THE SHEPHERD OF HERMAS

Vision 1

The master, who reared me, had sold me to one Rhoda in Rome. After many
years, I met her again, and began to love her as a sister.  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 were I, if I had such an one to wife both in beauty and in
character." I merely reflected on this and nothing more. 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 then I had crossed the river, I came into the
level country, and knelt down, and began to pray to the Lord and to confess
my sins.   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."
And, looking at her, I said to her, "Lady, what doest thou here?" Then she
answered me, "I was taken up, that I might convict thee of thy sins before
the Lord." I said to her, "Dost thou now convict me?" "Nay, not so," said
she, "but hear the words, that I shall say to thee. God, Who dwelleth in
the heavens, and created out of nothing the things which are, and increased
and multiplied them for His holy Church's sake, is wroth with thee, for
that thou didst sin against me." I answered her and said, "Sin against
thee? In what way? Did I ever speak an unseemly word unto thee? Did I not
always regard thee as a goddess? Did I not always respect thee as a sister?
How couldst thou falsely charge me, lady, with such villainy and
uncleanness? "Laughing she saith unto me, "The desire after evil entered
into thine heart. Nay, thinkest thou not 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," saith she; "for the righteous man entertaineth
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 they that entertain evil purposes in their hearts,
bring upon themselves death an captivity, especially they that claim for
themselves this present work and boast in its riches, and cleave not to the
good things that are to come. Their souls shall rue it, seeing that they
have no hope, but have abandoned themselves and their life. But do thou
pray unto God and He shall heal thine own sins, and those of thy whole
house, and of all the saints."

2. 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 shall I propitiate God for
my sins which are full-blown? Or with which words shall I entreat the Lord
that He may be propitious unto me? 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." And
she said to me "Why so gloomy, Hermas, thou that art patient and good-
tempered and art always smiling? Why so downcast in thy looks, and far from
cheerful?" And I said to her, "Because of an excellent lady's saying that I
had sinned against her." Then she said, "Far be this thing from the servant
of God! Nevertheless the thought did enter into thy heart concerning her.
Now to the servants of God such a purpose bringeth sin. For it is an evil
and mad purpose to overtake a devout spirit that hath been already
approved, that it should desire an evil deed, and especially if it be
Hermas the temperate, who abstaineth from every evil desire, and is full of
all simplicity and of great guilelessness.

3. "Yet it is not for this that God is wroth with thee, but that thou
mayest convert thy family, that hath done wrong against the Lord and
against you their parents. But out of fondness for thy children thou didst
not admonish thy family, but didst suffer it to become fearfully corrupt.
Therefore the Lord is wroth with thee. But He will heal all thy past sins,
which have been committed in thy family; for by reason of their sins and
iniquities thou hast been corrupted by the affairs of this world. But the
great mercy of the Lord had pity on thee and thy family, and will
strengthen thee, and establish thee in His glory. Only be not thou
careless, but take courage, and strengthen thy family. For as the smith
hammering his work conquers the task which he wills, so also doth righteous
discourse repeated daily conquer all evil. Cease not therefore to reprove
thy children; for I know that if they shall repent with all their heart,
they shall be written in the books of life with the saints."  After these
words of hers had ceased, she saith unto me, "Wilt thou listen to me as I
read?" Then say I, "Yes, lady." She saith 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 as man
cannot bear. The last words however I remembered, for they were suitable
for us and gentle.  "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 also He blessed-behold, He
removeth the heavens and the mountains and the hills and the seas, and all
things are made level for His elect, that He may fulfill to them the
promise which He promised with great glory and rejoicing, if so be that
they shall keep the ordinances of God, which they received, with great
faith."

4. When then she finished reading and arose from her chair, there came four
young men, and they took away the chair, and departed towards the East.
Then she calleth me unto her, and she touched my breast, and saith to me,
"Did my reading please thee?" And I say unto her, "Lady, these last words
please me, but the former were difficult and hard." Then she spake to me,
saying, "These last words are for the righteous, but the former are for the
heathen and the rebellious." While she yet spake with me, two men appeared,
and took her by the arms, and they departed, whither the chair also had
gone, towards the East. And she smiled as she departed and, as she was
going, she saith to me, "Play the man, Hermas."

Vision 2

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 taketh me,
and carrieth me away to the same place as last year. When then I arrived at
the place, I fell upon my knees, and began to pray to the Lord, and to
glorify His name, for that he counted me worthy, and made known unto me my
former sins. But after I had risen up from prayer, I behold before me the
aged lady, whom also I had seen last year, walking and reading a little
book. And she saith to me, "Canst thou report these things to the elect of
God?" I say unto her, "Lady, I cannot recollect so much; but give me the
little book, that I may copy it." "Take it," saith she, "and be sure and
return it to me." 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
then I had finished the letters of the book, suddenly the book was snatched
out of my hand; but by whom I did not see.

2. 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:--

"Thy seed, Hermas, have sinned against God, and have blasphemed the Lord,
and have betrayed their parents through great wickedness, yea, they have
got the name of betrayers of parents, and yet they did not profit by their
betrayal; and they still further added to their sins wanton deeds and
reckless wickedness; and so the measure of their transgressions was filled
up. But make these words known to all thy children, and to thy wife who
shall be as thy sister; for she too refraineth not from using her tongue,
wherewith she doeth evil. But, when she hears these words, she will
refrain, and will find mercy. After that thou hast made known unto them all
these words, which the Master commanded me that they should be revealed
unto thee, then all their sins which they sinned aforetime are forgiven to
them; yea, and to all the saints that have sinned unto this day, if they
repent with their whole heart, and remove double-mindedness from their
heart. For the Master sware by His own glory, as concerning His elect; that
if, now that this day has been set as a limit, sin shall hereafter be
committed, they shall not find salvation; for repentance for the righteous
hath an end; the days of repentance are accomplished for all the saints;
whereas for the Gentiles there is repentance until the last day. Thou shalt
therefore say unto the elders of the Church, that they direct their paths
in righteousness, that they may receive in full the promises with abundant
glory. Ye therefore that work righteousness be steadfast, and be not
double-minded, that ye may have admission with the holy angels. Blessed are
ye, as many as endure patiently the great tribulation that cometh, and as
many as shall not deny their life. For the Lord swear concerning His Son,
that those who denied their Lord should be rejected from their life, even
they that are now about to deny Him in the coming days; but to those who
denied Him aforetime, to them mercy was given of His great loving kindness.

3. "But do thou, Hermas, no longer bear a grudge against thy children,
neither suffer thy sister to have her way, so that they may be purified
from their former sins. For they shall be chastised with a righteous
chastisement, unless thou bear a grudge against them thyself. The bearing
of a grudge worketh death. But thou, Hermas, hast had great tribulations of
thine own, by reason of the transgressions of thy family, because thou
hadst no care for them. For thou wast neglectful of them, and wast mixed up
with thine evil transactions. But herein is thy salvation, in that thou
didst not depart from the living God, and in thy simplicity and thy great
continence. These have saved thee, if thou abidest therein; and they save
all who do such things, and walk in guilelessness and simplicity. These men
prevail over all wickedness, and continue unto life eternal. Blessed are
all they that work righteousness. They shall never be destroyed. But thou
shalt say to Maximus, "Behold tribulation cometh (upon thee), if thou think
fit to deny a second time. "The Lord is nigh unto them that turn unto him,"
as it is written in Eldad and Modat, who prophesied to the people in the
wilderness."

4. Now, brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a youth of
exceeding fair form, who said to me, "Whom thinkest thou the aged woman,
from whom thou receivedst the book, to be?" I say, "The Sibyl" "Thou art
wrong," saith he, "she is not." "Who then is she?" I say. "The Church,"
saith he. I said unto him, "Wherefore then is she aged?" "Because," saith
he, "she was created before all things; therefore is she aged; and for her
sake the world was framed." 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. "Thou hast done well," she said,
"for I have words to add. When then I shall have finished all the words, it
shall be made known by thy means to all the elect. Thou shalt therefore
write two little books, and shalt send one to Clement, and one to Grapte.
So Clement shall send to the foreign cities, for this is his duty; while
Grapte shall instruct the widows and the orphans. But thou shalt read (the
book) to this city along with the elders that preside over the Church.

Vision 3

The third vision, which I saw, brethren, was as follows. After fasting
often, and entreating the Lord to declare unto 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 thou art so
importunate and eager to know all things, come into the country where thou
abidest, and about the fifth hour I will appear, and will show thee what
thou oughtest to see." I asked her, saying, "Lady, to what part of the
country?" "Where thou wilt," saith she. I selected a beautiful and retired
spot; but before I spoke to her and named the spot, she saith to me, "I
will come, whither thou willest." I went then, 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 was spread a coverlet of fine linen of
flax.

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 then I 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.

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 thy sins; entreat also for righteousness, that
thou mayest take some part forthwith to thy family." Then she raiseth me by
the hand, and leadeth me to the couch, and saith to the young men, "Go ye,
and build." And after the young men had retired and we were left alone, she
saith to me, "Sit down here." I say to her, "Lady, let the elders sit down
first." "Do as I bid thee," saith she, "sit down." When then I 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 then I was musing thereon,
and was sad because she would not permit me to sit on the right side, she
saith to me, "Art thou 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 thou lackest much that thou shouldest sit
with them; but as thou abidest in thy simplicity, even so, and thou shalt
sit with them, thou and as many as shall have done their deeds, and have
suffered what they suffered."

2. "What did they suffer?" say I. "Listen," saith she. "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 shall suffer for the Name. But for the rest is the left
side. Howbeit, to both, to them that sit on the right, and to them that sit
on the left, are the same gifts, and the same promises, only they sit on
the right and have a certain glory. Thou indeed art very desirous to sit on
the right with them, but thy shortcomings are many; yet thou shalt be
purified from thy shortcomings; yea, and all that are not double-minded
shall be purified from all their sins unto this day."

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. Then she again took me by the hand, and raiseth me, and seateth
me on the couch at the left hand, while she herself sat on the right. And
lifting up a certain glistening rod, she saith to me, "Seest thou a great
thing?" I say to her, "Lady, I see nothing." She saith to me, "Look thou;
dost thou not see in front of thee a great tower being builded upon the
waters, of glistening square stones?" Now the tower was being builded
foursquare by the six young men that 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 builded.
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 one
with another that their joining could not possibly be detected; and the
building of the tower appeared as if it were built of one stone. 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 to a distance from the tower. 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. And I
saw other stones thrown to a distance from the tower, and coming to the
way, and yet not 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.

3. 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 to know what the things mean? "She answered and said unto me, "Thou art
an over-curious fellow, in desiring to know all that concerns the tower."
"Yea, lady," I said, "that I may announce it to my brethren, and that they
[may be the more gladdened and] when they hear [these things] they may know
the Lord in great glory." Then said she, "Many shall hear; but when they
hear, some of them shall be glad, and others shall weep. Yet even these
latter, if they hear and repent, shall likewise be glad. Hear thou
therefore the parables of the tower; for I will reveal all things unto
thee. And trouble me no more about revelation; for these revelations have
an end, seeing that they have been completed. Nevertheless thou wilt not
cease asking for revelations; for thou art shameless.

"The tower, which thou seest building, is myself, the Church, which was
seen of thee both now and aforetime. Ask, therefore, what thou willest
concerning the tower, and I will reveal it unto thee, that thou mayest
rejoice with the saints." I say unto her, "Lady, since thou didst hold me
worthy once for all, that thou shouldest reveal all things to me, reveal
them." Then she saith to me, "Whatsoever is possible to be revealed to
thee, shall be revealed. Only let thy heart be with God, and doubt not in
thy mind about that which thou seest." I asked her, "Wherefore is the tower
builded upon waters, lady?" "I told thee so before," said she, "and indeed
thou dost enquire diligently. So by thy enquiry thou discoverest the truth.
Hear then why the tower is builded upon waters; it is because your life is
saved and shall 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 Master."

4. I answered and said unto her, "Lady, this thing is great and marvelous.
But the six young men that build, who are they, lady?"

"These are the holy angels of God, that were created first of all, unto
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." "And who are the others who are bringing the
stones in?" "They also are holy angels of God; but these six are superior
to them. The building of the tower then shall be accomplished, and all
alike shall rejoice in the (completed) circle of the tower, and shall
glorify God that the building of the tower was accomplished." I enquired 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 unto me, "It is
not that thou of all men art especially worthy that it should be revealed
to thee; for there are others before thee, and better than thou art, unto
whom these visions ought to have been revealed. But that the name of God
may be glorified, it hath been revealed to thee, all shall be revealed, for
the sake of the doubtful-minded, who question in their hearts whether these
things are so or not. Tell them 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.

5. "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 already
fallen on sleep, and others still living. And because they always agreed
with one another, they both had peace among themselves and listened one to
another. Therefore their joinings fit together in the building of the
tower." "But they that are dragged from the deep, and placed in the
building, and that fit together in their joinings with the other stones
that are already builded in, who are they?" "These are they that suffered
for the name of the Lord." "But the other stones that are brought from the
dry land, I would fain know who these are, lady." She said, "Those that go
to the building, and yet are not hewn, these the Lord hath approved because
they walked in the uprightness of the Lord, and rightly performed His
commandments." "But they that 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." "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 that shall repent, if they repent, will be strong in the faith, if
they repent now while the tower is building. But if the building shall be
finished, they have no more any place, but shall be castaways. This
privilege only they have, that they lie near the tower.

6. "But wouldst thou know about them that 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 have not 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. But the
rest whom thou hast seen lying in great numbers, not going to the building,
of these they that are mildewed are they that knew the truth, but did not
abide in it, nor cleave to the saints. Therefore they are useless."

"But they that have the cracks, who are they?" "These are they that 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. But they that 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."

"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 art thou foolish
and stupid, and enquirest everything, and understandest nothing? These are
they that have faith, but have also riches of this world. When tribulation
cometh, they deny their Lord by reason of their riches and their business
affairs." And I answered and said unto her, "When then, lady, will they be
useful for the building?" "When," she replied, "their wealth, which leadeth
their souls astray, shall be cut away, then will they be useful for God.
For just as the round stone, unless it be cut away, and lose some portion
of itself, cannot become square, so also they that are rich in this world,
unless their riches be cut away, cannot become useful to the Lord. Learn
first from thyself When thou hadst riches, thou wast useless; but now thou
art useful and profitable unto life. Be ye useful unto God, for thou
thyself also art taken from the same stones.

7. "But the other stones which thou sawest 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 they that 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. But they that fall into the fire and are
burned, these are they that finally rebelled from the living God, and it no
more entered into their hearts to repent by reason of the lusts of their
wantonness and of the wickednesses which they wrought. But the others,
which are near the waters and yet cannot roll into the water, wouldest thou
know who are they? These are they that heard the word, and would be
baptized unto 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." So she finished the explanation of the
tower. 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. Yet they shall 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 shall be
changed for this reason, because they participated in the Righteous Word;
and then shall it befall them to be relieved from their torments, if the
evil deeds, that they have done, come into their heart; but if these come
not into their heart, they are not saved by reason of the hardness of their
hearts."

8. When then I ceased asking her concerning all these things, she saith to
me; "Wouldest thou see something else?" Being very desirous of beholding, I
was greatly rejoiced that I should see it. She looked upon me, and smiled,
and she saith to me, "Seest thou seven women round the tower?" "I see them,
lady," say I. "This tower is supported by them by commandment of the Lord.
Hear now their employments. The first of them, the woman with the strong
hands, is called Faith; through her are saved the elect of God. And the
second, that is girded about and looketh like a man, is called Continence;
she is the daughter of Faith. Whosoever then shall follow her, becometh
happy in his life, for he shall refrain from all evil deeds, believing
that, if he refrain from every evil desire, he shall inherit eternal life."
"And the others, lady, who be 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 then thou
shalt do all the works of their mother, thou canst live." "I would fain
know, lady," I say, "what power each of them possesseth." "Listen then,"
saith she, "to the powers which they have. 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 then are pure and reverent and
divine. Whosoever therefore shall serve these women, and shall have
strength to master their works, shall have his dwelling in the tower with
the saints of God." Then I asked her concerning the seasons, whether the
consummation is even now. But she cried aloud, saying, "Foolish man, seest
thou not that the tower is still a-building? Whensoever therefore the tower
shall be finished building, the end cometh; but it shall 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. But it was not revealed
to thyself alone, but in order that thou mightest show these things unto
all. After three days--for thou must understand first, and I charge thee,
Hermas, first with these words, which I am about to speak to thee--(I
charge thee 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 thyself also with them.

9. "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 ye might be justified and sanctified from all
wickedness and all crookedness. But ye will not to cease from your
wickedness. Now then hear me and be at peace among yourselves, and have
regard one to another, and assist one another, and do not partake of the
creatures of God alone in abundance, but share them also with those that
are in want. For some men through their much eating bring weakness on the
flesh, and injure their flesh: whereas the flesh of those who have nought
to eat is injured by their not having sufficient nourishment, and their
body is ruined. This exclusiveness therefore is hurtful to you that have
and do not share with them that are in want. Look ye to the judgment that
cometh. Ye then that have more than enough, seek out them that are hungry,
while the tower is still unfinished; for after the tower is finished, ye
will desire to do good, and will find no place for it. Look ye therefore,
ye that exult in your wealth, lest they that are in want shall moan, and
their moaning shall go up unto the Lord, and ye with your [abundance of
good things be shut outside the door of the tower. Now therefore I say unto
you that are rulers of the Church, and that occupy the chief seats; be not
ye like unto the sorcerers. The sorcerers indeed carry their drugs in
boxes, but ye carry your drug and your poison in your heart. Ye are case-
hardened, and ye will not cleanse your hearts and mix your wisdom together
in a clean heart, that ye may obtain mercy from the Great King. Look ye
therefore, children, lest these divisions of yours deprive you of your
life. How is it that ye wish to instruct the elect of the Lord, while ye
yourselves have no instruction? Instruct one another therefore, and have
peace among yourselves, that I also may stand gladsome before the Father,
and give an account concerning you all to your Lord."

10. When then she ceased speaking with me, the six young men, who were
building, came, and took her away to the tower, and other four lifted the
couch, and took it also away to the tower. I saw not the face of these, for
they were turned away. 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 thou must ask another, that
they may be revealed to thee." Now she was seen of me, brethren, in my
first vision of last year, as a very aged woman and seated on a chair. In
the second vision her face was youthful, but her flesh and her hair were
aged, and she spake to me standing; and she was more gladsome than before.
But in the third vision she was altogether youthful and of exceeding great
beauty, and her hair alone was aged; and she was gladsome exceedingly and
seated on a couch. Touching these things I was very greatly anxious to
learn this revelation. And I see the aged woman in a vision of the night,
saying to me, "Every enquiry needs humility. Fast therefore, and thou shalt
receive what thou askest from the Lord." So I fasted one day; and that very
night there appeared unto me a young man, and he saith to me, "Seeing that
thou askest me revelations offhand with entreaty, take heed lest by thy
much asking thou injure thy flesh. Sufficient for thee are these
revelations. Canst thou see mightier revelations than those thou hast
seen?" I say unto 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 saith to me in answer, How long are ye without
understanding? It is your double-mindedness that maketh you of no
understanding, and because your heart is not set towards the Lord." I
answered and said unto him again, "From thee, Sir, we shall learn the
matters more accurately."

11. "Listen," saith he, "concerning the three forms, of which thou
enquirest. In the first vision wherefore did she appear to thee 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. For as aged people, having no longer hope of renewing their
youth, expect nothing else but to fall asleep, so ye also, being weakened
with the affairs of this world gave yourselves over to repining, and cast
not your cares on the Lord; but your spirit was broken, and ye were aged by
your sorrows." "Wherefore then she was seated on a chair, I would fain
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 thou hast the
symbolism of the first vision.

12. "But in the second vision thou sawest 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," saith he. "Imagine an old man,
who has now lost all hope of himself by reason of his weakness and his
poverty, and expecteth nothing else save the last day of his life. Suddenly
an inheritance is left him. He heareth the news, riseth up and full of joy
clothes himself with strength, and no longer lieth down, but standeth up,
and his spirit, which was now broken by reason of his former circumstances,
is renewed again, and he no longer sitteth, but taketh courage; so also was
it with you, when you heard the revelation which the Lord revealed unto
you. For He had compassion on you, and renewed your spirits, and ye laid
aside your maladies, and strength came to you, and ye 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; yea, and other things
also shall He show you, if with your whole heart ye be at peace among
yourselves.

13. "But in the third vision ye saw her younger and fair and gladsome, and
her form fair. For just as when to some mourner cometh some piece of good
tidings, immediately he forgetteth his former sorrows, and admitteth
nothing but the tidings which he hath heard, and is strengthened
thenceforth unto that which is good, and his spirit is renewed by reason of
the joy which he hath received; so also ye have received a renewal of your
spirits by seeing these good things. And whereas thou sawest her seated on
a couch, the position is a firm on; for the couch has four feet and
standeth firmly; for the world too Is upheld by means of four elements.
They then that have fully repented shall be young again, and founded
firmly, seeing that they have repented with their whole heart. There thou
hast the revelation entire and complete. Thou shalt ask nothing more as
touching revelation-- but if anything be lacking still, it shall be
revealed unto thee."

[Vision 4]

1. The fourth vision which I saw, brethren, twenty days after the former
vision which came unto me, for a type of the impending tribulation. 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. While then I am
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 which have stumbled,
that His great and glorious Name may be glorified, for that He held me
worthy that He should show me His marvels. And as I gave glory and
thanksgiving to Him, there answered me as it were the sound of a voice, "Be
not of doubtful mind, Hermas." I began to question in myself and to say,
"How can I be of doubtful mind, seeing that I am so firmly founded by the
Lord, and have seen glorious things?" 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. 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. 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, "Be not of doubtful mind,
Hermas." 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. I come near it, and, huge monster as it
was, it stretcheth itself on the ground, and merely put forth its tongue,
and stirred not at all until I had passed by it. And the beast had on its
head four colors; black then fire and blood color, then gold, then white.

2. Now after I had passed the beast, and had gone forward about thirty
feet, behold, there meeteth me a virgin 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. I knew from the former Visions that it was the Church, and I became
more cheerful. She saluteth me, saying, "Good morrow, my good man"; and I
saluted her in turn, "Lady, good morrow." She answered and said unto me,
"Did nothing meet thee? "I say unto 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." "Thou didst escape it well," saith she,
"because thou didst cast thy care upon God, and didst open thy heart to the
Lord, believing that thou canst 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
thee". Thou hast escaped a great tribulation by reason of thy faith, and
because, though thou sawest so huge a beast, thou didst not doubt in thy
mind. 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 therefore ye prepare yourselves beforehand, and repent (and
turn) unto the Lord with your whole heart, ye shall be able to escape it,
if your heart be made pure and without blemish, and if for the remaining
days of your life ye serve the Lord blamelessly. Cast your cares upon the
Lord and He will set them straight. Trust ye in the Lord, ye men of
doubtful mind, for He can do all things, yea, He both turneth away His
wrath from you, and again He sendeth forth His plagues upon you that are of
doubtful mind. Woe to them that hear these words and are disobedient; it
were better for them that they had not been born."

3. I asked her concerning the four colors, which the beast had upon its
head. Then she answered me and said, "Again thou art curious about such
matters." "Yes, lady," said I, "make known unto me what these things are."
"Listen," said she; "the black is this world in which ye dwell; and the
fire and blood color showeth that this world must perish by blood and fire;
and the golden part are ye that has escaped from this world. For as the
gold is tested by the fire and is made useful, so ye also [that dwell in
it] are being tested in yourselves. Ye then that abide and pass through the
fire will be purified by it. For as the old loses its dross. so Ye also
shall cast away all sorrow and tribulation, and shall be purified, and
shall be useful for the building of the tower. But the white portion is the
coming age, in which the elect of God shall dwell; because the elect of God
shall be without spot and pure unto life eternal. Wherefore cease not thou
to speak in the ears of the saints. Ye have now the symbolism also of the
tribulation which is coming in power. But if ye be willing, it shall be
nought. Remember ye the things that are written beforehand." With these
words she departed, and I saw not in what direction she departed; for a
noise was made: and I turned back in fear, thinking that the beast was
coming.

Revelation 5

As I prayed in the house, and sat on the couch, there entered a man
glorious in his visage, 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. And he immediately
sat down by my side, and he saith unto me, "I was sent by the most holy
angel, that I might dwell with thee the remaining days of thy life." I
thought he came to tempt me, and I say unto him, "Why, who art thou? For I
know," say I, "unto whom I was delivered." He saith to me, "Dost thou not
recognize me?" "No," I say. "I," saith he, "am the shepherd, unto whom thou
wast delivered." 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. But he
answered and said unto me, "Be not confounded, but strengthen thyself in my
commandments which I am about to command thee. For I was sent," saith he,
"that I might show thee again all the things which thou didst see before,
merely the heads which are convenient for you. First of all, write down my
commandments and my parables; and the other matters thou shalt write down
as I shall show them to thee. The reason why," saith he, "I command thee to
write down first the commandments and parables is, that thou mayest read
them off-hand, and mayest be able to keep them." So I wrote down the
commandments and parables, as he commanded me. If then, when ye hear them,
ye keep them and walk in them, and do them with a pure heart, ye shall
receive from the Lord all things that He promised you; but if, when ye hear
them, ye do not repent, but still add to your sins, ye shall receive from
the Lord the opposite. All these the shepherd, the angel of repentance.
commanded me to write.

Mandate the First

"First of all, believe that God is One, even He who created all things and
set them in order, and brought all things from non-existence into being,
Who comprehendeth all things, being alone incomprehensible. Believe Him
therefore, and fear Him, and in this fear be continent. Keep these things,
and thou shalt cast off all wickedness from thyself, and shalt clothe
thyself with every excellence of righteousness, and shalt live unto God, if
thou keep this commandment."

Mandate the Second

He saith to me; "Keep simplicity and be guileless, and thou shalt be as
little children, that know not the wickedness which destroyeth the life of
men. First of all, speak evil of no man, neither take pleasure in listening
to a slanderer. Otherwise thou that hearest too shalt be responsible for
the sin of him that speaketh the evil, if thou believest the slander, which
thou hearest; for in believing it thou thyself also wilt have a grudge
against thy brother. So then shalt thou be responsible for the sin of him
that speaketh the evil. Slander is evil; it is a restless demon, never at
peace, but always having its home among factions. Refrain from it
therefore, and thou shalt have success at all times with all men. But
clothe thyself in reverence, wherein is no evil stumbling-block, but all
things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of thy labors,
which God giveth thee, give to all that are in want freely, not questioning
to whom thou shalt give, and to whom thou shalt not give. Give to all; for
to all God desireth that there should be given of His own bounties. They
then that receive shall render an account to God why they received it, and
to what end; for they that receive in distress shall not be judged, but
they that receive by false pretence shall pay the penalty. He then that
giveth is guiltless; for as he received from the Lord the ministration to
perform it, he hath 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 that
ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God. Therefore keep this
commandment, as I have told thee, that thine own repentance and that of thy
household may be found to be sincere, and [thy] heart pure and undefiled."

Mandate the Third

Again he saith to me; "Love truth, and let nothing but truth proceed out of
thy mouth, that the Spirit which God made to dwell in this flesh, may be
found true in the sight of all men; and thus shall the Lord, Who dwelleth
in thee, be glorified; for the Lord is true in every word, and with Him
there is no falsehood. They therefore that speak lies set the Lord at
nought, 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 shall return a lying spirit, they have defiled the
commandment of the Lord and have become robbers." When then I heard these
things, I wept bitterly. But seeing me weep he saith, "Why weepest thou?"
"Because, Sir," say I "I know not if I can be saved." "Why so?" saith he.
"Because, Sir," I say, "never in my life spake I 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," say I, "can I live, seeing that I have done these
things?" "Your supposition," he saith, "is right and true, for it behoved
thee 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," say I, "heard I clearly words such as
these." "Now then," saith he, "thou hearest. Guard them, that the former
falsehoods also which thou spakest in thy business affairs may themselves
become credible, now that these are found true; for they too can become
trustworthy. If thou keep these things, and from henceforward speak nothing
but truth, thou shalt be able to secure life for thyself And whosoever
shall hear this command, and abstain from falsehood, that most pernicious
habit, shall live unto God."

Mandate the Fourth

1. "I charge thee, "saith he, "to keep purity, and let not a thought enter
into thy heart concerning another's wife, or concerning fornication, or
concerning any such like evil deeds; for in so doing thou commitest a great
sin. But remember thine own wife always, and thou shalt never go wrong. For
should this desire enter into thine heart, thou wilt go wrong, and should
any other as evil as this, thou commitest sin. For this desire in a servant
of God is a great sin; and if any man doeth this evil deed, he worketh out
death for himself. Look to it therefore. Abstain from this desire; for,
where holiness dwelleth, there lawlessness ought not to enter into the
heart of a righteous man." I say to him, "Sir, permit me to ask thee a few
more questions" "Say on," saith he. "Sir," say I, "if a man who has a wife
that is faithful in the Lord detect her in adultery, doth the husband sin
in living with her?" "So long as he is ignorant," saith he, "he sinneth
not; but if the husband know of her sin, and the wife repent not, but
continue in her fornication, and her husband live with her, he makes
himself responsible for her sin and an accomplice in her adultery." "What
then, Sir," say I, "shall the husband do, if the wife continue in this
case?" "Let him divorce her," saith he, "and let the husband abide alone:
but if after divorcing his wife he shall marry another, he likewise
committeth adultery." "If then, Sir," say I, "after the wife is divorced,
she repent and desire to return to her own husband, shall she not be
received?" "Certainly," saith he, "if the husband receiveth her not, he
sinneth and bringeth great sin upon himself; nay, one who hath 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 ought not to marry. This is the manner of acting enjoined on
husband and wife. Not only," saith he, "is it adultery, if a man pollute
his flesh, but whosoever doeth things like unto the heathen committeth
adultery. If therefore in such deeds as these likewise a man continue and
repent not, keep away from him, and live not with him. Otherwise, thou also
art a partaker of his sin. For this cause ye were enjoined to remain
single, whether husband or wife; for in such cases repentance is possible.
"I," said he, "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 hath
authority over all things."

2. I asked him again, saying, "Seeing that the Lord held me worthy that
thou shouldest always dwell with me, suffer me still to 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." He answered and said unto me, "I," saith he, "preside
over repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. Nay, thinkest
thou not," saith he, "that this very act of repentance is understanding? To
repent is great understanding," saith he. "For the man that hath sinned
understandeth that he hath done evil before the Lord, and the deed which he
hath done entereth into his heart, and he repenteth, and doeth no more
evil, but doeth good lavishly, and humbleth his own soul and putteth it to
torture because it sinned. Thou seest then that repentance is great
understanding." "It is on this account therefore, Sir," say I, "that I
enquire everything accurately of thee; first, because I am a sinner;
secondly, because I know not what deeds I must do that I may live, for my
sins are many and various." "Thou shalt live," saith he, "if thou keep my
commandments and walk in them and whosoever shall hear these commandments
and keep them, shall live unto God."

3. "I will still proceed, Sir," say I, "to ask a further question." "Speak
on," saith he. "I have heard, Sir," say I, "from certain teachers, that
there is no other repentance, save that which took place when we rent down
into the water and obtained remission of our former sins." He saith to me;
"Thou hast well heard; for so it is. For he that hath received remission of
sins ought no longer to sin, but to dwell in purity. But, since thou
enquirest all things accurately, I will declare unto thee this also, so as
to give no excuse to those who shall hereafter believe or those who have
already believed, on the Lord. For they that have already believed, or
shall hereafter believe, have not repentance for sins, but have only
remission of their former sins. To those then that 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 that he will be doing some mischief to the
servants of God, and will deal wickedly with them. The Lord then, being
very compassionate, had pity on His handiwork, and appointed this
(opportunity of) repentance, and to me was given the authority over this
repentance. But I say unto you," saith he, "if after this great and holy
calling any one, being tempted of the devil, shall commit sin, he hath only
one (opportunity of) repentance. But if he sin off-hand and repent,
repentance is unprofitable for such a man; for he shall live with
difficulty." I say unto him, "I was quickened unto life again, when I heard
these things from thee so precisely. For I know that, if I shall add no
more to my sins, I shall be saved." "Thou shalt be saved," he saith, "thou
and all, as many as shall do these things."

4. I asked him again, saying, "Sir, since once thou dost bear with me,
declare unto me this further matter also." "Say on," saith he. "If a wife,
Sir," say I, "or, it may be, a husband fall asleep, and one of them marry,
doth the one that marrieth sin?" "He sinneth not," saith he, "but if he
remain single, he investeth himself with more exceeding honor and with
great glory before the Lord; yet even if he should marry, he sinneth not.
Preserve purity and holiness therefore, and thou shalt live unto God. All
these things, which I speak and shall hereafter speak unto thee, guard from
this time forward, from the day when thou wast committed unto me, and I
will dwell in thy house. But for thy former transgressions there shall be
remission, if thou keepest my commandments. Yea, and all shall have
remission, if they keep these my commandments, and walk in this purity."

Mandate the Fifth

"Be thou long-suffering and understanding," he saith, "and thou shalt have
the mastery over all evil deeds, and shalt work all righteousness. For if
thou art long-suffering, the Holy Spirit that abideth in thee shall be
pure, not being darkened by another evil spirit, but dwelling in a large
room shall rejoice and be glad with the vessel in which he dwelleth, and
shall serve God with much cheerfulness, having prosperity in himself. But
if any angry temper approach, forthwith the Holy Spirit, being delicate, is
straitened, not having [the] place clear, and seeketh to retire from the
place; for he is being choked by the evil spirit, and has no room to
minister unto the Lord, as he desireth, being polluted by angry temper. For
the Lord dwelleth in long-suffering, but the devil in angry temper. Thus
that both the spirits then should be dwelling together is inconvenient and
evil for that man in whom they dwell. For if you take a little wormwood,
and pour it into a jar of honey, is not the whole of the honey spoiled, and
all that honey ruined by a very small quantity of wormwood? For it
destroyeth the sweetness of the honey, and it no longer hath the same
attraction for the owner, because it is rendered bitter and hath lost its
use. But if the wormwood be not put into the honey, the honey is found
sweet and becomes useful to its owner. Thou seest [then] that long-
suffering is very sweet, beyond the sweetness of honey, and is useful to
the Lord, and He dwelleth in it. But angry, temper is bitter and useless.
If then angry temper be mixed with long-suffering, long-suffering is
polluted and the man's intercession is no longer useful to God." "I would
fain know, Sir," say I, "the working of angry temper, that I may guard
myself from it." "Yea, verily," saith he, "if thou guard not thyself from
it--thou and thy family--thou hast lost all thy hope. But guard thyself
from it; for I am with thee. Yea, and all men shall hold aloof from it, as
many as have repented with their whole heart. For I will be with them and
will preserve them; for they all were justified by the most holy angel.

2. "Hear now," saith he, "the working of angry temper, how evil it is, and
how it subverteth the servants of God by its own working, and how it
leadeth them astray from righteousness. But it doth not lead astray them
that are full in the faith, nor can it work upon them, because the power of
the Lord is with them; but them that are empty and double-minded it leadeth
astray. For when it seeth 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. 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, remaining always gentle
and tranquil. This long-suffering therefore dwelleth with those whose faith
is perfect. 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 becometh a great sin and
incurable. For when all these spirits dwell in one vessel, where the Holy
Spirit also dwelleth, that vessel cannot contain them, but overfloweth. The
delicate spirit therefore, as not being accustomed to dwell with an evil
spirit nor with harshness, departeth from a man of that kind, and seeketh
to dwell with gentleness and tranquillity. Then, when it hath removed from
that man, in whom it dwells, that man becometh emptied of the righteous
spirit, and henceforward, being filled with the evil spirits, he is
unstable in all his actions, being dragged about hither and thither by the
evil spirits, and is altogether blinded and bereft of his good intent. Thus
then it happeneth to all persons of angry temper. Refrain therefore from
angry temper, the most evil of evil spirits. But clothe thyself in long-
suffering, and resist angry temper and bitterness, and thou shalt be round
in company with the holiness which is beloved of the Lord. See then that
thou never neglect this commandment; for if thou master this commandment,
thou shalt be able likewise to keep the remaining commandments, which I am
about to give thee. Be strong in them and endowed with power; and let all
be endowed with power, as many as desire to walk in them."

Mandate the Sixth

1. "I charged thee," saith he, "in my first commandment to guard faith and
fear and temperance." "Yes, Sir," say I. "But now," saith he, "I wish to
show thee their powers also, that thou mayest 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. Do thou
therefore trust righteousness, but trust not unrighteousness; for the way
of righteousness is straight, but the way of unrighteousness is crooked.
But walk thou in the straight [and level] path, and leave the crooked one
alone. 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. But those who walk in the straight way walk on the
level and without stumbling: for it is neither rough nor thorny. Thou seest
then that it is more expedient to walk in this way." "I am pleased, Sir,"
say I, "to walk in this way." "Thou shalt walk," he saith, "yea, and
whosoever shall turn unto the Lord with his whole heart shall walk in it.

2. "Hear now," saith he, "concerning faith. There are two angels with a
man, one of righteousness and one of wickedness." "How then, Sir," say I,
"shall I know their workings, seeing that both angels dwell with me?"
"Hear," saith he, "and understand their workings. The angel of
righteousness is delicate and bashful and gentle and tranquil. When then
this one enters into thy heart, forthwith he speaketh with thee of
righteousness, of purity, of holiness, and of contentment, of every
righteous deed and of every glorious virtue. When all these things enter
into thy heart, know that the angel of righteousness is with thee. [These
then are the works of the angel of righteousness.] Trust him therefore and
his works. 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 entereth into thy heart,
know him by his works." "How I shall discern him, Sir," I reply, "I know
not." Listen," saith he. "When a fit of angry temper or bitterness comes
upon thee, know that he is in thee. 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 whatsoever things are akin
and like to these--when then these things enter into thy heart, know that
the angel of wickedness is with thee. Do thou 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 thou hast the
workings of both the angels. Understand them, and trust the angel of
righteousness. But from the angel of wickedness stand aloof, for his
teaching is evil in every matter; for though one be a man of faith, and the
desire of this angel enter into his heart, that man, or that woman, must
commit some sin. And if again a man or a woman be exceedingly wicked, and
the works of the angel of righteousness come into that man's heart, he must
of necessity do something good. Thou seest then," saith he, "that it is
good to follow the angel of righteousness, and to bid farewell to the angel
of wickedness. This commandment declareth what concerneth faith, that thou
mayest trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and doing them mayest
live unto God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are
difficult; so by not doing them thou shalt live unto God."

Mandate the Seventh

"Fear the Lord," saith he, "and keep His commandments. So keeping the
commandments of God thou shalt be powerful in every deed, and thy doing
shall be incomparable. For whilst thou fearest the Lord, thou shalt do all
things well. But this is the fear wherewith thou oughtest to be afraid, and
thou shalt be saved. But fear not the devil; for, if thou fear the Lord,
thou shalt 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 hath power hath fear,
whereas he that hath no power is despised of all. But fear thou the works
of the devil, for they are evil. While then thou fearest the Lord, thou
wilt fear the works of the devil, and wilt not do them, but abstain from
them. Fear therefore is of two kinds. If thou desire to do evil, fear the
Lord, and thou shalt not do it. If again thou desire to do good, fear the
Lord and thou shalt do it. Therefore the fear of the Lord is powerful and
great and glorious. Fear the Lord then, and thou shalt live unto Him; yea,
and as many of them that keep His commandments as shall fear Him, shall
live unto God." "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "didst thou say concerning those
that keep His commandments, "They shall live unto God"?" "Because," saith
he, "every creature feareth the Lord, but not every one keepeth His
commandments. Those then that fear Him and keep His commandments, they have
life unto God; but they that keep not His commandments have no life in
them."

Mandate 8

"I told thee," saith he, "that the creatures of God are twofold; for
temperance also is twofold. For in some things it is right to be temperate,
but in other things it is not right." "Make known unto me, Sir," say I, "in
what things it is right to be temperate, and in what things it is not
right." "Listen," saith he. "Be temperate as to what is evil, and do it
not; but be not temperate as to what is good, but do it. For if thou be
temperate as to what is good, so as not to do it, thou committest a great
sin; but if thou be temperate as to what is evil, so as not to do it, thou
doest great righteousness. Be temperate therefore in abstaining from all
wickedness, and do that which is good." "What kinds of wickedness, Sir,"
say I, "are they from which we must be temperate and abstain?" "Listen,"
saith he; "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. 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 that is not temperate so as to
abstain from these cannot live unto God. Listen then to what follows upon
these." "Why, are there still other evil deeds, Sir?" say I. "Aye, saith
he, "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 whatsoever things are like
unto these. Thinkest thou not that these things are wrong, yea, very
wrong," [saith he,] "for the servants of God? In all these things he that
serveth God must exercise temperance. Be thou temperate, therefore, and
refrain from all these things, that thou mayest live unto God, and be
enrolled among those who exercise self-restraint in them. These then are
the things from which thou shouldest restrain thyself Now hear," saith he,
"the things, in which thou shouldest not exercise self restraint, but do
them. Exercise no self-restraint in that which is good, but do it." "Sir,"
say I, "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,"
saith he, "the works of the good likewise, which thou must do, and towards
which thou must exercise no self-restraint. 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 keep these, and
exercise not self-restraint from them, he becomes blessed in his life. Hear
now what follow 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 that 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
whatsoever actions are like these. Do these things," saith he, "seem to
thee to be good?" "Why, what, Sir," say I, "can be better than these?"
"Then walk in them," saith he, "and abstain not from them, and thou shalt
live unto God. Keep this commandment therefore. If thou do good and abstain
not from it, thou shalt live unto God; yea, and all shall live unto God who
act so. And again if thou do not evil, and abstain from it, thou shalt live
unto God; yea, and all shall live unto God, who shall keep these
commandments, and walk in them."

Mandate the Ninth

He saith to me; "Remove from thyself a doubtful mind and doubt not at all
whether to ask of God, saying within thyself, "How can I ask thing of the
Lord and receive it, seeing that I have committed so many sins against
Him?" Reason not thus, but turn to the Lord with thy whole heart, and ask
of Him nothing wavering, and thou shalt know His exceeding compassion, that
He will surely not abandon thee, but will fulfill the petition of thy soul.
For God is not as men who bear a grudge, but Himself is without malice and
hath compassion on His creatures. Do thou therefore cleanse thy heart from
all the vanities of this life, and from the things mentioned before; and
ask of the Lord, and thou shalt receive all things, and shalt lack nothing
of all thy petitions, if thou ask of the Lord nothing wavering. But if thou
waver in thy heart, thou shalt surely receive none of thy petitions. For
they that waver towards God, these are the doubtful-minded, and they never
obtain any of their petitions. But they that 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 repent not, shall hardly be saved. Cleanse therefore thy heart from
doubtful-mindedness, and put on faith, for it is strong, and trust God that
thou wilt receive all thy petitions which thou askest; and if after asking
anything of the Lord, thou receive thy petition somewhat tardily, be not of
doubtful mind because thou didst not receive the petition of thy soul at
once. For assuredly it is by reason of some temptation or some
transgression, of which thou art ignorant, that thou receivest thy petition
so tardily. Do thou therefore cease not to make thy soul's petition, and
thou shalt receive it. But if thou grow weary, and doubt as thou askest,
blame thyself and not Him that giveth unto thee. See to this doubtful-
mindedness; for it is evil and senseless, and uprooteth many from the
faith, yea, even very faithful and strong men. For indeed this doubtful-
mindedness is a daughter of the devil, and worketh great wickedness against
the servants of God. Therefore despise doubtful-mindedness and gain the
mastery over it in everything, clothing thyself with faith which is strong
and powerful. For faith promiseth all things, accomplisheth all things; but
doubtful-mindedness, as having no confidence in itself, fails in all the
works which it doeth. Thou seest then," saith he, "that faith is from above
from the Lord, and hath great power; but doubtful-mindedness is an earthly
spirit from the devil, and hath no power. Do thou therefore serve that
faith which hath power, and hold aloof from the doubtful-mindedness which
hath no power; and thou shalt live unto God; yea, and all those shall live
unto God who are so minded."

Mandate the Tenth

1. "Put away sorrow from thyself," saith he, "for she is the sister of
doubtful-mindedness and of angry temper." "How, Sir," say I, "is she the
sister of these? For angry temper seems to me to be one thing, doubtful-
mindedness another, sorrow another." "Thou art a foolish fellow," saith he,
"[and] perceivest not 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." "I, Sir," say
I, "am without understanding, and I understand not these parables. For how
it can crush out and again save, I do not comprehend." "Listen," saith he.
"Those who have never investigated concerning the truth, nor enquired
concerning the deity, 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, as devote themselves to these things,
comprehend not the parables of the deity; for they are darkened by these
actions, and are corrupted and become barren. 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 the deity and truth, their mind is absorbed in their
occupations, and they perceive nothing at all. But they that have the fear
of God, and investigate concerning deity 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 dwelleth, there too is great understanding. Cleave therefore
unto the Lord, and thou shalt understand and perceive all things.

2. "Hear now, senseless man," saith he, "How sorrow crusheth out the Holy
Spirit, and again saveth it. When the man of doubtful mind sets his hand to
any action, and fails in it owing to his doubtful-mindedness, grief at this
entereth into the man, and grieveth the Holy Spirit, and crusheth it out.
Then again when angry temper cleaveth to a man concerning any matter, and
he is much embittered, again sorrow entereth into the heart of the man that
was ill-tempered, and he is grieved at the deed which he hath done, and
repenteth that he did evil. This sadness therefore seemeth 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 succeeded not 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. Put away therefore from thyself
sadness, and afflict not the Holy Spirit that dwelleth in thee, lest haply
He intercede with God [against thee], and depart from thee. For the Spirit
of God, that was given unto this flesh, endureth not sadness neither
constraint.

3. "Therefore clothe thyself in cheerfulness, which hath favor with Cod
always, and is acceptable to Him, and rejoice in it. For every cheerful man
worketh good, and thinketh good, and despiseth sadness; but the sad man is
always committing sin. In the first place he committeth sin, because he
grieveth the Holy Spirit, which was given to the man being a cheerful
spirit; and in the second place, by grieving the Holy Spirit he doeth
lawlessness, in that he doth not intercede with neither confess unto God.
For the intercession of a sad man hath never at any time power to ascend to
the altar of God." "Wherefore," say I, "doth not the intercession of him
that is saddened ascend to the altar?" "Because," saith he, "sadness is
seated at his heart. Thus sadness mingled with the intercession doth not
suffer the intercession to ascend pure to the altar. For as vinegar when
mingled with wine in the same (vessel) hath not the same pleasant taste, so
likewise sadness mingled with the Holy Spirit hath not the same
intercession. Therefore cleanse thyself from this wicked sadness, and thou
shalt live unto God; yea, and all they shall live unto God, who shall cast
away sadness from themselves and clothe themselves in all cheerfulness."

Mandate the Eleventh

He shewed me men seated on a couch, and another man seated on a chair. And
he saith to me, "Seest thou those that are seated on the couch?" "I see
them, Sir," say I. "These," saith he, "are faithful, but he that sitteth on
the chair is a false prophet who destroyeth the mind of the servants of
God--I mean, of the doubtful-minded, not of the faithful. These doubtful-
minded ones then come to him as to a soothsayer and enquire of him what
shall befall them. And he, the false prophet, having no power of a divine
Spirit in himself, speaketh with them according to their enquiries [and
according to the lusts of their wickedness], and filleth their souls as
they themselves wish. For being empty himself he giveth empty answers to
empty enquirers; for what-ever enquiry may be made of him, he answereth
according to the emptiness of the man. But he speaketh also some true
words; for the devil filleth him with his own spirit, if so be he shall be
able to break down some of the righteous. So many therefore as are strong
in the faith of the Lord, clothed with the truth, cleave not to such
spirits, but hold aloof from them; but as many as are doubters and
frequently change their minds, practice soothsaying like the Gentiles, and
bring upon themselves greater sin by their idolatries. For he that
consulteth a false prophet on any matter is an idolater and emptied of the
truth, and senseless. For no Spirit given of God needeth to be consulted;
but, having the power of deity, speaketh all things of itself, because it
is from above, even from the power of the divine Spirit. But the spirit
which is consulted, and speaketh according to the desires of men, is
earthly and fickle, having no power; and it speaketh not at all, unless it
be consulted." "How then, Sir," say I, "shall a man know who of them is a
prophet, and who a false prophet?" "Hear," saith he, "concerning both the
prophets; and, as I shall tell thee, so shalt thou test the prophet and the
false prophet. By his life test the man that hath the divine Spirit. In the
first place, he that hath the [divine] Spirit, which is from above, is
gentle and tranquil and humble-minded, and abstaineth from all wickedness
and vain desire of this present world, and holdeth himself inferior to all
men, and giveth no answer to any man when enquired of, nor speaketh in
solitude (for neither doth the Holy Spirit speak when a man wisheth Him to
speak); but the man speaketh then when God wisheth him to speak. When then
the man who hath the divine Spirit cometh into an assembly of righteous
men, who have faith in a divine 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, filleth the man, and the man, being filled with the Holy
Spirit, speaketh to the multitude, according as the Lord willeth. In this
way then the Spirit of the deity shall be manifest. This then is the
greatness of the power as touching the Spirit of the deity of the Lord.
Hear now," saith he, "concerning the earthly and vain spirit, which hath no
power but is foolish. In the first place, that man who seemeth to have a
spirit exalteth himself, and desireth to have a chief place, and straight-
way he is impudent and shameless and talkative and conversant in many
luxuries and in many other deceits and receiveth money for his prophesying,
and if he receiveth not, he prophesieth not. Now can a divine Spirit
receive money and prophesy? It is not possible for a prophet of God to do
this, but the spirit of such prophets is earthly. In the next place, it
never approacheth an assembly of righteous men; but avoideth them, and
cleaveth to the doubtful-minded and empty, and prophesieth to them in
corners, and deceiveth them, speaking all things in emptiness to gratify
their desires; for they too are empty whom it answereth. For the empty
vessel placed together with the empty is not broken, but they agree one
with the other. But when he comes into an assembly full of righteous men
who have a Spirit of deity, and intercession is made from them, that man is
emptied, and the earthly spirit fleeth from him in fear, and that man is
struck dumb and is altogether broken in pieces, being unable to utter a
word. 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 unto the spirits of righteous men, are
found just such as they came. I have given thee 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. But do thou trust the Spirit that cometh from
God, and hath power; but in the earthly and empty spirit put no trust at
all; for in it there is no power, for it cometh from the devil. Listen
[then] to the parable which I shall tell thee. Take a stone, and throw it
up to heaven--see if thou canst reach it; or again, take a squirt of water,
and squirt it up to heaven--see if thou canst bore through the heaven."
"How, Sir," say I, "can these things be? For both these things which thou
hast mentioned are beyond our power." "Well then," saith he, "just as these
things are beyond our power, so likewise the earthly spirits have no power
and are feeble. Now take the power which cometh from above. The hail is a
very, small grain, and yet, when it falleth on a man's head, what pain it
causeth! Or again, take a drop which falls on the ground from the tiles,
and bores through the stone. Thou seest then that the smallest things from
above falling on the earth have great power. So likewise the divine Spirit
coming from above is powerful. This Spirit therefore trust, but from the
other hold aloof."

Mandate the Twelfth

1. He saith to me; "Remove from thyself all evil desire, and clothe thyself
in the desire which is good and holy; for clothed with this desire thou
shalt hate the evil desire, and shalt bridle and direct it as thou wilt.
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 get entangled in it, and have no understanding, he is put to
fearful costs by it. But it is costly to such men as are not clothed in the
good desire, but are mixed up with this life "These men then it hands over
to death." "Of what sort, Sir," say I, "are the works of the evil desire,
which hand over men to death? Make them known to me, that I may hold aloof
from them." Listen," [saith he,] "through what works the evil desire
bringeth death to the servants of God.

2. "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. These desires then are evil, and bring death to the
servants of God. For this evil desire is a daughter of the devil. Ye must,
therefore, abstain from the evil desires, that so abstaining ye may live
unto God. But as many as are mastered by them, and resist them not, are
done to death utterly; for these desires are deadly. But do thou clothe
thyself in the desire of righteousness, and, having armed thyself with the
fear of the Lord, resist them. For the fear of God dwelleth in the good
desire. If the evil desire shall see thee armed with the fear of God and
resisting itself, it shall flee far from thee, and shall no more be seen of
thee, being in fear of thine arms. Do thou therefore, when thou art crowned
for thy victory over it, come to the desire of righteousness, and deliver
to her the victor's prize which thou hast received, and serve her,
according as she herself desireth. If thou serve the good desire, and art
subject to her, thou shalt have power to master the evil desire, and to
subject her, according as thou wilt."

3. "I would fain know, Sir," say I, "in what ways I ought to serve the good
desire." "Listen," saith he; "practice righteousness and virtue, truth and
the fear of the Lord, faith and gentleness, and as many good deeds as are
like these. Practicing these thou shalt be well-pleasing as a servant of
God, and shalt live unto Him; yea, and every one who shall serve the good
desire shall live unto God."

So he completed the twelve commandments, and he saith to me; Thou hast
these commandments; walk in them, and exhort thy hearers that their
repentance may become pure for the rest of the days of their life. This
ministration, which I give thee, fulfill thou with all diligence to the
end, and thou shalt effect much. For thou shalt find favor among those who
are about to repent, and they shall obey thy words. For I will be with
thee, and will compel them to obey thee."

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 know not whether these commandments can be kept by a
man, for they are very hard." He answered and said unto me; "If thou set it
before thyself that they can be kept, thou wilt easily keep them, and they
will not be hard; but if it once enter into thy heart that they cannot be
kept by a man, thou wilt not keep them. But now I say unto thee; if thou
keep them not. but neglect them thou shalt not have salvation, neither thy
children nor thy household, since thou hast already pronounced judgment
against thyself that these commandments cannot be kept by a man."

4. And these things he said 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. And when he saw that I was altogether disturbed and
confounded, he began to speak more kindly [and cheerfully] to me, and he
saith; "Foolish fellow, void of understanding and of doubtful mind,
perceivest thou not the glory of God, how great and mighty and marvelous it
is, how that 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? If then," [he saith,] "man is lord of all
the creatures of God and mastereth all things, cannot he also master these
commandments Aye," saith he, "the man that hath the Lord in his heart can
master [all things and] all these commandments. But they that 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. Therefore do ye, who are
empty and fickle in the faith, set your Lord in your heart, and ye shall
perceive that nothing is easier than these commandments, nor sweeter, nor
more gentle. Be ye converted, ye that walk after the commandments of the
devil, (the commandments which are so) difficult and bitter and wild and
riotous; and fear not the devil, for there is no power in him against you.
For I will be with you, I, the angel of repentance, who have the mastery
over him. The devil hath fear alone, but his fear hath no force. Fear him
not therefore; and he will flee from you."

5. I say to him, "Sir, listen to a few words from me." "Say what thou
wilt," saith he. "Man, Sir," I say, "is eager to keep the commandments of
God, and there is no one that asketh not of the Lord that he may be
strengthened in His commandments, and be subject to them; but the devil is
hard and overmastereth them." "He cannot," saith he, "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 ye
resist him, he will be vanquished and will flee from you disgraced. But as
many," saith he, "as are utterly empty, fear the devil as if he had power.
When a man has filled amply 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 examineth the empty
ones, fearing lest they have turned sour. For empty jars soon turn sour,
and the taste of the wine is spoilt. So also the devil cometh to all the
servants of God tempting them. As many then as are complete in the faith,
oppose him mightily, and he departeth from them, not having a place where
he can find an entrance. So he cometh next to the empty ones, and finding a
place goeth into them, and further he doeth what he willeth in them, and
they become submissive slaves to him.

6. "But I, the angel of repentance, say unto you; Fear not the devil; for I
was sent," saith he, "to be with you who repent with your whole heart, and
to strengthen you in the faith. Believe, therefore, on God, ye who by
reason of your sins have despaired of your life, and are adding to your
sins, and weighing down your life; for if ye turn unto 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 ye shall have power to master the works of the devil. But
of the threatening of the devil fear not at all; for he is unstrung, like
the sinews of a dead man. Hear me therefore, and fear Him, "Who is able" to
do all things, "to save and to destroy", and observe these commandments,
and ye shall live unto God." I say to him, "Sir, now am I strengthened in
all the ordinances of the Lord, because thou art with me; and I know that
thou wilt crush all the power of the devil, and we shall be masters over
him, and shall prevail over all his works. And I hope, Sir, that I am now
able to keep these commandments which thou hast commanded, the Lord
enabling me." "Thou shalt keep them," saith he, "if thy heart be found pure
with the Lord; yea, and all shall keep them, as many as shall purify their
hearts from the vain desires of this world, and shall live unto God."

Parables Which He Spake With Me

He saith to me; "Ye know that ye, who are the servants of God, are dwelling
in a foreign land; for your city is far from this city. If then ye know
your city, in which ye shall dwell, why do ye here prepare fields and
expensive displays and buildings and dwelling-chambers which are
superfluous? He, therefore, that prepareth these things for this city does
not purpose to return to his own city. O foolish and double-minded and
miserable man, perceivest thou not that all these things are foreign, and
are under the power of another For the lord of this city shall say, "I do
not wish thee to dwell in my city; go forth from this city, for thou dost
not conform to my laws." Thou, therefor who hast fields and dwellings and
many other possessions, when thou art cast out by him, what wilt thou do
with thy field and thy house am all the other things that thou preparedst
for thyself? For the lord of this country saith to thee justly, "Either
conform to my laws, or depart from my country." What then shalt thou do,
who art under law in thine own city? For the sake of thy fields and the
rest of thy possessions wilt thou altogether repudiate thy law, and walk
according to the law of this city? Take heed, lest it be inexpedient to
repudiate the law; for if thou shouldest desire to return again to thy
city, thou shall surely not be received [because thou didst repudiate the
law of the city], and shalt be shut out from it. Take heed therefore; as
dwelling in a strange land prepare nothing more for thyself but a
competency which is sufficient for thee, and make ready that, whensoever
the master of this city may desire to cast thee out for thine opposition to
his law, thou mayest go forth from his city and depart into thine own city
and use thine own law joyfully, free from all insult. Take heed therefore,
ye that 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 be kept. Therefore,
instead of fields buy ye souls that are in trouble, as each is able, and
visit widows and orphans, and neglect them not; and spend your riches and
all your displays, which ye received from God, on fields and houses of this
kind. For to this end the Master enriched you, that ye might perform these
ministrations for Him. It is much better to purchase fields [and
possessions] and houses of this kind, which thou wilt find in thine own
city, when thou visitest it. This lavish expenditure is beautiful and
joyous, not bringing sadness or fear, but bringing joy. The expenditure of
the heathen then practice not ye; for it is not convenient for you the
servants of God. But practice your own expenditure, in which ye 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 thine own task, and thou shalt be saved."

Another Parable

As I walked in the field, and noticed an elm and a vine, and was
distinguishing them and their fruits, the shepherd appeareth to me and
saith; "What art thou meditating within thyself?" "I am thinking, [Sir,]"
say I, "about the elm and the vine, that they are excellently suited the
one to the other." "These two trees," saith he, "are appointed for a type
to the servants of God." "I would fain know, [Sir,]" say I, "the type
contained in these trees, of which thou speakest." "Seest thou," saith he,
"the elm and the vine ?" "I see them, Sir," say I. "This vine," saith he,
"beareth fruit, but the elm is an unfruitful stock. Yet this vine, except
it climb up the elm, cannot bear much fruit when it is spread on the
ground; and such fruit as it beareth is rotten, because it is not suspended
upon the elm. When then the vine is attached to the elm, it beareth fruit
both from itself and from the elm. Thou seest then that the elm also
beareth [much] fruit, not less than the vine, but rather more." How more,
Sir?" say I. "Because," saith he, "the vine, when hanging upon the elm,
bears its fruit in abundance, and in good condition; but, when spread on
the ground, it beareth little fruit, and that rotten. This parable
therefore is applicable to the servants of God, to poor and to rich alike."
"How, Sir?" say I; "instruct me." "Listen," saith he; the rich man hath
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 giveth is mall and weak and hath not power
above. When then the rich man goeth up to the poor, and assisteth him in
his needs, believing that for what he doth to the poor man he shall be able
to obtain a reward with God--because the poor man is rich in intercession
[and confession], and his intercession hath great power with God--the rich
man then supplieth all things to the poor man without wavering. But the
poor man being supplied by the rich maketh intercession for him, thanking
God for him that 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 knoweth that
the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and rich before God. They
both then accomplish their work; the poor man maketh intercession, wherein
he is rich [which he received of the Lord]; this he rendereth again to the
Lord Who supplieth him with it. The rich man too in like manner furnisheth
to the poor man, nothing doubting, the riches which he received from the
Lord. And this work great and acceptable with God, because (the rich man)
hath understanding concerning his riches, and worketh for the poor man from
the bounties of the Lord, and accomplisheth the ministration of the Lord
rightly. In the sight of men then the elm seemeth not to bear fruit, and
they know not, neither perceive, that if there cometh a drought the elm
having water nurtureth the vine, and the vine having a constant supply of
water beareth 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. So then both are made partners in the righteous work. He then
that doeth these things shall not be abandoned of God, but shall be written
in the books of the living. Blessed are the rich, who understand also that
they are enriched from the Lord. For they that have this mind shall be able
to do some good work."

Another Parable

He showed me many trees which had no leaves, but they seemed to me to be,
as it were, withered; for they were all alike. And he saith to me; "Seest
thou these trees?" "I see them, Sir," I say, "they are all alike, and are
withered." He answered and said to me; "These trees that thou seest are
they that dwell in this world." "Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "are they as
if they were withered, and alike?" "Because," saith he, "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. 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
nor the sinners are distinguishable, but they are all alike."

Another Parable

He showed me many trees again, some of them sprouting, and others withered,
and he saith to me; "Seest thou," saith he, "these trees?" "I see them,
Sir," say I, "some of them sprouting, and others withered." "These trees,"
saith he, "that are sprouting are the righteous, who shall 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 shall shine forth, then
they that serve God shall be made manifest; yea, and all men shall be made
manifest. 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 shall be manifest, and all [even the very smallest] shall be
known to be flourishing in that world. But the Gentiles and the sinners,
just as thou sawest the trees which were withered, even such shall they be
found, withered and unfruitful in that world, and shall be burnt up as
fuel, and shall be manifest, because their practice in their life hath been
evil. For the sinners shall be burned, because they sinned and repented
not; and the Gentiles shall be burned, because they knew not Him that
created them. Do thou therefore bear fruit, that in that summer thy fruit
may be known. But abstain from overmuch business, and thou shalt never fill
into any sin. For they that busy themselves overmuch, sin much also, being
distracted about their business, and in no wise serving their own Lord. How
then," saith he, "can such a man ask anything of the Lord and receive it,
seeing that he serveth not the Lord? [For] they that serve Him, these shall
receive their petitions, but they that serve not the Lord, these shall
receive nothing. But if any one work one single action, he is able also to
serve the Lord; for his mind shall not be corrupted from (following) the
Lord, but he shall serve Him, because he keepeth his mind pure. If
therefore thou doest these things, thou shalt be able to bear fruit unto
the world to come; yea, and whosoever shall do these things, shall bear
fruit."

Another Parable

1. As I was fasting and seated on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to
the Lord for all that He had done unto me, I see the shepherd seated by me
and saying; "Why hast thou come hither in the early morn?" "Because, Sir,"
say I, "I am keeping a station." "What," saith he, "is a station?" "I am
fasting, Sir," say I. "And what," saith he, "is this fast [that ye are
fasting]?" "As I was accustomed, Sir," say I, "so I fast." "Ye know not,"
saith he, "how to fast unto the Lord, neither is this a fast, this
unprofitable fast which ye make unto Him." "wherefore, Sir," say I, "sayest
thou this?" "I tell thee," saith he, "that this is not a fast, wherein ye
think to fast; but I will teach thee what is a complete fast and acceptable
to the Lord. Listen," saith he; "God desireth not such a vain fast; for by
so fasting unto God thou shalt do nothing for righteousness. But fast thou
[unto God] such a fast as this; do no wickedness in thy 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 thy heart; but believe God.
Then, if thou shalt do these things, and fear Him, and control thyself from
every evil deed, thou shalt live unto God; and if thou do these things,
thou shalt accomplish a great fast, and one acceptable to God.

2. "Hear the parable which I shall tell thee relating to fasting. 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 saith unto him;
"Take this vineyard [which I have planted], and fence it [till I come], but
do nothing else to the vineyard. Now keep this my commandment, and thou
shalt be free in my house." Then the master of the servant went away to
travel abroad. 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. So he reasoned within himself, saying,
"This command of my lord I have carried out. I will next dig this vineyard,
and it shall be neater when it is digged; and when it hath no weeds it will
yield more fruit, because not choked by the weeds." He took and digged 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. 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
digged as well, and [all] the weeds plucked up, and the vines flourishing,
he rejoiced [exceedingly] at what his servant had done. 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. And he saith 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 besides to 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." In this purpose the son of the master
agreed with him, that the servant should be made joint-heir with the son.
After some few days, his master made a feast, and sent to him many dainties
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. 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. All these
things which had taken place his master heard, and again rejoiced greatly
at his deed. So the master called together again his friends and his son,
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."

3. I say, "Sir, I understand not these parables, neither can I apprehend
them, unless thou explain them for me." "I will explain everything to
thee," saith he; "and will show thee whatsoever things I shall speak with
thee. Keep the commandments of the Lord, and thou shalt be well-pleasing to
God, and shalt be enrolled among the number of them that keep His
commandments. But if thou do any good thing outside the commandment of God,
thou shalt win for thyself more exceeding glory, and shalt be more glorious
in the sight of God than thou wouldest otherwise have been. If then, while
thou keepest the commandments of God, thou add these services likewise,
thou shalt rejoice, if thou observe them according to my commandment." I
say to him, "Sir, whatsoever thou commandest me, I will keep it; for I know
that thou art with me." "I will be with thee," saith he, "because thou hast
so great zeal for doing good; yea, and I will be with all," saith he,
"whosoever have such zeal as this. This fasting," saith he, "if the
commandments of the Lord are kept, is very good. This then is the way, that
thou shalt keep this fast which thou art about to observe]. First of all,
keep thyself from every evil word and every evil desire, and purify thy
heart from all the vanities of this world. If thou keep these things, this
fast shall be perfect for thee. And thus shalt thou do. Having fulfilled
what is written, on that day on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing
but bread and water; and from thy meats, which thou wouldest have eaten,
thou shalt reckon up the amount of that day's expenditure, which thou
wouldest have incurred, and shalt give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to
one in want, and so shalt thou humble thy soul, that he that hath received
from thy humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and may pray for thee to the
Lord. If then thou shalt so accomplish this fast, as I have commanded thee,
thy sacrifice shall be acceptable in the sight of God, and this fasting
shall be recorded; and the service so performed is beautiful and joyous and
acceptable to the Lord. These things thou shalt so observe, thou and thy
children and thy whole household; and, observing them, thou shalt be
blessed; yea, and all those, who shall hear and observe them, shall be
blessed, and whatsoever things they shall ask of the Lord, they shall
receive."

4. 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 that
fenced the vineyard, [and of the fence,] and of the weeds which 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. But he
answered and said unto me; "Thou art exceedingly importunate in enquiries.
Thou oughtest not," [saith he,] "to make any enquiry at all; for if it be
right that a thing be explained unto thee, it shall be explained." I say to
him; "Sir, whatsoever things thou showest unto me and dost not explain, I
shall have seen them in vain, and without understanding what they are. In
like manner also, if thou speak parables to me and interpret them not, I
shall have heard a thing in vain from thee." But he again answered, and
said unto me; "Whosoever," saith he, "is a servant of God, and hath his own
Lord in his heart, asketh understanding of Him, and receiveth it, and
interpreteth every parable, and the words of the Lord which are spoken in
parables are made known unto him. But as many as are sluggish and idle in
intercession, these hesitate to ask of the Lord. But the Lord is abundant
in compassion, and giveth to them that ask of Him without ceasing. But thou
who hast been strengthened by the holy angel, and hast received from him
such (powers of intercession and art not idle, wherefore dost thou not ask
understanding of the Lord, and obtain it from Him)." I say to him, "Sir, I
that have thee with me have (but) need to ask thee and enquire of thee; for
thou showest me all things, and speakest with me; but if I had seen or
heard them apart from thee I should have asked of the Lord, that they might
be shown to me."

5. "I told thee just now," saith he, "that thou art unscrupulous and
importunate, in enquiring for the interpretations of the parables. But
since thou art so obstinate, I will interpret to thee the parable of the
estate and all the accompaniments thereof, that thou mayest make them known
unto all. Hear now," saith he, "and understand them. The estate is this
world, and the lord of the estate is He that 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; and the fences
are the [holy] angels of the Lord who keep together His people; 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 remaineth over until His coming." I
say to him; "Sir, great and marvelous are all things and all things are
glorious; was it likely then," say I, "that I could have apprehended them?"
"Nay, nor can any other man, though he be full of understanding, apprehend
them." "Yet again, Sir," say I, "explain to me what I am about to enquire
of thee." "Say on," he saith, "if thou desirest anything." "Wherefore,
Sir,]" say I, "is the Son of God represented in the parable in the guise of
a servant?"

6. "Listen," said he; "the Son of God is not represented in the guise of a
servant, but is represented in great power and lordship." "How, Sir?" say
I; "I comprehend not." "Because," saith he, "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. 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. Thou seest," saith he, "that He is Himself
Lord of the people, having received all power from His Father. But how that
the lord took his son and the glorious angels as advisers concerning the
inheritance of the servant, listen. 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 unto the
Spirit, walking honorably in holiness and purity, without in any way
defiling the Spirit. When then it had 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. 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 hare lost the reward for its service; for all flesh, which is
found undefiled and unspotted, wherein the Holy Spirit dwelt, shall receive
a reward. Now thou hast the interpretation of this parable also."

7. "I was right glad, Sir," say I, "to hear this interpretation." "Listen
now," saith he, "Keep this thy flesh pure and undefiled, that the Spirit
which dwelleth in it may bear witness to it, and thy flesh may be
justified. See that it never enter into thine heart that this flesh of
thine is perishable, and so thou abuse it in some defilement. [For] if thou
defile thy flesh, thou shalt defile the Holy Spirit also; but if thou
defile the flesh, thou shalt not live." "But if, Sir," say I, "there has
been any ignorance in times past, before these words were heard, how shall
a man who has defiled his flesh be saved?" "For the former deeds of
ignorance," saith he, "God alone hath power to give healing; for all
authority is His. [But now keep thyself, and the Lord Almighty, Who is full
of compassion, will give healing for thy former deeds of ignorance,] if
henceforth thou defile not thy flesh, neither the Spirit; for both share in
common, and the one cannot be defiled without the other. Therefore keep
both pure, and thou shalt live unto God."

[Parable the Sixth.]

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 shall I be, if I walk in these
commandments; yea, and whosoever shall walk in them shall be blessed." As I
spake these things within myself, I see him suddenly seated by me, and
saying as follows; "Why art thou of a doubtful mind concerning the
commandments, which I commanded thee? They are beautiful. Doubt not at all;
but clothe thyself in the faith of the Lord, and thou shalt walk in them.
For I will strengthen thee in them. These commandments are suitable for
those who meditate repentance; for if they walk not in them, their
repentance is in vain. Ye then that repent, cast away the evil doings of
this world which crush you; and, by putting on every excellence of
righteousness, ye shall be able to observe these commandments, and to add
no more to your sins. If then ye add no further sin at all, ye will depart
from your former sins. Walk then in these my commandments, and ye shall
live unto God. These things have [all] been told you from me." And after he
had told these things to me, he saith to me, "Let us go into the country,
and I will show thee the shepherds of the sheep." "Let us go, Sir," say I.
And we came to a certain plain, and he showeth me a young man, a shepherd,
clothed in a light cloak, of saffron color; 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 hither and thither; 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.

2. And he saith to me; "Seest thou this shepherd?" "I see him Sir," I say.
"This," saith he, "is the angel of self-indulgence and of deceit. He
crusheth the souls of the servants of God, and perverteth them from the
truth, leading them astray with evil desires, wherein they perish. 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 unto
death, and others unto corruption." I say to him, "Sir, I comprehend not
what means "unto death," and what "unto corruption". "Listen," saith he;
"the sheep which thou sawest gladsome and skipping about, these are they
who have been turned asunder from God utterly, and have delivered
themselves over to the lusts of this world. In these, therefore, there is
not repentance unto life. For the Name of God is being blasphemed through
them. The life of such persons is death. But the sheep, which thou sawest
not skipping about, but feeding in one place, these are they that 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 hath hope of a possible renewal, but death hath
eternal destruction." Again we went forward a little way, and he showeth 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. 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. 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 to and fro, and giving them
no rest, and all together those sheep had not a happy time.

3. When then I saw them so lashed with the whip and vexed, I was sorry for
their sakes, because they were so tortured and had no rest at all. 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," saith he, "is the angel of punishment, and he is one of the
just angels, and presides over punishment. So he receiveth those who wander
away from God, and walk after the lusts and deceits of this life, and
punisheth them, as they deserve, with fearful and various punishments." "I
would fain learn, Sir," said I, "of what sort are these various
punishments." "Listen," saith he; "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 divers maladies, and others with
[every kind] of unsettlement, and others with insults from unworthy persons
and with suffering in many other respects. 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 doth not enter into their hearts that they have done evil deeds, but
they blame the Lord. When then they are 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
whatsoever things they may ask; and then they glorify the Lord because they
were delivered over unto me, and they no longer suffer any evil thing."

4. I say unto him; "Sir, declare unto me this further matter." "What
enquirest thou yet?" saith he. "Whether, Sir," say I, "they that 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 saith to me,
"They undergo torments for the same length of time." "Then, Sir," say I,
"they undergo very slight torments; for those who are living thus in self-
indulgence and forget God ought to have been tormented seven-fold." He
saith to me, "Thou art foolish, and comprehendest not the power of the
torment" "True," say I, "for if I had comprehended it, I should not have
asked thee to declare it to me." "Listen," saith he, "to the power of both,
[of the self-indulgence and of the torment]. The time of the self-
indulgence and deceit is one hour. But an hour of the torment hath the
power of thirty days. If then one live in self indulgence and be deceived
for one day, and be 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. Thou seest then," saith he,
"that the time of the self-indulgence and deceit is very short, but the
time of the punishment and torment is long."

5. "Inasmuch, Sir," say I, "as I do not quite comprehend concerning the
time of the deceit and self-indulgence and torment, show me more clearly."
He answered and said unto me; "Thy stupidity cleaveth to thee; and thou
wilt not cleanse thy heart and serve God Take heed," [saith he,] "lest
haply the time be fulfilled, and thou be found in thy foolishness. Listen
then," [saith he,] "even as thou wishest, that thou mayest comprehend the
matter. He that liveth in self-indulgence and is deceived for one day, and
doeth what he wisheth, is clothed in much folly and comprehendeth not the
thing which he doeth; for on the morrow he forgetteth 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. So being tormented and
punished for the whole year, the man remembers at length the self-
indulgence and deceit, and perceiveth that it is on their account that he
is suffering these ills. Every man, therefore, that liveth in self-
indulgence and is deceived, is tormented in this way because, though
possessing lire, they have delivered themselves over unto death."  Hermas
5[65]:5 "What kinds of self-indulgence, Sir," say I, "are harmful?" "Every
action," saith he, "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 that doeth things akin to
these, giveth the reins to his peculiar passion; therefore he is self-
indulgent in his action. 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. 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 bringeth life to a man of
this disposition; but the harmful self-indulgences afore-mentioned bring to
men torments and punishments; and if they continue in them and repent not,
they bring death upon themselves."

[Parable the Seventh.]

After a few days I saw him on the same plain, where also I had seen the
shepherds, and he saith to me, "What seekest thou?" "I am here, Sir," say
I, "that thou mayest bid the shepherd that punisheth go out of my house;
for he afflicteth me much." "It is necessary for thee," saith he, "to be
afflicted; for so," saith he, "the glorious angel ordered as concerning
thee, for he wisheth thee to be proved." "Why, what so evil thing have I
done, Sir," say I, "that I should be delivered over to this angel?"
"Listen," saith he. "Thy sins are many, yet not so many that thou shouldest
be delivered over to this angel; but thy house has committed great
iniquities and sins, and the glorious angel was embittered at their deeds,
and for this cause he bade thee be afflicted for a certain time, that they
also might repent and cleanse themselves from every lust of this world.
When therefore they shall repent and be cleansed, then shall the angel of
punishment depart." 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," saith he, "unless thou, the head of the [whole]
house, be afflicted; for if thou be afflicted, they also of necessity will
be afflicted; but if thou be prosperous, they can suffer no affliction."
"But behold, Sir," say I, "they have repented with their whole heart." "I
am quite aware myself," saith he, "that they have repented with their whole
heart; well, thinkest thou that 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 divers kinds of affliction; and if he endure 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. And
this (will God do), if in any way He perceive the heart of the penitent
pure from every evil thing. But it is expedient for thee and for thy house
that thou shouldest be afflicted now. But why speak I many words to thee?
Thou must be afflicted as the angel of the Lord commanded, even he that
delivered thee unto me; and for this give thanks to the Lord, in that He
deemed thee worthy that I should reveal unto thee beforehand the
affliction, that foreknowing it thou might endure it with fortitude." I say
to him; "Sir, be thou with me, and I shall be able to endure all affliction
[easily]." "I will be with thee," saith he; "and I will ask the angel that
punisheth to afflict thee more lightly; but thou shalt be afflicted for a
short time, and thou shalt be restored again to thy house. Only continue to
be humble and to minister unto the Lord with a pure heart, thou and thy
children and thy house, and walk in my commandments which I command thee,
and thus it will be possible for thy repentance to be strong and pure. And
if thou keep these commandments with thy household, all affliction shall
hold aloof from thee; yea, and affliction," saith he, "shall hold aloof
from all whosoever shall walk in these my commandments."

[Parable the Eighth.]

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. 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 that sheltered beneath the willow;
and he gave them little rods about a cubit long. And after all had taken
the rods, the angel laid aside the sickle, and the tree was sound, just as
I had seen it. Then I marvelled within myself, saying, "How is the tree
sound after so many branches have been lopped off?" The shepherd saith to
me, "Marvel not that the tree remained sound, after so many branches were
lopped off but wait until thou seest all things, and it shall be shown to
thee what it is." The angel who gave the rods to the people demanded them
back from them again, and according as they had received them, so also they
were summoned to him, and each of them returned the several rods. But the
angel of the Lord took them, and examined them. 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. And others gave them up withered,
but not grub-eaten; and these again he ordered to stand apart. And others
gave them up half-withered; these also stood apart. And others gave up
their rods half-withered and with cracks; these also stood apart. 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. 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.
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. And in those of others there was a very small portion
green, but the rest of the rods was withered; these also stood apart. 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. And
others gave up their rods green and with shoots, these also stood apart;
and at these again the angel rejoiced exceedingly. 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 exceeding gladsome, whose rods were found in this
state. And over them the angel exulted, and the shepherd was very gladsome
over them.

2. 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 that
had given up the rods which had the shoots and some fruit, and sent them
away into the tower. And the others also he 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. And all they that went into the
tower had the same raiment, white as snow. And those that had given up
their rods green as they received them, he sent away, giving them a [white]
robe, and seals. After the angel had finished these things, he saith to the
shepherd; "I go away; but these thou shalt send away to (their places
within) the walls, according as each deserveth to dwell; but examine their
rods carefully), and so send them away. But be careful in examining them.
Take heed lest any escape thee," saith he. "Still if any escape thee, I
will test them at the altar." When he had thus spoken to the shepherd, he
departed. And, after the angel had departed, the shepherd saith to me; "Let
us take the rods of all and plant them, to see whether any of them shall be
able to live." I say unto him, "Sir, these withered things, how can they
live?" He answered and said unto me; "This tree is a willow, and this class
of trees clingeth to life. If then the rods shall be planted and get a
little moisture, many of them will live. And afterwards let us try to pour
some water also over them. If any of them shall be able to live, I will
rejoice with it; but if it live not, I at least shall not be found
neglectful." So the shepherd bade me 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. And after he had watered the rods, he
saith to me; "Let us go now. and after days let us return and inspect all
the rods; for He Who created this tree willeth that all those who have
received rods from this tree should live. And I myself hope that these
little rods, after they have got moisture and been watered, will live the
greater part of them."

3. 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." "Listen," saith he; "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 Cod preached unto the ends of the earth.
But the people that are under the shadow are they that have heard the
preaching, and believed on Him; but the great and glorious angel is
Michael, who hath the power over this people and is their captain. For this
is he that putteth the law into the hearts of the believers; therefore he
himself inspecteth them to whom he gave it, to see whether they have
observed it. But thou seest the rods of every one; for the rods are the
law. Thou seest these many rods rendered useless, and thou shalt notice all
those that have not observed the law, and shalt see the abode of each
severally." I say unto him; "Sir, wherefore did he send away some into the
tower, and leave others for thee?" "As many," saith he, "as transgressed
the law which they received from him, these he left under my authority for
repentance; but as many as already satisfied the law and have observed it,
these he has under his own authority." "Who then, Sir," say I, "are they
that have been crowned and go into the tower?" ["As many," saith he, "as
wrestled with the devil and overcame him in their wrestling, are crowned:]
these are they that suffered for the law. But the others, who likewise gave
up their rods green and with shoots, though not with fruit, are they that
were persecuted for the law, but did not suffer nor yet deny their law. But
they that 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 thou shalt know, when I have
examined these rods that have been planted and watered."

4. 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 saith to me; "Gird
thyself 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. And when he saw
me girded and ready to minister to him "Call," saith he, "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. He saith 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. Then those gave them up, who had
the withered but not chipped; and some of them gave up the rods green, and
others withered and chipped as by grubs. Those then that gave them up green
he ordered to stand apart; but those that gave them up withered and chipped
he ordered to stand with the first. 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.

5. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

6. After [the shepherd] had examined the rods of all, he saith to me, "I
told thee that this tree clingeth to life. Seest thou," saith he, "how many
repented and were saved?" "I see, Sir," say I. "It is," saith he, that thou
mayest see the abundant compassion of the Lord, how great and glorious it
is, and He hath given (His) Spirit to those that are worthy of repentance."
"Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "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 not repentance, lest
haply they should again profane His name." I say unto him, "Sir, now then
show me concerning those that have given up their rods, what manner of man
each of them is, and their abode, that when they hear this, they that
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 from
thee a seal, and may glorify the Lord, that He had compassion upon them and
sent thee to renew their spirits." "Listen," saith he; "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 still further were
ashamed of the Name of the Lord, which was invoked upon them. These then
perished altogether unto God. But thou seest how not one of them repented,
although they heard the words which thou spakest to them, which I commanded
thee. From men of this kind life departed. But those that 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 them that had sinned, not permitting them to repent, but
persuading them with their foolish doctrines. These then have hope of
repenting. But thou seest that many of them have indeed repented from the
time when thou spakest to them my commandments; yea, and (others) still
will repent. And as many as shall not repent, have lost their life; but as
many of them as repented, became good; and their dwelling was placed within
the first walls, and some of them even ascended into the tower. Thou seest
then," [saith he,] "that repentance from sins bringeth life, but not to
repent bringeth death.

7. "But as many as 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 nor are dead. But
those that 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," [saith he,] "repentance is
given. Thou seest," [saith he,] "that some of them have repented; and there
is still," saith he, "hope of repentance among them. And as many of them,"
saith he, "as have repented, have their abode within the tower; but as many
of them as have repented tardily shall abide within the walls; and as many
as repent not, but continue in their doings, shall die the death. But they
that have given up their rods green and with cracks, these were found
faithful and good at all times, [but] they have a certain emulation one
with another about first places and about glory of some kind or other; but
all these are foolish in having (emulation) one with another about first
places. 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 any one shall again turn to dissension,
he shall be cast out from the tower and shall lose his life. Life is for
all those that 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.

8. "But they that gave up their rods half green and half withered, these
are they that are mixed up in business and cleave not to the saints.
Therefore the one half of them liveth, but the other half is dead. Many
then when they heard my commandments repented. As many then as 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. But many of them were doubtful-minded.
These still have place for repentance, if they repent quickly, and their
dwelling shall be within the tower; and if they repent tardily, they shall
dwell within the walls; but if they repent not, they too have lost their
life. But they that have given up two parts green and the third part
withered, these are they that have denied with manifold denials. 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 continue not in their pleasures;
but if they continue in their doings, they likewise procure for themselves
death.

9. "But they that 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 the more pleasant unto them; yet they departed not from
God, but continued in the faith, though they wrought not the works of the
faith. Many of them therefore repented, and they had their habitation
within the tower. 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. But others of them were doubtful-minded, not hoping to be
saved by reason of the deeds that they had done; and others were double-
minded and made divisions among themselves. For these then that were
double-minded by reason of their doings there is still repentance; but
their repentance ought to be speedy, that their dwelling may be within the
tower; but for those who repent not, but continue in their pleasures, death
is nigh.

10. "But they that gave up their rods green, yet with the extreme ends
withered and with cracks; these were found at all times good and faithful
and glorious in the sight of God, but they sinned to a very slight degree
by reason of little desires and because they had somewhat against one
another. But, when they heard my words, the greater part quickly repented,
and their dwelling was assigned within the tower. 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 found
always good; and hardly shall one of them die. But they that gave up their
rods withered, yet with a very small part green, these are they that
believed, but practiced the works of lawlessness. Still they never
separated from God, but bore the Name gladly, and gladly received into
their houses the servants of God. So hearing of this repentance they
repented without wavering, and they practice all excellence and
righteousness. And some of them even suffer persecution willingly, knowing
the deeds that they did. All these then shall have their dwelling within
the tower."

11. And after he had completed the interpretations of all the rods, he
saith unto me; "Go, and tell all men to repent, and they shall live unto
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 willeth them that were called through His Son to be
saved." 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." He answered and said unto me; "As many,"
[saith he,] "as [shall repent] from their whole heart [and] shall cleanse
themselves from all the evil deeds aforementioned, and shall add nothing
further to their sins, shall receive healing from the Lord for their former
sins, unless they be double-minded concerning these commandments, and they
shall live unto God. [But as many," saith he, "as shall add to their sins
and walk in the lusts of this world, shall condemn themselves to death.]
But do thou walk in my commandments, and live [unto God; yea, and as many
as shall walk in them and shall do rightly, shall live unto God."] Having
shown me all these things [and told me them] he saith to me; "Now the rest
will I declare (unto thee) after a few days."

[Parable the Ninth.]

1. After I had written down the commandments and parables of the shepherd,
the angel of repentance, he came to me and saith to me; "I wish to show
thee all things that the Holy Spirit, which spake with thee in the form of
the Church, showed unto thee. For that Spirit is the Son of God. For when
thou wast weaker in the flesh, it was not declared unto thee through an
angel; but when thou wast enabled through the Spirit, and didst grow mighty
in thy strength so that thou couldest even see an angel, then at length was
manifested unto thee, through the Church, the building of the tower. In
fair and seemly manner hast thou seen all things, (instructed) as it were
by a virgin; but now thou seest (being instructed) by an angel, though by
the same Spirit; yet must thou learn everything more accurately from me.
For to this end also was I appointed by the glorious angel to dwell in thy
house, that thou mightest see all things mightily, in nothing terrified,
even as before." 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 round the plain twelve mountains, the mountains having each a
different appearance. The first was black as soot; the second was bare,
without vegetation; the third was thorny and full of briars; 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; 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; the seventh mountain had smiling
vegetation, and the whole mountain was in a thriving condition, and cattle
and birds of every kind did feed upon that mountain; and the more the
cattle and the birds did feed, so much the more did the herbage of that
mountain flourish. The eighth mountain was full of springs, and every kind
of creature of the Lord did drink of the springs on that mountain. the
ninth mountain had no water at all, and was entirely desert; and it had in
it wild beasts and deadly reptiles, which destroy mankind. The tenth
mountain had very large trees and was umbrageous throughout, and beneath
the shade lay sheep resting and feeding. The eleventh mountain was thickly
wooded all over, and the trees thereon were very productive, decked with
divers 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.

2. 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. Now this rock was
ancient, and had a gate hewn out of it; but the gate seemed to me to have
been hewed out quite recently. And the gate glistened beyond the brightness
of the sun, so that I marvelled at the brightness of the gate. And around
the gate stood twelve virgins. The four then that stood at the corners
seemed to me to be more glorious (than the rest); but the others likewise
were glorious; and they stood at the four quarters of the gate, and virgins
stood in pairs between them. 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. After I had seen these things, I marvelled 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. And the shepherd saith unto
me; "Why questionest thou within thyself and art perplexed, and bringest
sadness on thyself? For whatsoever things thou canst not comprehend,
attempt them not, if thou art prudent; but entreat the Lord, that thou
mayest receive understanding to comprehend them. What is behind thee thou
canst not see, but what is before thee thou beholdest. The things therefore
which thou canst not see, let alone, and trouble not thyself (about them;
but the things which thou seest, these master, and be not over curious
about the rest; but I will explain unto thee all things whatsoever I shall
show thee. Have an eye therefore to what remaineth."

3. I saw six men come, tall and glorious and alike in appearance and they
summoned a multitude of men. And the others also which 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 hither and thither round the gate. 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. 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. And the six men called to
the virgins, and ordered them to carry all the stones which should go unto
the building of the tower, and to pass through the gate and to hand them to
the men that were about to build the tower. 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.

4. And just as they stood together around the gate, in that order they
carried them 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 builded. Now the building of the tower was upon
the great rock and above the gate. Those ten stones then were 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. And, after the ten stones, other 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 likewise were fitted into the tower. And after these
came up other forty stones. and these all were put into the building of the
tower. So four rows were made in the foundations of the tower. 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. 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. 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 likewise were they 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. 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 whence they were
brought. 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," [say they,] they be not carried
in through the gate by the hands of these virgins, they cannot change their
colors. Labor not therefore," [say they,] "in vain."

5. And the building was finished on that day, yet was not the tower 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 ordered
not to retire from the tower. And methought the virgins were left to guard
the tower. And after all had retired Land rested], I say to the shepherd;
"How is it, Sir," say I, "that the building of the tower was not
completed?" "The tower," he saith, "cannot yet be finally completed, until
its master come and test this building, that if any stones be found
crumbling, he may change them; for the tower is being built according to
His will." "I would fain know, Sir," say I, "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; and wherefore 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." "If," saith he, "thou be
not found possessed of an idle curiosity, thou shalt know all things. For
after a few days we shall come here, and thou shalt see the sequel that
overtaketh this tower and shalt understand all the parables accurately."
And after a few days we came to the place where we had sat, and he saith to
me, "Let us go to the tower; for the owner of the tower cometh to inspect
it." And we came to the tower, and there was no one at all by it, save the
virgins alone. 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.

6. 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. And
the six men who superintended the building walked with him on the right
hand and on the left, and all they that worked at the building were with
him, and many other glorious attendants around him. And the virgins that
watched the tower ran up and kissed him, and they began to walk by his side
round the tower. 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. And when he smote, some of the stones
became black as soot, others mildewed, others cracked, others broke off
short, others became neither white nor 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. 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.
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
nigh at hand. And the plain was dug, and stones were found there bright and
square, but some of them too were round. 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. And the square stones were hewed,
and set in the place of those which 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.

7. So then, having accomplished these things, the glorious man who was lord
of the whole tower called the shepherd to him, and delivered unto him all
the stones which lay by the side of the tower, which were cast out from the
building, and saith unto him; "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." 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. I
say to the shepherd, "How can these stones go again to the building of the
tower, seeing that they have been disapproved?" He saith unto me in answer;
"Seest thou", saith he, "these stones ?" I see them, Sir," say I. "I
myself," saith he, "will shape the greater part of these stones and put
them into the building, and they shall fit in with the remaining stones."
"How, Sir," say I, "can they, when they are chiseled, fill the same space?"
He saith unto me in answer, "As many as shall be found small, shall be put
into the middle of the building; but as many as are larger, shall be placed
nearer the outside, and they will bind them together." With these words he
saith 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, lest haply the master come suddenly and find the
circuit of the tower dirty, and he be wroth, and so these stones shall not
go to the building of the tower, and I shall appear to be careless in my
master's sight."

And after two days we came to the tower, and he saith unto me; "Let us
inspect all the stones, and see those which can go to the building." I say
to him, "Sir, let us inspect them."

8. And so commencing first we began to inspect the black stones; and just
as they were when set aside from the building, such also they were found.
And the shepherd ordered them to be removed from the tower and to be put on
one side. 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. 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 towards 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. 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 also to be placed with those that had been cast aside. But
those of them which 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. 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 also to 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. 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.
Then he proceeded to inspect those that had the spots, and of these some
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 towards the outside, owing to their
strength.

9. Then he came to inspect the white and round stones, and he saith unto
me; "What shall we do with these stones?" "How do I know, Sir?" say I [And
he saith to me,] "Perceivest thou nothing concerning them?" "I, Sir," say
I, "do not possess this art, neither am I a mason, nor can I understand."
Seest thou not," saith he, "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." "If then, Sir," say I,
"it must needs be so, why distress thyself, and why not choose out for the
building those thou willest, and fit them into it?" He chose out from them
the large and the bright ones, and shaped them; and the virgins took them
up, and fitted them into the outer parts of the building. But the rest,
which remained over, were taken up, and put aside into the plain whence
they were brought; they were not however cast away, "Because," saith he,
there remaineth still a little of the tower to be builded. And the master
of the tower is exceedingly anxious that these stones be fitted into the
building, for they are very bright." 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, methought, had a
savage look. And the shepherd ordered them to take up the stones which had
been cast away from the building, and to carry them off to the same
mountains from which also they had been brought; and they took them up
joyfully, and carried away all the stones and put them in the place whence
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 saith unto 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. And when the shepherd saw that the tower was very
comely in the building, he was exceedingly glad; for the tower was so well
builded, that when I saw it I coveted the building of it; for it was
builded, 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.

10. And I, as I walked with him, was glad to see so brave a sight. And the
shepherd saith 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." And I did
as he bade, and brought them to him. "Assist me," saith he, "and the work
will speedily be accomplished." 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. 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. The shepherd saith unto me,
"All," saith he, "hath now been cleaned. If the lord come to inspect the
tower, he hath nothing for which to blame us." Saying this, he desired to
go away. But I caught hold of his wallet, and began to adjure him by the
Lord that he would explain to me [all] what he had showed me. He saith to
me; "I am busy for a little while, and then I will explain everything to
thee. Await me here till I come." I say to him; "Sir, when I am here alone
what shall I do?" "Thou art not alone," saith he; "for these virgins are
here with thee." "Commend me then to them," say I. The shepherd calleth
them to him and saith to them; "I commend this man to you till I come," and
he departed. So I was alone with the virgins; and they were most cheerful,
and kindly disposed to Me especially the four of them that were the more
glorious in appearance.

11. The virgins say to me; "Today the shepherd cometh not here." "What then
shall I do?" say I. "Stay for him," say they, "till eventide; and if he
come, he will speak with thee; but if he come not, thou shalt stay here
with us till he cometh." I say to them; "I will await him till evening, and
if he come not, I will depart home and return early in the morning." But
they answered and said unto me; "To us thou wast entrusted; thou canst not
depart from us." "Where then," say I, "shall I remain?" "Thou shalt pass
the night with us," say they as a brother, not as a husband; for thou art
our brother, and henceforward we will dwell with thee; for we love thee
dearly." But I was ashamed to abide with them. And she that 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. 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. 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. 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 they. And the virgins rejoiced that
I so prayed. And I stayed there with the virgins until the morning till the
second hour. Then came the shepherd, and saith to the virgins; "Have ye
done him any injury?" "Ask him," say they. I say to him, "Sir, I was
rejoiced to stay with them." "On what didst thou sup?" saith he "I supped,
Sir," say I, "on the words of the Lord the whole night through." "Did they
treat thee well?" saith he. "Yes, Sir," say I. "Now," saith he, "what
wouldest thou hear first?" "In the order as thou showedst to me, Sir, from
the beginning," say I; "I request thee, Sir, to explain to me exactly in
the order that I shall enquire of thee." According as thou desirest," saith
he, "even so will I interpret to thee, and I will conceal nothing whatever
from thee."

12. "First of all, Sir," say I, "explain this to me. The rock and the gate,
what is it?" "This rock," saith he, "and gate is the Son of God." "How,
Sir," say I, "is the rock ancient, but the gate recent?" "Listen," saith
he, "and understand, foolish man. The Son of God is older than all His
creation, so that He became the Father's adviser in His creation. Therefore
also He is ancient." "But the gate, why is it recent, Sir?" say I.
"Because," saith he, "He was made manifest in the last days of the
consummation; therefore the gate was made recent, that they which are to be
saved may enter through it into the kingdom of God. Didst thou see," saith
he, "that the stones which came through the gate have gone to the building
of the tower, but those which came not through it were cast away again to
their own place?" "I saw, Sir," say I. "Thus," saith he, "no one shall
enter into the kingdom of God, except he receive the name of His Son. For
if thou wishest to enter into any city, and that city is walled all round
and has one gate only, canst thou enter into that city except through the
gate which it hath?" "Why, how, Sir," say I, "is it possible otherwise?"
"If then thou canst not enter into the city except through the gate itself,
even so," saith he, "a man cannot enter into the kingdom of God except by
the name of His Son that is beloved by Him. Didst thou see," saith he, "the
multitude that is building the tower?" "I saw it, Sir," say I. "They,"
saith he, 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 shall enter in unto Him otherwise than through His
Son. Didst thou see," saith he, "the six men, and the glorious and mighty
man in the midst of them, him that walked about the tower and rejected the
stones from the building?" "I saw him, Sir," say I. "The glorious man,"
saith he, "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," saith he, "shall enter in unto God without Him; whosoever shall not
receive His name, shall not enter into the kingdom of God."

13. "But the tower," say I, "what is it?" "The tower," saith he, "why, this
is the Church. "And these virgins, who are they?" "They," saith he, "are
holy spirits; and no man can otherwise be found in the kingdom of God,
unless these shall clothe him with their garment; for if thou receive only
the name, but receive not the garment from them, thou profitest nothing.
For these virgins are powers of the Son of God. If [therefore] thou bear
the Name, and bear not His power, thou shalt bear His Name to none effect.
And the stones," saith he, "which thou didst see cast away, these bare the
Name, but clothed not themselves with the raiment of the virgins." "Of what
sort, Sir," say I, "is their raiment?" "The names themselves," saith he,
"are their raiment. Whosoever beareth the Name of the Son of God, ought to
bear the names of these also; for even the Son Himself beareth the names of
these virgins. As many stones," saith he, "as thou sawest 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. For this
cause thou seest the tower made a single stone with the rock. So also they
that have believed in the Lord through His Son and clothe themselves in
these spirits, shall become one spirit and one body, and their garments all
of one color. But such persons as bear the names of the virgins have their
dwelling in the tower." "The stones then, Sir," say I, "which are cast
aside, wherefore 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 thee," saith he, "and thou enquirest
diligently, listen as touching the stones that have been cast aside. These
all," [saith he,] "received the name of the Son of God, and received
likewise the power of these virgins. When then they 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
wrought righteousness. After a certain time then they were persuaded by the
women whom thou sawest 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 from themselves the power of the virgins. They then were cast
away from the house of God, and delivered to these (women). But they that
were not deceived by the beauty of these women remained in the house of
God. So thou hast," saith he, "the interpretation of them that were cast
aside."

14. What then, Sir," say I, "if these men, being such as they are, should
repent and put away their desire for these women, and return unto the
virgins, and walk in their power and in their works? Shall they not enter
into the house of God?" "They shall enter," saith he, "if they shall put
away the works of these women, and take again 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 repent not, then others will go, and these shall be
cast away finally." For all these things I gave thanks unto the Lord,
because He had compassion on all that called upon His name, and sent forth
the angel of repentance to us that had sinned against Him, and refreshed
our spirit, and, when we were already ruined and had no hope of life,
restored our life. "Now, Sir," say I, "show me why the tower is not built
upon the ground, but upon the rock and upon the gate." "Because thou art
senseless," saith he, "and without understanding [thou askest the
question]." "I am obliged, Sir," say I, "to ask all questions of thee,
because I am absolutely unable to comprehend anything at all; for all are
great and glorious and difficult for men to understand." "Listen," saith
he. "The name of the Son of God is great and incomprehensible, and
sustaineth the whole world. If then all creation is sustained by the Son
[of God], what thinkest thou of those that are called by Him, and bear the
name of the Son of God, and walk according to His commandments? Seest thou
then what manner of men He sustaineth? Even those that bear His name with
their whole heart. He Himself then is become their foundation, and He
sustaineth them gladly, because they are not ashamed to bear His name."

15. "Declare to me, Sir," say I, "the names of the virgins, and of the
women that are clothed in the black garments." "Hear," saith he, "the names
of the more powerful virgins, those that are stationed at the corners. 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 that beareth these names and the name of
the Son of God shall be able to enter into the kingdom of God. Hear," saith
he, "likewise the names of the women that 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 that beareth these
names shall see the kingdom of God, but shall not enter into it." "But the
stones, Sir," say I, "that came from the deep, and were fitted into the
building, who are they?" "The first," saith he, "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." "Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "did the virgins give in
these stones also for the building of the tower and carry them through the
gate?" "Because these first," saith he, "bore these spirits, and they never
separated the one from the other, neither the spirits from the men nor the
men from the spirits, but the spirits abode with them till 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."

16. "Show me still further, Sir," say I. "What desirest thou to know
besides?" saith he. "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "did the stones come up from
the deep, and wherefore were they placed into the building, though they
bore these spirits?" "It was necessary for them," saith he, "to rise up
through water, that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not
enter into the kingdom of God, except they had put aside the deadness of
their [former] life. 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," saith he, "has borne the name of [the Son of] God, he is dead; but
when he has received the seal, he layeth aside his deadness, and resumeth
life. 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."
"Wherefore, Sir," say I, "did the forty stones also come up with them from
the deep, though they had already received the seal?" "Because," saith he,
"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 them that had fallen asleep before them, and themselves
gave unto them the seal of the preaching. 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. 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 builded with them, without being shaped;
for they fell asleep in righteousness and in great purity. Only they had
not this seal. Thou hast then the interpretation of these things also." "I
have, Sir," say I.

17. "Now then, Sir, explain to me concerning the mountains. Wherefore are
their forms diverse the one from the other, and various?" "Listen," saith
he. "These twelve mountains are [twelve] tribes that inhabit the whole
world. To these (tribes) then the Son of God was preached by the Apostles."
But explain to me, Sir, why they are various--these mountains--and each has
a different appearance." "Listen," saith he. "These twelve tribes which
inhabit the whole world are twelve nations; and they are various in
understanding and in mind. As various, then, as thou sawest these mountains
to be, such also are the varieties in the mind of these nations, and such
their understanding. And I will show unto thee the conduct of each."
"First, Sir," say I, "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." "Because,"
saith he, "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. 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."

18. "How, Sir," say I, "did they become worse, after they had fully known
God?" "He that knoweth not God," saith he, "and committeth wickedness, hath
a certain punishment for his wickedness; but he that knoweth God fully
ought not any longer to commit wickedness, but to do good. If then he that
ought to do good committeth wickedness, does he not seem to do greater
wickedness than the man that knoweth not God? Therefore they that have not
known God, and commit wickedness, are condemned to death; but they that
have known God and seen His mighty works, and yet commit wickedness, shall
receive a double punishment, and shall die eternally. In this way therefore
shall the Church of God be purified. And as thou sawest the stones removed
from the tower and delivered over to the evil spirits, they too shall be
cast out; and there shall be one body of them that are purified, just as
the tower, after it had been purified, became made as it were of one stone.
Thus shall it be with the Church of God also, after she hath been purified,
and the wicked and hypocrites and blasphemers and double-minded and they
that commit various kinds of wickedness have been cast out. When these have
been cast out, the Church of God shall be one body, one understanding, one
mind, one faith, one love. And then the Son of God shall rejoice and be
glad in them, for that He hath received back His people pure." "Great and
glorious, Sir," say I, "are all these things. Once more, Sir," [say I,]
"show me the force and the doings of each one of the mountains, that every
soul that trusteth in the Lord, when it heareth, may glorify His great and
marvelous and glorious name." "Listen," saith he, "to the variety of the
mountains and of the twelve nations.

19. "From the first mountain, which was black, they that 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. And from the
second mountain, the bare one, they that 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." "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "is repentance
possible for them, but not for the former ? For their doings are almost the
same." "On this account," he saith, "is repentance offered for them,
because they blasphemed not 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 shall pay a
certain penalty; yet repentance is ordained for them, because they are not
become blasphemers or betrayers.

20. "And from the third mountain, which had thorns and briars, they that
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 they that are mixed up in various business affairs. These [then,
that are mixed up in many and various business affairs,] cleave [not] to
the servants of God, but go astray, being choked by their affairs, but the
wealthy unwillingly cleave to the servants of God, fearing lest they may be
asked for something by them. Such men therefore "shall hardly enter into
the kingdom of God." For as "it is difficult" to walk on briars with bare
feet, so also it is difficult for such men "to enter the kingdom of God."
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 shall repent and do some
good, they shall live unto God; but if they continue in their doings, they
shall be delivered over to those women, the which shall put them to death.

21. "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, they that believed are such as these; the
double-minded, and they that have the Lord on their lips, but have Him not
in their heart. Therefore their foundations are dry and without power, and
their words only live, but their works are dead. Such men are neither alive
nor dead. They are, therefore, like unto the double-minded; for the double-
minded are neither green nor withered; for they are neither alive nor dead.
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 worship
idols and are ashamed of the name of their Lord. Such are neither alive nor
dead. Yet these also, if they repent quickly, shall be able to live; but if
they repent not, they are delivered over already to the women who deprive
them of their life.

22. "And from the fifth mountain, which had green grass and was rugged,
they that 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. 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, senseless though they are. 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 that had understanding, having learnt their own senselessness. Yea,
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 shall repent, they shall live unto God; but if they repent not,
they shall have their abode with the women who work evil against them.

23. "But they that believed from the sixth mountain, which had clefts great
and small, and in the clefts herbage withered, are such as these; they that
have the small clefts, these are they that have aught against one another,
and from their backbitings they are withered in the faith; but many of
these repented Yea, and the rest shall repent, when they hear my
commandments; for their backbitings are but small, and they shall quickly
repent. But they that 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 shall with difficulty live. If God and our Lord, Who
ruleth over all things and hath the authority over all His creation,
beareth no grudge against them that confess their sins, but is propitiated,
doth man, who is mortal and full of sins, bear a grudge against man, as
though he were able to destroy or save him? I say unto you--I, the angel of
repentance--unto as many as hold this heresy, put it away from you and
repent, and the Lord shall heal your former sins, if ye shall purify
yourselves from this demon; but if not, ye shall be delivered unto him to
be put to death.

24. "And from the seventh mountain, on which was herbage 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 the more luxuriant, they that believed are
such as these; they were ever simple and guileless and blessed, having
nothing against one another, but rejoicing always in the servants of God,
and clothed in the Holy Spirit of these virgins, and having compassion
always on every man, and out of their labors they supplied every man's need
without reproach and without misgiving. 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. But I say unto
you that are such--I, the angel of repentance--remain to the end such as ye
are, and your seed shall never be blotted out. For the Lord hath put you to
the proof, and enrolled you among our number, and your whole seed shall
dwell with the Son of God; for of His Spirit did ye receive.

25. "And from the eighth mountain, where were the many springs, and all the
creatures of the Lord did drink of the springs, they that believed are such
as these; apostles and teachers, who preached unto 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 walked always in righteousness and truth, even
as also they received the Holy Spirit. Such therefore shall have their
entrance with the angels.

26. "And from the ninth mountain, which was desert, which had [the]
reptiles and wild beasts in it which destroy mankind, they that believed
are such as these; they that have the spots are deacons that 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 then they 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 shall be possible for them to live. But they
that are mildewed, these are they that denied and turned not again unto
their Lord, but having become barren and desert, because they cleave not
unto the servants of God but remain alone, they destroy their own souls.
For as a vine left alone in a hedge, if it meet with neglect, is destroyed
and wasted by the weeds, and in time becometh 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. To these then repentance
cometh, unless they be found to have denied from the heart; but if a man be
found to have denied from the heart, I know not whether it is possible for
him to live. And this I say not in reference to these days, that a man
after denying should receive repentance; for it is impossible for him to be
saved who shall now deny his Lord; but for those who denied Him long ago
repentance seemeth to be possible. If a man therefore will repent, let him
do so speedily before the tower is completed; but if not, he shall be
destroyed by the women and put to death. And the stunted, these are the
treacherous and backbiters; and the wild beasts which thou sawest 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. 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 repent not, they
shall meet their death from those women of whose power they are possessed.

27. "And from the tenth mountain, where were trees sheltering certain
sheep, they that believed are such as these; bishops, hospitable persons,
who gladly received into their houses at all times the servants of God
without hypocrisy. [These bishops] at all times without ceasing sheltered
the needy and the widows in their ministration and conducted themselves in
purity at all times. These [all] then shall be sheltered by the Lord for
ever. They therefore that have done these things are glorious in the sight
of God, and their place is even now with the angels, if they shall continue
unto the end serving the Lord.

28. "And from the eleventh mountain, where were trees full of fruit, decked
with divers kinds of fruits, they that believed are such as these; they
that suffered for the Name [of the Son of God], who also suffered readily
with their whole heart, and yielded up their lives." "Wherefore then, Sir,"
say I, "have all the trees fruits, but some of their fruits are more
beautiful than others?" "Listen," saith he; "all as many as 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 why their fruits are various, and some surpassing others. "As
many," saith he, "as were tortured and denied not, when brought before the
magistery, but suffered readily, these are the more glorious in the sight
of the Lord; their fruit is that which surpasseth. But as many as 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. See to it, therefore, ye who
entertain this idea, lest this design remain in your hearts, and ye die
unto God. But ye that suffer for the Name's sake ought to glorify God,
because God deemed you worthy that ye should bear this name, and that all
your sins should be healed. Reckon yourselves blessed therefore; yea,
rather think that ye have done a great work, if any of you shall suffer for
God's sake. The Lord bestoweth life upon you, and ye percieved it not; for
your sins weighed you down, and if ye had not suffered for the Name [of the
Lord], ye had died unto God by reason of your sins. These things I say unto
you that waver as touching denial and confession. Confess that ye have the
Lord, lest denying Him ye be delivered into prison. If the Gentiles punish
their slaves, if any one deny his lord, what think ye the Lord will do unto
you, He who has authority over all things? Away with these designs from
your hearts, that ye may live forever unto God."

29. "And from the twelfth mountain, which was white, they that believed are
such as these; they that are as very babes, into whose heart no guile
entereth, neither lernt they what wickedness is, but they remained as babes
forever. 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. As many of you therefore
as shall continue," saith he, "and shall be as infants not having guile,
shall be glorious [even] than all them that have been mentioned before; for
all infants are glorious in the sight of God, and stand first in His sight.
Blessed then are ye, as many as have put away wickedness from you, and have
clothed yourselves in guilelessness: ye shall live unto God cheifest of
all."

After he had finished the parables of the mountains, I say unto 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 stoes that were taken from the
tower, and concerning the round (stones) which were placed in the building,
and concerning those that were still round".

30. "Hear," saith he, "likewise concerning all these things. The stones
which 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.
When then they that 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. 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 shall believe; for
they are of the same kind. Blessed is this kind, for it is innocent! Hear
now likewise concerning those round and bright stones. All these are from
the white mountain. Now here wherefore they have been found round. Their
riches have darkened and obscured them a little from the truth. 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 hath been left to them, and might live unto God
for that they come of a good kind. So therefore they have been cut away a
little, and placed in the building of this tower.

31. "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. 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 hath blessed
this innocent kind. Of this kind then not one shall perish. Yea, even
though any one of them being tempted by the most wicked devil have
committed any fault, he shall return speedily unto his Lord. 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. Moreover I bid all of you, whoever have received this seal, keep
guilelessness, and bear no grudge, and continue not 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. For he will rejoice, if he find all
things whole. But if he find any part of the flock scattered, woe unto the
shepherds. For if the shepherds themselves shall 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 the
more because of his falsehood. And I am the shepherd, and it behoveth me
most strongly to render an account for you.

32. "Amend yourselves therefore, while the tower is still in course of
building. The Lord dwelleth in men that love peace; for to Him peace is
dear; but from the contentious and them that are given up to wickedness He
keepeth afar off. Restore therefore to Him your spirit whole as ye received
it. For suppose thou hast given to a fuller a new garment whole, and
desirest to receive it back again whole, but the fuller give it back to
thee torn, wilt thou receive it thus? Wilt thou not at once blaze out and
attack him with reproaches, saying; "The garment which I gave thee was
whole; wherefore hast thou rent it and made it useless? See, by reason of
the rent, which thou hast made in it, it cannot be of use." Wilt thou not
then say all this to a fuller even about a rent which he has made in thy
garment? If therefore thou art thus vexed in the matter of thy garment, and
complainest because thou receivest it not back whole, what thinkest thou
the Lord will do to thee, He, Who gave thee the spirit whole, and thou hast
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 thee. Will
not therefore the Lord of this spirit for this thy deed punish [thee with
death]?" "Certainly," I said, "all those, whomsoever He shall find
continuing to bear malice, He will punish." "Trample not," said he, "upon
His mercy, but rather glorify Him, because He is so long-suffering with
your sins, and is not like unto you. Practice then repentance which is
expedient for you.

33. "All these things which are written above I, the shepherd, the angel of
repentance, have declared and spoken to the servants of God. If then ye
shall believe and hear my words, and walk in them, and amend your ways, ye
shall be able to live. But if ye continue in wickedness and in bearing
malice, no one of this kind shall live unto God. All things which were to
be spoken by me have (now) been spoken to you." The shepherd said to me,
"Hast thou asked me all thy questions?" And I said, "Yes, Sir." "Why then
hast thou not enquired 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." "Listen now," said he, "concerning them. These are they that 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."

Parable the Tenth

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
spake thus unto me; "I delivered thee," said he, "and thy house to this
shepherd, that thou mightest be protected by him." "True, Sir," I said "If
therefore," said he, "thou desirest to be protected from all annoyance and
all cruelty, to have also success in every good work and word, and all the
power of righteousness, walk in his commandments, which I have given thee,
and thou shalt be able to get the mastery over all wickedness. For if thou
keep his commandments, all evil desire and the sweetness of this world
shall be subject unto thee; moreover success shall attend thee in every
good undertaking. Embrace his gravity and self-restraint, and tell it out
unto 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 hath authority over repentance been assigned. Seemeth he to
thee to be powerful? Yet ye despise the gravity and moderation which he
useth towards you."

2. I say unto him; "Ask him, Sir, himself, whether from the time that he
hath been in my house, I have done ought out of order, whereby I have
offended him." "I myself know," said he, "that thou hast done nothing out
of order, nor art about to do so. And so I speak these things unto thee,
that thou mayest persevere. For he hath given a good account of thee unto
me. Thou therefore shalt speak these words to others, that they too who
have practiced or shall practice repentance may be of the same mind as thou
art; and he may give a good report of them to me, and I unto the Lord." "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." "Continue therefore," said he, "in this
ministry, and complete it unto the end. For whosoever fulfill his
commandments shall have life; yea such a man (shall have) great honor with
the Lord. But whosoever keep not his commandments, fly from their life, and
oppose him, and follow not his commandments, but deliver themselves over to
death; and each one becometh guilty of his own blood. But I bid thee obey
these commandments, and thou shalt have a remedy for thy sins.

3. "Moreover, I have sent these virgins unto thee, that they may dwell with
thee; for I have seen that they are friendly towards thee. Thou hast them
therefore as helpers, that thou mayest be the better able to keep his
commandments; for it is impossible that these commandments be kept without
the help of these virgins. I see too that they are glad to be with thee.
But I will charge them that they depart not at all from thy house. Only do
thou purify thy 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 shall find thy house pure, they will continue
with thee; but if the slightest pollution arise, they will depart from thy
house at once. For these virgins love not pollution in any form." I said
unto him, "I hope, Sir, that I shall please them, so that they may gladly
dwell in my house for ever; and just as he to whom thou didst deliver me
maketh no complaint against me, so they likewise shall make no complaint."
He saith unto the shepherd, "I perceive," saith he, "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." With these words he again
delivered me over to the shepherd, and called the virgins, and said to
them; "Inasmuch as I see that ye are glad to dwell in this man's house, I
commend to you him and his house, that ye depart not at all from his
house." But they heard these words gladly.

4. He said then to me, "Quit you like a man in this ministry; declare to
every man the mighty works of the Lord, and thou shalt have favor in this
ministry. Whosoever therefore shall walk in these commandments, shall live
and be happy in his life; but whosoever shall neglect them, shall not live,
and shall be unhappy in his life. Charge all men who are able to do right,
that they cease not to practice good works; for it is useful for them. I
say moreover that every man ought to be rescued from misfortune; for he
that hath need, and suffereth misfortune in his daily life, is in great
torment and want. Whosoever therefore rescueth from penury a life of this
kind, winneth 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 rescueth him not, committeth great
sin, and becometh guilty of the man's blood. Do therefore good works,
whoever of you have received (benefits) from the Lord, lest, while ye delay
to do them, the building of the tower be completed. For it is on your
account that the work of the building has been interrupted. Unless then ye
hasten to do right, the tower will be completed, and ye shut out."

When then he had finished speaking with me, he rose from the couch and
departed, taking with him the shepherd and the virgins. He said however
unto me, that he would send the shepherd and the virgins back again to my
house.

Translated by J.B. Lightfoot.  Adapt. and mod. (c) 1990.  ATHENA DATA
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