be temperate and abstain; for he who is not temperate so as to abstain from these, cannot live to God. Listen then to what follows upon these."
Shepherd of Hermas 38:5
Why, are there still other evil deeds, Sir? I say. "Aye," he says, "There are many, from which the servant of God must be temperate and abstain; theft, falsehood, deprivation, false witness, avarice, evil desire, deceit, vain-glory, boastfulness, and whatever things are like these.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:6
Do you not think that these things are wrong, indeed, very wrong," [he says,] "For the servants of God? In all these things, he who serves God must exercise temperance. Be temperate therefore, and refrain from all these things, that you may live to God, and be enrolled among those who exercise self-restraint in them. These then are the things from which you should restrain yourself.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:7
Now hear," he says, "The things, in which you should not exercise self restraint, but do them. Exercise no self-restraint in that which is good, but do it."
Shepherd of Hermas 38:8
Sir, I say, "Show me the power of the good also, that I may walk in them and serve them, that doing them, it may be possible for me to be saved." "Hear," he says, "The works of the good likewise, which you must do, and toward which you must exercise no self-restraint.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:9
First of all, there is faith, fear of the Lord, love, concord, words of righteousness, truth, patience; nothing is better than these in the life of men. If a man keeps these, and does not exercise self-restraint from them, he becomes blessed in his life.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:10
Hear now what follows upon these; to minister to widows, to visit the orphans and the needy, to ransom the servants of God from their afflictions, to be hospitable (for in hospitality, benevolence from time to time has a place), to resist no man, to be tranquil, to show yourself more submissive than all men, to reverence the aged, to practice righteousness, to observe brotherly feeling, to endure injury, to be long-suffering, to bear no grudge, to exhort those who are sick at soul, not to cast away those who have stumbled from the faith, but to convert them and to put courage into them, to reprove sinners, not to oppress debtors and indigent persons, and whatever actions are like these.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:11
Do these things," he says, "[Do these] seem to be good to you?" "Why, what, Sir," I say, "Can be better than these?" "Then walk in them," he says, "And do not abstain from them, and you will live to God.
Shepherd of Hermas 38:12
Keep this commandment therefore. If you do good and do not abstain from it, you will live to God; indeed, and all will live to God who act so. And again if you do no evil, and abstain from it, you will live to God; indeed, and all will live to God, who will keep these commandments, and walk in them."
Shepherd of Hermas 39:1
He says to me; "Remove a doubtful mind from yourself, and do not doubt at all whether to ask of God, saying within yourself, 'How can I ask a thing of the Lord and receive it, seeing that I have committed so many sins against Him?'
Shepherd of Hermas 39:2
Do not reason thus, but turn to the Lord with your whole heart, and ask of Him, nothing wavering, and you will know His exceeding compassion, that He will surely not abandon you, but will fulfill the petition of your soul.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:3
For God is not as men who bear a grudge, but Himself is without malice and has compassion on His creatures.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:4
Therefore cleanse your heart from all the vanities of this life, and from the things mentioned before; and ask of the Lord, and you will receive all things, and will lack nothing of all your petitions, if you ask of the Lord, nothing wavering.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:5
But if you waver in your heart, you will surely receive none of your petitions. For those who waver towards God, these are the doubtful-minded, and they never obtain any of their petitions.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:6
But those who are complete in the faith make all their petitions trusting in the Lord, and they receive, because they ask without wavering, nothing doubting; for every doubtful-minded man, if he does not repent, will hardly be saved.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:7
Therefore, cleanse your heart from doubtful-mindedness, and put on faith, for it is strong, and trust God that you will receive all your petitions which you ask; and if after asking anything of the Lord, you receive your petition somewhat tardily, do not be of a doubtful mind because you did not receive the petition of your soul at once. For assuredly, it is by reason of some temptation or some transgression, of which you are ignorant, that you receive your petition so tardily.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:8
Therefore do not cease to make your soul's petition, and you will receive it. But if you grow weary, and doubt as you ask, blame yourself and not Him who gives to you. See to this doubtful-mindedness; for it is evil and senseless, and uproots many from the faith, indeed, even very faithful and strong men. For indeed this doubtful-mindedness is a daughter of the devil, and works great wickedness against the servants of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:9
Therefore despise doubtful-mindedness and gain the mastery over it in everything, clothing yourself with faith that is strong and powerful. For faith promises all things, accomplishes all things; but doubtful-mindedness, as having no confidence in itself, fails in all the works which it does.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:10
You see then," he says, "That faith is from the Lord from above, and has great power; but doubtful-mindedness is an earthly spirit from the devil, and has no power.
Shepherd of Hermas 39:11
Therefore serve that faith which has power, and hold aloof from the doubtful-mindedness which has no power; and you will live to God; indeed, and all those will live to God who are so minded."
Shepherd of Hermas 40:1
Put sorrow away from yourself, he says, "For she is the sister of doubtful-mindedness and of angry temper."
Shepherd of Hermas 40:2
How, Sir, I say, "Is she the sister of these? For angry temper seems to me to be one thing, doubtful-mindedness another, sorrow another." "You are a foolish fellow," he says, "[and] do not perceive that sorrow is more evil than all the spirits, and is most fatal to the servants of God, and beyond all the spirits, destroys a man, and crushes out the Holy Spirit and yet again saves it."
Shepherd of Hermas 40:3
I, Sir, I say, "Am without understanding, and I do not understand these parables. For how it can crush out and again save, I do not comprehend."
Shepherd of Hermas 40:4
Listen, he says. "Those who have never investigated concerning the truth, nor inquired concerning God, but have merely believed, and have been mixed up in business affairs and riches and heathen friendships, and many other affairs of this world - as many, I say, who devote themselves to these things, do not comprehend the parables of God; for they are darkened by these actions, and are corrupted and become barren.
Shepherd of Hermas 40:5
As good vineyards, when they are treated with neglect, are made barren by the thorns and weeds of various kinds, so men who, after they have believed, fall into these many occupations which were mentioned before, lose their understanding and comprehend nothing at all concerning righteousness; for if they hear concerning God and truth, their mind is absorbed in their occupations, and they perceive nothing at all.
Shepherd of Hermas 40:6
But those who have the fear of God, and investigate concerning God and truth, and direct their heart towards the Lord, perceive and understand everything that is said to them more quickly, because they have the fear of the Lord in themselves; for where the Lord dwells, there too is great understanding. Cleave therefore to the Lord, and you will understand and perceive all things.
Shepherd of Hermas 41:1
Hear now, senseless man, he says, "How sorrow crushes out the Holy Spirit, and again saves it.
Shepherd of Hermas 41:2
When the man of doubtful mind sets his hand to any action, and fails in it, owing to his doubtful-mindedness, grief at this enters into the man, and grieves the Holy Spirit, and crushes it out.
Shepherd of Hermas 41:3
Then again, when angry temper cleaves to a man concerning any matter, and he is much embittered, again sorrow enters into the heart of the man who was ill-tempered, and he is grieved at the deed which he has done, and repents that he did evil.
Shepherd of Hermas 41:4
This sadness therefore seems to bring salvation, because he repented at having done the evil. So both the operations sadden the Spirit; first, the doubtful mind saddens the Spirit, because it did not succeed in its business, and the angry temper again, because it did what was evil. Thus both are saddening to the Holy Spirit, the doubtful mind and the angry temper.
Shepherd of Hermas 41:5
Therefore put sadness away from yourself, and do not afflict the Holy Spirit that dwells in you, unless haply, he intercedes with God [against you], and departs from you.
Shepherd of Hermas 41:6
For the Spirit of God, that was given to this flesh, does not endure sadness, neither constraint.
Shepherd of Hermas 42:1
"Therefore clothe yourself in cheerfulness, which has favor with God always, and is acceptable to Him, and rejoice in it. For every cheerful man works good, and thinks good, and despises sadness;
Shepherd of Hermas 42:2
But the sad man is always committing sin. In the first place, he commits sin, because he grieves the Holy Spirit, which was given to the man being a cheerful spirit; and in the second place, by grieving the Holy Spirit, he does lawlessness, in that he does not intercede with, neither confess to God. For the intercession of a sad man has never, at any time, power to ascend to the altar of God."
Shepherd of Hermas 42:3
Therefore, I say, "Does the intercession of him who is saddened not ascend to the altar?" "Because," he says, "Sadness is seated at his heart. Thus sadness mingled with the intercession does not suffer the intercession to ascend pure to the altar. For as vinegar when mingled with wine in the same (vessel) does not have the same pleasant taste, so likewise sadness mingled with the Holy Spirit does not have the same intercession.
Shepherd of Hermas 42:4
Therefore cleanse yourself from this wicked sadness, and you will live to God; indeed, and they all will live to God, who will cast away sadness from themselves and clothe themselves in all cheerfulness."
Shepherd of Hermas 43:1
He showed me men seated on a couch, and another man seated on a chair. And he says to me, "Do you see those who are seated on the couch?" "I see them, Sir," I say. "These," he says, "Are faithful, but he who sits on the chair is a false prophet who destroys the mind of the servants of God - I mean, of the doubtful-minded, not of the faithful.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:2
These doubtful-minded ones then come to him as to a soothsayer, and inquire of him what will befall them. And he, the false prophet, having no power of a Holy Spirit in himself, speaks with them according to their inquiries [and according to the lusts of their wickedness], and fills their souls as they themselves wish.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:3
For being empty himself, he gives empty answers to empty inquirers; for whatever inquiry may be made of him, he answers according to the emptiness of the man. But he speaks also some true words; for the devil fills him with his own spirit, if so be, he will be able to break down some of the righteous.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:4
So many therefore who are strong in the faith of the Lord, clothed with the truth, do not cleave to such spirits, but hold aloof from them; but as many who are doubters and frequently change their minds, practice soothsaying like the Gentiles, and bring upon themselves greater sin by their idolatries. For he who consults a false prophet on any matter is an idolater and emptied of the truth, and senseless.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:5
For no Spirit given of God needs to be consulted; but, having the power of God, speaks all things of itself, because it is from above, even from the power of the Holy Spirit.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:6
But the spirit which is consulted, and speaks according to the desires of men, is earthly and fickle, having no power; and it does not speak at all, unless it is consulted."
Shepherd of Hermas 43:7
"How then, Sir," I say, "Will a man know which of them is a prophet, and who a false prophet?" "Hear," he says, "Concerning both the prophets; and, as I will tell you, so will you test the prophet and the false prophet. By his life, test the man who has the Holy Spirit.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:8
In the first place, he who has the [Holy] Spirit, which is from above, is gentle and tranquil and humble-minded, and abstains from all wickedness and vain desire of this present world, and holds himself inferior to all men, and gives no answer to any man when inquired of, nor speaks in solitude (for neither does the Holy Spirit speak when a man wishes him to speak); but the man speaks then when God wishes him to speak.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:9
When then the man who has the Holy Spirit comes into an assembly of righteous men, who have faith in [the] Holy Spirit, and intercession is made to God by the gathering of those men, then the angel of the prophetic spirit, who is attached to him, fills the man, and the man, being filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks to the multitude, accordingly as the Lord wills.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:10
In this way then, the Spirit of God will be manifest. This then is the greatness of the power as touching the Spirit of the godliness of the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:11
Hear now," he says, "Concerning the earthly and vain spirit, which has no power but is foolish.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:12
In the first place, that man who seems to have a spirit, exalts himself, and desires to have a chief place, and straightway he is impudent and shameless and talkative and conversant in many luxuries and in many other deceits and receives money for his prophesying, and if he does not receive, he does not prophesy. Now can a Holy Spirit receive money and prophesy? It is not possible for a prophet of God to do this, *6:90, *10:72, *11:29, *11:50 - 51, *12:104, *25:57, *26:106 - 109, *26:124 - 127, *26:142 - 145, *26:161 - 164, *26:177 - 180, *34:47, *36:21, *38:86, *42:23 but the spirit of such prophets is earthly.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:13
In the next place, it never approaches an assembly of righteous men; but avoids them, and cleaves to the doubtful-minded and empty, and prophesies to them in corners, and deceives them, speaking all things in emptiness to gratify their desires; for they too are empty whom it answers. For the empty vessel placed together with the empty is not broken, but they agree with one another.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:14
But when he comes into an assembly full of righteous men who have a Spirit of God, and intercession is made from them, that man is emptied, and the earthly spirit flees from him in fear, and that man is struck dumb and is altogether broken in pieces, being unable to utter a word.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:15
For, if you pack wine or oil into a closet, and place an empty vessel among them, and again desire to unpack the closet, the vessel which you place there empty, empty in like manner you will find it. Thus also the empty prophets, whenever they come to the spirits of righteous men, are found just such as they came.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:16
I have given you the life of both kinds of prophets. Therefore test, by his life and his works, the man who says that he is moved by the Spirit.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:17
But trust the Spirit that comes from God, and has power; but in the earthly and empty spirit, put no trust at all; for in it there is no power, for it comes from the devil.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:18
Listen [then] to the parable which I will tell you. Take a stone, and throw it up to heaven, see if you can reach it; or again, take a squirt of water, and squirt it up to heaven, see if you can bore through the heaven."
Shepherd of Hermas 43:19
How, Sir, I say, "Can these things be? For both these things which you have mentioned are beyond our power." "Well then," he says, "Just as these things are beyond our power, so likewise the earthly spirits have no power and are feeble.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:20
Now take the power which comes from above. The hail is a very, small grain, and yet, when it falls on a man's head, what pain it causes! Or again, take a drop which falls on the ground from the tiles, and bores through the stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 43:21
You see then that the smallest things from above, falling on the earth, have great power. So likewise the Holy Spirit coming from above is powerful. Therefore trust this Spirit, but from the other, hold aloof."
Shepherd of Hermas 44:1
He says to me; "Remove all evil desire from yourself, and clothe yourself in the desire which is good and holy; for clothed with this desire, you will hate the evil desire, and will bridle and direct it as you will.
Shepherd of Hermas 44:2
For the evil desire is wild, and only tamed with difficulty; for it is terrible, and by its wildness, is very costly to men; more especially, if a servant of God gets entangled in it, and has no understanding, he is put to fearful costs by it. But it is costly to such men who are not clothed in the good desire, but are mixed up with this life. These men then, it hands over to death."
Shepherd of Hermas 44:3
Of what sort, Sir, I say, "Are the works of the evil desire, which hand men over to death? Make them known to me, that I may hold aloof from them." "Listen," [he says,] "Through what works the evil desire brings death to the servants of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 45:1
Before all is desire for the wife or husband of another, and for extravagance of wealth, and for many needless dainties, and for drinks and other luxuries, many and foolish. For even luxury is foolish and vain for the servants of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 45:2
These desires then are evil, and bring death to the servants of God. For this evil desire is a daughter of the devil. You must, therefore, abstain from the evil desires, that so abstaining, you may live to God.
Shepherd of Hermas 45:3
But as many who are mastered by them, and do not resist them, are utterly done to death; for these desires are deadly.
Shepherd of Hermas 45:4
But clothe yourself in the desire of righteousness, and, having armed yourself with the fear of the Lord, resist them. For the fear of God dwells in the good desire. If the evil desire will see you armed with the fear of God and resisting itself, it will flee far from you, and will no longer be seen of you, being in fear of your arms.
Shepherd of Hermas 45:5
Therefore, when you are crowned for your victory over it, come to the desire of righteousness, and deliver the victor's prize to her which you have received, and serve her, accordingly as she herself desires. If you serve the good desire, and are subject to her, you will have power to master the evil desire, and to subject her, accordingly as you will."
Shepherd of Hermas 46:1
I would gladly know, Sir, I say, "In what ways I should serve the good desire." "Listen," he says; "Practice righteousness and virtue, truth and the fear of the Lord, faith and gentleness, and as many good deeds that are like these. Practicing these, you will be well-pleasing as a servant of God, and will live to Him; indeed, and everyone who will serve the good desire will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 46:2
So he completed the twelve commandments, and he says to me; "You have these commandments; walk in them, and exhort your hearers that their repentance may become pure for the rest of the days of their life.
Shepherd of Hermas 46:3
This ministration, which I give you, fulfill with all diligence to the end, and you will effect much. For you will find favor among those who are about to repent, and they will obey your words. For I will be with you, and will compel them to obey you."
Shepherd of Hermas 46:4
I say to him; "Sir, these commandments are great and beautiful and glorious, and are able to gladden the heart of the man who is able to observe them. But I do not know whether these commandments can be kept by a man, for they are very hard."
Shepherd of Hermas 46:5
He answered and said to me; "If you set it before yourself that they can be kept, you will easily keep them, and they will not be hard; but if it once enters into your heart that they cannot be kept by a man, you will not keep them.
Shepherd of Hermas 46:6
But now I say to you; if you do not keep them, but neglect them, you will not have salvation, neither your children or your household, since you have already pronounced judgment against yourself that these commandments cannot be kept by a man."
Shepherd of Hermas 47:1
And he said these things to me very angrily, so that I was confounded, and feared him exceedingly; for his form was changed, so that a man could not endure his anger.
Shepherd of Hermas 47:2
And when he saw that I was altogether disturbed and confounded, he began to speak more kindly [and cheerfully] to me, and he says; "Foolish fellow, void of understanding and of a doubtful mind, did you not perceive the glory of God, how great and mighty and marvelous it is, how He created the world for man's sake, and subjected all His creation to man, and gave all authority to him, that he should be master over all things under the heaven?
Shepherd of Hermas 47:3
If then," [he says,] "Man is lord of all the creatures of God and masters all things, can he also not master these commandments? Aye," he says, "The man who has the Lord in his heart can master [all things and] all these commandments.
Shepherd of Hermas 47:4
But those who have the Lord on their lips, while their heart is hardened, and are far from the Lord, to them these commandments are hard and inaccessible.
Shepherd of Hermas 47:5
Therefore you, who are empty and fickle in the faith, set your Lord in your heart, and you will perceive that nothing is easier than these commandments, nor sweeter, nor more gentle.
Shepherd of Hermas 47:6
Be converted, you who walk after the commandments of the devil, (the commandments which are so) difficult and bitter and wild and riotous; and do not fear the devil, for there is no power in him against you.
Shepherd of Hermas 47:7
For I will be with you, I, the angel of repentance, who has the mastery over him. The devil has fear alone, but his fear has no force. Do not fear him therefore; and he will flee from you."
Shepherd of Hermas 48:1
I say to him, "Sir, listen to a few words from me." "Say what you will," he says. "Man, Sir," I say, "It is eager to keep the commandments of God, and there is no one who does not ask of the Lord that he may be strengthened in His commandments, and be subject to them; but the devil is hard and overmasters them."
Shepherd of Hermas 48:2
He cannot, he says, "Overmaster the servants of God, who set their hope on Him with their whole heart. The devil can wrestle with them, but he cannot overthrow them. If then you resist him, he will be vanquished and will flee from you disgraced. But many," he says, "Who are utterly empty, fear the devil as if he had power.
Shepherd of Hermas 48:3
When a man has amply filled sufficient jars with good wine, and among these jars, a few are quite empty, he comes to the jars, and does not examine the full ones, for he knows that they are full; but he examines the empty ones, fearing unless they have turned sour. For empty jars soon turn sour, and the taste of the wine is spoiled.
Shepherd of Hermas 48:4
So also the devil comes to all the servants of God tempting them. As many then who are complete in the faith, oppose him mightily, and he departs from them, not having a place where he can find an entrance. So he comes next to the empty ones, and finding a place, goes into them, and he further does what he wills in them, and they become submissive slaves to him.
Shepherd of Hermas 49:1
But I, the angel of repentance, say to you; do not fear the devil; for I was sent," he says, "To be with you, who repents with your whole heart, and to strengthen you in the faith.
Shepherd of Hermas 49:2
Believe, therefore, on God, you, who by reason of your sins, have despaired of your life, and are adding to your sins, and weighing down your life; for if you turn to the Lord with your whole heart, and work righteousness the remaining days of your life, and serve Him rightly according to His will, He will give healing to your former sins, and you will have power to master the works of the devil. But of the threatening of the devil, do not fear at all; for he is unstrung, like the sinews of a dead man.
Shepherd of Hermas 49:3
Hear me therefore, and fear Him, who is able to do all things, to save and to destroy, and observe these commandments, and you will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 49:4
I say to him, "Sir, now am I strengthened in all the ordinances of the Lord, because you are with me; and I know that you will crush all the power of the devil, and we will be masters over him, and will prevail over all his works. And I hope, Sir, that I am now able to keep these commandments which you have commanded, the Lord enabling me."
Shepherd of Hermas 49:5
You will keep them, he says, "If your heart is found pure with the Lord; indeed, and all will keep them, as many who will purify their hearts from the vain desires of this world, and will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 50:1
He says to me; "You know that you, who are the servants of God, are dwelling in a foreign land; for your city is far from this city. If then you know your city, in which you will dwell, why do you prepare fields here and expensive displays and buildings and dwelling-chambers which are superfluous?
Shepherd of Hermas 50:2
He, therefore, who prepares these things for this city does not purpose to return to his own city.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:3
O foolish and double-minded and miserable man, do you not perceive that all these things are foreign, and are under the power of another. For the lord of this city will say, "I do not wish for you to dwell in my city; go forth from this city, for you do not conform to my laws."
Shepherd of Hermas 50:4
You, therefore who have fields and dwellings and many other possessions, when you are cast out by him, what will you do with your field and your house and all the other things that you prepared for yourself? For the lord of this country says to you justly, "Either conform to my laws, or depart from my country."
Shepherd of Hermas 50:5
What then will you do, who are under law in your own city? For the sake of your fields and the rest of your possessions, will you altogether repudiate your law, and walk according to the law of this city? Take heed, unless it is inexpedient to repudiate the law; for if you should desire to return again to your city, you will surely not be received [because you repudiated the law of the city], and will be shut out from it.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:6
Take heed therefore; as dwelling in a strange land, prepare nothing more for yourself but a competency which is sufficient for you, and make that ready, whenever the master of this city may desire to cast you out for your opposition to his law, you may go forth from his city and depart into your own city and use your own law joyfully, free from all insult.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:7
Take heed therefore, you who serve God and have Him in your heart: work the works of God, being mindful of His commandments and of the promises which He made, and believe Him, that He will perform them, if His commandments are kept.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:8
Therefore, instead of fields, buy souls that are in trouble, as each is able, and visit widows and orphans, and do not neglect them; and spend your riches and all your displays, which you received from God, on fields and houses of this kind.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:9
For to this end, the Lord enriched you, that you might perform these ministrations for Him. It is much better to purchase fields [and possessions] and houses of this kind, which you will find in your own city, when you visit it.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:10
This lavish expenditure is beautiful and joyous, not bringing sadness or fear, but bringing joy. The expenditure of the heathen, do not practice then; for it is not convenient for you, the servants of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 50:11
But practice your own expenditure, in which you can rejoice; and do not corrupt, neither touch that which is another man's, nor lust after it, for it is wicked to lust after other men's possessions. But perform your own task, and you will be saved."
Shepherd of Hermas 51:1
As I walked in the field, and noticed an elm and a vine, and was distinguishing them and their fruits, the shepherd appears to me and says; "What are you meditating within yourself?" "I am thinking, [Sir,]" I say, "About the elm and the vine, that they are excellently suited, the one to the other."
Shepherd of Hermas 51:2
These two trees, he says, "Are appointed for a type to the servants of God." "I would gladly know, [Sir,]" I say, "The type contained in these trees, of which you speak." "Do you see," he says, "The elm and the vine?" "I see them, Sir," I say.
Shepherd of Hermas 51:3
This vine, he says, "Bears fruit, but the elm is an unfruitful stock. Yet this vine, unless it climbs up the elm, cannot bear much fruit when it is spread on the ground; and such fruit as it bears is rotten, because it is not suspended upon the elm. When the vine is then attached to the elm, it bears fruit both from itself and from the elm.
Shepherd of Hermas 51:4
You see then that the elm also bears [much] fruit, not less than the vine, but rather more." "How more, Sir?" I say. "Because," he says, "The vine, when hanging upon the elm, bears its fruit in abundance, and in good condition; but, when spread on the ground, it bears little fruit, and that [such is] rotten. This parable therefore is applicable to the servants of God, to poor and rich alike."
Shepherd of Hermas 51:5
How, Sir? I say; "Instruct me." "Listen," he says; "The rich man has much wealth, but in the things of the Lord, he is poor, being distracted about his riches, and his confession and intercession with the Lord is very scanty; and even that which he gives is small and weak and has no power above. When the rich man then goes up to the poor, and assists him in his needs, believing that for what he does to the poor man he will be able to obtain a reward with God, because the poor man is rich in intercession [and confession], and his intercession has great power with God; the rich man then supplies all things to the poor man without wavering.
Shepherd of Hermas 51:6
But the poor man, being supplied by the rich, makes intercession for him, thanking God for him who gave to him. And the other is still more zealous to assist the poor man, that he may be continuous in his life: for he knows that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and rich before God.
Shepherd of Hermas 51:7
They both then accomplish their work; the poor man makes intercession, wherein he is rich [which he received of the Lord]; he renders this again to the Lord who supplies him with it. The rich man too in like manner furnishes to the poor man, doubting nothing, the riches which he received from the Lord. And this work [is] great and acceptable with God, because (the rich man) has understanding concerning his riches, and works for the poor man from the bounties of the Lord, and accomplishes the ministration of the Lord rightly.
Shepherd of Hermas 51:8
In the sight of men then, the elm seems to not bear fruit, and they do not know, neither perceive, that if there comes a drought, the elm, having water, nurtures the vine, and the vine, having a constant supply of water, bears fruit two fold, both for itself and for the elm. So likewise the poor, by interceding with the Lord for the rich, establish their riches, and again the rich, supplying their needs to the poor, establish their souls.
Shepherd of Hermas 51:9
So then both are made partners in the righteous work. He then who does these things will not be abandoned of God, but will be written in the Books of the Living. *Book of Enoch 47:3, *Exodus 32:32 - 33, *Book of Jubilees 30:31, *Book of Jubilees 36:12, *Psalms 69:28, *Malachi 3:16, *83:18 - 20
Shepherd of Hermas 51:10
Blessed are the rich, who also understand that they are enriched from the Lord. For those who have this mind will be able to do some good work."
Shepherd of Hermas 52:1
He showed me many trees that had no leaves, but they seemed to me to be, as it were, withered; for they were all alike. And he says to me; "Do you see these trees?" "I see them, Sir," I say, "They are all alike, and are withered." He answered and said to me; "These trees that you see are those who dwell in this world."
Shepherd of Hermas 52:2
Why then, Sir, I say, "Are they as if they were withered, and alike?" "Because," he says, "Neither the righteous are distinguishable, nor the sinners in this world, but they are alike. For this world is winter to the righteous, and they are not distinguishable, as they dwell with the sinners.
Shepherd of Hermas 52:3
For as in the winter, the trees, having shed their leaves, are alike, and are not distinguishable, which are withered, and which alive, so also in this world, neither the just or the sinners are distinguishable, but they are all alike."
Shepherd of Hermas 53:1
He showed me many trees again, some of them sprouting, and others withered, and he says to me; "Do you see," he says, "These trees?" "I see them, Sir," I say, "Some of them sprouting, and others withered."
Shepherd of Hermas 53:2
These trees, he says, "That are sprouting are the righteous, who will dwell in the world to come; for the world to come is summer to the righteous, but winter to the sinners. When then the mercy of the Lord will shine forth, then those who serve God will be made manifest; indeed, and all men will be made manifest.
Shepherd of Hermas 53:3
For as in summer, the fruits of each several tree are made manifest, and are recognized of what sort they are, so also the fruits of the righteous will be manifest, and all [even the very smallest] will be known to be flourishing in that world.
Shepherd of Hermas 53:4
But the Gentiles and the sinners, just as you saw the trees that were withered, even such will they be found, withered and unfruitful in that world, and will be burnt up as fuel, and will be manifest, because their practice in their life has been evil. For the sinners will be burned, because they sinned and did not repent; and the Gentiles will be burned, because they did not know Him who created them.
Shepherd of Hermas 53:5
Therefore bear fruit, that in that summer, your fruit may be known. But abstain from overmuch business, and you will never fill into any sin. For those who busy themselves overmuch, also sin much, being distracted about their business, and in no wise serving their own Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 53:6
How then," he says, "Can such a man ask anything of the Lord and receive it, seeing that he does not serve the Lord? [For] those who serve Him, these will receive their petitions, but those who do not serve the Lord, these will receive nothing.
Shepherd of Hermas 53:7
But if anyone works one single action, he is also able to serve the Lord; for his mind will not be corrupted from (following) the Lord, but he will serve Him, because he keeps his mind pure.
Shepherd of Hermas 53:8
If therefore you do these things, you will be able to bear fruit to the world to come; indeed, and whoever will do these things, will bear fruit."
Shepherd of Hermas 54:1
As I was fasting and seated on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to the Lord for all that He had done to me, I see the shepherd seated by me and saying; "Why have you come here in the early morning?" "Because, Sir," I say, "I am keeping a station."
Shepherd of Hermas 54:2
What, he says, "Is a station?" "I am fasting, Sir," I say. "And what," he says, "Is this fast [that you are fasting]?" "As I was accustomed, Sir," I say, "So I fast."
Shepherd of Hermas 54:3
You do not know, he says, "How to fast to the Lord, neither is this a fast, this unprofitable fast which you make to Him." "Why, Sir," I say, "Do you say this?" "I tell you," he says, "That this is not a fast, wherein you think to fast; but I will teach you what is a complete fast and acceptable to the Lord. Listen," he says;
Shepherd of Hermas 54:4
"God does not desire such a vain fast; for by so fasting to God you will do nothing for righteousness. But fast [to God] such a fast as this;
Shepherd of Hermas 54:5
Do no wickedness in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart; observe His commandments and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil desire rise up in your heart; but believe God. Then, if you will do these things, and fear Him, and control yourself from every evil deed, you will live to God; and if you do these things, you will accomplish a great fast, and one acceptable to God.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:1
Hear the parable which I will tell you relating to fasting.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:2
A certain man had an estate, and many slaves, and a portion of his estate, he planted as a vineyard; and choosing out a certain slave who was trusty and well-pleasing (and) held in honor, he called him to him and says to him; 'Take this vineyard [which I have planted], and fence it [until I come], but do nothing else to the vineyard. Now keep this my commandment, and you will be free in my house.' Then the master of the servant went away to travel abroad.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:3
When then he had gone away, the servant took and fenced the vineyard; and having finished the fencing of the vineyard, he noticed that the vineyard was full of weeds.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:4
So he reasoned within himself, saying, 'I have carried out this command of my lord, I will next dig this vineyard, and it will be neater when it is dug; and when it has no weeds, it will yield more fruit, because [it is] not choked by the weeds.' He took and dug the vineyard, and all the weeds that were in the vineyard, he plucked up. And that vineyard became very neat and flourishing, when it had no weeds to choke it.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:5
After a time, the master of the servant [and of the estate] came, and he went into the vineyard. And seeing the vineyard fenced neatly, and dug as well, and [all] the weeds plucked up, and the vines flourishing, he rejoiced [exceedingly] at what his servant had done.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:6
So he called his beloved son, who was his heir, and the friends who were his advisers, and told them what he had commanded his servant, and how much he had found done. And they rejoiced with the servant at the testimony which his master had borne to him.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:7
And he says to them; 'I promised this servant his freedom, if he should keep the commandment which I commanded him; but he kept my commandment and did a good work beside my vineyard, and pleased me greatly. For this work therefore which he has done, I desire to make him joint-heir with my son, because, when the good thought struck him, he did not neglect it, but fulfilled it.'
Shepherd of Hermas 55:8
In this purpose, the son of the master agreed with him, that the servant should be made joint-heir with the son.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:9
After some few days, his master made a feast, and sent many dainties to him from the feast. But when the servant received [the dainties sent to him by the master], he took what was sufficient for him, and distributed the rest to his fellow servants.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:10
And his fellow-servants, when they received the dainties, rejoiced, and began to pray for him, that he might find greater favor with the master, because he had treated them so handsomely.
Shepherd of Hermas 55:11
All these things which had taken place, his master heard, and again rejoiced greatly at his deed. So the master again called his friends and his son together, and announced to them the deed that he had done with regard to his dainties which he had received; and they still more approved of his resolve, that his servant should be made joint-heir with his son."
Shepherd of Hermas 56:1
I say, "Sir, I do not understand these parables, neither can I apprehend them, unless you explain them for me."
Shepherd of Hermas 56:2
I will explain everything to you, he says; "And will show you whatever things I will speak with you. Keep the commandments of the Lord, and you will be well-pleasing to God, and will be enrolled among the number of those who keep His commandments.
Shepherd of Hermas 56:3
But if you do any good thing outside the commandment of God, you will win for yourself more exceeding glory, and will be more glorious in the sight of God than you would otherwise have been. If then, while you keep the commandments of God, you add these services likewise, you will rejoice, if you observe them according to my commandment."
Shepherd of Hermas 56:4
I say to him, "Sir, whatever you command me, I will keep it; for I know that you are with me." "I will be with you," he says, "Because you have so great zeal for doing good; indeed, and I will be with all," he says, "Whoever has such zeal as this.
Shepherd of Hermas 56:5
This fasting," he says, "If the commandments of the Lord are kept, is very good. This then is the way, that you will keep this fast which you are about to observe.
Shepherd of Hermas 56:6
First of all, keep yourself from every evil word and every evil desire, and purify your heart from all the vanities of this world. If you keep these things, this fast will be perfect for you.
Shepherd of Hermas 56:7
And thus will you do. Having fulfilled what is written, on that day on which you fast, you will taste nothing but bread and water; and from your meats, which you would have eaten, you will reckon up the amount of that day's expenditure, which you would have incurred, and will give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to one in want, and so will you humble your soul, that he who has received from your humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and may pray for you to the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 56:8
If then you will so accomplish this fast, as I have commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable in the sight of God, and this fasting will be recorded; and the service so performed is beautiful and joyous and acceptable to the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 56:9
These things you will so observe, you and your children and your whole household; and, observing them, you will be blessed; indeed, and all those, who will hear and observe them, will be blessed, and whatever things they will ask of the Lord, they will receive."
Shepherd of Hermas 57:1
I entreated him earnestly, that he would show me the parable of the estate, and of the master, and of the vineyard, and of the servant who fenced the vineyard, [and of the fence,] and of the weeds that were plucked up out of the vineyard, and of the son, and of the friends, the advisers. For I understood that all these things are a parable.
Shepherd of Hermas 57:2
But he answered and said to me; "You are exceedingly importunate in inquiries. You should not," [he says,] "Make any inquiry at all; for if it is right that a thing is explained to you, it will be explained." I say to him; "Sir, whatever things you show to me and do not explain, I will have seen them in vain, and without understanding what they are. In like manner also, if you speak parables to me and do not interpret them, I will have heard a thing in vain from you."
Shepherd of Hermas 57:3
But he again answered and said to me; "Whoever," he says, "Is a servant of God, and has his own Lord in his heart, asks understanding of Him, and receives it, and interprets every parable, and the words of the Lord that are spoken in parables are made known to him. But as many who are sluggish and idle in intercession, these hesitate to ask of the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 57:4
But the Lord is abundant in compassion, and gives to those who ask of Him without ceasing. But you who have been strengthened by the holy angel, and have received from him such (powers of intercession and are not idle, why do you not ask understanding of the Lord, and obtain it from Him?)"
Shepherd of Hermas 57:5
I say to him, "Sir, I, who have you with me, have (but) need to ask you and inquire of you; for you show me all things, and speak with me; but if I had seen or heard them apart from you, I should have asked of the Lord, that they might be shown to me."
Shepherd of Hermas 58:1
I told you just now, he says, "That you are unscrupulous and importunate, in inquiring for the interpretations of the parables. But since you are so obstinate, I will interpret to you the parable of the estate and all the accompaniments thereof, that you may make them known to all. Hear now," he says, "And understand them.
Shepherd of Hermas 58:2
The estate is this world, and the lord of the estate is He who created all things, and set them in order, and endowed them with power; and the servant is the son of God, and the vines are this people whom He Himself planted;
Shepherd of Hermas 58:3
And the fences are the [holy] angels of the Lord who keep His people together; and the weeds, which are plucked up from the vineyard, are the transgressions of the servants of God; and the dainties which He sent to him from the feast are the commandments which He gave to His people through His son; and the friends and advisers are the holy angels which were first created; and the absence of the master is the time which remains over until His coming."
Shepherd of Hermas 58:4
I say to him; "Sir, great and marvelous are all things and all things are glorious; was it likely then," I say, "That I could have apprehended them?" "No, nor can any other man, though he is full of understanding, apprehend them." "Yet again, Sir," I say, "Explain to me what I am about to inquire of you."
Shepherd of Hermas 58:5
Say on, he says, "If you desire anything." "Therefore, Sir," I say, "Is the son of God represented in the parable in the guise of a servant?"
Shepherd of Hermas 59:1
Listen, he said; "The son of God is not represented in the guise of a servant, but is represented in great power and lordship." "How, Sir?" I say; "I do not comprehend."
Shepherd of Hermas 59:2
Because, he says, "God planted the vineyard, that is, He created the people, and delivered them over to His son. And the son placed the angels in charge of them, to watch over them; and the son himself cleansed their sins, by laboring much and enduring many toils; for no one can dig without toil or labor.
Shepherd of Hermas 59:3
Having himself then cleansed the sins of his people, he showed them the paths of life, giving them the law which he received from his Father. You see," he says, "That he is himself master of the people, having received all power from his Father.
Shepherd of Hermas 59:4
But how the Lord took His son and the glorious angels as advisers concerning the inheritance of the servant, listen.
Shepherd of Hermas 59:5
The Holy Pre-existent Spirit. Which created the whole creation, God made to dwell in flesh that He desired. This flesh, therefore, in which the Holy Spirit dwelt, was subject to the Spirit, walking honorably in holiness and purity, without in any way defiling the Spirit.
Shepherd of Hermas 59:6
When it had then lived honorably in chastity, and had labored with the Spirit, and had cooperated with it in everything, behaving itself boldly and bravely, He chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit; for the career of this flesh pleased [the Lord], seeing that, as possessing the Holy Spirit, it was not defiled upon the earth.
Shepherd of Hermas 59:7
He therefore took the son as adviser and the glorious angels also, that this flesh too, having served the Spirit unblamably, might have some place of sojourn, and might not seem to have lost the reward for its service; for all flesh, which is found undefiled and unspotted, wherein the Holy Spirit dwelt, will receive a reward.
Shepherd of Hermas 59:8
Now you have the interpretation of this parable also."
Shepherd of Hermas 60:1
I was right glad, Sir, I say, "To hear this interpretation." "Listen now," he says, "Keep your flesh pure and undefiled, that the Spirit which dwells in it may bear witness to it, and your flesh may be justified.
Shepherd of Hermas 60:2
See that it never enters into your heart that this flesh of yours is perishable, and so you abuse it in some defilement. [For] if you defile your flesh, you will defile the Holy Spirit also; but if you defile the flesh, you will not live."
Shepherd of Hermas 60:3
But if, Sir, I say, "There has been any ignorance in times past, before these words were heard, how will a man who has defiled his flesh be saved?" "For the former deeds of ignorance," he says, "God alone has power to give healing; for all authority is His.
Shepherd of Hermas 60:4
[But now keep yourself, and the Lord Almighty, who is full of compassion, will give healing for your former deeds of ignorance,] if from now you do not defile your flesh, neither the Spirit; for both share in common, and the one cannot be defiled without the other. Therefore keep both pure, and you will live to God."
Shepherd of Hermas 61:1
As I sat in my house, and glorified the Lord for all things that I had seen, and was considering concerning the commandments, how that they were beautiful and powerful and gladsome and glorious and able to save a man's soul, I said within myself; "Blessed will I be, if I walk in these commandments; indeed, and whoever will walk in them will be blessed."
Shepherd of Hermas 61:2
As I spoke these things within myself, I see him suddenly seated by me, and saying as follows; "Why are you of a doubtful mind concerning the commandments, which I commanded you? They are beautiful. Do not doubt at all; but clothe yourself in the faith of the Lord, and you will walk in them. For I will strengthen you in them.
Shepherd of Hermas 61:3
These commandments are suitable for those who meditate repentance; for if they do not walk in them, their repentance is in vain.
Shepherd of Hermas 61:4
You then who repent, cast away the evil doings of this world which crush you; and, by putting on every excellence of righteousness, you will be able to observe these commandments, and to add no more to your sins. If then you add no further sin at all, you will depart from your former sins. Walk then in these my commandments, and you will live to God. These things have [all] been told to you from me."
Shepherd of Hermas 61:5
And after he had told these things to me, he says to me, "Let us go into the country, and I will show you the shepherds of the sheep." "Let us go, Sir," I say. And we came to a certain plain, and he shows me a young man, a shepherd, clothed in a light cloak, of saffron color;
Shepherd of Hermas 61:6
And he was feeding a great number of sheep, and these sheep were, as it were, well fed and very frisky, and were gladsome as they skipped about here and there; and the shepherd himself was all gladsome over his flock; and the very visage of the shepherd was exceedingly gladsome; and he ran about among the sheep.
Shepherd of Hermas 62:1
And he says to me; "Do you see this shepherd?" "I see him Sir," I say. "This," he says, "Is the angel of self-indulgence and of deceit. He crushes the souls of the servants of God, and perverts them from the truth, leading them astray with evil desires, wherein they perish.
Shepherd of Hermas 62:2
For they forget the commandments of the living God, and walk in vain deceits and acts of self-indulgence, and are destroyed by this angel, some of them to death, and others to corruption."
Shepherd of Hermas 62:3
I say to him, "Sir, I do not comprehend what means 'To death,' and what 'To corruption.'" "Listen," he says; "The sheep which you saw gladsome and skipping about, these are those who have been utterly turned asunder from God, and have delivered themselves over to the lusts of this world. In these therefore, there is no repentance to life. For the name of God is being blasphemed through them. The life of such persons is death.
Shepherd of Hermas 62:4
But the sheep, which you saw not skipping about, but feeding in one place, these are those who have delivered themselves over to acts of self-indulgence and deceit, but have not uttered any blasphemy against the Lord. These then have been corrupted from the truth. In these there is hope of repentance, wherein they can live. Corruption then has hope of a possible renewal, but death has eternal destruction."
Shepherd of Hermas 62:5
Again we went forward a little way, and he shows me a great shepherd like a wild man in appearance, with a white goatskin thrown about him; and he had a kind of wallet on his shoulders, and a staff very hard and with knots in it, and a great whip. And his look was very sour, so that I was afraid of him because of his look.
Shepherd of Hermas 62:6
This shepherd then kept receiving from the young man, the shepherd, those sheep that were frisky and well fed, but not skipping about, and putting them in a certain spot, which was precipitous and covered with thorns and briars, so that the sheep could not disentangle themselves from the thorns and briars, but [became entangled among the thorns and briars].
Shepherd of Hermas 62:7
[And so they] pastured, entangled in the thorns and briars, and were in great misery with being beaten by him; and he kept driving them about here and there, and giving them no rest, and all together, those sheep did not have a happy time.
Shepherd of Hermas 63:1
When I then saw them so lashed with the whip and vexed, I was sorry for their sake, because they were so tortured and had no rest at all.
Shepherd of Hermas 63:2
I say to the shepherd who was speaking with me; "Sir, who is this shepherd, who is [so] hard-hearted and severe, and has no compassion at all for these sheep?" "This," he says, "Is the angel of punishment, and he is one of the just angels, and presides over punishment.
Shepherd of Hermas 63:3
So he receives those who wander away from God, and walk after the lusts and deceits of this life, and punishes them, as they deserve, with fearful and various punishments."
Shepherd of Hermas 63:4
I would gladly learn, Sir, I said, "Of what sort are these various punishments." "Listen," he says; "The various tortures and punishments are tortures belonging to the present life; for some are punished with losses, and others with want, and others with various maladies, and others with [every kind] of unsettlement, and others with insults from unworthy persons and with suffering in many other respects.
Shepherd of Hermas 63:5
For many, being unsettled in their plans, set their hands to many things, and nothing ever goes forward with them. And then they say that they do not prosper in their doings, and it does not enter into their hearts that they have done evil deeds, but they blame the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 63:6
When they are then afflicted with every kind of affliction, then they are delivered over to me for good instruction, and are strengthened in the faith of the Lord, and serve the Lord with a pure heart the remaining days of their life. But, if they repent, the evil works which they have done rise up in their hearts, and then they glorify God, saying that He is a just Judge, and that they suffered justly each according to his doings. And they serve the Lord thenceforward with a pure heart, and are prosperous in all their doings, receiving from the Lord whatever things they may ask; and then they glorify the Lord because they were delivered over to me, and they no longer suffer any evil thing."
Shepherd of Hermas 63:1
I say to him; "Sir, declare to me this further matter." "What do you yet inquire?" he says. "Whether, Sir," I say, "Those who live in self-indulgence and are deceived, undergo torments during the same length of time as they live in self-indulgence and are deceived." He says to me, "They undergo torments for the same length of time."
Shepherd of Hermas 63:2
Then, Sir, I say, "They undergo very slight torments; for those who are living thus in self-indulgence and forget God should have been tormented seven-fold."
Shepherd of Hermas 63:3
He says to me, "You are foolish, and do not comprehend the power of the torment." "True," I say, "For if I had comprehended it, I should not have asked you to declare it to me." "Listen," he says, "To the power of both, [of the self-indulgence and of the torment].
Shepherd of Hermas 63:4
The time of the self-indulgence and deceit is one hour. But an hour of the torment has the power of thirty days. If then, one lives in self indulgence and is deceived for one day, and is tormented for one day, the day of the torment is equivalent to a whole year. For as many days then as a man lives in self-indulgence, for so many years is he tormented. You see then," he says, "That the time of the self-indulgence and deceit is very short, but the time of the punishment and torment is long."
Shepherd of Hermas 65:1
Inasmuch, Sir, I say, "As I do not quite comprehend concerning the time of the deceit and self-indulgence and torment, show me more clearly."
Shepherd of Hermas 65:2
He answered and said to me; "Your stupidity cleaves to you; and you will not cleanse your heart and serve God. Take heed," [he says,] "Unless haply, the time is fulfilled, and you are found in your foolishness. Listen then," [he says,] "Even as you wish, that you may comprehend the matter.
Shepherd of Hermas 65:3
He who lives in self-indulgence and is deceived for one day, and does what he wishes, is clothed in much folly and does not comprehend the thing which he does; for on the morrow, he forgets what he did the day before. For self-indulgence and deceit have no memories, by reason of the folly, wherewith each is clothed; but when punishment and torment cling to a man for a single day, he is punished and tormented for a whole year long; for punishment and torment have long memories.
Shepherd of Hermas 65:4
So being tormented and punished for the whole year, the man remembers the self-indulgence and deceit at length, and perceives that it is on their account that he is suffering these ills. Every man, therefore, who lives in self-indulgence and is deceived, is tormented in this way because, though possessing life, they have delivered themselves over to death."
Shepherd of Hermas 65:5
What kinds of self-indulgence, Sir, I say, "Are harmful?" "Every action," he says, "Is self-indulgence to a man, which he does with pleasure; for the irascible man, when he gives the reins to his passion, is self-indulgent; and the adulterer and the drunkard and the slanderer and the liar and the miser and the defrauder and he who does things akin to these, gives the reins to his peculiar passion; therefore he is self-indulgent in his action.
Shepherd of Hermas 65:6
All these habits of self-indulgence are harmful to the servants of God; on account of these deceits therefore they so suffer who are punished and tormented.
Shepherd of Hermas 65:7
But there are habits of self-indulgence like-wise which save men; for many are self-indulgent in doing good, being carried away by the pleasure it gives to themselves. This self-indulgence then is expedient for the servants of God, and brings life to a man of this disposition; but the harmful self-indulgences afore-mentioned bring torments and punishments to men; and if they continue in them and do not repent, they bring death upon themselves."
Shepherd of Hermas 66:1
After a few days I saw him on the same plain, where I had also seen the shepherds, and he says to me, "What do you seek?" "I am here, Sir," I say, "That you may bid the shepherd who punishes, go out of my house; for he afflicts me much." "It is necessary for you," he says, "To be afflicted; for so," he says, "The glorious angel ordered as concerning you, for he wishes you to be tested." "Why, what so evil thing have I done, Sir," I say, "That I should be delivered over to this angel?"
Shepherd of Hermas 66:2
Listen, he says. "Your sins are many, yet not so many that you should be delivered over to this angel; but your house has committed great iniquities and sins, and the glorious angel was embittered at their deeds, and for this cause he bade you be afflicted for a certain time, that they also might repent and cleanse themselves from every lust of this world. When they will therefore repent and be cleansed, then the angel of punishment will depart."
Shepherd of Hermas 66:3
I say to him; "Sir, if they perpetrated such deeds that the glorious angel is embittered, what have I done?" "They cannot be afflicted otherwise," he says, "Unless you, the head of the [whole] house, are afflicted; for if you are afflicted, they also of necessity will be afflicted; but if you are prosperous, they can suffer no affliction."
Shepherd of Hermas 66:4
But behold, Sir, I say, "They have repented with their whole heart." "I am quite aware myself," he says, "That they have repented with their whole heart; well, do you think who the sins of those who repent are forgiven forthwith? Certainly not; but the person who repents must torture his own soul, and must be thoroughly humble in his every action, and be afflicted with all the various kinds of affliction; and if he endures the afflictions which come upon him, assuredly He who created all things and endowed them with power will be moved with compassion and will bestow some remedy.
Shepherd of Hermas 66:5
And this (will God do), if in any way He perceives the heart of the penitent [to be] pure from every evil thing. But it is expedient for you and for your house that you should be afflicted now. But why do I speak many words to you? You must be afflicted as the angel of the Lord commanded, even he who delivered you to me; and for this, give thanks to the Lord, in that He deemed you worthy that I should reveal the affliction to you beforehand, that foreknowing it, you might endure it with fortitude."
Shepherd of Hermas 66:6
I say to him; "Sir, be with me, and I will be able to endure all affliction [easily]." "I will be with you," he says; "And I will ask the angel that punishes to afflict you more lightly; but you will be afflicted for a short time, and you will be restored again to your house. Only continue to be humble and to minister to the Lord with a pure heart, you and your children and your house, and walk in my commandments which I command you, and thus it will be possible for your repentance to be strong and pure.
Shepherd of Hermas 66:7
And if you keep these commandments with your household, all affliction will hold aloof from you; indeed, and affliction," he says, "Will hold aloof from all whoever will walk in these my commandments."
Shepherd of Hermas 67:1
He showed me a [great] willow, overshadowing plains and mountains, and under the shadow of the willow, all have come who are called by the name of the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:2
And by the willow, there stood an angel of the Lord, glorious and very tall, having a great sickle, and he was lopping branches from the willow, and giving them to the people who sheltered beneath the willow; and he gave them little rods about a cubit long.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:3
And after all had taken the rods, the angel laid the sickle aside, and the tree was sound, just as I had seen it.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:4
Then I marveled within myself, saying, "How is the tree sound after so many branches have been lopped off?" The shepherd says to me, "Do not marvel that the tree remained sound, after so many branches were lopped off, but wait until you see all things, and it will be shown to you what it is."
Shepherd of Hermas 67:5
The angel who gave the rods to the people demanded them back from them again, and accordingly as they had received them, so also were they summoned to him, and each of them returned the several rods. But the angel of the Lord took them, and examined them.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:6
From some, he received the rods withered and eaten as it were by grubs: the angel ordered those who gave up rods like these to stand apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:7
And others gave them up withered, but not grub-eaten; and he ordered these to stand apart again.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:8
And others gave them up half-withered; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:9
And others gave up their rods half-withered and with cracks; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:10
And others gave up their rods green and with cracks; these also stood apart. And others gave up their rods, one half withered and one half green; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:11
And others brought their rods two parts of the rod green, and the third part withered; these also stood apart. And others gave them up two parts withered, and the third part green; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:12
And others gave up their rods nearly all green, but a very small portion of their rods was withered, just the end; but they had cracks in them; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:13
And in those of others, there was a very small portion green, but the rest of the rods was withered; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:14
And others came bringing their rods green, as they received them from the angel; and the most part of the multitude gave up their rods in this state; and the angel rejoiced exceedingly at these; these also stood apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:15
And others gave up their rods green and with shoots, these also stood apart; and at these again the angel rejoiced exceedingly.
Shepherd of Hermas 67:16
And others gave up their rods green and with shoots; and their shoots had, as it were, a kind of fruit. And those men were exceedingly gladsome, whose rods were found in this state. And the angel exulted over them, and the shepherd was very gladsome over them. *48:29
Shepherd of Hermas 68:1
And the angel of the Lord commanded crowns to be brought. And crowns were brought, made as it were of palm branches; and he crowned the men who had given up the rods which had the shoots and some fruit, and sent them away into the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 68:2
And the others, he also sent into the tower, even those who had given up the rods green and with shoots, but the shoots were without fruit; and he set a seal upon them.
Shepherd of Hermas 68:3
And all those who went into the tower had the same raiment, white as snow.
Shepherd of Hermas 68:4
And those who had given up their rods green as they received them, he sent away, giving them a [white] robe, and seals.
Shepherd of Hermas 68:5
After the angel had finished these things, he says to the shepherd; "I go away; but you will send these away to (their places within) the walls, accordingly as each deserves to dwell; but examine their rods carefully), and so send them away. But be careful in examining them. Take heed unless any escape you," he says. "Still, if any escape you, I will test them at the altar." When he had thus spoken to the shepherd, he departed.
Shepherd of Hermas 68:6
And, after the angel had departed, the shepherd says to me; "Let us take the rods of all and plant them, to see whether any of them will be able to live." I say to him, "Sir, these withered things, how can they live?"
Shepherd of Hermas 68:7
He answered and said to me; "This tree is a willow, and this class of trees clings to life. If then, the rods will be planted and get a little moisture, many of them will live. And afterwards, let us also try to pour some water over them. If any of them will be able to live, I will rejoice with it; but if it does not live, I at least will not be found neglectful."
Shepherd of Hermas 68:8
So the shepherd bade me to call them, just as each one of them was stationed. And they came row after row, and they delivered up the rods to the shepherd. And the shepherd took the rods, and planted them in rows, and after he had planted them, he poured much water over them, so that the rods could not be seen for the water.
Shepherd of Hermas 68:9
And after he had watered the rods, he says to me; "Let us go now. And after [several] days, let us return and inspect all the rods; for He who created this tree wills that all those who have received rods from this tree should live. And I myself hope that these little rods, after they have gotten moisture and been watered, will live the greater part of them."
Shepherd of Hermas 69:1
I say to him; "Sir, inform me what this tree is. For I am perplexed herewith, because, though so many branches were cut off, the tree is sound, and nothing appears to have been cut from it; I am therefore perplexed thereat."
Shepherd of Hermas 69:2
Listen, he says; "This great tree which overshadows plains and mountains and all the earth is the law of God which was given to the whole world; and this law is the son of God preached to the ends of the earth. But the people that are under the shadow are those who have heard the preaching, and believed on him;
Shepherd of Hermas 69:3
But the great and glorious angel is Michael, who has the power over this people and is their captain. For this is he who puts the law into the hearts of the believers; therefore he himself inspects them to whom he gave it, to see whether they have observed it.
Shepherd of Hermas 69:4
But you see the rods of every one; for the rods are the law. You see these many rods rendered useless, and you will notice all those who have not observed the law, and will see the abode of each severally."
Shepherd of Hermas 69:5
I say to him; "Sir, why did he send away some into the tower, and leave others for you?" "As many," he says, "Who transgressed the law which they received from him, he left these under my authority for repentance; but as many who already satisfied the law and have observed it, he has these under his own authority."
Shepherd of Hermas 69:6
Who then, Sir, I say, "Are those who have been crowned and go into the tower?" ["As many," he says, "Who wrestled with the devil and overcame him in their wrestling, are crowned:] these are those who suffered for the law.
Shepherd of Hermas 69:7
But the others, who likewise gave up their rods green and with shoots, though not with fruit, are those who were persecuted for the law, but did not suffer or yet deny their law.
Shepherd of Hermas 69:8
But those who gave them up green just as they received them, are sober and righteous men, who walked altogether in a pure heart and have kept the commandments of the Lord. But all else you will know, when I have examined these rods that have been planted and watered."
Shepherd of Hermas 70:1
And after a few days, we came to the place, and the shepherd sat down in the place of the angel, while I stood by him. And he says to me; "Gird yourself with a garment of raw flax, and minister to me." So I girded myself with a clean garment of raw flax made of coarse material.
Shepherd of Hermas 70:2
And when he saw me girded and ready to minister to him, "Call," he says, "The men whose rods have been planted, according to the rank as each presented their rods." And I went away to the plain, and called them all; and they stood, all of them according to their ranks.
Shepherd of Hermas 70:3
He says to them; "Let each man pluck out his own rod, and bring it to me." Those gave them up first, who had the withered and chipped rods, and they were found accordingly withered and chipped. He ordered them to stand apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 70:4
Then those gave them up, who had them withered but not chipped; and some of them gave up the rods green, and others withered and chipped as by grubs. Those then who gave them up green, he ordered to stand apart; but those who gave them up withered and chipped, he ordered to stand with the first.
Shepherd of Hermas 70:5
Then those gave them up who had the half-withered and with cracks; and many of them gave them up green and without cracks; and some gave them up green and with shoots, and fruits on the shoots, such as those had, who went into the tower crowned; and some gave them up withered and eaten, and some withered and uneaten, and some such as they were, half-withered and with cracks. He ordered them to stand, each one apart, some in their proper ranks, and others apart.
Shepherd of Hermas 71:1
Then those gave them up, who had their rods green, but with cracks. These all gave them up green, and stood in their own company. And the shepherd rejoiced over these, because they all were changed and had put away their cracks.
Shepherd of Hermas 71:2
And those gave them up likewise, who had the one half green and the other half withered. The rods of some were found entirely green, of some half-withered, of some withered and eaten, and of some green and with shoots. These were all sent away each to his company.
Shepherd of Hermas 71:3
Then those gave them up who had two parts green and the third withered; many of them gave them up green, and many half-withered, and others withered and eaten. These all stood in their own company.
Shepherd of Hermas 71:4
Then those gave them up who had two parts withered and the third part green. Many of them gave them up half-withered, but some withered and eaten, others half-withered and with cracks, and a few green. These all stood in their own company.
Shepherd of Hermas 71:5
Then those gave them up who had their rods green, but a very small part [withered] and with cracks. Of these, some gave them up green, and others green and with shoots. These also went away to their own company.
Shepherd of Hermas 71:6
Then those gave them up who had a very small part green and the other parts withered. The rods of these were found for the most part green and with shoots and fruit on the shoots, and others altogether green. At these rods, the shepherd rejoiced very [greatly], because they were found so. And these went away each to his own company.
Shepherd of Hermas 72:1
After [the shepherd] had examined the rods of all, he says to me, "I told you that this tree clings to life. See," he says, "How many repented and were saved?" "I see, Sir," I say. "It is," he says, "That you may see the abundant compassion of the Lord, how great and glorious it is, and He has given (His) Spirit to those who are worthy of repentance."
Shepherd of Hermas 72:2
Why then, Sir, I say, "Did they not all repent?" "To those, whose heart He saw about to become pure and to serve Him with all the heart, to them He gave repentance; but those whose craftiness and wickedness He saw, who intend to repent in hypocrisy, to them He gave no repentance, unless haply they should again profane His name."
Shepherd of Hermas 72:3
I say to him, "Sir, now show me then concerning those who have given up their rods, what manner of man each of them is, and their abode, that when they hear this, those who believed and have received the seal and have broken it and did not keep it sound may fully understand what they are doing, and repent, receiving a seal from you, and may glorify the Lord, that He had compassion upon them and sent you to renew their spirits."
Shepherd of Hermas 72:4
Listen, he says; "Those whose rods were found withered and grub-eaten, these are the renegades and traitors to the church, that blasphemed the Lord in their sins, and were still further ashamed of the name of the Lord, which was invoked upon them. These then perished altogether to God. But you see how not one of them repented, although they heard the words which you spoke to them, which I commanded you. From men of this kind, life departed.
Shepherd of Hermas 72:5
But those who gave up the withered and undecayed (rods), these also are near them; for they were hypocrites, and brought in strange doctrines, and perverted the servants of God, especially those who had sinned, not permitting them to repent, but persuading them with their foolish doctrines. These then have hope of repenting.
Shepherd of Hermas 72:6
But you see that many of them have indeed repented from the time when you spoke my commandments to them; indeed, and (others) still will repent. And as many who will not repent, have lost their life; but as many of them who repented, became good; and their dwelling was placed within the first walls, and some of them even ascended into the tower. You see then," [he says,] "That repentance from sins brings life, but not to repent brings death.
Shepherd of Hermas 73:1
But as many who gave up (the rods) half-withered, and with cracks in them, hear also concerning these. Those whose rods were half-withered throughout are the double-minded; for they neither live or are dead.
Shepherd of Hermas 73:2
But those who have them half-withered and cracks in them, these are both double-minded and slanderers, and are never at peace among themselves but always causing dissensions. Yet even to these," [he says,] "Repentance is given. You see," [he says,] "That some of them have repented; and there is still," he says, "Hope of repentance among them.
Shepherd of Hermas 73:3
And as many of them," he says, "Who have repented, have their abode within the tower; but as many of them who have repented tardily will abide within the walls; and as many who do not repent, but continue in their doings, will die the death.
Shepherd of Hermas 73:4
But those who have given up their rods green and with cracks, these were found faithful and good at all times, [but] they have a certain emulation with one another about first places and about glory of some kind or other; but all these are foolish in having (emulation) with one another about first places.
Shepherd of Hermas 73:5
Yet these also, when they heard my commandments, being good, purified themselves and repented quickly. They have their habitation, therefore, within the tower. But if anyone will again turn to dissension, he will be cast out from the tower and will lose his life.
Shepherd of Hermas 73:6
Life is for all those who keep the commandments of the Lord. But in the commandments, there is nothing about first places, or about glory of any kind, but about long-suffering and humility in man. In such men, therefore, is the life of the Lord, but in factious and lawless men is death.
Shepherd of Hermas 74:1
But those who gave up their rods half green and half withered, these are those who are mixed up in business and do not cleave to the saints. Therefore the one half of them lives, but the other half is dead.
Shepherd of Hermas 74:2
Many then, when they heard my commandments, repented. As many then who repented, have their abode within the tower. But some of them altogether stood aloof. These then have no repentance; for by reason of their business affairs, they blasphemed the Lord and denied Him. So they lost their life for the wickedness that they committed.
Shepherd of Hermas 74:3
But many of them were doubtful-minded. These still have place for repentance, if they repent quickly, and their dwelling will be within the tower; and if they repent tardily, they will dwell within the walls; but if they do not repent, they too have lost their life.
Shepherd of Hermas 74:4
But those who have given up two parts green and the third part withered, these are those who have denied with manifold denials.
Shepherd of Hermas 74:5
Many of them therefore repented and departed to dwell inside the tower; but many utterly rebelled from God; these lost their life finally. And some of them were double-minded and caused dissensions. For these then there is repentance, if they repent speedily and do not continue in their pleasures; but if they continue in their doings, they likewise procure death for themselves.
Shepherd of Hermas 75:1
But those who have given up their rods two thirds withered and one third green, these are men who have been believers, but grew rich and became renowned among the Gentiles. They clothed themselves with great pride and became high-minded, and abandoned the truth and did not cleave to the righteous, but lived together after the manner of the Gentiles, and this path appeared more pleasant to them; yet they did not depart from God, but continued in the faith, though they did not work the works of the faith.
Shepherd of Hermas 75:2
Many of them therefore repented, and they had their habitation within the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 75:3
But others at the last living with the Gentiles, and being corrupted by the vain opinions of the Gentiles, departed from God, and worked the works of the Gentiles. These therefore were numbered with the Gentiles.
Shepherd of Hermas 76:2
But some of them were double-minded, and some, being double-minded, made a greater dissension. In these then there is still a hope of repentance, because they were always found good; and hardly will one of them die.
Shepherd of Hermas 76:3
But those who gave up their rods withered, yet with a very small part green, these are those who believed, but practiced the works of lawlessness. Still they never separated from God, but bore the name gladly, and gladly received the servants of God into their houses. So hearing of this repentance, they repented without wavering, and they practice all excellence and righteousness.
Shepherd of Hermas 76:4
And some of them even suffer persecution willingly, knowing the deeds that they did. All these then will have their dwelling within the tower."
Shepherd of Hermas 77:1
And after he had completed the interpretations of all the rods, he says to me; "Go, and tell all men to repent, and they will live to God; for the Lord in His compassion sent me to give repentance to all, though some of them do not deserve it for their deeds; but being long-suffering, the Lord wills those who were called through His son to be saved."
Shepherd of Hermas 77:2
I say to him; "Sir, I hope that all, when they hear these words, will repent; for I am persuaded that each one, when he fully knows his own deeds and fears God, will repent."
Shepherd of Hermas 77:3
He answered and said to me; "As many," [he says,] "Who [will repent] from their whole heart [and] will cleanse themselves from all the evil deeds aforementioned, and will add nothing further to their sins, will receive healing from the Lord for their former sins, unless they are double-minded concerning these commandments, and they will live to God. [But as many," he says, "Who will add to their sins and walk in the lusts of this world, will condemn themselves to death.]
Shepherd of Hermas 77:4
But walk in my commandments, and live [to God; indeed, and as many who will walk in them and will do rightly, will live to God."]
Shepherd of Hermas 77:5
Having shown me all these things [and told me them,] he says to me; "Now I will declare the rest (to you) after a few days."
Shepherd of Hermas 78:1
After I had written down the commandments and parables of the shepherd, the angel of repentance, he came to me and says to me; "I wish to show you all things that the Holy Spirit, which spoke with you in the form of the church, showed to you. For that Spirit is the son of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 78:2
For when you were weaker in the flesh, it was not declared to you through an angel; but when you were enabled through the Spirit, and grew mighty in your strength so that you could even see an angel, then at length was manifested to you, through the church, the building of the tower. In a fair and seemly manner, you have seen all things, (instructed) as it were by a virgin; but now you see (being instructed) by an angel, though by the same Spirit;
Shepherd of Hermas 78:3
Yet you must learn everything more accurately from me. For to this end also was I appointed by the glorious angel to dwell in your house, that you might see all things mightily, in nothing terrified, even as before."
Shepherd of Hermas 78:4
And he took me away into Arcadia, to a certain rounded mountain, and set me on the top of the mountain, and showed me a great plain, and twelve mountains round the plain, the mountains each having a different appearance.
Shepherd of Hermas 78:5
The first was black as soot; the second was bare, without vegetation; the third was thorny and full of briars;
Shepherd of Hermas 78:6
The fourth had the vegetation half-withered, the upper part of the grass green, but the part by the roots withered, and some of the grass became withered, whenever the sun had scorched it;
Shepherd of Hermas 78:7
The fifth mountain had green grass and was rugged; the sixth mountain was full with clefts throughout, some small and some great, and the clefts had vegetation, but the grass was not very luxuriant, but rather as if it had been withered;
Shepherd of Hermas 78:8
The seventh mountain had smiling vegetation, and the whole mountain was in a thriving condition, and cattle and birds of every kind fed upon that mountain; and the more the cattle and the birds fed, so much more did the herbage of that mountain flourish. The eighth mountain was full of springs, and every kind of creature of the Lord drank of the springs on that mountain.
Shepherd of Hermas 78:9
The ninth mountain had no water at all, and was entirely desert; and it had wild beasts and deadly reptiles in it, which destroy mankind. The tenth mountain had very large trees and was umbrageous throughout, and beneath the shade lay sheep, resting and feeding.
Shepherd of Hermas 78:10
The eleventh mountain was thickly wooded all over, and the trees thereon were very productive, decked with various kinds of fruits, so that one seeing them would desire to eat of their fruits. The twelfth mountain was altogether white and its aspect was cheerful; and the mountain was most beauteous in itself.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:1
And in the middle of the plain, he showed me a great white rock, rising up from the plain. The rock was loftier than the mountains, being four-square, so that it could contain the whole world.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:2
Now this rock was ancient, and had a gate hewn out of it; but the gate seemed to me to have been hewn out quite recently. And the gate glistened beyond the brightness of the sun, so that I marveled at the brightness of the gate.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:3
And around the gate stood twelve virgins. The four then who stood at the corners seemed to me to be more glorious (than the rest); but the others were likewise glorious; and they stood at the four quarters of the gate, and virgins stood in pairs between them.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:4
And they were clothed in linen tunics and girt about in seemly fashion, having their right shoulders free, as if they intended to carry some burden. Thus were they prepared, for they were very cheerful and eager.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:5
After I had seen these things, I marveled in myself at the greatness and the glory of what I was seeing. And again, I was perplexed concerning the virgins, that delicate as they were, they stood up like men, as if they intended to carry the whole heaven.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:6
And the shepherd says to me; "Why do you question within yourself and are perplexed, and bring sadness on yourself? For whatever things you cannot comprehend, do not attempt them, if you are prudent; but entreat the Lord, that you may receive understanding to comprehend them.
Shepherd of Hermas 79:7
What is behind you, you cannot see, but what is before you, you behold. The things therefore which you cannot see, let alone, and do not trouble yourself (about them; but the things which you see, these master, and do not be over-curious about the rest; but I will explain to you all things whatever I will show you. Have an eye therefore to what remains."
Shepherd of Hermas 80:1
I saw six men come, tall and glorious and alike in appearance, and they summoned a multitude of men. And the others also who came were tall men and handsome and powerful. And the six men ordered them to build a tower above the gate. And there arose a great noise from those men who had come to build the tower, as they ran here and there round the gate.
Shepherd of Hermas 80:2
For the virgins, standing round the gate, told the men to hasten to build the tower. Now the virgins had spread out their hands, as if they would take something from the men.
Shepherd of Hermas 80:3
And the six men ordered stones to come up from a certain deep place, and to go to the building of the tower. And there went up ten stones, square and polished, [not] hewn from a quarry.
Shepherd of Hermas 80:4
And the six men called to the virgins, and ordered them to carry all the stones which should go to the building of the tower, and to pass through the gate and to hand them to the men who were about to build the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 80:5
And the virgins laid the first ten stones that rose out of the deep on each other, and they carried them together, stone by stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:1
And just as they stood together around the gate, in that order they carried those that seemed to be strong enough and had stooped under the corners of the stone, while the others stooped at the sides of the stone. And so they carried all the stones. And they carried them right through the gate, as they were ordered, and handed them to the men for the tower; and these took the stones and built.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:2
Now the building of the tower was upon the great rock and above the gate. Those ten stones were then joined together, and they covered the whole rock. And these formed a foundation for the building of the tower. And [the rock and] the gate supported the whole tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:3
And, after the ten stones, another twenty-five stones came up from the deep, and these were fitted into the building of the tower, being carried by the virgins, like the former. And after these thirty-five stones came up. And these were likewise fitted into the tower. And after these, another forty stones came up. And these all were put into the building of the tower. So four rows were made in the foundations of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:4
And (the stones) ceased coming up from the deep, and the builders likewise ceased for a little. And again the six men ordered the multitude of the people to bring in stones from the mountains for the building of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:5
They were brought in accordingly from all the mountains, of various colors, shaped by the men, and were handed to the virgins; and the virgins carried them right through the gate, and handed them in for the building of the tower. And when the various stones were placed in the building, they became all alike and white, and they lost their various colors.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:6
But some stones were handed in by the men for the building, and these did not become bright; but just as they were placed, such were likewise found; for they were not handed in by the virgins, nor had they been carried in through the gate. These stones then were unsightly in the building of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:7
Then the six men, seeing the stones that were unsightly in the building, ordered them to be removed and carried [below] into their own place from where they were brought.
Shepherd of Hermas 81:8
And they say to the men who were bringing the stones in; "Abstain for your parts altogether from handing in stones for the building; but place them by the tower, that the virgins may carry them through the gate, and hand them in for the building. For if," [they say,] "They are not carried in through the gate by the hands of these virgins, they cannot change their colors. Do not labor therefore," [they say,] "In vain."
Shepherd of Hermas 82:1
And the building was finished on that day, yet the tower was not finally completed, for it was to be carried up [still] higher; and there was a cessation in the building. And the six men ordered the builders to retire for a short time [all of them], and to rest; but the virgins, they did not order to retire from the tower. And I thought the virgins were left to guard the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 82:2
And after all had retired [and rested], I say to the shepherd; "How is it, Sir," I say, "That the building of the tower was not completed?" "The tower," he says, "Cannot yet be finally completed, until its master comes and tests this building, that if any stones are found crumbling, he may change them; for the tower is being built according to his will."
Shepherd of Hermas 82:3
I would gladly know, Sir, I say, "What is this building of this tower, and concerning the rock and gate, and the mountains, and the virgins, and the stones that came up from the deep, and were not shaped, but went just as they were into the building;
Shepherd of Hermas 82:4
And why ten stones were first placed in the foundations, then twenty-five, then thirty-five, then forty, and concerning the stones that had gone to the building and were removed again and put away in their own place, concerning all these things set my soul at rest, Sir, and explain them to me."
Shepherd of Hermas 82:5
If, he says, "You are not found possessed of an idle curiosity, you will know all things. For after a few days, we will come here, and you will see the sequel that overtakes this tower and will understand all the parables accurately."
Shepherd of Hermas 82:6
And after a few days, we came to the place where we had sat, and he says to me, "Let us go to the tower; for the owner of the tower comes to inspect it." And we came to the tower, and there was no one at all by it, except the virgins alone.
Shepherd of Hermas 82:7
And the shepherd asked the virgins whether the master of the tower had arrived. And they said that he would be there directly to inspect the building.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:1
And, behold, after a little while, I see an array of many men coming, and in the midst, a man of such lofty stature that he overtopped the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:2
And the six men who superintended the building, walked with him on the right hand and on the left, and all those who worked at the building were with him, and many other glorious attendants around him. And the virgins who watched the tower ran up and kissed him, and they began to walk by his side round the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:3
And that man inspected the building so carefully, that he felt each single stone; and he held a rod in his hand and struck each single stone that was built in.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:4
And when he smote, some of the stones became black as soot, others mildewed, others cracked, others broke off short, others became neither white or black, others rough and not fitting in with the other stones, and others with many spots; these were the varied aspects of the stones which were found unsound for the building.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:5
So he ordered all these to be removed from the tower, and to be placed by the side of the tower, and other stones to be brought and put into their place.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:6
And the builders asked him from what mountain he desired stones to be brought and put into their place. And he would not have them brought from the mountains, but ordered them to be brought from a certain plain that was near at hand.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:7
And the plain was dug, and stones were found there, bright and square, but some of them were round too. And all the stones which there were, anywhere in that plain, were brought, every one of them, and were carried through the gate by the virgins.
Shepherd of Hermas 83:8
And the square stones were hewed, and set in the place of those that had been removed; but the round ones were not placed in the building, because they were too hard to be shaped, and to work on them was slow. So they were placed by the side of the tower, as though they were intended to be shaped and placed in the building; for they were very bright.
Shepherd of Hermas 84:1
So then, having accomplished these things, the glorious man who was lord of the whole tower called the shepherd to him, and delivered all the stones to him which lay by the side of the tower, which were cast out from the building, and says to him;
Shepherd of Hermas 84:2
Clean these stones carefully, and set them in the building of the tower, these, I mean, which can fit with the rest; but those which will not fit, throw far away from the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 84:3
Having given these orders to the shepherd, he departed from the tower with all those with whom he had come. And the virgins stood round the tower watching it.
Shepherd of Hermas 84:4
I say to the shepherd, "How can these stones go again to the building of the tower, seeing that they have been disapproved?" He says to me in answer; "Do you see", he says, "These stones?" "I see them, Sir," I say. "I myself," he says, "Will shape the greater part of these stones and put them into the building, and they will fit in with the remaining stones."
Shepherd of Hermas 84:5
How, Sir, I say, "Can they, when they are chiseled, fill the same space?" He says to me in answer, "As many that will be found small, will be put into the middle of the building; but as many that are larger, will be placed near the outside, and they will bind them together."
Shepherd of Hermas 84:6
With these words he says to me, "Let us go away, and after two days, let us come and clean these stones, and put them into the building; for all things round the tower must be made clean, unless haply, the master suddenly comes and finds the circuit of the tower dirty, and he is indignant, and so these stones will not go to the building of the tower, and I will appear to be careless in my master's sight."
Shepherd of Hermas 84:7
And after two days, we came to the tower, and he says to me; "Let us inspect all the stones, and see those that can go to the building." I say to him, "Sir, let us inspect them."
Shepherd of Hermas 85:1
And so commencing first, we began to inspect the black stones; and just as they were when set aside from the building, such were also found. And the shepherd ordered them to be removed from the tower and to be put on one side.
Shepherd of Hermas 85:2
Then he inspected those that were mildewed, and he took and shaped many of them, and ordered the virgins to take them up and put them into the building. And the virgins took them up and placed them in the building of the tower in a middle position. But the rest, he ordered to be placed with the black ones; for these also were found black.
Shepherd of Hermas 85:3
Then he began to inspect those that had the cracks; and of these, he shaped many, and he ordered them to be carried away by the hands of the virgins for the building. And they were placed toward the outside, because they were found to be sounder. But the rest could not be shaped owing to the number of the cracks. For this reason therefore, they were cast aside from the building of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 85:4
Then he proceeded to inspect the stunted (stones), and many among them were found black, and some had contracted great cracks; and he ordered these to also be placed with those that had been cast aside. But those of them that remained, he cleaned and shaped, and ordered to be placed in the building. So the virgins took them up, and fitted them into the middle of the building of the tower; for they were somewhat weak.
Shepherd of Hermas 85:5
Then he began to inspect those that were half white and half black, and many of them were (now) found black; and he ordered these to also be taken up with those that had been cast aside. But all the rest were [found white, and were] taken up by the virgins; for being white, they were fitted by [the virgins] them[selves] into the building. But they were placed towards the outside, because they were found sound, so that they could hold together those that were placed in the middle; for not a single one of them was too short.
Shepherd of Hermas 85:6
Then he began to inspect the hard and rough; and a few of them were cast away, because they could not be shaped; for they were found very hard. But the rest of them were shaped [and taken up by the virgins] and fitted into the middle of the building of the tower; for they were somewhat weak.
Shepherd of Hermas 85:7
Then he proceeded to inspect those that had the spots, and of these, few had turned black and were cast away among the rest; but the remainder were found bright and sound, and these were fitted by the virgins into the building; but they were placed toward the outside, owing to their strength.
Shepherd of Hermas 86:1
Then he came to inspect the white and round stones, and he says to me; "What will we do with these stones?" "How do I know, Sir?" I say. [And he says to me,] "Do you perceive nothing concerning them?"
Shepherd of Hermas 86:2
I, Sir, I say, "Do not possess this art, neither am I a mason, nor can I understand." "Do you see not," he says, "That they are very round; and if I wish to make them square, very much must needs be chiseled off from them? Yet some of them must of necessity be placed into the building."
Shepherd of Hermas 86:3
If then, Sir, I say, "It must be so, why distress yourself, and why not choose out for the building those you will, and fit them into it?" He chose the large and the bright ones out from them, and shaped them; and the virgins took them up, and fitted them into the outer parts of the building.
Shepherd of Hermas 86:4
But the rest, which remained over, were taken up, and put aside into the plain from where they were brought; they were not however cast away, "Because," he says, there still remains a little of the tower to be built. And the master of the tower is exceedingly anxious that these stones are fitted into the building, for they are very bright."
Shepherd of Hermas 86:5
So twelve women were called, most beautiful in form, clad in black, [girded about and having the shoulders bare,] with their hair hanging loose. And these women, I thought, had a savage look. And the shepherd ordered them to take up the stones that had been cast away from the building, and to carry them off to the same mountains from which they had also been brought;
Shepherd of Hermas 86:6
And they took them up joyfully, and carried away all the stones and put them in the place from where they had been taken. And after all the stones had been taken up, and not a single stone still lay round the tower, the shepherd says to me; "Let us go round the tower, and see that there is no defect in it." And I proceeded to go round it with him.
Shepherd of Hermas 86:7
And when the shepherd saw that the tower was very comely in the building, he was exceedingly glad; for the tower was so well built, that when I saw it, I coveted the building of it; for it was built, as it were, of one stone, having one fitting in it. And the stone-work appeared as if hewn out of the rock; for it seemed to me to be all a single stone.
Shepherd of Hermas 87:1
And I, as I walked with him, was glad to see so brave a sight. And the shepherd says to me; "Go and bring plaster and fine clay, that I may fill up the shapes of the stones that have been taken up and put into the building; for all the circuit of the tower must be made smooth."
Shepherd of Hermas 87:2
And I did as he bade, and brought them to him. "Assist me," he says, "And the work will be accomplished speedily." So he filled in the shapes of the stones which had gone to the building, and ordered the circuit of the tower to be swept and made clean.
Shepherd of Hermas 87:3
And the virgins took brooms and swept, and they removed all the rubbish from the tower, and sprinkled water, and the site of the tower was made cheerful and very seemly.
Shepherd of Hermas 87:4
The shepherd says to me, "All," he says, "Has now been cleaned. If the lord comes to inspect the tower, he has nothing for which to blame us." Saying this, he desired to go away.
Shepherd of Hermas 87:5
But I caught hold of his wallet, and began to adjure him by the Lord that he would explain to me [all] that he had shown me. He says to me; "I am busy for a little while, and then I will explain everything to you. Await me here until I come."
Shepherd of Hermas 87:6
I say to him; "Sir, when I am here alone, what will I do?" "You are not alone," he says; "For these virgins are here with you." "Commend me then to them," I say. The shepherd calls them to him and says to them; "I commend this man to you until I come," and he departed.
Shepherd of Hermas 87:7
So I was alone with the virgins; and they were most cheerful, and kindly disposed to me, especially the four of those who were more glorious in appearance.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:1
The virgins say to me; "Today the shepherd does not come here." "What then will I do?" I say. "Stay for him," they say, "Until evening; and if he comes, he will speak with you; but if he does not come, you will stay here with us until he comes."
Shepherd of Hermas 88:2
I say to them; "I will await him until evening, and if he does not come, I will depart home and return early in the morning." But they answered and said to me; "To us you were entrusted; you cannot depart from us."
Shepherd of Hermas 88:3
Where then, I say, "Will I remain?" "You will pass the night with us," they say as a brother, not as a husband; for you are our brother, and henceforward we will dwell with you; for we love you dearly." But I was ashamed to abide with them.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:4
And she who seemed to be the chief of them began to kiss and to embrace me; and the others seeing her embrace me, they too began to kiss me, and to lead me round the tower, and to sport with me.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:5
And I had become as it were, a younger man, and I commenced myself likewise to sport with them. For some of them began to dance, [others to skip,] others to sing. But I kept silence and walked with them round the tower, and was glad with them.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:6
But when evening came, I wished to go away home; but they would not let me go, but detained me. And I stayed the night with them, and I slept by the side of the tower.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:7
For the virgins spread their linen tunics on the ground, and made me lie down in the midst of them, and they did nothing else but pray; and I prayed with them without ceasing, and not less than them. And the virgins rejoiced that I so prayed. And I stayed there with the virgins until the morning until the second hour.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:8
Then the shepherd came, and says to the virgins; "Have you done him any injury?" "Ask him," they say. I say to him, "Sir, I was rejoiced to stay with them." "On what did you sup?" he says "I supped, Sir," I say, "On the words of the Lord the whole night through." "Did they treat you well?" he says. "Yes, Sir," I say.
Shepherd of Hermas 88:9
Now, he says, "What would you hear first?" "In the order as you showed to me, Sir, from the beginning," I say; "I request you, Sir, to explain to me exactly in the order that I will inquire of you." Accordingly as you desire," he says, "Even so will I interpret to you, and I will conceal nothing whatsoever from you."
Shepherd of Hermas 89:1
First of all, Sir, I say, "Explain this to me. The rock and the gate, what is it?" "This rock," he says, "And gate are the son of God." "How, Sir," I say, "Is the rock ancient, but the gate recent?" "Listen," he says, "And understand, foolish man.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:2
The son of God is older than all His creation, so that he became the Father's adviser in His creation. Therefore he is also ancient." "But the gate, why is it recent, Sir?" I say.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:3
Because, he says, "He was made manifest in the last days of the consummation; therefore the gate was made recent, that those who are to be saved may enter through it into the kingdom of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:4
Did you see," he says, "That the stones that came through the gate have gone to the building of the tower, but those that did not come through it were cast away again to their own place?" "I saw, Sir," I say. "Thus," he says, "No one will enter into the kingdom of God, unless he receives the name of His son.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:5
For if you wish to enter into any city, and that city is walled all round and has only one gate, can you enter into that city unless through the gate which it has?" "Why, how, Sir," I say, "Is it possible otherwise?" "If then you cannot enter into the city except through the gate itself, even so," he says, "A man cannot enter into the kingdom of God except by the name of His son who is beloved by Him.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:6
Did you see," he says, "The multitude that is building the tower?" "I saw it, Sir," I say. "They," he says, "Are all glorious angels. With these then the Lord is walled around. But the gate is the son of God; there is this one entrance only to the Lord. No one then will enter in to Him otherwise than through His son.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:7
Did you see," he says, "The six men, and the glorious and mighty man in the midst of them, him who walked about the tower and rejected the stones from the building?" "I saw him, Sir," I say.
Shepherd of Hermas 89:8
The glorious man, he says, "Is the son of God, and those six are the glorious angels who guard him on the right hand and on the left. Of these glorious angels not one," he says, "Will enter in to God without him; whoever will not receive his name, will not enter into the kingdom of God."
Shepherd of Hermas 90:1
But the tower, I say, "What is it?" "The tower," he says, "Why, this is the church.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:2
And these virgins, who are they? "They," he says, "Are holy spirits; and no man can otherwise be found in the kingdom of God, unless these will clothe him with their garment; for if you receive only the name, but do not receive the garment from them, you profit nothing. For these virgins are powers of the son of God. If [therefore] you bear the name, and do not bear his power, you will bear his name to none effect.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:3
And the stones," he says, "Which you saw cast away, these bore the name, but did not clothe themselves with the raiment of the virgins." "Of what sort, Sir," I say, "Is their raiment?" "The names themselves," he says, "Are their raiment. Whoever bears the name of the son of God, should bear the names of these also; for even the son himself bears the names of these virgins.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:4
As many stones," he says, "As you saw enter into the building of the tower, being given in by their hands and waiting for the building, they have been clothed in the power of these virgins.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:5
For this cause you see the tower made a single stone with the rock. So also those who have believed in the Lord through His son and clothe themselves in these spirits, will become one spirit and one body, and their garments all of one color. But such persons who bear the names of the virgins have their dwelling in the tower."
Shepherd of Hermas 90:6
The stones then, Sir, I say, "Which are cast aside, why were they cast aside? For they passed through the gate and were placed in the building of the tower by the hands of the virgins." "Since all these things interest you," he says, "And you inquire diligently, listen as touching the stones that have been cast aside.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:7
These all," [he says,] "Received the name of the son of God, and likewise received the power of these virgins. When they then received these spirits, they were strengthened, and were with the servants of God, and they had one spirit and one body [and one garment]; for they had the same mind, and they worked righteousness.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:8
After a certain time then, they were persuaded by the women whom you saw clad in black raiment, and having their shoulders bare and their hair loose, and beautiful in form. When they saw them, they desired them, and they clothed themselves with their power, but they stripped off the power of the virgins from themselves.
Shepherd of Hermas 90:9
They were then cast away from the house of God, and delivered to these (women). But those who were not deceived by the beauty of these women remained in the house of God. So you have," he says, "The interpretation of those who were cast aside."
Shepherd of Hermas 91:1
What then, Sir," I say, "If these men, being such as they are, should repent and put away their desire for these women, and return to the virgins, and walk in their power and in their works? Will they not enter into the house of God?"
Shepherd of Hermas 91:2
They will enter, he says, "If they will put away the works of these women, and again take the power of the virgins, and walk in their works. For this is the reason why there was also a cessation in the building, that, if these repent, they may go into the building of the tower; but if they do not repent, then others will go, and these will be finally cast away."
Shepherd of Hermas 91:3
For all these things, I gave thanks to the Lord, because He had compassion on all who called upon His name, and sent forth the angel of repentance to us, who had sinned against Him, and refreshed our spirit, and, when we were already ruined and had no hope of life, restored our life.
Shepherd of Hermas 91:4
Now, Sir, I say, "Show me why the tower is not built upon the ground, but upon the rock and upon the gate." "Because you are senseless," he says, "And without understanding [you ask the question]." "I am obliged, Sir," I say, "To ask all questions of you, because I am absolutely unable to comprehend anything at all; for all are great and glorious and difficult for men to understand."
Shepherd of Hermas 91:5
Listen, he says. "The name of the son of God is great and incomprehensible, and sustains the whole world. If then, all creation is sustained by the son [of God], what do you think of those who are called by him, and bear the name of the son of God, and walk according to his commandments?
Shepherd of Hermas 91:6
Do you then see what manner of men he sustains? Even those who bear his name with their whole heart. He himself then has become their foundation, and he sustains them gladly, because they are not ashamed to bear his name."
Shepherd of Hermas 92:1
Declare to me, Sir, I say, "The names of the virgins, and of the women who are clothed in the black garments." "Hear," he says, "The names of the more powerful virgins, those who are stationed at the corners.
Shepherd of Hermas 92:2
The first is Faith, and the second, Continence, and the third, Power, and the fourth, Long-suffering. But the others stationed between them have these names - Simplicity, Guilelessness, Purity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Concord, Love. He who bears these names and the name of the son of God will be able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 92:3
Hear," he says, "Likewise, the names of the women who wear the black garments. Of these also, four are more powerful than the rest; the first is Unbelief; the second, Intemperance; the third, Disobedience; the fourth, Deceit; and their followers are called, Sadness, Wickedness, Wantonness, Irascibility, Falsehood, Folly, Slander, Hatred. The servant of God who bears these names will see the kingdom of God, but will not enter into it."
Shepherd of Hermas 92:4
But the stones, Sir, I say, "That came from the deep, and were fitted into the building, who are they?" "The first," he says, "Even the ten, that were placed in the foundations, are the first generation; the twenty-five are the second generation of righteous men; the thirty-five are God's prophets and His ministers; the forty are apostles and teachers of the preaching of the son of God."
Shepherd of Hermas 92:5
Why then, Sir, I say, "Did the virgins give in these stones also for the building of the tower and carry them through the gate?"
Shepherd of Hermas 92:6
Because these first, he says, "Bore these spirits, and they never separated the one from the other, neither the spirits from the men or the men from the spirits, but the spirits abode with them until they fell asleep; and if they had not had these spirits with them, they would not have been found useful for the building of this tower."
Shepherd of Hermas 93:1
Show me still further, Sir, I say. "What do you desire to know besides?" he says. "Why, Sir," I say, "Did the stones come up from the deep, and why were they placed into the building, though they bore these spirits?"
Shepherd of Hermas 93:2
It was necessary for them, he says, "To rise up through water, that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not enter into the kingdom of God, unless they had put aside the deadness of their [former] life.
Shepherd of Hermas 93:3
So these likewise that had fallen asleep, received the seal of the son of God and entered into the kingdom of God. For before a man," he says, "Has borne the name of [the son of] God, he is dead; but when he has received the seal, he lays aside his deadness, and resumes life.
Shepherd of Hermas 93:4
The seal then is the water: so they go down into the water dead, and they come up alive. "Thus to them also, this seal was preached, and they availed themselves of it that they might enter into the kingdom of God."
Shepherd of Hermas 93:5
Why, Sir, I say, "Did the forty stones also come up with them from the deep, though they had already received the seal?" "Because," he says, "These, the apostles and the teachers who preached the name of the son of God, after they had fallen asleep in the power and faith of the son of God, preached also to those who had fallen asleep before them, and themselves gave to them the seal of the preaching.
Shepherd of Hermas 93:6
Therefore they went down with them into the water, and came up again. But these went down alive [and again came up alive]; whereas the others that had fallen asleep before them went down dead and came up alive.
Shepherd of Hermas 93:7
So by their means they were quickened into life, and came to the full knowledge of the name of the son of God. For this cause also they came up with them, and were fitted with them into the building of the tower and were built with them, without being shaped; for they fell asleep in righteousness and in great purity. Only they did not have this seal. You have then the interpretation of these things also." "I have, Sir," I say.
Shepherd of Hermas 94:1
Now then, Sir, explain to me concerning the mountains. Why are their forms diverse, the one from the other, and various? "Listen," he says. "These twelve mountains are [twelve] tribes that inhabit the whole world. To these (tribes) then, the son of God was preached by the Apostles."
Shepherd of Hermas 94:2
But explain to me, Sir, why they are various - these mountains - and each has a different appearance." "Listen," he says. "These twelve tribes which inhabit the whole world are twelve nations; and they are various in understanding and in mind. As various, then, as you saw these mountains to be, such also are the varieties in the mind of these nations, and such their understanding. And I will show to you the conduct of each."
Shepherd of Hermas 94:3
First, Sir, I say, "Show me this, why the mountains being so various, yet, when their stones were set into the building, became bright and of one color, just like the stones that had come up from the deep."
Shepherd of Hermas 94:4
Because, he says, "All the nations that dwell under heaven, when they heard and believed, were called by the one name of [the son of] God. So having received the seal, they had one understanding and one mind, and one faith became theirs and [one] love, and they bore the spirits of the virgins along with the name; therefore the building of the tower became of one color, even bright as the sun.
Shepherd of Hermas 94:5
But after they entered in together, and became one body, some of them defiled themselves, and were cast out from the society of the righteous, and became again such as they were before, or rather even worse."
Shepherd of Hermas 95:1
How, Sir, I say, "Did they become worse, after they had fully known God?" "He who does not know God," he says, "And commits wickedness, has a certain punishment for his wickedness; but he who knows God fully should not commit wickedness any longer, but to do good.
Shepherd of Hermas 95:2
If then he who should do good, commits wickedness, does he not seem to do greater wickedness than the man who does not know God? Therefore those who have not known God, and commit wickedness, are condemned to death; but those who have known God and seen His mighty works, and yet commit wickedness, will receive a double punishment, and will die eternally. In this way therefore will the church of God be purified.
Shepherd of Hermas 95:3
And as you saw the stones removed from the tower and delivered over to the evil spirits, they too will be cast out; and there will be one body of those who are purified, just as the tower, after it had been purified, became made as it were of one stone. Thus will it be with the church of God also, after she has been purified, and the wicked and hypocrites and blasphemers and double-minded and those who commit various kinds of wickedness have been cast out.
Shepherd of Hermas 95:4
When these have been cast out, the church of God will be one body, one understanding, one mind, one faith, one love. And then the son of God will rejoice and be glad in them, for he has received back his people pure." "Great and glorious, Sir," I say, "Are all these things.
Shepherd of Hermas 95:5
Once more, Sir," [say I,] "Show me the force and the doings of each one of the mountains, that every soul that trusts in the Lord, when it hears, may glorify His great and marvelous and glorious name." "Listen," he says, "To the variety of the mountains and of the twelve nations.
Shepherd of Hermas 96:1
From the first mountain, which was black, those who have believed are such as these; rebels and blasphemers against the Lord, and betrayers of the servants of God. For these, there is no repentance, but there is death. For this cause also they are black; for their race is lawless.
Shepherd of Hermas 96:2
And from the second mountain, the bare one, those who believed are such as these; hypocrites and teachers of wickedness. And these then are like the former in not having the fruit of righteousness. For, even as their mountain is unfruitful, so likewise such men as these have a name indeed, but they are void of the faith, and there is no fruit of truth in them. For these then, repentance is offered, if they repent quickly; but if they delay, they will have their death with the former."
Shepherd of Hermas 96:3
Why, Sir, I say, "Is repentance possible for them, but not for the former? For their doings are almost the same." "On this account," he says, "Is repentance offered for them, because they did not blaspheme their Lord, nor became betrayers of the servants of God; yet from desire of gain they played the hypocrite, and taught each other [after] the desires of sinful men. But they will pay a certain penalty; yet repentance is ordained for them, because they have not become blasphemers or betrayers.
Shepherd of Hermas 97:1
And from the third mountain, which had thorns and briars, those who believed are such as these; some of them are wealthy and others are entangled in many business affairs. The briars are the wealthy, and the thorns are those who are mixed up in various business affairs.
Shepherd of Hermas 97:2
These [then, who are mixed up in many and various business affairs,] do [not] cleave to the servants of God, but go astray, being choked by their affairs, but the wealthy unwillingly cleave to the servants of God, fearing unless they may be asked for something by them. Such men therefore will hardly enter into the kingdom of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 97:3
For as it is difficult to walk on briars with bare feet, so it is also difficult for such men to enter the kingdom of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 97:4
But for all these, repentance is possible, but it must be speedy, that in respect to what they omitted to do in the former times, they may now revert to (past) days, and do some good. If then, they will repent and do some good, they will live to God; but if they continue in their doings, they will be delivered over to those women, the which will put them to death.
Shepherd of Hermas 98:1
And from the fourth mountain, which had much vegetation, the upper part of the grass green and the part towards the roots withered, and some of it dried up by the sun, those who believed are such as these; the double-minded, and those who have the Lord on their lips, but do not have Him in their heart.
Shepherd of Hermas 98:2
Therefore their foundations are dry and without power, and their words only live, but their works are dead. Such men are neither alive or dead. They are, therefore, like the double-minded; for the double-minded are neither green or withered; for they are neither alive or dead.
Shepherd of Hermas 98:3
For as their grass was withered up when it saw the sun, so also the double-minded, when they hear of tribulation, through their cowardice, serve idols and are ashamed of the name of their Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 98:4
Such are neither alive or dead. Yet these also, if they repent quickly, will be able to live; but if they do not repent, they are already delivered over to the women who deprive them of their life.
Shepherd of Hermas 99:1
And from the fifth mountain, which had green grass and was rugged, those who believed are such as these; they are faithful, but slow to learn and stubborn and self-pleasers, desiring to know all things, and yet they know nothing at all.
Shepherd of Hermas 99:2
By reason of this, their stubbornness, understanding stood aloof from them, and a foolish senselessness entered into them; and they praise themselves as having understanding, and they desire to be self-appointed teachers, though they are senseless.
Shepherd of Hermas 99:3
Owing then to this pride of heart, many, while they exalted themselves, have been made empty; for a mighty demon is stubbornness and vain confidence. Of these then, many were cast away, but some repented and believed, and submitted themselves to those who had understanding, having learned their own senselessness.
Shepherd of Hermas 99:4
Indeed, and to the rest that belong to this class, repentance is offered; for they did not become wicked, but rather foolish and without understanding. If these then will repent, they will live to God; but if they do not repent, they will have their abode with the women who work evil against them.
Shepherd of Hermas 100:1
But those who believed from the sixth mountain, which had clefts great and small, and in the clefts, withered herbage, are such as these;
Shepherd of Hermas 100:2
Those who have the small clefts, these are those who have anything against one another, and from their backbitings, they are withered in the faith; but many of these repented. Indeed, and the rest will repent, when they hear my commandments; for their backbitings are but small, and they will quickly repent.
Shepherd of Hermas 100:3
But those who have great clefts, these are persistent in their backbitings and bear grudges, nursing wrath against one another. These then were thrown right away from the tower and rejected from its building. Such persons therefore will live with difficulty.
Shepherd of Hermas 100:4
If God and our Lord, who rules over all things and has the authority over all His creation, bears no grudge against those who confess their sins, but is propitiated, does man, who is mortal and full of sins, bear a grudge against man, as though he were able to destroy or save him?
Shepherd of Hermas 100:5
I say to you, I, the angel of repentance, to as many who hold this heresy, put it away from you and repent, and the Lord will heal your former sins, if you will purify yourselves from this demon; but if not, you will be delivered to him to be put to death.
Shepherd of Hermas 101:1
And from the seventh mountain, on which herbage was green and smiling, and the whole mountain thriving, and cattle of every kind and the fowls of heaven were feeding on the herbage on that mountain, and the green herbage, on which they fed, only grew more luxuriant, those who believed are such as these;
Shepherd of Hermas 101:2
They were ever simple and guileless and blessed, having nothing against one another, but always rejoicing in the servants of God, and clothed in the Holy Spirit of these virgins, and always having compassion on every man, and out of their labors, they supplied every man's need without reproach and without misgiving.
Shepherd of Hermas 101:3
The Lord then, seeing their simplicity and entire childliness, made them to abound in the labors of their hands, and bestowed favor on them in all their doings.
Shepherd of Hermas 101:4
But I say to you who are such, I, the angel of repentance, remain to the end such as you are, and your seed will never be blotted out. For the Lord has put you to the proof, and enrolled you among our number, and your whole seed will dwell with the son of God; for you received of His Spirit.
Shepherd of Hermas 102:1
And from the eighth mountain, where were the many springs, and all the creatures of the Lord drank of the springs, those who believed are such as these;
Shepherd of Hermas 102:2
Apostles and teachers, who preached to the whole world, and who taught the word of the Lord in soberness and purity, and kept back no part at all for evil desire, but always walked in righteousness and truth, even as they also received the Holy Spirit. Such therefore will have their entrance with the angels.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:1
And from the ninth mountain, which was desert, which had [the] reptiles and wild beasts in it which destroy mankind, those who believed are such as these;
Shepherd of Hermas 103:2
Those who have the spots are deacons who exercised their office ill, and plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans, and made gain for themselves from the ministrations which they had received to perform. If they then abide in the same evil desire, they are dead and there is no hope of life for them; but if they turn again and fulfill their ministrations in purity, it will be possible for them to live.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:3
But those who are mildewed, these are those who denied and did not turn again to their Lord, but having become barren and desert, because they do not cleave to the servants of God but remain alone, they destroy their own souls.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:4
For as a vine left alone in a hedge, if it meets with neglect, is destroyed and wasted by the weeds, and in time becomes wild and is no longer useful to its owner, so also men of this kind have given themselves up in despair and become useless to their Lord, by growing wild.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:5
To these then, repentance comes, unless they are found to have denied from the heart; but if a man is found to have denied from the heart, I do not know whether it is possible for him to live.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:6
And I say this not in reference to these days, that a man, after denying, should receive repentance; for it is impossible for him to be saved who will now deny his Lord; but for those who denied Him long ago, repentance seems to be possible. If a man will therefore repent, let him do so speedily before the tower is completed; but if not, he will be destroyed by the women and put to death.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:7
And the stunted, these are the treacherous and backbiters; and the wild beasts which you saw on the mountain are these. For as wild beasts with their venom, poison and kill a man, so also do the words of such men poison and kill a man.
Shepherd of Hermas 103:8
These then are broken off short from their faith through the conduct which they have in themselves; but some of them repented and were saved; and the rest that are of this kind can be saved, if they repent; but if they do not repent, they will meet their death from those women of whose power they are possessed.
Shepherd of Hermas 104:1
And from the tenth mountain, where trees were sheltering certain sheep, those who believed are such as these;
Shepherd of Hermas 104:2
Bishops, hospitable persons, who gladly received the servants of God without hypocrisy into their houses at all times. [These bishops] sheltered the needy and the widows in their ministration at all times without ceasing, and conducted themselves in purity at all times.
Shepherd of Hermas 104:3
These [all] will then be sheltered by the Lord forever. Those therefore who have done these things are glorious in the sight of God, and their place is even now with the angels, if they will continue to the end serving the Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 105:1
And from the eleventh mountain, where trees were full of fruit, decked with various kinds of fruits, those who believed are such as these;
Shepherd of Hermas 105:2
Those who suffered for the name [of the son of God], who also suffered readily with their whole heart, and yielded up their lives."
Shepherd of Hermas 105:3
Why then, Sir, I say, "Have all the trees fruits, but some of their fruits are more beautiful than others?" "Listen," he says; "All as many who ever suffered for the name's sake are glorious in the sight of God, and the sins of all these were taken away, because they suffered for the name of the son of God. Now here [are] why their fruits are various, and some surpassing others.
Shepherd of Hermas 105:4
As many," he says, "Who were tortured and did not deny, when brought before the magistery, but suffered readily, these are more glorious in the sight of the Lord; their fruit is that which surpasses. But as many who become cowards, and were lost in uncertainty, and considered in their hearts whether they should deny or confess, and yet suffered, their fruits are less, because this design entered into their heart; for this design is evil, that a servant should deny his own Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 105:5
See to it, therefore, you who entertain this idea, unless this design remains in your hearts, and you die to God. But you who suffer for the name's sake should glorify God, because God deemed you worthy that you should bear this name, and that all your sins should be healed.
Shepherd of Hermas 105:6
Reckon yourselves blessed therefore; indeed, rather think that you have done a great work, if any of you will suffer for God's sake. The Lord bestows life upon you, and you did not perceive it; for your sins weighed you down, and if you had not suffered for the name [of the Lord], you had died to God by reason of your sins.
Shepherd of Hermas 105:7
These things I say to you who waver as touching denial and confession. Confess that you have the Lord, unless denying Him you are delivered into prison.
Shepherd of Hermas 105:8
If the Gentiles punish their slaves, if anyone denies his Lord, what do you think the Lord will do to you, He who has authority over all things? Away with these designs from your hearts, that you may live forever to God.
Shepherd of Hermas 106:1
And from the twelfth mountain, which was white, those who believed are such as these; those who are as very babes, into whose heart no guile enters, neither did they learn what wickedness is, but they remained as babes forever.
Shepherd of Hermas 106:2
Such as these then dwell without doubt in the kingdom of God, because they defiled the commandments of God in nothing, but continued as babes all the days of their life in the same mind.
Shepherd of Hermas 106:3
As many of you therefore who will continue," he says, "And will be as infants not having guile, will be [more] glorious [even] than all those who have been mentioned before; for all infants are glorious in the sight of God, and stand first in His sight. Then you are blessed, as many who have put wickedness away from you, and have clothed yourselves in guilelessness: you will live to God cheifest of all."
Shepherd of Hermas 106:4
After he had finished the parables of the mountains, I say to him, "Sir, now explain to me concerning the stones that were taken from the plain and placed in the building in the room of the stones that were taken from the tower, and concerning the round (stones) that were placed in the building, and concerning those that were still round."
Shepherd of Hermas 107:1
Hear, he says, "Likewise concerning all these things. The stones that were taken from the plain and placed in the building of the tower in the room of those that were rejected, are the roots of this white mountain.
Shepherd of Hermas 107:2
When then those who believed from this mountain were all found guiltless, the lord of the tower ordered these from the roots of the mountain to be put into the building of the tower. For he knew that if these stones should go into the building [of the tower], they would remain bright and not one of them would turn black.
Shepherd of Hermas 107:3
But if he added (stones) from other mountains, he would have been obliged to visit the tower again, and to purify it. Now all these have been found white, who have believed and who will believe; for they are of the same kind. Blessed is this kind, for it is innocent!
Shepherd of Hermas 107:4
Hear now likewise, concerning those round and bright stones. All these are from the white mountain. Now hear why they have been found round. Their riches have darkened and obscured them a little from the truth.
Shepherd of Hermas 107:5
When therefore the Lord percieved their mind, that they could favor the truth, and likewise remain good, He commanded their possessions to be cut off from them, yet not to be taken away altogether, so that they might be able to do some good with that which has been left to them, and might live to God for they come of a good kind. So therefore they have been cut away a little, and placed in the building of this tower."
Shepherd of Hermas 108:1
"But the other (stones), which have remained round and have not been fitted into the building, because they have not yet received the seal, have been replaced in their own possession, for they were found very round.
Shepherd of Hermas 108:2
For this world and the vanities of their possessions must be cut off from them, and then they will fit into the kingdom of God. For it is necessary that they should enter into the kingdom of God; because the Lord has blessed this innocent kind. Of this kind then, not one will perish. Indeed, even though any one of them, being tempted by the most wicked devil, have committed any fault, he will return speedily to his Lord.
Shepherd of Hermas 108:3
Blessed, I pronounced you all to be, I the angel of repentance, whoever of you are guileless as infants, because your part is good and honorable in the sight of God.
Shepherd of Hermas 108:4
Moreover, I bid all of you, whoever has received this seal, keep guilelessness, and bear no grudge, and do not continue in your wickedness, nor in the memory of the offenses of bitterness; but become of one spirit, and heal these evil clefts and take them away from among you, that the owner of the flocks may rejoice concerning them.
Shepherd of Hermas 108:5
For he will rejoice, if he finds all things whole. But if he finds any part of the flock scattered, woe to the shepherds.
Shepherd of Hermas 108:6
For if the shepherds themselves will have been found scattered, how will they answer for the flocks? Will they say that they were harassed by the flock? No credence will be given them. For it is an incredible thing that a shepherd should be injured by his flock; and he will be punished more because of his falsehood. And I am the shepherd, and it behoves me most strongly to render an account for you.
Shepherd of Hermas 109:1
Amend yourselves therefore, while the tower is still in course of building.
Shepherd of Hermas 109:2
The Lord dwells in men who love peace; for to Him, peace is dear; but from the contentious and those who are given up to wickedness, He keeps afar off. Restore your spirit whole therefore to Him as you received it.
Shepherd of Hermas 109:3
For suppose you have given a new garment whole to a fuller, and desire to receive it back again whole, but the fuller gives it back to you torn, will you thus receive it? Will you not at once blaze out and attack him with reproaches, saying; The garment which I gave you was whole; why have you rent it and made it useless? See, by reason of the rent, which you have made in it, it cannot be of use." Will you not then say all this to a fuller even about a rent which he has made in your garment?"
Shepherd of Hermas 109:4
If therefore you are thus vexed in the matter of your garment, and complain because you do not receive it back whole, what do you think the Lord will do to you, He, who gave you the spirit whole, and you have made it absolutely useless, so that it cannot be of any use at all to its Lord? For its use began to be useless, when it was corrupted by you. Will the Lord of this spirit not therefore punish [you with death] for this your deed?"
Shepherd of Hermas 109:5
Certainly, I said, "All those, whomsoever He will find continuing to bear malice, He will punish." "Do not trample," he said, "Upon His mercy, but rather glorify Him, because He is so long-suffering with your sins, and is not like you. Then practice repentance which is expedient for you.
Shepherd of Hermas 110:1
All these things which are written above I, the shepherd, the angel of repentance, have declared and spoken to the servants of God. If you will then believe and hear my words, and walk in them, and amend your ways, you will be able to live. But if you continue in wickedness and in bearing malice, no one of this kind will live to God. All things which were to be spoken by me have (now) been spoken to you."
Shepherd of Hermas 110:2
The shepherd said to me, "Have you asked me all your questions?" And I said, "Yes, Sir." "Why then have you not inquired of me concerning the shape of the stones placed in the building, in that we filled up their shapes?" And I said, "I forgot, Sir."
Shepherd of Hermas 110:3
Listen now, he said, "Concerning them. These are those who have heard my commandments now, and have practiced repentance with their whole heart. So when the Lord saw that their repentance was good and pure, and that they could continue therein, He ordered their former sins to be blotted out. These shapes then were their former sins, and they have been chiseled away that they might not appear."
Shepherd of Hermas 111:1
After I had written out this book completely, the angel who had delivered me to the shepherd came to the house where I was, and sat upon a couch, and the shepherd stood at his right hand. Then he called me, and spoke thus to me;
Shepherd of Hermas 111:2
I delivered you, he said, "And your house to this shepherd, that you might be protected by him." "True, Sir," I said "If therefore," he said, "You desire to be protected from all annoyance and all cruelty, to also have success in every good work and word, and all the power of righteousness, walk in his commandments, which I have given you, and you will be able to get the mastery over all wickedness.
Shepherd of Hermas 111:3
For if you keep his commandments, all evil desire and the sweetness of this world will be subject to you; moreover, success will attend you in every good undertaking. Embrace his gravity and self-restraint, and tell it out to all men that he is held in great honor and dignity with the Lord, and is a ruler of great authority, and powerful in his office. To him alone in the whole world has authority over repentance been assigned. Does he seem to you to be powerful? Yet you despise the gravity and moderation which he uses towards you."
Shepherd of Hermas 112:1
I say to him; "Ask him, Sir, himself, whether from the time that he has been in my house, have I done anything out of order, whereby I have offended him?"
Shepherd of Hermas 112:2
I myself know, he said, "That you have done nothing out of order, nor are about to do so. And so I speak these things to you, that you may persevere. For he has given a good account of you to me. You therefore will speak these words to others, that they too who have practiced or will practice repentance may be of the same mind as you are; and he may give a good report of them to me, and I to the Lord."
Shepherd of Hermas 112:3
I too, Sir, I say, "Declare to every man the mighty works of the Lord; for I hope that all who have sinned in the past, if they hear these things, will gladly repent and recover life."
Shepherd of Hermas 112:4
Continue therefore, he said, "In this ministry, and complete it to the end. For whoever fulfills His commandments will have life; indeed such a man (will have) great honor with the Lord. But whoever does not keep His commandments, flies from their life, and opposes Him, and does not follow His commandments, but delivers themselves over to death; and each one becomes guilty of his own blood. But I bid you, obey these commandments, and you will have a remedy for your sins.
Shepherd of Hermas 113:1
"Moreover, I have sent these virgins to you, that they may dwell with you; for I have seen that they are friendly towards you. You have them therefore as helpers, that you may be better able to keep His commandments; for it is impossible that these commandments are kept without the help of these virgins. I see too that they are glad to be with you. But I will charge them that they do not depart at all from your house.
Shepherd of Hermas 113:2
Only purify your house; for in a clean house, they will gladly dwell. For they are clean and chaste and industrious, and have favor in the sight of the Lord. If, therefore, they will find your house pure, they will continue with you; but if the slightest pollution arises, they will depart from your house at once. For these virgins do not love pollution in any form."
Shepherd of Hermas 113:3
I said to him, "I hope, Sir, that I will please them, so that they may gladly dwell in my house forever; and just as he to whom you delivered me makes no complaint against me, so will they likewise make no complaint."
Shepherd of Hermas 113:4
He says to the shepherd, "I perceive," he says, "That he wishes to live as the servant of God, and that he will keep these commandments, and will place these virgins in a clean habitation."
Shepherd of Hermas 113:5
With these words, he again delivered me over to the shepherd, and called the virgins, and said to them; "Inasmuch as I see that you are glad to dwell in this man's house, I commend him and his house to you, that you do not depart at all from his house." But they heard these words gladly.
Shepherd of Hermas 114:1
He said then to me, "Quit like a man in this ministry; declare the mighty works of the Lord to every man, and you will have favor in this ministry. Whoever therefore will walk in these commandments, will live and be happy in his life; but whoever will neglect them, will not live, and will be unhappy in his life.
Shepherd of Hermas 114:2
Charge all men who are able to do right, that they do not cease to practice good works; for it is useful for them. I say moreover that every man should be rescued from misfortune; for he who has need, and suffers misfortune in his daily life, is in great torment and want.
Shepherd of Hermas 114:3
Whoever therefore rescues a life of this kind from penury, wins great joy for himself. For he who is harassed by misfortune of this sort is afflicted and tortured with equal torment as one who is in chains. For many men on account of calamities of this kind, because they can bear them no longer, lay violent hands on themselves. He then who knows the calamity of a man of this kind and does not rescue him, commits great sin, and becomes guilty of the man's blood.
Shepherd of Hermas 114:4
Do therefore good works, whoever of you have received (benefits) from the Lord, unless, while you delay to do them, the building of the tower is completed. For it is on your account that the work of the building has been interrupted. Unless you then hasten to do right, the tower will be completed, and you shut out."