From: Subject: The Shepherd of Hermas (Lightfoot translation) Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:11:13 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0042_01C712DD.EA4B3C20" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2962 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0042_01C712DD.EA4B3C20 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html The Shepherd of Hermas (Lightfoot = translation)

The Shepherd of Hermas

Translated by J. B. Lightfoot

Vision 1

1:1 The master, who reared me, had sold me to one Rhoda in Rome. = After many=20 years, I met her again, and began to love her as a sister.

1:2 After a certain time I saw her bathing in the river Tiber; and I = gave her=20 my hand, and led her out of the river. So, seeing her beauty, I reasoned = in my=20 heart, saying, "Happy were I, if I had such an one to wife both in = beauty and in=20 character." I merely reflected on this and nothing more.

1:3 After a certain time, as I was journeying to Cumae, and = glorifying God's=20 creatures for their greatness and splendor and power, as I walked I fell = asleep.=20 And a Spirit took me, and bore me away through a pathless tract, through = which=20 no man could pass: for the place was precipitous, and broken into clefts = by=20 reason of the waters. When then I had crossed the river, I came into the = level=20 country, and knelt down, and began to pray to the Lord and to confess my = sins.=20

1:4 Now, while I prayed, the heaven was opened, and I see the lady, = whom I=20 had desired, greeting me from heaven, saying, "Good morrow, Hermas." =

1:5 And, looking at her, I said to her, "Lady, what doest thou here?" = Then=20 she answered me, "I was taken up, that I might convict thee of thy sins = before=20 the Lord."

1:6 I said to her, "Dost thou now convict me?" "Nay, not so," said = she, "but=20 hear the words, that I shall say to thee. God, Who dwelleth in the = heavens, and=20 created out of nothing the things which are, and increased and = multiplied them=20 for His holy Church's sake, is wroth with thee, for that thou didst sin = against=20 me."

1:7 I answered her and said, "Sin against thee? In what way? Did I = ever speak=20 an unseemly word unto thee? Did I not always regard thee as a goddess? = Did I not=20 always respect thee as a sister? How couldst thou falsely charge me, = lady, with=20 such villainy and uncleanness?

1:8 "Laughing she saith unto me, "The desire after evil entered into = thine=20 heart. Nay, thinkest thou not that it is an evil deed for a righteous = man, if=20 the evil desire should enter into his heart? It is indeed a sin and a = great one=20 too," saith she; "for the righteous man entertaineth righteous purposes. = While=20 then his purposes are righteous, his repute stands steadfast in the = heavens, and=20 he finds the Lord easily propitiated in all that he does. But they that=20 entertain evil purposes in their hearts, bring upon themselves death an=20 captivity, especially they that claim for themselves this present work = and boast=20 in its riches, and cleave not to the good things that are to come.

1:9 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=20 thine own sins, and those of thy whole house, and of all the saints." =

2:1 As soon as she had spoken these words the heavens were shut and I = was=20 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=20 sins which are full-blown? Or with which words shall I entreat the Lord = that He=20 may be propitious unto me?

2:2 While I was advising and discussing these matters in my heart, I = see,=20 before me a great white chair of snow-white wool; and there came an aged = lady in=20 glistening raiment, having a book in her hands, and she sat down alone, = and she=20 saluted me, "Good morrow, Hermas." Then I grieved and weeping, said, = "Good=20 morrow, lady."

2:3 And she said to me "Why so gloomy, Hermas, thou that art patient = and=20 good-tempered and art always smiling? Why so downcast in thy looks, and = far from=20 cheerful?" And I said to her, "Because of an excellent lady's saying = that I had=20 sinned against her."

2:4 Then she said, "Far be this thing from the servant of God! = Nevertheless=20 the thought did enter into thy heart concerning her. Now to the servants = of God=20 such a purpose bringeth sin. For it is an evil and mad purpose to = overtake a=20 devout spirit that hath been already approved, that it should desire an = evil=20 deed, and especially if it be Hermas the temperate, who abstaineth from = every=20 evil desire, and is full of all simplicity and of great guilelessness. =

3:1 "Yet it is not for this that God is wroth with thee, but that = thou mayest=20 convert thy family, that hath done wrong against the Lord and against = you their=20 parents. But out of fondness for thy children thou didst not admonish = thy=20 family, but didst suffer it to become fearfully corrupt. Therefore the = Lord is=20 wroth with thee. But He will heal all thy past sins, which have been = committed=20 in thy family; for by reason of their sins and iniquities thou hast been = corrupted by the affairs of this world.

3:2 But the great mercy of the Lord had pity on thee and thy family, = and will=20 strengthen thee, and establish thee in His glory. Only be not thou = careless, but=20 take courage, and strengthen thy family. For as the smith hammering his = work=20 conquers the task which he wills, so also doth righteous discourse = repeated=20 daily conquer all evil. Cease not therefore to reprove thy children; for = I know=20 that if they shall repent with all their heart, they shall be written in = the=20 books of life with the saints."

3:3 After these words of hers had ceased, she saith unto me, "Wilt = thou=20 listen to me as I read?" Then say I, "Yes, lady." She saith to me, "Be=20 attentive, and hear the glories of God" I listened with attention and = with=20 wonder to that which I had no power to remember; for all the words were=20 terrible, such as man cannot bear. The last words however I remembered, = for they=20 were suitable for us and gentle.

3:4 "Behold, the God of Hosts, Who by His invisible and mighty power = and by=20 His great wisdom created the world, and by His glorious purpose clothed = His=20 creation with comeliness, and by His strong word fixed the heaven, and = founded=20 the earth upon the waters, and by His own wisdom and providence formed = His holy=20 Church, which also He blessed-behold, He removeth the heavens and the = mountains=20 and the hills and the seas, and all things are made level for His elect, = that He=20 may fulfill to them the promise which He promised with great glory and=20 rejoicing, if so be that they shall keep the ordinances of God, which = they=20 received, with great faith."

4:1 When then she finished reading and arose from her chair, there = came four=20 young men, and they took away the chair, and departed towards the East. =

4:2 Then she calleth me unto her, and she touched my breast, and = saith to me,=20 "Did my reading please thee?" And I say unto her, "Lady, these last = words please=20 me, but the former were difficult and hard." Then she spake to me, = saying,=20 "These last words are for the righteous, but the former are for the = heathen and=20 the rebellious."

4:3 While she yet spake with me, two men appeared, and took her by = the arms,=20 and they departed, whither the chair also had gone, towards the East. = And she=20 smiled as she departed and, as she was going, she saith to me, "Play the = man,=20 Hermas."

Vision 2

1[5]:1 I was on the way to Cumae, at the same season as last year, = and called=20 to mind my last year's vision as I walked; and again a Spirit taketh me, = and=20 carrieth me away to the same place as last year.

1[5]:2 When then I arrived at the place, I fell upon my knees, and = began to=20 pray to the Lord, and to glorify His name, for that he counted me = worthy, and=20 made known unto me my former sins.

1[5]:3 But after I had risen up from prayer, I behold before me the = aged=20 lady, whom also I had seen last year, walking and reading a little book. = And she=20 saith to me, "Canst thou report these things to the elect of God?" I say = unto=20 her, "Lady, I cannot recollect so much; but give me the little book, = that I may=20 copy it." "Take it," saith she, "and be sure and return it to me."

1[5]:4 I took it, and retiring to a certain spot in the country I = copied it=20 letter for letter: for I could not make out the syllables. When then I = had=20 finished the letters of the book, suddenly the book was snatched out of = my hand;=20 but by whom I did not see.

2[6]:1 Now after fifteen days, when I had fasted and entreated the = Lord=20 earnestly, the knowledge of the writing was revealed to me. And this is = what was=20 written:--

2[6]:2 "Thy seed, Hermas, have sinned against God, and have = blasphemed the=20 Lord, and have betrayed their parents through great wickedness, yea, = they have=20 got the name of betrayers of parents, and yet they did not profit by = their=20 betrayal; and they still further added to their sins wanton deeds and = reckless=20 wickedness; and so the measure of their transgressions was filled up. =

2[6]:3 But make these words known to all thy children, and to thy = wife who=20 shall be as thy sister; for she too refraineth not from using her = tongue,=20 wherewith she doeth evil. But, when she hears these words, she will = refrain, and=20 will find mercy.

2[6]:4 After that thou hast made known unto them all these words, = which the=20 Master commanded me that they should be revealed unto thee, then all = their sins=20 which they sinned aforetime are forgiven to them; yea, and to all the = saints=20 that have sinned unto this day, if they repent with their whole heart, = and=20 remove double-mindedness from their heart.

2[6]:5 For the Master sware by His own glory, as concerning His = elect; that=20 if, now that this day has been set as a limit, sin shall hereafter be = committed,=20 they shall not find salvation; for repentance for the righteous hath an = end; the=20 days of repentance are accomplished for all the saints; whereas for the = Gentiles=20 there is repentance until the last day.

2[6]:6 Thou shalt therefore say unto the elders of the Church, that = they=20 direct their paths in righteousness, that they may receive in full the = promises=20 with abundant glory.

2[6]:7 Ye therefore that work righteousness be steadfast, and be not=20 double-minded, that ye may have admission with the holy angels. Blessed = are ye,=20 as many as endure patiently the great tribulation that cometh, and as = many as=20 shall not deny their life.

2[6]:8 For the Lord swear concerning His Son, that those who denied = their=20 Lord should be rejected from their life, even they that are now about to = deny=20 Him in the coming days; but to those who denied Him aforetime, to them = mercy was=20 given of His great loving kindness.

3[7]:1 "But do thou, Hermas, no longer bear a grudge against thy = children,=20 neither suffer thy sister to have her way, so that they may be purified = from=20 their former sins. For they shall be chastised with a righteous = chastisement,=20 unless thou bear a grudge against them thyself. The bearing of a grudge = worketh=20 death. But thou, Hermas, hast had great tribulations of thine own, by = reason of=20 the transgressions of thy family, because thou hadst no care for them. = For thou=20 wast neglectful of them, and wast mixed up with thine evil transactions. =

3[7]:2 But herein is thy salvation, in that thou didst not depart = from the=20 living God, and in thy simplicity and thy great continence. These have = saved=20 thee, if thou abidest therein; and they save all who do such things, and = walk in=20 guilelessness and simplicity. These men prevail over all wickedness, and = continue unto life eternal.

3[7]:3 Blessed are all they that work righteousness. They shall never = be=20 destroyed.

3[7]:4 But thou shalt say to Maximus, "Behold tribulation cometh = (upon thee),=20 if thou think fit to deny a second time. The Lord is nigh unto them = that turn=20 unto him, as it is written in Eldad and Modat, who prophesied to the = people=20 in the wilderness."

4[8]:1 Now, brethren, a revelation was made unto me in my sleep by a = youth of=20 exceeding fair form, who said to me, "Whom thinkest thou the aged woman, = from=20 whom thou receivedst the book, to be?" I say, "The Sibyl" "Thou art = wrong,"=20 saith he, "she is not." "Who then is she?" I say. "The Church," saith = he. I said=20 unto him, "Wherefore then is she aged?" "Because," saith he, "she was = created=20 before all things; therefore is she aged; and for her sake the world was = framed."

4[8]:2 And afterwards I saw a vision in my house. The aged woman = came, and=20 asked me, if I had already given the book to the elders. I said that I = had not=20 given it. "Thou hast done well," she said, "for I have words to add. = When then I=20 shall have finished all the words, it shall be made known by thy means = to all=20 the elect.

4[8]:3 Thou shalt therefore write two little books, and shalt send = one to=20 Clement, and one to Grapte. So Clement shall send to the foreign cities, = for=20 this is his duty; while Grapte shall instruct the widows and the = orphans. But=20 thou shalt read (the book) to this city along with the elders that = preside over=20 the Church.

Vision 3

1[9]:1 The third vision, which I saw, brethren, was as follows.

1[9]:2 After fasting often, and entreating the Lord to declare unto = me the=20 revelation which He promised to show me by the mouth of the aged woman, = that=20 very night the aged woman was seen of me, and she said to me, "Seeing = that thou=20 art so importunate and eager to know all things, come into the country = where=20 thou abidest, and about the fifth hour I will appear, and will show thee = what=20 thou oughtest to see."

1[9]:3 I asked her, saying, "Lady, to what part of the country?" = "Where thou=20 wilt," saith she. I selected a beautiful and retired spot; but before I = spoke to=20 her and named the spot, she saith to me, "I will come, whither thou = willest."=20

1[9]:4 I went then, brethren, into the country, and I counted up the = hours,=20 and came to the place where I appointed her to come, and I see an ivory = couch=20 placed there, and on the couch there lay a linen cushion, and on the = cushion was=20 spread a coverlet of fine linen of flax.

1[9]:5 When I saw these things so ordered, and no one in the place, I = was=20 amazed, and a fit of trembling seized me, and my hair stood on end; and = a fit of=20 shuddering came upon me, because I was alone. When then I recovered = myself, and=20 remembered the glory of God, and took courage, I knelt down and = confessed my=20 sins to the Lord once more, as I had done on the former occasion.

1[9]:6 Then she came with six young men, the same whom I had seen = before, and=20 she stood by me, and listened attentively to me, as I prayed and = confessed my=20 sins to the Lord. And she touched me, and said: "Hermas, make an end of=20 constantly entreating for thy sins; entreat also for righteousness, that = thou=20 mayest take some part forthwith to thy family."

1[9]:7 Then she raiseth me by the hand, and leadeth me to the couch, = and=20 saith to the young men, "Go ye, and build."

1[9]:8 And after the young men had retired and we were left alone, = she saith=20 to me, "Sit down here." I say to her, "Lady, let the elders sit down = first." "Do=20 as I bid thee," saith she, "sit down."

1[9]:9 When then I wanted to sit down on the right side, she would = not allow=20 me, but beckoned me with her hand that I should sit on the left side. As = then I=20 was musing thereon, and was sad because she would not permit me to sit = on the=20 right side, she saith to me, "Art thou sad, Hermas? The place on the = right side=20 is for others, even for those who have already been well-pleasing to = God, and=20 have suffered for the Name's sake. But thou lackest much that thou = shouldest sit=20 with them; but as thou abidest in thy simplicity, even so, and thou = shalt sit=20 with them, thou and as many as shall have done their deeds, and have = suffered=20 what they suffered."

2[10]:1 "What did they suffer?" say I. "Listen," saith she. "Stripes, = imprisonments, great tribulations, crosses, wild beasts, for the Name's = sake.=20 Therefore to them belongs the right side of the Holiness--to them, and = to all=20 who shall suffer for the Name. But for the rest is the left side. = Howbeit, to=20 both, to them that sit on the right, and to them that sit on the left, = are the=20 same gifts, and the same promises, only they sit on the right and have a = certain=20 glory.

2[10]:2 Thou indeed art very desirous to sit on the right with them, = but thy=20 shortcomings are many; yet thou shalt be purified from thy shortcomings; = yea,=20 and all that are not double-minded shall be purified from all their sins = unto=20 this day."

2[10]:3 When she had said this, she wished to depart; but, falling at = her=20 feet, I entreated her by the Lord that she would show me the vision = which she=20 promised.

2[10]:4 Then she again took me by the hand, and raiseth me, and = seateth me on=20 the couch at the left hand, while she herself sat on the right. And = lifting up a=20 certain glistening rod, she saith to me, "Seest thou a great thing?" I = say to=20 her, "Lady, I see nothing." She saith to me, "Look thou; dost thou not = see in=20 front of thee a great tower being builded upon the waters, of glistening = square=20 stones?"

2[10]:5 Now the tower was being builded foursquare by the six young = men that=20 came with her. And countless other men were bringing stones, some of = them from=20 the deep, and others from the land, and were handing them to the six = young men.=20 And they took them and builded.

2[10]:6 The stones that were dragged from the deep they placed in = every case,=20 just as they were, into the building, for they had been shaped, and they = fitted=20 in their joining with the other stones; and they adhered so closely one = with=20 another that their joining could not possibly be detected; and the = building of=20 the tower appeared as if it were built of one stone.

2[10]:7 But of the other stones which were brought from the dry land, = some=20 they threw away, and some they put into the building; and others they = broke in=20 pieces, and threw to a distance from the tower.

2[10]:8 Now many other stones were lying round the tower, and they = did not=20 use them for the building; for some of them were mildewed, and others = had cracks=20 in them, and others were too short, and others were white and round, and = did not=20 fit into the building.

2[10]:9 And I saw other stones thrown to a distance from the tower, = and=20 coming to the way, and yet not staying in the way, but rolling to where = there=20 was no way; and others falling into the fire and burning there; and = others=20 falling near the waters, and yet not able to roll into the water, = although they=20 desired to roll and to come to the water.

3[11]:1 When she had shown me these things, she wished to hurry away. = I say=20 to her, "Lady, what advantage is it to me to have seen these things, and = yet not=20 to know what the things mean? "She answered and said unto me, "Thou art = an=20 over-curious fellow, in desiring to know all that concerns the tower." = "Yea,=20 lady," I said, "that I may announce it to my brethren, and that they = [may be the=20 more gladdened and] when they hear [these things] they may know the Lord = in=20 great glory." Then said she,

3[11]:2 "Many shall hear; but when they hear, some of them shall be = glad, and=20 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=20 reveal all things unto thee. And trouble me no more about revelation; = for these=20 revelations have an end, seeing that they have been completed. = Nevertheless thou=20 wilt not cease asking for revelations; for thou art shameless."

3[11]:3 The tower, which thou seest building, is myself, the Church, = which=20 was seen of thee both now and aforetime. Ask, therefore, what thou = willest=20 concerning the tower, and I will reveal it unto thee, that thou mayest = rejoice=20 with the saints."

3[11]:4 I say unto her, "Lady, since thou didst hold me worthy once = for all,=20 that thou shouldest reveal all things to me, reveal them." Then she = saith to me,=20 "Whatsoever is possible to be revealed to thee, shall be revealed. Only = let thy=20 heart be with God, and doubt not in thy mind about that which thou = seest."

3[11]:5 I asked her, "Wherefore is the tower builded upon waters, = lady?" "I=20 told thee so before," said she, "and indeed thou dost enquire = diligently. So by=20 thy enquiry thou discoverest the truth. Hear then why the tower is = builded upon=20 waters; it is because your life is saved and shall be saved by water. = But the=20 tower has been founded by the word of the Almighty and Glorious Name, = and is=20 strengthened by the unseen power of the Master."

4[12]:1 I answered and said unto her, "Lady, this thing is great and=20 marvelous. But the six young men that build, who are they, lady?" "These = are the=20 holy angels of God, that were created first of all, unto whom the Lord = delivered=20 all His creation to increase and to build it, and to be masters of all = creation.=20 By their hands therefore the building of the tower will be = accomplished."

4[12]:2 "And who are the others who are bringing the stones in?" = "They also=20 are holy angels of God; but these six are superior to them. The building = of the=20 tower then shall be accomplished, and all alike shall rejoice in the = (completed)=20 circle of the tower, and shall glorify God that the building of the = tower was=20 accomplished."

4[12]:3 I enquired of her, saying, "Lady, I could wish to know = concerning the=20 end of the stones, and their power, of what kind it is." She answered = and said=20 unto me, "It is not that thou of all men art especially worthy that it = should be=20 revealed to thee; for there are others before thee, and better than thou = art,=20 unto whom these visions ought to have been revealed. But that the name = of God=20 may be glorified, it hath been revealed to thee, all shall be revealed, = for the=20 sake of the doubtful-minded, who question in their hearts whether these = things=20 are so or not. Tell them that all these things are true, and that there = is=20 nothing beside the truth, but that all are steadfast, and valid, and = established=20 on a firm foundation.

5[13]:1 "Hear now concerning the stones that go to the building The = stones=20 that are squared and white, and that fit together in their joints, these = are the=20 apostles and bishops and teachers and deacons, who walked after the = holiness of=20 God, and exercised their office of bishop and teacher and deacon in = purity and=20 sanctity for the elect of God, some of them already fallen on sleep, and = others=20 still living. And because they always agreed with one another, they both = had=20 peace among themselves and listened one to another. Therefore their = joinings fit=20 together in the building of the tower."

5[13]:2 "But they that are dragged from the deep, and placed in the = building,=20 and that fit together in their joinings with the other stones that are = already=20 builded in, who are they?" "These are they that suffered for the name of = the=20 Lord."

5[13]:3 "But the other stones that are brought from the dry land, I = would=20 fain know who these are, lady." She said, "Those that go to the = building, and=20 yet are not hewn, these the Lord hath approved because they walked in = the=20 uprightness of the Lord, and rightly performed His commandments."

5[13]:4 "But they that are brought and placed in the building, who = are they?"=20 "They are young in the faith, and faithful; but they are warned by the = angels to=20 do good, because wickedness was found in them."

5[13]:5 "But those whom they rejected and threw away, who are they?" = "These=20 have sinned, and desire to repent, therefore they were not cast to a = great=20 distance from the tower, because they will be useful for the building, = if they=20 repent. They then that shall repent, if they repent, will be strong in = the=20 faith, if they repent now while the tower is building. But if the = building shall=20 be finished, they have no more any place, but shall be castaways. This = privilege=20 only they have, that they lie near the tower.

5[13]:1 But wouldst thou know about them that are broken in pieces, = and cast=20 away far from the tower? These are the sons of lawlessness. They = received the=20 faith in hypocrisy, and no wickedness was absent from them. Therefore = they have=20 not salvation, for they are not useful for building by reason of their=20 wickednesses. Therefore they were broken up and thrown far away by = reason of the=20 wrath of the Lord, for they excited Him to wrath.

5[13]:2 But the rest whom thou hast seen lying in great numbers, not = going to=20 the building, of these they that are mildewed are they that knew the = truth, but=20 did not abide in it, nor cleave to the saints. Therefore they are = useless."

5[13]:3 "But they that have the cracks, who are they?" "These are = they that=20 have discord in their hearts against one another, and are not at peace = among=20 themselves; who have an appearance of peace, but when they depart from = one=20 another, their wickednesses abide in their hearts. These are the cracks = which=20 the stones have.

5[13]:4 But they that are broken off short, these have believed, and = have=20 their greater part in righteousness, but have some parts of lawlessness; = therefore they are too short, and are not perfect."

5[13]:5 "But the white and round stones, which did not fit into the = building,=20 who are they, lady?" She answered and said to me, "How long art thou = foolish and=20 stupid, and enquirest everything, and understandest nothing? These are = they that=20 have faith, but have also riches of this world. When tribulation cometh, = they=20 deny their Lord by reason of their riches and their business affairs." =

5[13]:6 And I answered and said unto her, "When then, lady, will they = be=20 useful for the building?" "When," she replied, "their wealth, which = leadeth=20 their souls astray, shall be cut away, then will they be useful for God. = For=20 just as the round stone, unless it be cut away, and lose some portion of = itself,=20 cannot become square, so also they that are rich in this world, unless = their=20 riches be cut away, cannot become useful to the Lord.

5[13]:7 Learn first from thyself When thou hadst riches, thou wast = useless;=20 but now thou art useful and profitable unto life. Be ye useful unto God, = for=20 thou thyself also art taken from the same stones.

7[15]:1 "But the other stones which thou sawest cast far away from = the tower=20 and falling into the way and rolling out of the way into the regions = where there=20 is no way, these are they that have believed, but by reason of their = double=20 heart they abandon their true way. Thus thinking that they can find a = better=20 way, they go astray and are sore distressed, as they walk about in the = regions=20 where there is no way.

7[15]:2 But they that fall into the fire and are burned, these are = they that=20 finally rebelled from the living God, and it no more entered into their = hearts=20 to repent by reason of the lusts of their wantonness and of the = wickednesses=20 which they wrought.

7[15]:3 But the others, which are near the waters and yet cannot roll = into=20 the water, wouldest thou know who are they? These are they that heard = the word,=20 and would be baptized unto the name of the Lord. Then, when they call to = their=20 remembrance the purity of the truth, they change their minds, and go = back again=20 after their evil desires."

7[15]:4 So she finished the explanation of the tower.

7[15]:5 Still importunate, I asked her further, whether for all these = stones=20 that were rejected and would not fit into the building of the tower that = was=20 repentance, and they had a place in this tower. "They can repent," she = said,=20 "but they cannot be fitted into this tower.

7[15]:6 Yet they shall be fitted into another place much more humble, = but not=20 until they have undergone torments, and have fulfilled the days of their = sins.=20 And they shall be changed for this reason, because they participated in = the=20 Righteous Word; and then shall it befall them to be relieved from their=20 torments, if the evil deeds, that they have done, come into their heart; = but if=20 these come not into their heart, they are not saved by reason of the = hardness of=20 their hearts."

8[16]:1 When then I ceased asking her concerning all these things, = she saith=20 to me; "Wouldest thou see something else?" Being very desirous of = beholding, I=20 was greatly rejoiced that I should see it.

8[16]:2 She looked upon me, and smiled, and she saith to me, "Seest = thou=20 seven women round the tower?" "I see them, lady," say I. "This tower is=20 supported by them by commandment of the Lord.

8[16]:3 Hear now their employments. The first of them, the woman with = the=20 strong hands, is called Faith; through her are saved the elect of God. =

8[16]:4 And the second, that is girded about and looketh like a man, = is=20 called Continence; she is the daughter of Faith. Whosoever then shall = follow=20 her, becometh happy in his life, for he shall refrain from all evil = deeds,=20 believing that, if he refrain from every evil desire, he shall inherit = eternal=20 life."

8[16]:5 "And the others, lady, who be they?" "They are daughters one = of the=20 other. The name of the one is Simplicity, of the next, Knowledge, of the = next,=20 Guilelessness, of the next, Reverence, of the next, Love. When then thou = shalt=20 do all the works of their mother, thou canst live."

8[16]:6 "I would fain know, lady," I say, "what power each of them=20 possesseth." "Listen then," saith she, "to the powers which they have. =

8[16]:7 Their powers are mastered each by the other, and they follow = each=20 other, in the order in which they were born. From Faith is born = Continence, from=20 Continence Simplicity, from Simplicity Guilelessness, from Guilelessness = Reverence, from Reverence Knowledge, from Knowledge Love. Their works = then are=20 pure and reverent and divine.

8[16]:8 Whosoever therefore shall serve these women, and shall have = strength=20 to master their works, shall have his dwelling in the tower with the = saints of=20 God."

8[16]:9 Then I asked her concerning the seasons, whether the = consummation is=20 even now. But she cried aloud, saying, "Foolish man, seest thou not that = the=20 tower is still a-building? Whensoever therefore the tower shall be = finished=20 building, the end cometh; but it shall be built up quickly. Ask me no = more=20 questions: this reminder is sufficient for you and for the saints, and = is the=20 renewal of your spirits.

8[16]:10 But it was not revealed to thyself alone, but in order that = thou=20 mightest show these things unto all. After three days--

8[16]:11 for thou must understand first, and I charge thee, Hermas, = first=20 with these words, which I am about to speak to thee--(I charge thee to) = tell all=20 these things into the ears of the saints, that hearing them and doing = them they=20 may be purified from their wickednesses, and thyself also with them." =

9[17]:1 "Hear me, my children. I brought you up in much simplicity = and=20 guilelessness and reverence, through the mercy of the Lord, Who = instilled=20 righteousness into you, that ye might be justified and sanctified from = all=20 wickedness and all crookedness. But ye will not to cease from your = wickedness.=20

9[17]:2 Now then hear me and be at peace among yourselves, and have = regard=20 one to another, and assist one another, and do not partake of the = creatures of=20 God alone in abundance, but share them also with those that are in want. =

9[17]:3 For some men through their much eating bring weakness on the = flesh,=20 and injure their flesh: whereas the flesh of those who have nought to = eat is=20 injured by their not having sufficient nourishment, and their body is = ruined.=20

9[17]:4 This exclusiveness therefore is hurtful to you that have and = do not=20 share with them that are in want.

9[17]:5 Look ye to the judgment that cometh. Ye then that have more = than=20 enough, seek out them that are hungry, while the tower is still = unfinished; for=20 after the tower is finished, ye will desire to do good, and will find no = place=20 for it.

9[17]:6 Look ye therefore, ye that exult in your wealth, lest they = that are=20 in want shall moan, and their moaning shall go up unto the Lord, and ye = with=20 your [abundance of good things be shut outside the door of the tower. =

9[17]:7 Now therefore I say unto you that are rulers of the Church, = and that=20 occupy the chief seats; be not ye like unto the sorcerers. The sorcerers = indeed=20 carry their drugs in boxes, but ye carry your drug and your poison in = your=20 heart.

9[17]:8 Ye are case-hardened, and ye will not cleanse your hearts and = mix=20 your wisdom together in a clean heart, that ye may obtain mercy from the = Great=20 King.

9[17]:9 Look ye therefore, children, lest these divisions of yours = deprive=20 you of your life.

9[17]:10 How is it that ye wish to instruct the elect of the Lord, = while ye=20 yourselves have no instruction? Instruct one another therefore, and have = peace=20 among yourselves, that I also may stand gladsome before the Father, and = give an=20 account concerning you all to your Lord."

10[18]:1 When then she ceased speaking with me, the six young men, = who were=20 building, came, and took her away to the tower, and other four lifted = the couch,=20 and took it also away to the tower. I saw not the face of these, for = they were=20 turned away.

10[18]:2 And, as she went, I asked her to reveal to me concerning the = three=20 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=20 thee."

10[18]:3 Now she was seen of me, brethren, in my first vision of last = year,=20 as a very aged woman and seated on a chair.

10[18]:4 In the second vision her face was youthful, but her flesh = and her=20 hair were aged, and she spake to me standing; and she was more gladsome = than=20 before.

10[18]:5 But in the third vision she was altogether youthful and of = exceeding=20 great beauty, and her hair alone was aged; and she was gladsome = exceedingly and=20 seated on a couch. Touching these things I was very greatly anxious to = learn=20 this revelation.

10[18]:6 And I see the aged woman in a vision of the night, saying to = me,=20 "Every enquiry needs humility. Fast therefore, and thou shalt receive = what thou=20 askest from the Lord."

10[18]:7 So I fasted one day; and that very night there appeared unto = me a=20 young man, and he saith to me, "Seeing that thou askest me revelations = offhand=20 with entreaty, take heed lest by thy much asking thou injure thy flesh. =

10[18]:8 Sufficient for thee are these revelations. Canst thou see = mightier=20 revelations than those thou hast seen?"

10[18]:9 I say unto him in reply, "Sir, this one thing alone I ask,=20 concerning the three forms of the aged woman, that a complete revelation = may be=20 vouchsafed me." He saith to me in answer, How long are ye without = understanding?=20 It is your double-mindedness that maketh you of no understanding, and = because=20 your heart is not set towards the Lord."

10[18]:10 I answered and said unto him again, "From thee, Sir, we = shall learn=20 the matters more accurately."

11[19]:1 Listen," saith he, "concerning the three forms, of which = thou=20 enquirest.

11[19]:2 In the first vision wherefore did she appear to thee an aged = woman=20 and seated on a chair? Because your spirit was aged, and already = decayed, and=20 had no power by reason of your infirmities and acts of = double-mindedness.

11[19]:3 For as aged people, having no longer hope of renewing their = youth,=20 expect nothing else but to fall asleep, so ye also, being weakened with = the=20 affairs of this world gave yourselves over to repining, and cast not = your cares=20 on the Lord; but your spirit was broken, and ye were aged by your = sorrows."

11[19]:4 "Wherefore then she was seated on a chair, I would fain = know, Sir."=20 "Because every weak person sits on a chair by reason of his weakness, = that the=20 weakness of his body may be supported. So thou hast the symbolism of the = first=20 vision."

12[20]:1 "But in the second vision thou sawest her standing, and with = her=20 countenance more youthful and more gladsome than before; but her flesh = and her=20 hair aged. Listen to this parable also," saith he.

12[20]:2 "Imagine an old man, who has now lost all hope of himself by = reason=20 of his weakness and his poverty, and expecteth nothing else save the = last day of=20 his life. Suddenly an inheritance is left him. He heareth the news, = riseth up=20 and full of joy clothes himself with strength, and no longer lieth down, = but=20 standeth up, and his spirit, which was now broken by reason of his = former=20 circumstances, is renewed again, and he no longer sitteth, but taketh = courage;=20 so also was it with you, when you heard the revelation which the Lord = revealed=20 unto you.

12[20]:3 For He had compassion on you, and renewed your spirits, and = ye laid=20 aside your maladies, and strength came to you, and ye were made powerful = in the=20 faith, and the Lord rejoiced to see you put on your strength. And = therefore He=20 showed you the building of the tower; yea, and other things also shall = He show=20 you, if with your whole heart ye be at peace among yourselves.

13[21]:1 But in the third vision ye saw her younger and fair and = gladsome,=20 and her form fair.

13[21]:2 For just as when to some mourner cometh some piece of good = tidings,=20 immediately he forgetteth his former sorrows, and admitteth nothing but = the=20 tidings which he hath heard, and is strengthened thenceforth unto that = which is=20 good, and his spirit is renewed by reason of the joy which he hath = received; so=20 also ye have received a renewal of your spirits by seeing these good = things.=20

13[21]:3 And whereas thou sawest her seated on a couch, the position = is a=20 firm on; for the couch has four feet and standeth firmly; for the world = too Is=20 upheld by means of four elements.

13[21]:4 They then that have fully repented shall be young again, and = founded=20 firmly, seeing that they have repented with their whole heart. There = thou hast=20 the revelation entire and complete. Thou shalt ask nothing more as = touching=20 revelation-- but if anything be lacking still, it shall be revealed unto = thee."=20

Vision 4

1[22]:1 The fourth vision which I saw, brethren, twenty days after = the former=20 vision which came unto me, for a type of the impending tribulation.

1[22]:2 I was going into the country by the Companion Way. From the = high=20 road, it is about ten stades; and the place is easy for traveling.

1[22]:3 While then I am walking alone, I entreat the Lord that He = will=20 accomplish the revelations and the visions which He showed me through = His holy=20 Church, that He may strengthen me and may give repentance to His = servants which=20 have stumbled, that His great and glorious Name may be glorified, for = that He=20 held me worthy that He should show me His marvels.

1[22]:4 And as I gave glory and thanksgiving to Him, there answered = me as it=20 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=20 so firmly founded by the Lord, and have seen glorious things?"

1[22]:5 And I went on a little, brethren, and behold, I see a cloud = of dust=20 rising as it were to heaven, and I began to say within myself, "Can it = be that=20 cattle are coming, and raising a cloud of dust?" for it was just about a = stade=20 from me.

1[22]:6 As the cloud of dust waxed greater and greater, I suspected = that it=20 was something supernatural. Then the sun shone out a little, and behold, = I see a=20 huge beast like some sea-monster, and from its mouth fiery locusts = issued forth.=20 And the beast was about a hundred feet in length, and its head was as it = were of=20 pottery.

1[22]:7 And I began to weep, and to entreat the Lord that He would = rescue me=20 from it. And I remembered the word which I had heard, "Be not of = doubtful mind,=20 Hermas."

1[22]:8 Having therefore, brethren, put on the faith of the Lord and = called=20 to mind the mighty works that He had taught me, I took courage and gave = myself=20 up to the beast. Now the beast was coming on with such a rush, that it = might=20 have ruined a city.

1[22]:9 I come near it, and, huge monster as it was, it stretcheth = itself on=20 the ground, and merely put forth its tongue, and stirred not at all = until I had=20 passed by it.

1[22]:10 And the beast had on its head four colors; black then fire = and blood=20 color, then gold, then white.

2[23]:1 Now after I had passed the beast, and had gone forward about = thirty=20 feet, behold, there meeteth me a virgin arrayed as if she were going = forth from=20 a bridal-chamber all in white and with white sandals, veiled up to her = forehead,=20 and her head-covering consisted of a turban, and her hair was white. =

2[23]:2 I knew from the former Visions that it was the Church, and I = became=20 more cheerful. She saluteth me, saying, "Good morrow, my good man"; and = I=20 saluted her in turn, "Lady, good morrow."

2[23]:3 She answered and said unto me, "Did nothing meet thee? "I say = unto=20 her, Lady, such a huge beast, that could have destroyed whole peoples: = but, by=20 the power of the Lord and by His great mercy, I escaped it."

2[23]:4 "Thou didst escape it well," saith she, "because thou didst = cast thy=20 care upon God, and didst open thy heart to the Lord, believing that thou = canst=20 be saved by nothing else but by His great and glorious Name. Therefore = the Lord=20 sent His angel, which is over the beasts, whose name is Segri, and = shut his=20 mouth that it might not hurt thee. Thou hast escaped a great = tribulation by=20 reason of thy faith, and because, though thou sawest so huge a beast, = thou didst=20 not doubt in thy mind.

2[23]:5 Go therefore, and declare to the elect of the Lord His mighty = works,=20 and tell them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation which = is to=20 come. If therefore ye prepare yourselves beforehand, and repent (and = turn) unto=20 the Lord with your whole heart, ye shall be able to escape it, if your = heart be=20 made pure and without blemish, and if for the remaining days of your = life ye=20 serve the Lord blamelessly. Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will = set them=20 straight.

2[23]:6 Trust ye in the Lord, ye men of doubtful mind, for He can do = all=20 things, yea, He both turneth away His wrath from you, and again He = sendeth forth=20 His plagues upon you that are of doubtful mind. Woe to them that hear = these=20 words and are disobedient; it were better for them that they had not = been born."=20

3[24]:1 I asked her concerning the four colors, which the beast had = upon its=20 head. Then she answered me and said, "Again thou art curious about such=20 matters." "Yes, lady," said I, "make known unto me what these things = are."

3[24]:2 "Listen," said she; "the black is this world in which ye = dwell;

3[24]:3 and the fire and blood color showeth that this world must = perish by=20 blood and fire;

3[24]:4 and the golden part are ye that has escaped from this world. = For as=20 the gold is tested by the fire and is made useful, so ye also [that = dwell in it]=20 are being tested in yourselves. Ye then that abide and pass through the = fire=20 will be purified by it. For as the old loses its dross. so Ye also shall = cast=20 away all sorrow and tribulation, and shall be purified, and shall be = useful for=20 the building of the tower.

3[24]:5 But the white portion is the coming age, in which the elect = of God=20 shall dwell; because the elect of God shall be without spot and pure = unto life=20 eternal.

3[24]:6 Wherefore cease not thou to speak in the ears of the saints. = Ye have=20 now the symbolism also of the tribulation which is coming in power. But = if ye be=20 willing, it shall be nought. Remember ye the things that are written=20 beforehand."

3[24]:7 With these words she departed, and I saw not in what = direction she=20 departed; for a noise was made: and I turned back in fear, thinking that = the=20 beast was coming.

Vision 5

5[25]:1 As I prayed in the house, and sat on the couch, there entered = a man=20 glorious in his visage, in the garb of a shepherd, with a white skin = wrapped=20 about him, and with a wallet on his shoulders and a staff in his hand. = And he=20 saluted me, and I saluted him in return.

5[25]:2 And he immediately sat down by my side, and he saith unto me, = "I was=20 sent by the most holy angel, that I might dwell with thee the remaining = days of=20 thy life."

5[25]:3 I thought he came to tempt me, and I say unto him, "Why, who = art=20 thou? For I know," say I, "unto whom I was delivered." He saith to me, = "Dost=20 thou not recognize me?" "No," I say. "I," saith he, "am the shepherd, = unto whom=20 thou wast delivered."

5[25]:4 While he was still speaking, his form was changed, and I = recognized=20 him as being the same, to whom I was delivered; and straightway I was=20 confounded, and fear seized me, and I was altogether overwhelmed with = distress=20 that I had answered him so wickedly and senselessly.

5[25]:5 But he answered and said unto me, "Be not confounded, but = strengthen=20 thyself in my commandments which I am about to command thee. For I was = sent,"=20 saith he, "that I might show thee again all the things which thou didst = see=20 before, merely the heads which are convenient for you. First of all, = write down=20 my commandments and my parables; and the other matters thou shalt write = down as=20 I shall show them to thee. The reason why," saith he, "I command thee to = write=20 down first the commandments and parables is, that thou mayest read them=20 off-hand, and mayest be able to keep them."

5[25]:6 So I wrote down the commandments and parables, as he = commanded me.=20

5[25]:7 If then, when ye hear them, ye keep them and walk in them, = and do=20 them with a pure heart, ye shall receive from the Lord all things that = He=20 promised you; but if, when ye hear them, ye do not repent, but still add = to your=20 sins, ye shall receive from the Lord the opposite. All these the = shepherd, the=20 angel of repentance. commanded me to write.

Mandate 1

1[26]:1 "First of all, believe that God is One, even He who created = all=20 things and set them in order, and brought all things from non-existence = into=20 being, Who comprehendeth all things, being alone incomprehensible.

1[26]:2 Believe Him therefore, and fear Him, and in this fear be = continent.=20 Keep these things, and thou shalt cast off all wickedness from thyself, = and=20 shalt clothe thyself with every excellence of righteousness, and shalt = live unto=20 God, if thou keep this commandment."

Mandate 2

1[27]:1 He saith to me; "Keep simplicity and be guileless, and thou = shalt be=20 as little children, that know not the wickedness which destroyeth the = life of=20 men.

1[27]:2 First of all, speak evil of no man, neither take pleasure in=20 listening to a slanderer. Otherwise thou that hearest too shalt be = responsible=20 for the sin of him that speaketh the evil, if thou believest the = slander, which=20 thou hearest; for in believing it thou thyself also wilt have a grudge = against=20 thy brother. So then shalt thou be responsible for the sin of him that = speaketh=20 the evil.

1[27]:3 Slander is evil; it is a restless demon, never at peace, but = always=20 having its home among factions. Refrain from it therefore, and thou = shalt have=20 success at all times with all men.

1[27]:4 But clothe thyself in reverence, wherein is no evil = stumbling-block,=20 but all things are smooth and gladsome. Work that which is good, and of = thy=20 labors, which God giveth thee, give to all that are in want freely, not=20 questioning to whom thou shalt give, and to whom thou shalt not give. = Give to=20 all; for to all God desireth that there should be given of His own = bounties.=20

1[27]:5 They then that receive shall render an account to God why = they=20 received it, and to what end; for they that receive in distress shall = not be=20 judged, but they that receive by false pretence shall pay the penalty. =

1[27]:6 He then that giveth is guiltless; for as he received from the = Lord=20 the ministration to perform it, he hath performed it in sincerity, by = making no=20 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=20 ministereth thus sincerely shall live unto God.

1[27]:7 Therefore keep this commandment, as I have told thee, that = thine own=20 repentance and that of thy household may be found to be sincere, and = [thy] heart=20 pure and undefiled."

Mandate 3

1[28]:1 Again he saith to me; "Love truth, and let nothing but truth = proceed=20 out of thy mouth, that the Spirit which God made to dwell in this flesh, = may be=20 found true in the sight of all men; and thus shall the Lord, Who = dwelleth in=20 thee, be glorified; for the Lord is true in every word, and with Him = there is no=20 falsehood.

1[28]:2 They therefore that speak lies set the Lord at nought, and = become=20 robbers of the Lord, for they do not deliver up to Him the deposit which = they=20 received. For they received of Him a spirit free from lies. This if they = shall=20 return a lying spirit, they have defiled the commandment of the Lord and = have=20 become robbers."

1[28]:3 When then I heard these things, I wept bitterly. But seeing = me weep=20 he saith, "Why weepest thou?" "Because, Sir," say I "I know not if I can = be=20 saved." "Why so?" saith he. "Because, Sir," I say, "never in my life = spake I a=20 true word, but I always lied deceitfully with all men and dressed up my=20 falsehood as truth before all men; and no man ever contradicted me, but=20 confidence was placed in my word. How then, Sir," say I, "can I live, = seeing=20 that I have done these things?"

1[28]:4 "Your supposition," he saith, "is right and true, for it = behoved thee=20 as a servant of God to walk in truth, and no complicity with evil should = abide=20 with the Spirit of truth, nor bring grief to the Spirit which is holy = and true."=20 "Never, Sir," say I, "heard I clearly words such as these."

1[28]:5 "Now then," saith he, "thou hearest. Guard them, that the = former=20 falsehoods also which thou spakest in thy business affairs may = themselves become=20 credible, now that these are found true; for they too can become = trustworthy. If=20 thou keep these things, and from henceforward speak nothing but truth, = thou=20 shalt be able to secure life for thyself And whosoever shall hear this = command,=20 and abstain from falsehood, that most pernicious habit, shall live unto = God."=20

Mandate 4

1[29]:1 "I charge thee, "saith he, "to keep purity, and let not a = thought=20 enter into thy heart concerning another's wife, or concerning = fornication, or=20 concerning any such like evil deeds; for in so doing thou commitest a = great sin.=20 But remember thine own wife always, and thou shalt never go wrong.

1[29]:2 For should this desire enter into thine heart, thou wilt go = wrong,=20 and should any other as evil as this, thou commitest sin. For this = desire in a=20 servant of God is a great sin; and if any man doeth this evil deed, he = worketh=20 out death for himself.

1[29]:3 Look to it therefore. Abstain from this desire; for, where = holiness=20 dwelleth, there lawlessness ought not to enter into the heart of a = righteous=20 man."

1[29]:4 I say to him, "Sir, permit me to ask thee a few more = questions" "Say=20 on," saith he. "Sir," say I, "if a man who has a wife that is faithful = in the=20 Lord detect her in adultery, doth the husband sin in living with her?" =

1[29]:5 "So long as he is ignorant," saith he, "he sinneth not; but = if the=20 husband know of her sin, and the wife repent not, but continue in her=20 fornication, and her husband live with her, he makes himself responsible = for her=20 sin and an accomplice in her adultery."

1[29]:6 "What then, Sir," say I, "shall the husband do, if the wife = continue=20 in this case?" "Let him divorce her," saith he, "and let the husband = abide=20 alone: but if after divorcing his wife he shall marry another, he = likewise=20 committeth adultery."

1[29]:7 "If then, Sir," say I, "after the wife is divorced, she = repent and=20 desire to return to her own husband, shall she not be received?"

1[29]:8 "Certainly," saith he, "if the husband receiveth her not, he = sinneth=20 and bringeth great sin upon himself; nay, one who hath sinned and = repented must=20 be received, yet not often; for there is but one repentance for the = servants of=20 God. For the sake of her repentance therefore the husband ought not to = marry.=20 This is the manner of acting enjoined on husband and wife.

1[29]:9 Not only," saith he, "is it adultery, if a man pollute his = flesh, but=20 whosoever doeth things like unto the heathen committeth adultery. If = therefore=20 in such deeds as these likewise a man continue and repent not, keep away = from=20 him, and live not with him. Otherwise, thou also art a partaker of his = sin.

1[29]:10 For this cause ye were enjoined to remain single, whether = husband or=20 wife; for in such cases repentance is possible.

1[29]:11 I," said he, "am not giving an excuse that this matter = should be=20 concluded thus, but to the end that the sinner should sin no more. But = as=20 concerning his former sin, there is One Who is able to give healing; it = is He=20 Who hath authority over all things."

2[30]:1 I asked him again, saying, "Seeing that the Lord held me = worthy that=20 thou shouldest always dwell with me, suffer me still to say a few words, = since I=20 understand nothing, and my heart has been made dense by my former deeds. = Make me=20 to understand, for I am very foolish, and I apprehend absolutely = nothing."

2[30]:2 He answered and said unto me, "I," saith he, "preside over=20 repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. Nay, thinkest = thou not,"=20 saith he, "that this very act of repentance is understanding? To repent = is great=20 understanding," saith he. "For the man that hath sinned understandeth = that he=20 hath done evil before the Lord, and the deed which he hath done entereth = into=20 his heart, and he repenteth, and doeth no more evil, but doeth good = lavishly,=20 and humbleth his own soul and putteth it to torture because it sinned. = Thou=20 seest then that repentance is great understanding."

2[30]:3 "It is on this account therefore, Sir," say I, "that I = enquire=20 everything accurately of thee; first, because I am a sinner; secondly, = because I=20 know not what deeds I must do that I may live, for my sins are many and=20 various."

2[30]:4 "Thou shalt live," saith he, "if thou keep my commandments = and walk=20 in them and whosoever shall hear these commandments and keep them, shall = live=20 unto God."

3[31]:1 "I will still proceed, Sir," say I, "to ask a further = question."=20 "Speak on," saith he. "I have heard, Sir," say I, "from certain = teachers, that=20 there is no other repentance, save that which took place when we rent = down into=20 the water and obtained remission of our former sins."

3[31]:2 He saith to me; "Thou hast well heard; for so it is. For he = that hath=20 received remission of sins ought no longer to sin, but to dwell in = purity.

3[31]:3 But, since thou enquirest all things accurately, I will = declare unto=20 thee this also, so as to give no excuse to those who shall hereafter = believe or=20 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=20 only remission of their former sins.

3[31]:4 To those then that were called before these days the Lord has = appointed repentance. For the Lord, being a discerner of hearts and = foreknowing=20 all things, perceived the weakness of men and the manifold wiles of the = devil,=20 how that he will be doing some mischief to the servants of God, and will = deal=20 wickedly with them.

3[31]:5 The Lord then, being very compassionate, had pity on His = handiwork,=20 and appointed this (opportunity of) repentance, and to me was given the=20 authority over this repentance.

3[31]:6 But I say unto you," saith he, "if after this great and holy = calling=20 any one, being tempted of the devil, shall commit sin, he hath only one=20 (opportunity of) repentance. But if he sin off-hand and repent, = repentance is=20 unprofitable for such a man; for he shall live with difficulty."

3[31]:7 I say unto him, "I was quickened unto life again, when I = heard these=20 things from thee so precisely. For I know that, if I shall add no more = to my=20 sins, I shall be saved." "Thou shalt be saved," he saith, "thou and all, = as many=20 as shall do these things."

4[32]:1 I asked him again, saying, "Sir, since once thou dost bear = with me,=20 declare unto me this further matter also." "Say on," saith he. "If a = wife, Sir,"=20 say I, "or, it may be, a husband fall asleep, and one of them marry, = doth the=20 one that marrieth sin?"

4[32]:2 "He sinneth not," saith he, "but if he remain single, he = investeth=20 himself with more exceeding honor and with great glory before the Lord; = yet even=20 if he should marry, he sinneth not.

4[32]:3 Preserve purity and holiness therefore, and thou shalt live = unto God.=20 All these things, which I speak and shall hereafter speak unto thee, = guard from=20 this time forward, from the day when thou wast committed unto me, and I = will=20 dwell in thy house.

4[32]:4 But for thy former transgressions there shall be remission, = if thou=20 keepest my commandments. Yea, and all shall have remission, if they keep = these=20 my commandments, and walk in this purity."

Mandate 5

1[33]:1 "Be thou long-suffering and understanding," he saith, "and = thou shalt=20 have the mastery over all evil deeds, and shalt work all righteousness. =

1[33]:2 For if thou art long-suffering, the Holy Spirit that abideth = in thee=20 shall be pure, not being darkened by another evil spirit, but dwelling = in a=20 large room shall rejoice and be glad with the vessel in which he = dwelleth, and=20 shall serve God with much cheerfulness, having prosperity in himself. =

1[33]:3 But if any angry temper approach, forthwith the Holy Spirit, = being=20 delicate, is straitened, not having [the] place clear, and seeketh to = retire=20 from the place; for he is being choked by the evil spirit, and has no = room to=20 minister unto the Lord, as he desireth, being polluted by angry temper. = For the=20 Lord dwelleth in long-suffering, but the devil in angry temper.

1[33]:4 Thus that both the spirits then should be dwelling together = is=20 inconvenient and evil for that man in whom they dwell.

1[33]:5 For if you take a little wormwood, and pour it into a jar of = honey,=20 is not the whole of the honey spoiled, and all that honey ruined by a = very small=20 quantity of wormwood? For it destroyeth the sweetness of the honey, and = it no=20 longer hath the same attraction for the owner, because it is rendered = bitter and=20 hath lost its use. But if the wormwood be not put into the honey, the = honey is=20 found sweet and becomes useful to its owner.

1[33]:6 Thou seest [then] that long-suffering is very sweet, beyond = the=20 sweetness of honey, and is useful to the Lord, and He dwelleth in it. = But angry,=20 temper is bitter and useless. If then angry temper be mixed with = long-suffering,=20 long-suffering is polluted and the man's intercession is no longer = useful to=20 God."

1[33]:7 "I would fain know, Sir," say I, "the working of angry = temper, that I=20 may guard myself from it." "Yea, verily," saith he, "if thou guard not = thyself=20 from it--thou and thy family--thou hast lost all thy hope. But guard = thyself=20 from it; for I am with thee. Yea, and all men shall hold aloof from it, = as many=20 as have repented with their whole heart. For I will be with them and = will=20 preserve them; for they all were justified by the most holy angel.

2[34]:1 "Hear now," saith he, "the working of angry temper, how evil = it is,=20 and how it subverteth the servants of God by its own working, and how it = leadeth=20 them astray from righteousness. But it doth not lead astray them that = are full=20 in the faith, nor can it work upon them, because the power of the Lord = is with=20 them; but them that are empty and double-minded it leadeth astray.

2[34]:2 For when it seeth such men in prosperity it insinuates itself = into=20 the heart of the man, and for no cause whatever the man or the woman is=20 embittered on account of worldly matters, either about meats, or some=20 triviality, or about some friend, or about giving or receiving, or about = follies=20 of this kind. For all these things are foolish and vain and senseless = and=20 inexpedient for the servants of God.

2[34]:3 But long-suffering is great and strong, and has a mighty and = vigorous=20 power, and is prosperous in great enlargement, gladsome, exultant, free = from=20 care, glorifying the Lord at every season, having no bitterness in = itself,=20 remaining always gentle and tranquil. This long-suffering therefore = dwelleth=20 with those whose faith is perfect.

2[34]:4 But angry temper is in the first place foolish, fickle and = senseless;=20 then from foolishness is engendered bitterness, and from bitterness = wrath, and=20 from wrath anger, and from anger spite; then spite being composed of all = these=20 evil elements becometh a great sin and incurable.

2[34]:5 For when all these spirits dwell in one vessel, where the = Holy Spirit=20 also dwelleth, that vessel cannot contain them, but overfloweth.

2[34]:6 The delicate spirit therefore, as not being accustomed to = dwell with=20 an evil spirit nor with harshness, departeth from a man of that kind, = and=20 seeketh to dwell with gentleness and tranquillity.

2[34]:7 Then, when it hath removed from that man, in whom it dwells, = that man=20 becometh emptied of the righteous spirit, and henceforward, being filled = with=20 the evil spirits, he is unstable in all his actions, being dragged about = hither=20 and thither by the evil spirits, and is altogether blinded and bereft of = his=20 good intent. Thus then it happeneth to all persons of angry temper.

2[34]:8 Refrain therefore from angry temper, the most evil of evil = spirits.=20 But clothe thyself in long-suffering, and resist angry temper and = bitterness,=20 and thou shalt be round in company with the holiness which is beloved of = the=20 Lord. See then that thou never neglect this commandment; for if thou = master this=20 commandment, thou shalt be able likewise to keep the remaining = commandments,=20 which I am about to give thee. Be strong in them and endowed with power; = and let=20 all be endowed with power, as many as desire to walk in them."

Mandate 6

1[35]:1 I charged thee," saith he, "in my first commandment to guard = faith=20 and fear and temperance." "Yes, Sir," say I. "But now," saith he, "I = wish to=20 show thee their powers also, that thou mayest understand what is the = power and=20 effect of each one of them. For their effects are two fold. Now they are = prescribed alike to the righteous and the unrighteous.

1[35]:2 Do thou therefore trust righteousness, but trust not = unrighteousness;=20 for the way of righteousness is straight, but the way of unrighteousness = is=20 crooked. But walk thou in the straight [and level] path, and leave the = crooked=20 one alone.

1[35]:3 For the crooked way has no tracks, but only pathlessness and = many=20 stumbling stones, and is rough and thorny. So it is therefore harmful to = those=20 who walk in it.

1[35]:4 But those who walk in the straight way walk on the level and = without=20 stumbling: for it is neither rough nor thorny. Thou seest then that it = is more=20 expedient to walk in this way."

1[35]:5 "I am pleased, Sir," say I, "to walk in this way." "Thou = shalt walk,"=20 he saith, "yea, and whosoever shall turn unto the Lord with his whole = heart=20 shall walk in it.

2[36]:1 "Hear now," saith he, "concerning faith. There are two angels = with a=20 man, one of righteousness and one of wickedness."

2[36]:2 "How then, Sir," say I, "shall I know their workings, seeing = that=20 both angels dwell with me?"

2[36]:3 "Hear," saith he, "and understand their workings. The angel = of=20 righteousness is delicate and bashful and gentle and tranquil. When then = this=20 one enters into thy heart, forthwith he speaketh with thee of = righteousness, of=20 purity, of holiness, and of contentment, of every righteous deed and of = every=20 glorious virtue. When all these things enter into thy heart, know that = the angel=20 of righteousness is with thee. [These then are the works of the angel of = righteousness.] Trust him therefore and his works.

2[36]:4 Now see the works of the angel of wickedness also. First of = all, he=20 is quick tempered and bitter and senseless, and his works are evil, = overthrowing=20 the servants of God. Whenever then he entereth into thy heart, know him = by his=20 works."

2[36]:5 "How I shall discern him, Sir," I reply, "I know not." = Listen," saith=20 he. "When a fit of angry temper or bitterness comes upon thee, know that = he is=20 in thee. Then the desire of much business and the costliness of many = viands and=20 drinking bouts and of many drunken fits and of various luxuries which = are=20 unseemly, and the desire of women, and avarice, and haughtiness and=20 boastfulness, and whatsoever things are akin and like to these--when = then these=20 things enter into thy heart, know that the angel of wickedness is with = thee.=20

2[36]:6 Do thou therefore, recognizing his works, stand aloof from = him, and=20 trust him in nothing, for his works are evil and inexpedient for the = servants of=20 God. Here then thou hast the workings of both the angels. Understand = them, and=20 trust the angel of righteousness.

2[36]:7 But from the angel of wickedness stand aloof, for his = teaching is=20 evil in every matter; for though one be a man of faith, and the desire = of this=20 angel enter into his heart, that man, or that woman, must commit some = sin.

2[36]:8 And if again a man or a woman be exceedingly wicked, and the = works of=20 the angel of righteousness come into that man's heart, he must of = necessity do=20 something good.

2[36]:9 Thou seest then," saith he, "that it is good to follow the = angel of=20 righteousness, and to bid farewell to the angel of wickedness.

2[36]:10 This commandment declareth what concerneth faith, that thou = mayest=20 trust the works of the angel of righteousness, and doing them mayest = live unto=20 God. But believe that the works of the angel of wickedness are = difficult; so by=20 not doing them thou shalt live unto God."

Mandate 7

1[37]:1 "Fear the Lord," saith he, "and keep His commandments. So = keeping the=20 commandments of God thou shalt be powerful in every deed, and thy doing = shall be=20 incomparable. For whilst thou fearest the Lord, thou shalt do all things = well.=20 But this is the fear wherewith thou oughtest to be afraid, and thou = shalt be=20 saved.

1[37]:2 But fear not the devil; for, if thou fear the Lord, thou = shalt be=20 master over the devil, for there is no power in him. [For] in whom is no = power,=20 neither is there fear of him; but in whom power is glorious, of him is = fear=20 likewise. For every one that hath power hath fear, whereas he that hath = no power=20 is despised of all.

1[37]:3 But fear thou the works of the devil, for they are evil. = While then=20 thou fearest the Lord, thou wilt fear the works of the devil, and wilt = not do=20 them, but abstain from them.

1[37]:4 Fear therefore is of two kinds. If thou desire to do evil, = fear the=20 Lord, and thou shalt not do it. If again thou desire to do good, fear = the Lord=20 and thou shalt do it. Therefore the fear of the Lord is powerful and = great and=20 glorious. Fear the Lord then, and thou shalt live unto Him; yea, and as = many of=20 them that keep His commandments as shall fear Him, shall live unto God." =

1[37]:5 "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "didst thou say concerning those = that keep=20 His commandments, "They shall live unto God"?" "Because," saith he, = "every=20 creature feareth the Lord, but not every one keepeth His commandments. = Those=20 then that fear Him and keep His commandments, they have life unto God; = but they=20 that keep not His commandments have no life in them."

Mandate 8

1[38]:1 "I told thee," saith he, "that the creatures of God are = twofold; for=20 temperance also is twofold. For in some things it is right to be = temperate, but=20 in other things it is not right."

1[38]:2 "Make known unto me, Sir," say I, "in what things it is right = to be=20 temperate, and in what things it is not right." "Listen," saith he. "Be=20 temperate as to what is evil, and do it not; but be not temperate as to = what is=20 good, but do it. For if thou be temperate as to what is good, so as not = to do=20 it, thou committest a great sin; but if thou be temperate as to what is = evil, so=20 as not to do it, thou doest great righteousness. Be temperate therefore = in=20 abstaining from all wickedness, and do that which is good."

1[38]:3 "What kinds of wickedness, Sir," say I, "are they from which = we must=20 be temperate and abstain?" "Listen," saith he; "from adultery and = fornication,=20 from the lawlessness of drunkenness, from wicked luxury, from many = viands and=20 the costliness of riches, and vaunting and haughtiness and pride, and = from=20 falsehood and evil speaking and hypocrisy, malice and all blasphemy. =

1[38]:4 These works are the most wicked of all in the life of men. = From these=20 works therefore the servant of God must be temperate and abstain; for he = that is=20 not temperate so as to abstain from these cannot live unto God. Listen = then to=20 what follows upon these."

1[38]:5 "Why, are there still other evil deeds, Sir?" say I. "Aye, = saith he,=20 "there are many, from which the servant of God must be temperate and = abstain;=20 theft, falsehood, deprivation, false witness, avarice, evil desire, = deceit,=20 vain-glory, boastfulness, and whatsoever things are like unto these. =

1[38]:6 Thinkest thou not that these things are wrong, yea, very = wrong,"=20 [saith he,] "for the servants of God? In all these things he that = serveth God=20 must exercise temperance. Be thou temperate, therefore, and refrain from = all=20 these things, that thou mayest live unto God, and be enrolled among = those who=20 exercise self-restraint in them. These then are the things from which = thou=20 shouldest restrain thyself

1[38]:7 Now hear," saith he, "the things, in which thou shouldest not = exercise self restraint, but do them. Exercise no self-restraint in that = which=20 is good, but do it."

1[38]:8 "Sir," say I, "show me the power of the good also, that I may = walk in=20 them and serve them, that doing them it may be possible for me to be = saved."=20 "Hear," saith he, "the works of the good likewise, which thou must do, = and=20 towards which thou must exercise no self-restraint.

1[38]:9 First of all, there is faith, fear of the Lord, love, = concord, words=20 of righteousness, truth, patience; nothing is better than these in the = life of=20 men. If a man keep these, and exercise not self-restraint from them, he = becomes=20 blessed in his life.

1[38]:10 Hear now what follow upon these; to minister to widows, to = visit the=20 orphans and the needy, to ransom the servants of God from their = afflictions, to=20 be hospitable (for in hospitality benevolence from time to time has a = place), to=20 resist no man, to be tranquil, to show yourself more submissive than all = men, to=20 reverence the aged, to practice righteousness, to observe brotherly = feeling, to=20 endure injury, to be long-suffering, to bear no grudge, to exhort those = who are=20 sick at soul, not to cast away those that have stumbled from the faith, = but to=20 convert them and to put courage Into them, to reprove sinners, not to = oppress=20 debtors and indigent persons, and whatsoever actions are like these. =

1[38]:11 Do these things," saith he, "seem to thee to be good?" "Why, = what,=20 Sir," say I, "can be better than these?" "Then walk in them," saith he, = "and=20 abstain not from them, and thou shalt live unto God.

1[38]:12 Keep this commandment therefore. If thou do good and abstain = not=20 from it, thou shalt live unto God; yea, and all shall live unto God who = act so.=20 And again if thou do not evil, and abstain from it, thou shalt live unto = God;=20 yea, and all shall live unto God, who shall keep these commandments, and = walk in=20 them."

Mandate 9

1[39]:1 He saith to me; "Remove from thyself a doubtful mind and = doubt not at=20 all whether to ask of God, saying within thyself, "How can I ask thing = of the=20 Lord and receive it, seeing that I have committed so many sins against = Him?"=20

1[39]:2 Reason not thus, but turn to the Lord with thy whole heart, = and ask=20 of Him nothing wavering, and thou shalt know His exceeding compassion, = that He=20 will surely not abandon thee, but will fulfill the petition of thy soul. =

1[39]:3 For God is not as men who bear a grudge, but Himself is = without=20 malice and hath compassion on His creatures.

1[39]:4 Do thou therefore cleanse thy heart from all the vanities of = this=20 life, and from the things mentioned before; and ask of the Lord, and = thou shalt=20 receive all things, and shalt lack nothing of all thy petitions, if thou = ask of=20 the Lord nothing wavering.

1[39]:5 But if thou waver in thy heart, thou shalt surely receive = none of thy=20 petitions. For they that waver towards God, these are the = doubtful-minded, and=20 they never obtain any of their petitions.

1[39]:6 But they that are complete in the faith make all their = petitions=20 trusting in the Lord, and they receive, because they ask without = wavering,=20 nothing doubting; for every doubtful-minded man, if he repent not, shall = hardly=20 be saved.

1[39]:7 Cleanse therefore thy heart from doubtful-mindedness, and put = on=20 faith, for it is strong, and trust God that thou wilt receive all thy = petitions=20 which thou askest; and if after asking anything of the Lord, thou = receive thy=20 petition somewhat tardily, be not of doubtful mind because thou didst = not=20 receive the petition of thy soul at once. For assuredly it is by reason = of some=20 temptation or some transgression, of which thou art ignorant, that thou=20 receivest thy petition so tardily.

1[39]:8 Do thou therefore cease not to make thy soul's petition, and = thou=20 shalt receive it. But if thou grow weary, and doubt as thou askest, = blame=20 thyself and not Him that giveth unto thee. See to this = doubtful-mindedness; for=20 it is evil and senseless, and uprooteth many from the faith, yea, even = very=20 faithful and strong men. For indeed this doubtful-mindedness is a = daughter of=20 the devil, and worketh great wickedness against the servants of God. =

1[39]:9 Therefore despise doubtful-mindedness and gain the mastery = over it in=20 everything, clothing thyself with faith which is strong and powerful. = For faith=20 promiseth all things, accomplisheth all things; but doubtful-mindedness, = as=20 having no confidence in itself, fails in all the works which it doeth. =

1[39]:10 Thou seest then," saith he, "that faith is from above from = the Lord,=20 and hath great power; but doubtful-mindedness is an earthly spirit from = the=20 devil, and hath no power.

1[39]:11 Do thou therefore serve that faith which hath power, and = hold aloof=20 from the doubtful-mindedness which hath no power; and thou shalt live = unto God;=20 yea, and all those shall live unto God who are so minded."

Mandate 10

1[40]:1 "Put away sorrow from thyself," saith he, "for she is the = sister of=20 doubtful-mindedness and of angry temper."

1[40]:2 "How, Sir," say I, "is she the sister of these? For angry = temper=20 seems to me to be one thing, doubtful-mindedness another, sorrow = another." "Thou=20 art a foolish fellow," saith he, "[and] perceivest not that sorrow is = more evil=20 than all the spirits, and is most fatal to the servants of God, and = beyond all=20 the spirits destroys a man, and crushes out the Holy Spirit and yet = again saves=20 it."

1[40]:3 "I, Sir," say I, "am without understanding, and I understand = not=20 these parables. For how it can crush out and again save, I do not = comprehend."=20

1[40]:4 "Listen," saith he. "Those who have never investigated = concerning the=20 truth, nor enquired concerning the deity, but have merely believed, and = have=20 been mixed up in business affairs and riches and heathen friendships, = and many=20 other affairs of this world--as many, I say, as devote themselves to = these=20 things, comprehend not the parables of the deity; for they are darkened = by these=20 actions, and are corrupted and become barren.

1[40]:5 As good vineyards, when they are treated with neglect, are = made=20 barren by the thorns and weeds of various kinds, so men who after they = have=20 believed fall into these many occupations which were mentioned before, = lose=20 their understanding and comprehend nothing at all concerning = righteousness; for=20 if they hear concerning the deity and truth, their mind is absorbed in = their=20 occupations, and they perceive nothing at all.

1[40]:6 But they that have the fear of God, and investigate = concerning deity=20 and truth, and direct their heart towards the Lord, perceive and = understand=20 everything that is said to them more quickly, because they have the fear = of the=20 Lord in themselves; for where the Lord dwelleth, there too is great=20 understanding. Cleave therefore unto the Lord, and thou shalt understand = and=20 perceive all things.

2[41]:1 "Hear now, senseless man," saith he, "How sorrow crusheth out = the=20 Holy Spirit, and again saveth it.

2[41]:2 When the man of doubtful mind sets his hand to any action, = and fails=20 in it owing to his doubtful-mindedness, grief at this entereth into the = man, and=20 grieveth the Holy Spirit, and crusheth it out.

2[41]:3 Then again when angry temper cleaveth to a man concerning any = matter,=20 and he is much embittered, again sorrow entereth into the heart of the = man that=20 was ill-tempered, and he is grieved at the deed which he hath done, and=20 repenteth that he did evil.

2[41]:4 This sadness therefore seemeth to bring salvation, because he = repented at having done the evil. So both the operations sadden the = Spirit;=20 first, the doubtful mind saddens the Spirit, because it succeeded not in = its=20 business, and the angry temper again, because it did what was evil. Thus = both=20 are saddening to the Holy Spirit, the doubtful mind and the angry = temper.

2[41]:5 Put away therefore from thyself sadness, and afflict not the = Holy=20 Spirit that dwelleth in thee, lest haply He intercede with God [against = thee],=20 and depart from thee.

2[41]:6 For the Spirit of God, that was given unto this flesh, = endureth not=20 sadness neither constraint.

3[42]:1 "Therefore clothe thyself in cheerfulness, which hath favor = with Cod=20 always, and is acceptable to Him, and rejoice in it. For every cheerful = man=20 worketh good, and thinketh good, and despiseth sadness;

3[42]:2 but the sad man is always committing sin. In the first place = he=20 committeth sin, because he grieveth the Holy Spirit, which was given to = the man=20 being a cheerful spirit; and in the second place, by grieving the Holy = Spirit he=20 doeth lawlessness, in that he doth not intercede with neither confess = unto God.=20 For the intercession of a sad man hath never at any time power to ascend = to the=20 altar of God."

3[42]:3 "Wherefore," say I, "doth not the intercession of him that is = saddened ascend to the altar?" "Because," saith he, "sadness is seated = at his=20 heart. Thus sadness mingled with the intercession doth not suffer the=20 intercession to ascend pure to the altar. For as vinegar when mingled = with wine=20 in the same (vessel) hath not the same pleasant taste, so likewise = sadness=20 mingled with the Holy Spirit hath not the same intercession.

3[42]:4 Therefore cleanse thyself from this wicked sadness, and thou = shalt=20 live unto God; yea, and all they shall live unto God, who shall cast = away=20 sadness from themselves and clothe themselves in all cheerfulness."

Mandate 11

1[43]:1 He shewed me men seated on a couch, and another man seated on = a=20 chair. And he saith to me, "Seest thou those that are seated on the = couch?" "I=20 see them, Sir," say I. "These," saith he, "are faithful, but he that = sitteth on=20 the chair is a false prophet who destroyeth the mind of the servants of = God--I=20 mean, of the doubtful-minded, not of the faithful.

1[43]:2 These doubtful-minded ones then come to him as to a = soothsayer and=20 enquire of him what shall befall them. And he, the false prophet, having = no=20 power of a divine Spirit in himself, speaketh with them according to = their=20 enquiries [and according to the lusts of their wickedness], and filleth = their=20 souls as they themselves wish.

1[43]:3 For being empty himself he giveth empty answers to empty = enquirers;=20 for what-ever enquiry may be made of him, he answereth according to the=20 emptiness of the man. But he speaketh also some true words; for the = devil=20 filleth him with his own spirit, if so be he shall be able to break down = some of=20 the righteous.

1[43]:4 So many therefore as are strong in the faith of the Lord, = clothed=20 with the truth, cleave not to such spirits, but hold aloof from them; = but as=20 many as are doubters and frequently change their minds, practice = soothsaying=20 like the Gentiles, and bring upon themselves greater sin by their = idolatries.=20 For he that consulteth a false prophet on any matter is an idolater and = emptied=20 of the truth, and senseless.

1[43]:5 For no Spirit given of God needeth to be consulted; but, = having the=20 power of deity, speaketh all things of itself, because it is from above, = even=20 from the power of the divine Spirit.

1[43]:6 But the spirit which is consulted, and speaketh according to = the=20 desires of men, is earthly and fickle, having no power; and it speaketh = not at=20 all, unless it be consulted."

1[43]:7 "How then, Sir," say I, "shall a man know who of them is a = prophet,=20 and who a false prophet?" "Hear," saith he, "concerning both the = prophets; and,=20 as I shall tell thee, so shalt thou test the prophet and the false = prophet. By=20 his life test the man that hath the divine Spirit.

1[43]:8 In the first place, he that hath the [divine] Spirit, which = is from=20 above, is gentle and tranquil and humble-minded, and abstaineth from all = wickedness and vain desire of this present world, and holdeth himself = inferior=20 to all men, and giveth no answer to any man when enquired of, nor = speaketh in=20 solitude (for neither doth the Holy Spirit speak when a man wisheth Him = to=20 speak); but the man speaketh then when God wisheth him to speak.

1[43]:9 When then the man who hath the divine Spirit cometh into an = assembly=20 of righteous men, who have faith in a divine Spirit, and intercession is = made to=20 God by the gathering of those men, then the angel of the prophetic = spirit, who=20 is attached to him, filleth the man, and the man, being filled with the = Holy=20 Spirit, speaketh to the multitude, according as the Lord willeth.

1[43]:10 In this way then the Spirit of the deity shall be manifest. = This=20 then is the greatness of the power as touching the Spirit of the deity = of the=20 Lord.

1[43]:11 Hear now," saith he, "concerning the earthly and vain = spirit, which=20 hath no power but is foolish.

1[43]:12 In the first place, that man who seemeth to have a spirit = exalteth=20 himself, and desireth to have a chief place, and straight-way he is = impudent and=20 shameless and talkative and conversant in many luxuries and in many = other=20 deceits and receiveth money for his prophesying, and if he receiveth = not, he=20 prophesieth not. Now can a divine Spirit receive money and prophesy? It = is not=20 possible for a prophet of God to do this, but the spirit of such = prophets is=20 earthly.

1[43]:13 In the next place, it never approacheth an assembly of = righteous=20 men; but avoideth them, and cleaveth to the doubtful-minded and empty, = and=20 prophesieth to them in corners, and deceiveth them, speaking all things = in=20 emptiness to gratify their desires; for they too are empty whom it = answereth.=20 For the empty vessel placed together with the empty is not broken, but = they=20 agree one with the other.

1[43]:14 But when he comes into an assembly full of righteous men who = have a=20 Spirit of deity, and intercession is made from them, that man is = emptied, and=20 the earthly spirit fleeth from him in fear, and that man is struck dumb = and is=20 altogether broken in pieces, being unable to utter a word.

1[43]:15 For, if you pack wine or oil into a closet, and place an = empty=20 vessel among them, and again desire to unpack the closet, the vessel = which you=20 place there empty, empty in like manner you will find it. Thus also the = empty=20 prophets, whenever they come unto the spirits of righteous men, are = found just=20 such as they came.

1[43]:16 I have given thee the life of both kinds of prophets. = Therefore=20 test, by his life and his works, the man who says that he is moved by = the=20 Spirit.

1[43]:17 But do thou trust the Spirit that cometh from God, and hath = power;=20 but in the earthly and empty spirit put no trust at all; for in it there = is no=20 power, for it cometh from the devil.

1[43]:18 Listen [then] to the parable which I shall tell thee. Take a = stone,=20 and throw it up to heaven--see if thou canst reach it; or again, take a = squirt=20 of water, and squirt it up to heaven--see if thou canst bore through the = heaven."

1[43]:19 "How, Sir," say I, "can these things be? For both these = things which=20 thou hast mentioned are beyond our power." "Well then," saith he, "just = as these=20 things are beyond our power, so likewise the earthly spirits have no = power and=20 are feeble.

1[43]:20 Now take the power which cometh from above. The hail is a = very,=20 small grain, and yet, when it falleth on a man's head, what pain it = causeth! Or=20 again, take a drop which falls on the ground from the tiles, and bores = through=20 the stone.

1[43]:21 Thou seest then that the smallest things from above falling = on the=20 earth have great power. So likewise the divine Spirit coming from above = is=20 powerful. This Spirit therefore trust, but from the other hold aloof." =

Mandate 12

1[44]:1 He saith to me; "Remove from thyself all evil desire, and = clothe=20 thyself in the desire which is good and holy; for clothed with this = desire thou=20 shalt hate the evil desire, and shalt bridle and direct it as thou wilt. =

1[44]:2 For the evil desire is wild, and only tamed with difficulty; = for it=20 is terrible, and by its wildness is very costly to men; more especially = if a=20 servant of God get entangled in it, and have no understanding, he is put = to=20 fearful costs by it. But it is costly to such men as are not clothed in = the good=20 desire, but are mixed up with this life "These men then it hands over to = death."=20

1[44]:3 "Of what sort, Sir," say I, "are the works of the evil = desire, which=20 hand over men to death? Make them known to me, that I may hold aloof = from them."=20 Listen," [saith he,] "through what works the evil desire bringeth death = to the=20 servants of God.

2[45]:1 "Before all is desire for the wife or husband of another, and = for=20 extravagance of wealth, and for many needless dainties, and for drinks = and other=20 luxuries, many and foolish. For even luxury is foolish and vain for the = servants=20 of God.

2[45]:2 These desires then are evil, and bring death to the servants = of God.=20 For this evil desire is a daughter of the devil. Ye must, therefore, = abstain=20 from the evil desires, that so abstaining ye may live unto God.

2[45]:3 But as many as are mastered by them, and resist them not, are = done to=20 death utterly; for these desires are deadly.

2[45]:4 But do thou clothe thyself in the desire of righteousness, = and,=20 having armed thyself with the fear of the Lord, resist them. For the = fear of God=20 dwelleth in the good desire. If the evil desire shall see thee armed = with the=20 fear of God and resisting itself, it shall flee far from thee, and shall = no more=20 be seen of thee, being in fear of thine arms.

2[45]:5 Do thou therefore, when thou art crowned for thy victory over = it,=20 come to the desire of righteousness, and deliver to her the victor's = prize which=20 thou hast received, and serve her, according as she herself desireth. If = thou=20 serve the good desire, and art subject to her, thou shalt have power to = master=20 the evil desire, and to subject her, according as thou wilt."

3[46]:1 "I would fain know, Sir," say I, "in what ways I ought to = serve the=20 good desire." "Listen," saith he; "practice righteousness and virtue, = truth and=20 the fear of the Lord, faith and gentleness, and as many good deeds as = are like=20 these. Practicing these thou shalt be well-pleasing as a servant of God, = and=20 shalt live unto Him; yea, and every one who shall serve the good desire = shall=20 live unto God."

3[46]:2 So he completed the twelve commandments, and he saith to me; = Thou=20 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.

3[46]:3 This ministration, which I give thee, fulfill thou with all = diligence=20 to the end, and thou shalt effect much. For thou shalt find favor among = those=20 who are about to repent, and they shall obey thy words. For I will be = with thee,=20 and will compel them to obey thee."

3[46]:4 I say to him; "Sir, these commandments are great and = beautiful and=20 glorious, and are able to gladden the heart of the man who = is able=20 to observe them. But I know not whether these commandments can be kept = by a man,=20 for they are very hard."

3[46]:5 He answered and said unto me; "If thou set it before thyself = that=20 they can be kept, thou wilt easily keep them, and they will not be hard; = but if=20 it once enter into thy heart that they cannot be kept by a man, thou = wilt not=20 keep them.

3[46]:6 But now I say unto thee; if thou keep them not. but neglect = them thou=20 shalt not have salvation, neither thy children nor thy household, since = thou=20 hast already pronounced judgment against thyself that these commandments = cannot=20 be kept by a man."

4[47]:1 And these things he said to me very angrily, so that I was=20 confounded, and feared him exceedingly; for his form was changed, so = that a man=20 could not endure his anger.

4[47]:2 And when he saw that I was altogether disturbed and = confounded, he=20 began to speak more kindly [and cheerfully] to me, and he saith; = "Foolish=20 fellow, void of understanding and of doubtful mind, perceivest thou not = the=20 glory of God, how great and mighty and marvelous it is, how that He = created the=20 world for man's sake, and subjected all His creation to man, and gave = all=20 authority to him, that he should be master over all things under the = heaven?=20

4[47]:3 If then," [he saith,] "man is lord of all the creatures of = God and=20 mastereth all things, cannot he also master these commandments Aye," = saith he,=20 "the man that hath the Lord in his heart can master [all things and] all = these=20 commandments.

4[47]:4 But they that have the Lord on their lips, while their heart = is=20 hardened, and are far from the Lord, to them these commandments are hard = and=20 inaccessible.

4[47]:5 Therefore do ye, who are empty and fickle in the faith, set = your Lord=20 in your heart, and ye shall perceive that nothing is easier than these=20 commandments, nor sweeter, nor more gentle.

4[47]:6 Be ye converted, ye that walk after the commandments of the = devil,=20 (the commandments which are so) difficult and bitter and wild and = riotous; and=20 fear not the devil, for there is no power in him against you.

4[47]:7 For I will be with you, I, the angel of repentance, who have = the=20 mastery over him. The devil hath fear alone, but his fear hath no force. = Fear=20 him not therefore; and he will flee from you."

5[48]:1 I say to him, "Sir, listen to a few words from me." "Say what = thou=20 wilt," saith he. "Man, Sir," I say, "is eager to keep the commandments = of God,=20 and there is no one that asketh not of the Lord that he may be = strengthened in=20 His commandments, and be subject to them; but the devil is hard and=20 overmastereth them."

5[48]:2 "He cannot," saith he, "overmaster the servants of God, who = set their=20 hope on Him with their whole heart. The devil can wrestle with them, but = he=20 cannot overthrow them. If then ye resist him, he will be vanquished and = will=20 flee from you disgraced. But as many," saith he, "as are utterly empty, = fear the=20 devil as if he had power.

5[48]:3 When a man has filled amply sufficient jars with good wine, = and among=20 these jars a few are quite empty, he comes to the jars, and does not = examine the=20 full ones, for he knows that they are full; but he examineth the empty = ones,=20 fearing lest they have turned sour. For empty jars soon turn sour, and = the taste=20 of the wine is spoilt.

5[48]:4 So also the devil cometh to all the servants of God tempting = them. As=20 many then as are complete in the faith, oppose him mightily, and he = departeth=20 from them, not having a place where he can find an entrance. So he = cometh next=20 to the empty ones, and finding a place goeth into them, and further he = doeth=20 what he willeth in them, and they become submissive slaves to him.

6[49]:1 "But I, the angel of repentance, say unto you; Fear not the = devil;=20 for I was sent," saith he, "to be with you who repent with your whole = heart, and=20 to strengthen you in the faith.

6[49]:2 Believe, therefore, on God, ye who by reason of your sins = have=20 despaired of your life, and are adding to your sins, and weighing down = your=20 life; for if ye turn unto the Lord with your whole heart, and work = righteousness=20 the remaining days of your life, and serve Him rightly according to His = will, He=20 will give healing to your former sins, and ye shall have power to master = the=20 works of the devil. But of the threatening of the devil fear not at all; = for he=20 is unstrung, like the sinews of a dead man.

6[49]:3 Hear me therefore, and fear Him, Who is able to do all = things,=20 to save and to destroy, and observe these commandments, and ye = shall live=20 unto God."

6[49]:4 I say to him, "Sir, now am I strengthened in all the = ordinances of=20 the Lord, because thou art with me; and I know that thou wilt crush all = the=20 power of the devil, and we shall be masters over him, and shall prevail = over all=20 his works. And I hope, Sir, that I am now able to keep these = commandments which=20 thou hast commanded, the Lord enabling me."

6[49]:5 "Thou shalt keep them," saith he, "if thy heart be found pure = with=20 the Lord; yea, and all shall keep them, as many as shall purify their = hearts=20 from the vain desires of this world, and shall live unto God."

Parables Which He Spake With Me

Parable 1

1[50]:1 He saith to me; "Ye know that ye, who are the servants of = God, are=20 dwelling in a foreign land; for your city is far from this city. If then = ye know=20 your city, in which ye shall dwell, why do ye here prepare fields and = expensive=20 displays and buildings and dwelling-chambers which are superfluous?

1[50]:2 He, therefore, that prepareth these things for this city does = not=20 purpose to return to his own city.

1[50]:3 O foolish and double-minded and miserable man, perceivest = thou not=20 that all these things are foreign, and are under the power of another = For the=20 lord of this city shall say, "I do not wish thee to dwell in my city; go = forth=20 from this city, for thou dost not conform to my laws."

1[50]:4 Thou, therefor who hast fields and dwellings and many other=20 possessions, when thou art cast out by him, what wilt thou do with thy = field and=20 thy house am all the other things that thou preparedst for thyself? For = the lord=20 of this country saith to thee justly, "Either conform to my laws, or = depart from=20 my country."

1[50]:5 What then shalt thou do, who art under law in thine own city? = For the=20 sake of thy fields and the rest of thy possessions wilt thou altogether=20 repudiate thy law, and walk according to the law of this city? Take = heed, lest=20 it be inexpedient to repudiate the law; for if thou shouldest desire to = return=20 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.

1[50]:6 Take heed therefore; as dwelling in a strange land prepare = nothing=20 more for thyself but a competency which is sufficient for thee, and make = ready=20 that, whensoever the master of this city may desire to cast thee out for = thine=20 opposition to his law, thou mayest go forth from his city and depart = into thine=20 own city and use thine own law joyfully, free from all insult.

1[50]:7 Take heed therefore, ye that serve God and have Him in your = heart:=20 work the "works of God being mindful of His commandments and of the = promises=20 which He made, and believe Him that He will perform them, if His = commandments be=20 kept.

1[50]:8 Therefore, instead of fields buy ye souls that are in = trouble, as=20 each is able, and visit widows and orphans, and neglect them not; and = spend your=20 riches and all your displays, which ye received from God, on fields and = houses=20 of this kind.

1[50]:9 For to this end the Master enriched you, that ye might = perform these=20 ministrations for Him. It is much better to purchase fields [and = possessions]=20 and houses of this kind, which thou wilt find in thine own city, when = thou=20 visitest it.

1[50]:10 This lavish expenditure is beautiful and joyous, not = bringing=20 sadness or fear, but bringing joy. The expenditure of the heathen then = practice=20 not ye; for it is not convenient for you the servants of God.

1[50]:11 But practice your own expenditure, in which ye can rejoice; = and do=20 not corrupt, neither touch that which is another man's, nor lust after = it for it=20 is wicked to lust after other men's possessions. But perform thine own = task, and=20 thou shalt be saved."

Parable 2

1[51]:1 As I walked in the field, and noticed an elm and a vine, and = was=20 distinguishing them and their fruits, the shepherd appeareth to me and = saith;=20 "What art thou meditating within thyself?" "I am thinking, [Sir,]" say = I, "about=20 the elm and the vine, that they are excellently suited the one to the = other."=20

1[51]:2 "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=20 these trees, of which thou speakest." "Seest thou," saith he, "the elm = and the=20 vine ?" "I see them, Sir," say I.

1[51]:3 "This vine," saith he, "beareth fruit, but the elm is an = unfruitful=20 stock. Yet this vine, except it climb up the elm, cannot bear much fruit = when it=20 is spread on the ground; and such fruit as it beareth is rotten, because = it is=20 not suspended upon the elm. When then the vine is attached to the elm, = it=20 beareth fruit both from itself and from the elm.

1[51]:4 Thou seest then that the elm also beareth [much] fruit, not = less than=20 the vine, but rather more." How more, Sir?" say I. "Because," saith he, = "the=20 vine, when hanging upon the elm, bears its fruit in abundance, and in = good=20 condition; but, when spread on the ground, it beareth little fruit, and = that=20 rotten. This parable therefore is applicable to the servants of God, to = poor and=20 to rich alike."

1[51]:5 "How, Sir?" say I; "instruct me." "Listen," saith he; the = rich man=20 hath much wealth, but in the things of the Lord he is poor, being = distracted=20 about his riches, and his confession and intercession with the Lord is = very=20 scanty; and even that which he giveth is mall and weak and hath not = power above.=20 When then the rich man goeth up to the poor, and assisteth him in his = needs,=20 believing that for what he doth to the poor man he shall be able to = obtain a=20 reward with God--because the poor man is rich in intercession [and = confession],=20 and his intercession hath great power with God--the rich man then = supplieth all=20 things to the poor man without wavering.

1[51]:6 But the poor man being supplied by the rich maketh = intercession for=20 him, thanking God for him that gave to him. And the other is still more = zealous=20 to assist the poor man, that he may be continuous in his life: for he = knoweth=20 that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and rich before God. =

1[51]:7 They both then accomplish their work; the poor man maketh=20 intercession, wherein he is rich [which he received of the Lord]; this = he=20 rendereth again to the Lord Who supplieth him with it. The rich man too = in like=20 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=20 (the rich man) hath understanding concerning his riches, and worketh for = the=20 poor man from the bounties of the Lord, and accomplisheth the = ministration of=20 the Lord rightly.

1[51]:8 In the sight of men then the elm seemeth not to bear fruit, = and they=20 know not, neither perceive, that if there cometh a drought the elm = having water=20 nurtureth the vine, and the vine having a constant supply of water = beareth fruit=20 two fold, both for itself and for the elm. So likewise the poor, by = interceding=20 with the Lord for the rich, establish their riches, and again the rich,=20 supplying their needs to the poor, establish their souls.

1[51]:9 So then both are made partners in the righteous work. He then = that=20 doeth these things shall not be abandoned of God, but shall be written = in the=20 books of the living.

1[51]:10 Blessed are the rich, who understand also that they are = enriched=20 from the Lord. For they that have this mind shall be able to do some = good work."=20

Parable 3

1[52]:1 He showed me many trees which had no leaves, but they seemed = to me to=20 be, as it were, withered; for they were all alike. And he saith to me; = "Seest=20 thou these trees?" "I see them, Sir," I say, "they are all alike, and = are=20 withered." He answered and said to me; "These trees that thou seest are = they=20 that dwell in this world."

1[52]:2 "Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "are they as if they were = withered, and=20 alike?" "Because," saith he, "neither the righteous are distinguishable, = nor the=20 sinners in this world, but they are alike. For this world is winter to = the=20 righteous, and they are not distinguishable, as they dwell with the = sinners.=20

1[52]:3 For as in the winter the trees, having shed their leaves, are = alike,=20 and are not distinguishable, which are withered, and which alive, so = also in=20 this world neither the just nor the sinners are distinguishable, but = they are=20 all alike."

Parable 4

1[53]:1 He showed me many trees again, some of them sprouting, and = others=20 withered, and he saith to me; "Seest thou," saith he, "these trees?" "I = see=20 them, Sir," say I, "some of them sprouting, and others withered."

1[53]:2 "These trees," saith he, "that are sprouting are the = righteous, who=20 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=20 shine forth, then they that serve God shall be made manifest; yea, and = all men=20 shall be made manifest.

1[53]:3 For as in summer the fruits of each several tree are made = manifest,=20 and are recognized of what sort they are, so also the fruits of the = righteous=20 shall be manifest, and all [even the very smallest] shall be known to be = flourishing in that world.

1[53]:4 But the Gentiles and the sinners, just as thou sawest the = trees which=20 were withered, even such shall they be found, withered and unfruitful in = that=20 world, and shall be burnt up as fuel, and shall be manifest, because = their=20 practice in their life hath been evil. For the sinners shall be burned, = because=20 they sinned and repented not; and the Gentiles shall be burned, because = they=20 knew not Him that created them.

1[53]:5 Do thou therefore bear fruit, that in that summer thy fruit = may be=20 known. But abstain from overmuch business, and thou shalt never fill = into any=20 sin. For they that busy themselves overmuch, sin much also, being = distracted=20 about their business, and in no wise serving their own Lord.

1[53]:6 How then," saith he, "can such a man ask anything of the Lord = and=20 receive it, seeing that he serveth not the Lord? [For] they that serve = Him,=20 these shall receive their petitions, but they that serve not the Lord, = these=20 shall receive nothing.

1[53]:7 But if any one work one single action, he is able also to = serve the=20 Lord; for his mind shall not be corrupted from (following) the Lord, but = he=20 shall serve Him, because he keepeth his mind pure.

1[53]:8 If therefore thou doest these things, thou shalt be able to = bear=20 fruit unto the world to come; yea, and whosoever shall do these things, = shall=20 bear fruit."

Parable 5

1[54]:1 As I was fasting and seated on a certain mountain, and giving = thanks=20 to the Lord for all that He had done unto me, I see the shepherd seated = by me=20 and saying; "Why hast thou come hither in the early morn?" "Because, = Sir," say=20 I, "I am keeping a station."

1[54]:2 "What," saith he, "is a station?" "I am fasting, Sir," say I. = "And=20 what," saith he, "is this fast [that ye are fasting]?" "As I was = accustomed,=20 Sir," say I, "so I fast."

1[54]:3 "Ye know not," saith he, "how to fast unto the Lord, neither = is this=20 a fast, this unprofitable fast which ye make unto Him." "wherefore, = Sir," say I,=20 "sayest thou this?" "I tell thee," saith he, "that this is not a fast, = wherein=20 ye think to fast; but I will teach thee what is a complete fast and = acceptable=20 to the Lord. Listen," saith he;

1[54]:4 "God desireth not such a vain fast; for by so fasting unto = God thou=20 shalt do nothing for righteousness. But fast thou [unto God] such a fast = as=20 this;

1[54]:5 do no wickedness in thy life, and serve the Lord with a pure = heart;=20 observe His commandments and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil = desire rise=20 up in thy heart; but believe God. Then, if thou shalt do these things, = and fear=20 Him, and control thyself from every evil deed, thou shalt live unto God; = and if=20 thou do these things, thou shalt accomplish a great fast, and one = acceptable to=20 God.

2[55]:1 "Hear the parable which I shall tell thee relating to = fasting.

2[55]:2 A certain man had an estate, and many slaves, and a portion = of his=20 estate he planted as a vineyard; and choosing out a certain slave who = was trusty=20 and well-pleasing (and) held in honor, he called him to him and saith = unto him;=20 "Take this vineyard [which I have planted], and fence it [till I come], = but do=20 nothing else to the vineyard. Now keep this my commandment, and thou = shalt be=20 free in my house." Then the master of the servant went away to travel = abroad.=20

2[55]:3 When then he had gone away, the servant took and fenced the = vineyard;=20 and having finished the fencing of the vineyard, he noticed that the = vineyard=20 was full of weeds.

2[55]:4 So he reasoned within himself, saying, "This command of my = lord I=20 have carried out I will next dig this vineyard, and it shall be neater = when it=20 is digged; and when it hath no weeds it will yield more fruit, because = not=20 choked by the weeds." He took and digged the vineyard, and all the weeds = that=20 were in the vineyard he plucked up. And that vineyard became very neat = and=20 flourishing, when it had no weeds to choke it.

2[55]:5 After a time the master of the servant [and of the estate] = came, and=20 he went into the vineyard. And seeing the vineyard fenced neatly, and = digged as=20 well, and [all] the weeds plucked up, and the vines flourishing, he = rejoiced=20 [exceedingly] at what his servant had done.

2[55]:6 So he called his beloved son, who was his heir, and the = friends who=20 were his advisers, and told them what he had commanded his servant, and = how much=20 he had found done. And they rejoiced with the servant at the testimony = which his=20 master had borne to him.

2[55]:7 And he saith to them; "I promised this servant his freedom, = if he=20 should keep the commandment which I commanded him; but he kept my = commandment=20 and did a good work besides to my vineyard, and pleased me greatly. For = this=20 work therefore which he has done, I desire to make him joint-heir with = my son,=20 because, when the good thought struck him, he did not neglect it, but = fulfilled=20 it."

2[55]:8 In this purpose the son of the master agreed with him, that = the=20 servant should be made joint-heir with the son.

2[55]:9 After some few days, his master made a feast, and sent to him = many=20 dainties from the feast. But when the servant received [the dainties = sent to him=20 by the master], he took what was sufficient for him, and distributed the = rest to=20 his fellow servants.

2[55]:10 And his fellow-servants, when they received the dainties, = rejoiced,=20 and began to pray for him, that he might find greater favor with the = master,=20 because he had treated them so handsomely.

2[55]:11 All these things which had taken place his master heard, and = again=20 rejoiced greatly at his deed. So the master called together again his = friends=20 and his son, and announced to them the deed that he had done with regard = to his=20 dainties which he had received; and they still more approved of his = resolve,=20 that his servant should be made joint-heir with his son."

3[56]:1 I say, "Sir, I understand not these parables, neither can I = apprehend=20 them, unless thou explain them for me."

3[56]:2 "I will explain everything to thee," saith he; "and will show = thee=20 whatsoever things I shall speak with thee. Keep the commandments of the = Lord,=20 and thou shalt be well-pleasing to God, and shalt be enrolled among the = number=20 of them that keep His commandments.

3[56]:3 But if thou do any good thing outside the commandment of God, = thou=20 shalt win for thyself more exceeding glory, and shalt be more glorious = in the=20 sight of God than thou wouldest otherwise have been. If then, while thou = keepest=20 the commandments of God, thou add these services likewise, thou shalt = rejoice,=20 if thou observe them according to my commandment."

3[56]:4 I say to him, "Sir, whatsoever thou commandest me, I will = keep it;=20 for I know that thou art with me." "I will be with thee," saith he, = "because=20 thou hast so great zeal for doing good; yea, and I will be with all," = saith he,=20 "whosoever have such zeal as this.

3[56]:5 This fasting," saith he, "if the commandments of the Lord are = kept,=20 is very good. This then is the way, that thou shalt keep this fast which = thou=20 art about to observe].

3[56]:6 First of all, keep thyself from every evil word and every = evil=20 desire, and purify thy heart from all the vanities of this world. If = thou keep=20 these things, this fast shall be perfect for thee.

3[56]:7 And thus shalt thou do. Having fulfilled what is written, on = that day=20 on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing but bread and water; and = from thy=20 meats, which thou wouldest have eaten, thou shalt reckon up the amount = of that=20 day's expenditure, which thou wouldest have incurred, and shalt give it = to a=20 widow, or an orphan, or to one in want, and so shalt thou humble thy = soul, that=20 he that hath received from thy humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and = may=20 pray for thee to the Lord.

3[56]:8 If then thou shalt so accomplish this fast, as I have = commanded thee,=20 thy sacrifice shall be acceptable in the sight of God, and this fasting = shall be=20 recorded; and the service so performed is beautiful and joyous and = acceptable to=20 the Lord.

3[56]:9 These things thou shalt so observe, thou and thy children and = thy=20 whole household; and, observing them, thou shalt be blessed; yea, and = all those,=20 who shall hear and observe them, shall be blessed, and whatsoever things = they=20 shall ask of the Lord, they shall receive."

4[57]:1 I entreated him earnestly, that he would show me the parable = of the=20 estate, and of the master, and of the vineyard, and of the servant that = fenced=20 the vineyard, [and of the fence,] and of the weeds which were plucked up = out of=20 the vineyard, and of the son, and of the friends, the advisers. For I = understood=20 that all these things are a parable.

4[57]:2 But he answered and said unto me; "Thou art exceedingly = importunate=20 in enquiries. Thou oughtest not," [saith he,] "to make any enquiry at = all; for=20 if it be right that a thing be explained unto thee, it shall be = explained." I=20 say to him; "Sir, whatsoever things thou showest unto me and dost not = explain, I=20 shall have seen them in vain, and without understanding what they are. = In like=20 manner also, if thou speak parables to me and interpret them not, I = shall have=20 heard a thing in vain from thee."

4[57]:3 But he again answered, and said unto me; "Whosoever," saith = he, "is a=20 servant of God, and hath his own Lord in his heart, asketh understanding = of Him,=20 and receiveth it, and interpreteth every parable, and the words of the = Lord=20 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. =

4[57]:4 But the Lord is abundant in compassion, and giveth to them = that ask=20 of Him without ceasing. But thou who hast been strengthened by the holy = angel,=20 and hast received from him such (powers of intercession and art not = idle,=20 wherefore dost thou not ask understanding of the Lord, and obtain it = from Him)."=20

4[57]:5 I say to him, "Sir, I that have thee with me have (but) need = to ask=20 thee and enquire of thee; for thou showest me all things, and speakest = with me;=20 but if I had seen or heard them apart from thee I should have asked of = the Lord,=20 that they might be shown to me."

5[58]:1 "I told thee just now," saith he, "that thou art unscrupulous = and=20 importunate, in enquiring for the interpretations of the parables. But = since=20 thou art so obstinate, I will interpret to thee the parable of the = estate and=20 all the accompaniments thereof, that thou mayest make them known unto = all. Hear=20 now," saith he, "and understand them.

5[58]:2 The estate is this world, and the lord of the estate is He = that=20 created all things, and set them in order, and endowed them with power; = and the=20 servant is the Son of God, and the vines are this people whom He Himself = planted;

5[58]:3 and the fences are the [holy] angels of the Lord who keep = together=20 His people; and the weeds, which are plucked up from the vineyard, are = the=20 transgressions of the servants of God; and the dainties which He sent to = him=20 from the feast are the commandments which He gave to His people through = His Son;=20 and the friends and advisers are the holy angels which were first = created; and=20 the absence of the master is the time which remaineth over until His = coming."=20

5[58]:4 I say to him; "Sir, great and marvelous are all things and = all things=20 are glorious; was it likely then," say I, "that I could have apprehended = them?"=20 "Nay, nor can any other man, though he be full of understanding, = apprehend=20 them." "Yet again, Sir," say I, "explain to me what I am about to = enquire of=20 thee."

5[58]:5 "Say on," he saith, "if thou desirest anything." "Wherefore, = Sir,]"=20 say I, "is the Son of God represented in the parable in the guise of a = servant?"=20

6[59]:1 "Listen," said he; "the Son of God is not represented in the = guise of=20 a servant, but is represented in great power and lordship." "How, Sir?" = say I;=20 "I comprehend not."

6[59]:2 "Because," saith he, "God planted the vineyard, that is, He = created=20 the people, and delivered them over to His Son. And the Son placed the = angels in=20 charge of them, to watch over them; and the Son Himself cleansed their = sins, by=20 laboring much and enduring many toils; for no one can dig without toil = or labor.=20

6[59]:3 Having Himself then cleansed the sins of His people, He = showed them=20 the paths of life, giving them the law which He received from His = Father. Thou=20 seest," saith he, "that He is Himself Lord of the people, having = received all=20 power from His Father.

6[59]:4 But how that the lord took his son and the glorious angels as = advisers concerning the inheritance of the servant, listen.

6[59]:5 The Holy Pre-existent Spirit. Which created the whole = creation, God=20 made to dwell in flesh that He desired. This flesh, therefore, in which = the Holy=20 Spirit dwelt, was subject unto the Spirit, walking honorably in holiness = and=20 purity, without in any way defiling the Spirit.

6[59]:6 When then it had lived honorably in chastity, and had labored = with=20 the Spirit, and had cooperated with it in everything, behaving itself = boldly and=20 bravely, He chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit; for the career = of this=20 flesh pleased [the Lord], seeing that, as possessing the Holy Spirit, it = was not=20 defiled upon the earth.

6[59]:7 He therefore took the son as adviser and the glorious angels = also,=20 that this flesh too, having served the Spirit unblamably, might have = some place=20 of sojourn, and might not seem to hare lost the reward for its service; = for all=20 flesh, which is found undefiled and unspotted, wherein the Holy Spirit = dwelt,=20 shall receive a reward.

6[59]:8 Now thou hast the interpretation of this parable also."

7[60]:1 "I was right glad, Sir," say I, "to hear this = interpretation."=20 "Listen now," saith he, "Keep this thy flesh pure and undefiled, that = the Spirit=20 which dwelleth in it may bear witness to it, and thy flesh may be = justified.=20

7[60]:2 See that it never enter into thine heart that this flesh of = thine is=20 perishable, and so thou abuse it in some defilement. [For] if thou = defile thy=20 flesh, thou shalt defile the Holy Spirit also; but if thou defile the = flesh,=20 thou shalt not live."

7[60]:3 "But if, Sir," say I, "there has been any ignorance in times = past,=20 before these words were heard, how shall a man who has defiled his flesh = be=20 saved?" "For the former deeds of ignorance," saith he, "God alone hath = power to=20 give healing; for all authority is His.

7[60]:4 [But now keep thyself, and the Lord Almighty, Who is full of=20 compassion, will give healing for thy former deeds of ignorance,] if = henceforth=20 thou defile not thy flesh, neither the Spirit; for both share in common, = and the=20 one cannot be defiled without the other. Therefore keep both pure, and = thou=20 shalt live unto God."

Parable 6

1[61]:1 As I sat in my house, and glorified the Lord for all things = that I=20 had seen, and was considering concerning the commandments, how that they = were=20 beautiful and powerful and gladsome and glorious and able to save a = man's soul,=20 I said within myself; "Blessed shall I be, if I walk in these = commandments; yea,=20 and whosoever shall walk in them shall be blessed."

1[61]:2 As I spake these things within myself, I see him suddenly = seated by=20 me, and saying as follows; "Why art thou of a doubtful mind concerning = the=20 commandments, which I commanded thee? They are beautiful. Doubt not at = all; but=20 clothe thyself in the faith of the Lord, and thou shalt walk in them. = For I will=20 strengthen thee in them.

1[61]:3 These commandments are suitable for those who meditate = repentance;=20 for if they walk not in them, their repentance is in vain.

1[61]:4 Ye then that repent, cast away the evil doings of this world = which=20 crush you; and, by putting on every excellence of righteousness, ye = shall be=20 able to observe these commandments, and to add no more to your sins. If = then ye=20 add no further sin at all, ye will depart from your former sins. Walk = then in=20 these my commandments, and ye shall live unto God. These things have = [all] been=20 told you from me."

1[61]:5 And after he had told these things to me, he saith to me, = "Let us go=20 into the country, and I will show thee the shepherds of the sheep." "Let = us go,=20 Sir," say I. And we came to a certain plain, and he showeth me a young = man, a=20 shepherd, clothed in a light cloak, of saffron color;

1[61]:6 and he was feeding a great number of sheep, and these sheep = were, as=20 it were, well fed and very frisky, and were gladsome as they skipped = about=20 hither and thither; and the shepherd himself was all gladsome over his = flock;=20 and the very visage of the shepherd was exceedingly gladsome; and he ran = about=20 among the sheep.

2[62]:1 And he saith to me; "Seest thou this shepherd?" "I see him = Sir," I=20 say. "This," saith he, "is the angel of self-indulgence and of deceit. = He=20 crusheth the souls of the servants of God, and perverteth them from the = truth,=20 leading them astray with evil desires, wherein they perish.

2[62]:2 For they forget the commandments of the living God, and walk = in vain=20 deceits and acts of self-indulgence, and are destroyed by this angel, = some of=20 them unto death, and others unto corruption."

2[62]:3 I say to him, "Sir, I comprehend not what means "unto death," = and=20 what "unto corruption". "Listen," saith he; "the sheep which thou sawest = gladsome and skipping about, these are they who have been turned asunder = from=20 God utterly, and have delivered themselves over to the lusts of this = world. In=20 these, therefore, there is not repentance unto life. For the Name of God = is=20 being blasphemed through them. The life of such persons is death.

2[62]:4 But the sheep, which thou sawest not skipping about, but = feeding in=20 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.=20 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=20 renewal, but death hath eternal destruction."

2[62]:5 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;=20 and he had a kind of wallet on his shoulders, and a staff very hard and = with=20 knots in it, and a great whip. And his look was very sour, so that I was = afraid=20 of him because of his look.

2[62]:6 This shepherd then kept receiving from the young man, the = shepherd,=20 those sheep that were frisky and well fed, but not skipping about, and = putting=20 them in a certain spot, which was precipitous and covered with thorns = and=20 briars, so that the sheep could not disentangle themselves from the = thorns and=20 briars, but [became entangled among the thorns and briars.

2[62]:7 And so they] pastured entangled in the thorns and briars, and = were in=20 great misery with being beaten by him; and he kept driving them about to = and=20 fro, and giving them no rest, and all together those sheep had not a = happy time.=20

3[63]:1 When then I saw them so lashed with the whip and vexed, I was = sorry=20 for their sakes, because they were so tortured and had no rest at all. =

3[63]:2 I say to the shepherd who was speaking with me; "Sir, who is = this=20 shepherd, who is [so] hard-hearted and severe, and has no compassion at = all for=20 these sheep?" "This," saith he, "is the angel of punishment, and he is = one of=20 the just angels, and presides over punishment.

3[63]:3 So he receiveth those who wander away from God, and walk = after the=20 lusts and deceits of this life, and punisheth them, as they deserve, = with=20 fearful and various punishments."

3[63]:4 "I would fain learn, Sir," said I, "of what sort are these = various=20 punishments." "Listen," saith he; "the various tortures and punishments = are=20 tortures belonging to the present life; for some are punished with = losses, and=20 others with want, and others with divers maladies, and others with = [every kind]=20 of unsettlement, and others with insults from unworthy persons and with=20 suffering in many other respects.

3[63]:5 For many, being unsettled in their plans, set their hands to = many=20 things, and nothing ever goes forward with them. And then they say that = they do=20 not prosper in their doings, and it doth not enter into their hearts = that they=20 have done evil deeds, but they blame the Lord.

3[63]:6 When then they are afflicted with every kind of affliction, = then they=20 are delivered over to me for good instruction, and are strengthened in = the faith=20 of the Lord, and serve the Lord with a pure heart the remaining days of = their=20 life. But, if they repent, the evil works which they have done rise up = in their=20 hearts, and then they glorify God, saying that He is a just Judge, and = that they=20 suffered justly each according to his doings. And they serve the Lord=20 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=20 the Lord because they were delivered over unto me, and they no longer = suffer any=20 evil thing."

3[63]:1 I say unto him; "Sir, declare unto me this further matter." = "What=20 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=20 as they live in self-indulgence and are deceived." He saith to me, "They = undergo=20 torments for the same length of time."

3[63]:2 "Then, Sir," say I, "they undergo very slight torments; for = those who=20 are living thus in self-indulgence and forget God ought to have been = tormented=20 seven-fold."

3[63]:3 He saith to me, "Thou art foolish, and comprehendest not the = power of=20 the torment" "True," say I, "for if I had comprehended it, I should not = have=20 asked thee to declare it to me." "Listen," saith he, "to the power of = both, [of=20 the self-indulgence and of the torment].

3[63]:4 The time of the self-indulgence and deceit is one hour. But = an hour=20 of the torment hath the power of thirty days. If then one live in self=20 indulgence and be deceived for one day, and be tormented for one day, = the day of=20 the torment is equivalent to a whole year. For as many days then as a = man lives=20 in self-indulgence, for so many years is he tormented. Thou seest then," = saith=20 he, "that the time of the self-indulgence and deceit is very short, but = the time=20 of the punishment and torment is long."

5[65]:1 "Inasmuch, Sir," say I, "as I do not quite comprehend = concerning the=20 time of the deceit and self-indulgence and torment, show me more = clearly."

5[65]:2 He answered and said unto me; "Thy stupidity cleaveth to = thee; and=20 thou wilt not cleanse thy heart and serve God Take heed," [saith he,] = "lest=20 haply the time be fulfilled, and thou be found in thy foolishness. = Listen then,"=20 [saith he,] "even as thou wishest, that thou mayest comprehend the = matter.

5[65]:3 He that liveth in self-indulgence and is deceived for one = day, and=20 doeth what he wisheth, is clothed in much folly and comprehendeth not = the thing=20 which he doeth; for on the morrow he forgetteth what he did the day = before. For=20 self-indulgence and deceit have no memories, by reason of the folly, = wherewith=20 each is clothed; but when punishment and torment cling to a man for a = single=20 day, he is punished and tormented for a whole year long; for punishment = and=20 torment have long memories.

5[65]:4 So being tormented and punished for the whole year, the man = remembers=20 at length the self-indulgence and deceit, and perceiveth that it is on = their=20 account that he is suffering these ills. Every man, therefore, that = liveth in=20 self-indulgence and is deceived, is tormented in this way because, = though=20 possessing lire, they have delivered themselves over unto death."

5[65]:5 "What kinds of self-indulgence, Sir," say I, "are harmful?" = "Every=20 action," saith he, "is self-indulgence to a man, which he does with = pleasure;=20 for the irascible man, when he gives the reins to his passion, is=20 self-indulgent; and the adulterer and the drunkard and the slanderer and = the=20 liar and the miser and the defrauder and he that doeth things akin to = these,=20 giveth the reins to his peculiar passion; therefore he is self-indulgent = in his=20 action.

5[65]:6 All these habits of self-indulgence are harmful to the = servants of=20 God; on account of these deceits therefore they so suffer who are = punished and=20 tormented.

5[65]:7 But there are habits of self-indulgence like-wise which save = men; for=20 many are self-indulgent in doing good, being carried away by the = pleasure it=20 gives to themselves. This self-indulgence then is expedient for the = servants of=20 God, and bringeth life to a man of this disposition; but the harmful=20 self-indulgences afore-mentioned bring to men torments and punishments; = and if=20 they continue in them and repent not, they bring death upon themselves." =

Parable 7

1[66]:1 After a few days I saw him on the same plain, where also I = had seen=20 the shepherds, and he saith to me, "What seekest thou?" "I am here, = Sir," say I,=20 "that thou mayest bid the shepherd that punisheth go out of my house; = for he=20 afflicteth me much." "It is necessary for thee," saith he, "to be = afflicted; for=20 so," saith he, "the glorious angel ordered as concerning thee, for he = wisheth=20 thee to be proved." "Why, what so evil thing have I done, Sir," say I, = "that I=20 should be delivered over to this angel?"

1[66]:2 "Listen," saith he. "Thy sins are many, yet not so many that = thou=20 shouldest be delivered over to this angel; but thy house has committed = great=20 iniquities and sins, and the glorious angel was embittered at their = deeds, and=20 for this cause he bade thee be afflicted for a certain time, that they = also=20 might repent and cleanse themselves from every lust of this world. When=20 therefore they shall repent and be cleansed, then shall the angel of = punishment=20 depart."

1[66]:3 I say to him; "Sir, if they perpetrated such deeds that the = glorious=20 angel is embittered, what have I done?" "They cannot be afflicted = otherwise,"=20 saith he, "unless thou, the head of the [whole] house, be afflicted; for = if thou=20 be afflicted, they also of necessity will be afflicted; but if thou be=20 prosperous, they can suffer no affliction."

1[66]:4 "But behold, Sir," say I, "they have repented with their = whole=20 heart." "I am quite aware myself," saith he, "that they have repented = with their=20 whole heart; well, thinkest thou that the sins of those who repent are = forgiven=20 forthwith? Certainly not; but the person who repents must torture his = own soul,=20 and must be thoroughly humble in his every action, and be afflicted with = all the=20 divers kinds of affliction; and if he endure the afflictions which come = upon=20 him, assuredly He Who created all things and endowed them with power = will be=20 moved with compassion and will bestow some remedy.

1[66]:5 And this (will God do), if in any way He perceive the heart = of the=20 penitent pure from every evil thing. But it is expedient for thee and = for thy=20 house that thou shouldest be afflicted now. But why speak I many words = to thee?=20 Thou must be afflicted as the angel of the Lord commanded, even he that=20 delivered thee unto me; and for this give thanks to the Lord, in that He = deemed=20 thee worthy that I should reveal unto thee beforehand the affliction, = that=20 foreknowing it thou might endure it with fortitude."

1[66]:6 I say to him; "Sir, be thou with me, and I shall be able to = endure=20 all affliction [easily]." "I will be with thee," saith he; "and I will = ask the=20 angel that punisheth to afflict thee more lightly; but thou shalt be = afflicted=20 for a short time, and thou shalt be restored again to thy house. Only = continue=20 to be humble and to minister unto the Lord with a pure heart, thou and = thy=20 children and thy house, and walk in my commandments which I command = thee, and=20 thus it will be possible for thy repentance to be strong and pure.

1[66]:7 And if thou keep these commandments with thy household, all=20 affliction shall hold aloof from thee; yea, and affliction," saith he, = "shall=20 hold aloof from all whosoever shall walk in these my commandments."

Parable 8

1[67]:1 He showed me a [great] willow, overshadowing plains and = mountains,=20 and under the shadow of the willow all have come who are called by the = name of=20 the Lord.

1[67]:2 And by the willow there stood an angel of the Lord, glorious = and very=20 tall, having a great sickle, and he was lopping branches from the = willow, and=20 giving them to the people that sheltered beneath the willow; and he gave = them=20 little rods about a cubit long.

1[67]:3 And after all had taken the rods, the angel laid aside the = sickle,=20 and the tree was sound, just as I had seen it.

1[67]:4 Then I marvelled within myself, saying, "How is the tree = sound after=20 so many branches have been lopped off?" The shepherd saith to me, = "Marvel not=20 that the tree remained sound, after so many branches were lopped off but = wait=20 until thou seest all things, and it shall be shown to thee what it is." =

1[67]:5 The angel who gave the rods to the people demanded them back = from=20 them again, and according as they had received them, so also they were = summoned=20 to him, and each of them returned the several rods. But the angel of the = Lord=20 took them, and examined them.

1[67]:6 From some he received the rods withered and eaten as it were = by=20 grubs: the angel ordered those who gave up rods like these to stand = apart.

1[67]:7 And others gave them up withered, but not grub-eaten; and = these again=20 he ordered to stand apart.

1[67]:8 And others gave them up half-withered; these also stood = apart.

1[67]:9 And others gave up their rods half-withered and with cracks; = these=20 also stood apart.

1[67]:10 And others gave up their rods green and with cracks; these = also=20 stood apart. And others gave up their rods one half withered and one = half green;=20 these also stood apart.

1[67]:11 And others brought their rods two parts of the rod green, = and the=20 third part withered; these also stood apart. And others gave them up two = parts=20 withered, and the third part green; these also stood apart.

1[67]:12 And others gave up their rods nearly all green, but a very = small=20 portion of their rods was withered, just the end; but they had cracks in = them;=20 these also stood apart.

1[67]:13 And in those of others there was a very small portion green, = but the=20 rest of the rods was withered; these also stood apart.

1[67]:14 And others came bringing their rods green, as they received = them=20 from the angel; and the most part of the multitude gave up their rods in = this=20 state; and the angel rejoiced exceedingly at these; these also stood = apart.

1[67]:15 And others gave up their rods green and with shoots, these = also=20 stood apart; and at these again the angel rejoiced exceedingly.

1[67]:16 And others gave up their rods green and with shoots; and = their=20 shoots had, as it were, a kind of fruit. And those men were exceeding = gladsome,=20 whose rods were found in this state. And over them the angel exulted, = and the=20 shepherd was very gladsome over them.

2[68]:1 And the angel of the Lord commanded crowns to be brought. And = crowns=20 were brought, made as it were of palm branches; and he crowned the men = that had=20 given up the rods which had the shoots and some fruit, and sent them = away into=20 the tower.

2[68]:2 And the others also he sent into the tower, even those who = had given=20 up the rods green and with shoots, but the shoots were without fruit; = and he set=20 a seal upon them.

2[68]:3 And all they that went into the tower had the same raiment, = white as=20 snow.

2[68]:4 And those that had given up their rods green as they received = them,=20 he sent away, giving them a [white] robe, and seals.

2[68]:5 After the angel had finished these things, he saith to the = shepherd;=20 "I go away; but these thou shalt send away to (their places within) the = walls,=20 according as each deserveth to dwell; but examine their rods carefully), = and so=20 send them away. But be careful in examining them. Take heed lest any = escape=20 thee," saith he. "Still if any escape thee, I will test them at the = altar." When=20 he had thus spoken to the shepherd, he departed.

2[68]:6 And, after the angel had departed, the shepherd saith to me; = "Let us=20 take the rods of all and plant them, to see whether any of them shall be = able to=20 live." I say unto him, "Sir, these withered things, how can they live?" =

2[68]:7 He answered and said unto me; "This tree is a willow, and = this class=20 of trees clingeth to life. If then the rods shall be planted and get a = little=20 moisture, many of them will live. And afterwards let us try to pour some = water=20 also over them. If any of them shall be able to live, I will rejoice = with it;=20 but if it live not, I at least shall not be found neglectful."

2[68]:8 So the shepherd bade me call them, just as each one of them = was=20 stationed. And they came row after row, and they delivered up the rods = to the=20 shepherd. And the shepherd took the rods, and planted them in rows, and = after he=20 had planted them, he poured much water over them, so that the rods could = not be=20 seen for the water.

2[68]:9 And after he had watered the rods, he saith to me; "Let us go = now.=20 and after days let us return and inspect all the rods; for He Who = created this=20 tree willeth that all those who have received rods from this tree should = live.=20 And I myself hope that these little rods, after they have got moisture = and been=20 watered, will live the greater part of them."

3[69]:1 I say to him; "Sir, inform me what this tree is. For I am = perplexed=20 herewith, because, though so many branches were cut off, the tree is = sound, and=20 nothing appears to have been cut from it; I am therefore perplexed = thereat."=20

3[69]:2 "Listen," saith he; "this great tree which overshadows plains = and=20 mountains and all the earth is the law of God which was given to the = whole=20 world; and this law is the Son of Cod preached unto the ends of the = earth. But=20 the people that are under the shadow are they that have heard the = preaching, and=20 believed on Him;

3[69]:3 but the great and glorious angel is Michael, who hath the = power over=20 this people and is their captain. For this is he that putteth the law = into the=20 hearts of the believers; therefore he himself inspecteth them to whom he = gave=20 it, to see whether they have observed it.

3[69]:4 But thou seest the rods of every one; for the rods are the = law. Thou=20 seest these many rods rendered useless, and thou shalt notice all those = that=20 have not observed the law, and shalt see the abode of each severally." =

3[69]:5 I say unto him; "Sir, wherefore did he send away some into = the tower,=20 and leave others for thee?" "As many," saith he, "as transgressed the = law which=20 they received from him, these he left under my authority for repentance; = but as=20 many as already satisfied the law and have observed it, these he has = under his=20 own authority."

3[69]:6 "Who then, Sir," say I, "are they that have been crowned and = go into=20 the tower?" ["As many," saith he, "as wrestled with the devil and = overcame him=20 in their wrestling, are crowned:] these are they that suffered for the = law.

3[69]:7 But the others, who likewise gave up their rods green and = with=20 shoots, though not with fruit, are they that were persecuted for the = law, but=20 did not suffer nor yet deny their law.

3[69]:8 But they that gave them up green just as they received them, = are=20 sober and righteous men, who walked altogether in a pure heart and have = kept the=20 commandments of the Lord. But all else thou shalt know, when I have = examined=20 these rods that have been planted and watered."

4[70]:1 And after a few days we came to the place, and the shepherd = sat down=20 in the place of the angel, while I stood by him. And he saith to me; = "Gird=20 thyself with a garment of raw flax, and minister to me." So I girded = myself with=20 a clean garment of raw flax made of coarse material.

4[70]:2 And when he saw me girded and ready to minister to him = "Call," saith=20 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=20 they stood all of them according to their ranks.

4[70]:3 He saith to them; "Let each man pluck out his own rod, and = bring it=20 to me." Those gave them up first, who had the withered and chipped rods, = and=20 they were found accordingly withered and chipped. He ordered them to = stand=20 apart.

4[70]:4 Then those gave them up, who had the withered but not = chipped; and=20 some of them gave up the rods green, and others withered and chipped as = by=20 grubs. Those then that gave them up green he ordered to stand apart; but = those=20 that gave them up withered and chipped he ordered to stand with the = first.

4[70]:5 Then those gave them up who had the half-withered and with = cracks;=20 and many of them gave them up green and without cracks; and some gave = them up=20 green and with shoots, and fruits on the shoots, such as those had who = went into=20 the tower crowned; and some gave them up withered and eaten, and some = withered=20 and uneaten, and some such as they were, half-withered and with cracks. = He=20 ordered them to stand each one apart, some in their proper ranks, and = others=20 apart.

5[71]:1 Then those gave them up who had their rods green, but with = cracks.=20 These all gave them up green, and stood in their own company. And the = shepherd=20 rejoiced over these, because they all were changed and had put away = their=20 cracks.

5[71]:2 And those gave them up likewise who had the one half green = and the=20 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.=20 These were all sent away each to his company.

5[71]:3 Then those gave them up who had two parts green and the third = withered; many of them gave them up green, and many half-withered, and = others=20 withered and eaten. These all stood in their own company.

5[71]:4 Then those gave them up who had two parts withered and the = third part=20 green. Many of them gave them up half-withered, but some withered and = eaten,=20 others half-withered and with cracks, and a few green. These all stood = in their=20 own company.

5[71]:5 Then those gave them up who had their rods green, but a very = small=20 part [withered] and with cracks. Of these some gave them up green, and = others=20 green and with shoots. These also went away to their own company.

5[71]:6 Then those gave them up who had a very small part green and = the other=20 parts withered. The rods of these were found for the most part green and = with=20 shoots and fruit on the shoots, and others altogether green. At these = rods the=20 shepherd rejoiced very [greatly], because they were found so. And these = went=20 away each to his own company.

6[72]:1 After [the shepherd] had examined the rods of all, he saith = to me, "I=20 told thee that this tree clingeth to life. Seest thou," saith he, "how = many=20 repented and were saved?" "I see, Sir," say I. "It is," saith he, that = thou=20 mayest see the abundant compassion of the Lord, how great and glorious = it is,=20 and He hath given (His) Spirit to those that are worthy of repentance." =

6[72]:2 "Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "did they not all repent?" "To = those,=20 whose heart He saw about to become pure and to serve Him with all the = heart, to=20 them He gave repentance; but those whose craftiness and wickedness He = saw, who=20 intend to repent in hypocrisy, to them He gave not repentance, lest = haply they=20 should again profane His name."

6[72]:3 I say unto him, "Sir, now then show me concerning those that = have=20 given up their rods, what manner of man each of them is, and their = abode, that=20 when they hear this, they that believed and have received the seal and = have=20 broken it and did not keep it sound may fully understand what they are = doing,=20 and repent, receiving from thee a seal, and may glorify the Lord, that = He had=20 compassion upon them and sent thee to renew their spirits."

6[72]:4 "Listen," saith he; "those whose rods were found withered and = grub-eaten, these are the renegades and traitors to the Church, that = blasphemed=20 the Lord in their sins, and still further were ashamed of the Name of = the Lord,=20 which was invoked upon them. These then perished altogether unto God. = But thou=20 seest how not one of them repented, although they heard the words which = thou=20 spakest to them, which I commanded thee. From men of this kind life = departed.=20

6[72]:5 But those that gave up the _withered_ and undecayed (rods), = these=20 also are near them; for they were hypocrites, and brought in strange = doctrines,=20 and perverted the servants of God, especially them that had sinned, not=20 permitting them to repent, but persuading them with their foolish = doctrines.=20 These then have hope of repenting.

6[72]:6 But thou seest that many of them have indeed repented from = the time=20 when thou spakest to them my commandments; yea, and (others) still will = repent.=20 And as many as shall not repent, have lost their life; but as many of = them as=20 repented, became good; and their dwelling was placed within the first = walls, and=20 some of them even ascended into the tower. Thou seest then," [saith he,] = "that=20 repentance from sins bringeth life, but not to repent bringeth death. =

7[73]:1 "But as many as gave up (the rods) half-withered, and with = cracks in=20 them, hear also concerning these. Those whose rods were half-withered = throughout=20 are the double-minded; for they neither live nor are dead.

7[73]:2 But those that have them half-withered and cracks in them, = these are=20 both double-minded and slanderers, and are never at peace among = themselves but=20 always causing dissensions. Yet even to these," [saith he,] "repentance = is=20 given. Thou seest," [saith he,] "that some of them have repented; and = there is=20 still," saith he, "hope of repentance among them.

7[73]:3 And as many of them," saith he, "as have repented, have their = abode=20 within the tower; but as many of them as have repented tardily shall = abide=20 within the walls; and as many as repent not, but continue in their = doings, shall=20 die the death.

7[73]:4 But they that have given up their rods green and with cracks, = these=20 were found faithful and good at all times, [but] they have a certain = emulation=20 one with another about first places and about glory of some kind or = other; but=20 all these are foolish in having (emulation) one with another about first = places.=20

7[73]:5 Yet these also, when they heard my commandments, being good, = purified=20 themselves and repented quickly. They have their habitation, therefore, = within=20 the tower. But if any one shall again turn to dissension, he shall be = cast out=20 from the tower and shall lose his life.

7[73]:6 Life is for all those that keep the commandments of the Lord. = But in=20 the commandments there is nothing about first places, or about glory of = any=20 kind, but about long-suffering and humility in man. In such men, = therefore, is=20 the life of the Lord, but in factious and lawless men is death.

8[74]:1 "But they that gave up their rods half green and half = withered, these=20 are they that are mixed up in business and cleave not to the saints. = Therefore=20 the one half of them liveth, but the other half is dead.

8[74]:2 Many then when they heard my commandments repented. As many = then as=20 repented, have their abode within the tower. But some of them altogether = stood=20 aloof These then have no repentance; for by reason of their business = affairs=20 they blasphemed the Lord and denied Him. So they lost their life for the = wickedness that they committed.

8[74]:3 But many of them were doubtful-minded. These still have place = for=20 repentance, if they repent quickly, and their dwelling shall be within = the=20 tower; and if they repent tardily, they shall dwell within the walls; = but if=20 they repent not, they too have lost their life.

8[74]:4 But they that have given up two parts green and the third = part=20 withered, these are they that have denied with manifold denials.

8[74]:5 Many of them therefore repented and departed to dwell inside = the=20 tower; but many utterly rebelled from God; these lost their life = finally. And=20 some of them were double-minded and caused dissensions. For these then = there is=20 repentance, if they repent speedily and continue not in their pleasures; = but if=20 they continue in their doings, they likewise procure for themselves = death.

9[75]:1 "But they that have given up their rods two thirds withered = and one=20 third green, these are men who have been believers, but grew rich and = became=20 renowned among the Gentiles. They clothed themselves with great pride = and became=20 high-minded, and abandoned the truth and did not cleave to the = righteous, but=20 lived together after the manner of the Gentiles, and this path appeared = the more=20 pleasant unto them; yet they departed not from God, but continued in the = faith,=20 though they wrought not the works of the faith.

9[75]:2 Many of them therefore repented, and they had their = habitation within=20 the tower.

9[75]:3 But others at the last living with the Gentiles, and being = corrupted=20 by the vain opinions of the Gentiles, departed from God, and worked the = works of=20 the Gentiles. These therefore were numbered with the Gentiles.

9[75]:4 But others of them were doubtful-minded, not hoping to be = saved by=20 reason of the deeds that they had done; and others were double-minded = and made=20 divisions among themselves. For these then that were double-minded by = reason of=20 their doings there is still repentance; but their repentance ought to be = speedy,=20 that their dwelling may be within the tower; but for those who repent = not, but=20 continue in their pleasures, death is nigh.

10[76]:1 "But they that gave up their rods green, yet with the = extreme ends=20 withered and with cracks; these were found at all times good and = faithful and=20 glorious in the sight of God, but they sinned to a very slight degree by = reason=20 of little desires and because they had somewhat against one another. = But, when=20 they heard my words, the greater part quickly repented, and their = dwelling was=20 assigned within the tower.

10[76]:2 But some of them were double-minded, and some being = double-minded=20 made a greater dissension. In these then there is still a hope of = repentance,=20 because they were found always good; and hardly shall one of them die. =

10[76]:3 But they that gave up their rods withered, yet with a very = small=20 part green, these are they that believed, but practiced the works of=20 lawlessness. Still they never separated from God, but bore the Name = gladly, and=20 gladly received into their houses the servants of God. So hearing of = this=20 repentance they repented without wavering, and they practice all = excellence and=20 righteousness.

10[76]:4 And some of them even suffer persecution willingly, knowing = the=20 deeds that they did. All these then shall have their dwelling within the = tower."=20

11[77]:1 And after he had completed the interpretations of all the = rods, he=20 saith unto me; "Go, and tell all men to repent, and they shall live unto = God;=20 for the Lord in His compassion sent me to give repentance to all, though = some of=20 them do not deserve it for their deeds; but being long-suffering the = Lord=20 willeth them that were called through His Son to be saved."

11[77]:2 I say to him; "Sir, I hope that all when they hear these = words will=20 repent; for I am persuaded that each one, when he fully knows his own = deeds and=20 fears God, will repent."

11[77]:3 He answered and said unto me; "As many," [saith he,] "as = [shall=20 repent] from their whole heart [and] shall cleanse themselves from all = the evil=20 deeds aforementioned, and shall add nothing further to their sins, shall = receive=20 healing from the Lord for their former sins, unless they be = double-minded=20 concerning these commandments, and they shall live unto God. [But as = many,"=20 saith he, "as shall add to their sins and walk in the lusts of this = world, shall=20 condemn themselves to death.]

11[77]:4 But do thou walk in my commandments, and live [unto God; = yea, and as=20 many as shall walk in them and shall do rightly, shall live unto God."] =

11[77]:5 Having shown me all these things [and told me them] he saith = to me;=20 "Now the rest will I declare (unto thee) after a few days."

Parable 9

1[78]: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=20 show thee all things that the Holy Spirit, which spake with thee in the = form of=20 the Church, showed unto thee. For that Spirit is the Son of God.

1[78]:2 For when thou wast weaker in the flesh, it was not declared = unto thee=20 through an angel; but when thou wast enabled through the Spirit, and = didst grow=20 mighty in thy strength so that thou couldest even see an angel, then at = length=20 was manifested unto thee, through the Church, the building of the tower. = In fair=20 and seemly manner hast thou seen all things, (instructed) as it were by = a=20 virgin; but now thou seest (being instructed) by an angel, though by the = same=20 Spirit;

1[78]:3 yet must thou learn everything more accurately from me. For = to this=20 end also was I appointed by the glorious angel to dwell in thy house, = that thou=20 mightest see all things mightily, in nothing terrified, even as before." =

1[78]:4 And he took me away into Arcadia, to a certain rounded = mountain, and=20 set me on the top of the mountain, and showed me a great plain, and = round the=20 plain twelve mountains, the mountains having each a different = appearance.

1[78]:5 The first was black as soot; the second was bare, without = vegetation;=20 the third was thorny and full of briars;

1[78]:6 the fourth had the vegetation half-withered, the upper part = of the=20 grass green, but the part by the roots withered, and some of the grass = became=20 withered, whenever the sun had scorched it;

1[78]:7 the fifth mountain had green grass and was rugged; the sixth = mountain=20 was full with clefts throughout, some small and some great, and the = clefts had=20 vegetation, but the grass was not very luxuriant, but rather as if it = had been=20 withered;

1[78]:8 the seventh mountain had smiling vegetation, and the whole = mountain=20 was in a thriving condition, and cattle and birds of every kind did feed = upon=20 that mountain; and the more the cattle and the birds did feed, so much = the more=20 did the herbage of that mountain flourish. The eighth mountain was full = of=20 springs, and every kind of creature of the Lord did drink of the springs = on that=20 mountain.

1[78]:9 the ninth mountain had no water at all, and was entirely = desert; and=20 it had in it wild beasts and deadly reptiles, which destroy mankind. The = tenth=20 mountain had very large trees and was umbrageous throughout, and beneath = the=20 shade lay sheep resting and feeding.

1[78]:10 the eleventh mountain was thickly wooded all over, and the = trees=20 thereon were very productive, decked with divers kinds of fruits, so = that one=20 seeing them would desire to eat of their fruits. The twelfth mountain = was=20 altogether white and its aspect was cheerful; and the mountain was most=20 beauteous in itself.

2[79]:1 And in the middle of the plain he showed me a great white = rock,=20 rising up from the plain. The rock was loftier than the mountains, being = four-square, so that it could contain the whole world.

2[79]:2 Now this rock was ancient, and had a gate hewn out of it; but = the=20 gate seemed to me to have been hewed out quite recently. And the gate = glistened=20 beyond the brightness of the sun, so that I marvelled at the brightness = of the=20 gate.

2[79]:3 And around the gate stood twelve virgins. The four then that = stood at=20 the corners seemed to me to be more glorious (than the rest); but the = others=20 likewise were glorious; and they stood at the four quarters of the gate, = and=20 virgins stood in pairs between them.

2[79]:4 And they were clothed in linen tunics and girt about in = seemly=20 fashion, having their right shoulders free, as if they intended to carry = some=20 burden. Thus were they prepared, for they were very cheerful and eager. =

2[79]:5 After I had seen these things, I marvelled in myself at the = greatness=20 and the glory of what I was seeing And again I was perplexed concerning = the=20 virgins, that delicate as they were they stood up like men, as if they = intended=20 to carry the whole heaven.

2[79]:6 And the shepherd saith unto me; "Why questionest thou within = thyself=20 and art perplexed, and bringest sadness on thyself? For whatsoever = things thou=20 canst not comprehend, attempt them not, if thou art prudent; but entreat = the=20 Lord, that thou mayest receive understanding to comprehend them.

2[79]:7 What is behind thee thou canst not see, but what is before = thee thou=20 beholdest. The things therefore which thou canst not see, let alone, and = trouble=20 not thyself (about them; but the things which thou seest, these master, = and be=20 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[80]:1 I saw six men come, tall and glorious and alike in appearance = and=20 they summoned a multitude of men. And the others also which came were = tall men=20 and handsome and powerful. And the six men ordered them to build a tower = above=20 the gate. And there arose a great noise from those men who had come to = build the=20 tower, as they ran hither and thither round the gate.

3[80]:2 For the virgins standing round the gate told the men to = hasten to=20 build the tower. Now the virgins had spread out their hands, as if they = would=20 take something from the men.

3[80]:3 And the six men ordered stones to come up from a certain deep = place,=20 and to go to the building of the tower. And there went up ten stones = square and=20 polished, [not] hewn from a quarry.

3[80]:4 And the six men called to the virgins, and ordered them to = carry all=20 the stones which should go unto the building of the tower, and to pass = through=20 the gate and to hand them to the men that were about to build the tower. =

3[80]:5 And the virgins laid the first ten stones that rose out of = the deep=20 on each other, and they carried them together, stone by stone.

4[81]:1 And just as they stood together around the gate, in that = order they=20 carried them that seemed to be strong enough and had stooped under the = corners=20 of the stone, while the others stooped at the sides of the stone. And so = they=20 carried all the stones. And they carried them right through the gate, as = they=20 were ordered, and handed them to the men for the tower; and these took = the=20 stones and builded.

4[81]:2 Now the building of the tower was upon the great rock and = above the=20 gate. Those ten stones then were joined together, and they covered the = whole=20 rock. And these formed a foundation for the building of the tower. And = [the rock=20 and] the gate supported the whole tower.

4[81]:3 And, after the ten stones, other twenty-five stones came up = from the=20 deep, and these were fitted into the building of the tower, being = carried by the=20 virgins, like the former. And after these thirty-five stones came up. = And these=20 likewise were fitted into the tower. And after these came up other forty = stones.=20 and these all were put into the building of the tower. So four rows were = made in=20 the foundations of the tower.

4[81]:4 And (the stones) ceased coming up from the deep, and the = builders=20 likewise ceased for a little. And again the six men ordered the = multitude of the=20 people to bring in stones from the mountains for the building of the = tower.

4[81]:5 They were brought in accordingly from all the mountains, of = various=20 colors, shaped by the men, and were handed to the virgins; and the = virgins=20 carried them right through the gate, and handed them in for the building = of the=20 tower. And when the various stones were placed in the building, they = became all=20 alike and white, and they lost their various colors.

4[81]:6 But some stones were handed in by the men for the building, = and these=20 did not become bright; but just as they were placed, such likewise were = they=20 found; for they were not handed in by the virgins, nor had they been = carried in=20 through the gate. These stones then were unsightly in the building of = the tower.=20

4[81]:7 Then the six men, seeing the stones that were unsightly in = the=20 building, ordered them to be removed and carried [below] into their own = place=20 whence they were brought.

4[81]:8 And they say to the men who were bringing the stones in; = "Abstain for=20 your parts altogether from handing in stones for the building; but place = them by=20 the tower, that the virgins may carry them through the gate, and hand = them in=20 for the building. For if," [say they,] they be not carried in through = the gate=20 by the hands of these virgins, they cannot change their colors. Labor = not=20 therefore," [say they,] "in vain."

5[82]:1 And the building was finished on that day, yet was not the = tower=20 finally completed, for it was to be carried up [still] higher; and there = was a=20 cessation in the building. And the six men ordered the builders to = retire for a=20 short time [all of them], and to rest; but the virgins they ordered not = to=20 retire from the tower. And methought the virgins were left to guard the = tower.=20

5[82]:2 And after all had retired Land rested], I say to the = shepherd; "How=20 is it, Sir," say I, "that the building of the tower was not completed?" = "The=20 tower," he saith, "cannot yet be finally completed, until its master = come and=20 test this building, that if any stones be found crumbling, he may change = them;=20 for the tower is being built according to His will."

5[82]:3 "I would fain know, Sir," say I, "what is this building of = this=20 tower, and concerning the rock and gate, and the mountains, and the = virgins, and=20 the stones that came up from the deep, and were not shaped, but went = just as=20 they were into the building;

5[82]:4 and wherefore ten stones were first placed in the = foundations, then=20 twenty-five, then thirty-five, then forty, and concerning the stones = that had=20 gone to the building and were removed again and put away in their own=20 place--concerning all these things set my soul at rest, Sir, and explain = them to=20 me."

5[82]:5 "If," saith he, "thou be not found possessed of an idle = curiosity,=20 thou shalt know all things. For after a few days we shall come here, and = thou=20 shalt see the sequel that overtaketh this tower and shalt understand all = the=20 parables accurately."

5[82]:6 And after a few days we came to the place where we had sat, = and he=20 saith to me, "Let us go to the tower; for the owner of the tower cometh = to=20 inspect it." And we came to the tower, and there was no one at all by = it, save=20 the virgins alone.

5[82]:7 And the shepherd asked the virgins whether the master of the = tower=20 had arrived. And they said that he would be there directly to inspect = the=20 building.

6[83]:1 And, behold, after a little while I see an array of many men = coming,=20 and in the midst a man of such lofty stature that he overtopped the = tower.

6[83]:2 And the six men who superintended the building walked with = him on the=20 right hand and on the left, and all they that worked at the building = were with=20 him, and many other glorious attendants around him. And the virgins that = watched=20 the tower ran up and kissed him, and they began to walk by his side = round the=20 tower.

6[83]:3 And that man inspected the building so carefully, that he = felt each=20 single stone; and he held a rod in his hand and struck each single stone = that=20 was built in.

6[83]:4 And when he smote, some of the stones became black as soot, = others=20 mildewed, others cracked, others broke off short, others became neither = white=20 nor black, others rough and not fitting in with the other stones, and = others=20 with many spots; these were the varied aspects of the stones which were = found=20 unsound for the building.

6[83]:5 So he ordered all these to be removed from the tower, and to = be=20 placed by the side of the tower, and other stones to be brought and put = into=20 their place.

6[83]:6 And the builders asked him from what mountain he desired = stones to be=20 brought and put into their place. And he would not have them brought = from the=20 mountains, but ordered them to be brought from a certain plain that was = nigh at=20 hand.

6[83]:7 And the plain was dug, and stones were found there bright and = square,=20 but some of them too were round. And all the stones which there were = anywhere in=20 that plain were brought every one of them, and were carried through the = gate by=20 the virgins.

6[83]:8 And the square stones were hewed, and set in the place of = those which=20 had been removed; but the round ones were not placed in the building, = because=20 they were too hard to be shaped, and to work on them was slow. So they = were=20 placed by the side of the tower, as though they were intended to be = shaped and=20 placed in the building; for they were very bright.

7[84]:1 So then, having accomplished these things, the glorious man = who was=20 lord of the whole tower called the shepherd to him, and delivered unto = him all=20 the stones which lay by the side of the tower, which were cast out from = the=20 building, and saith unto him;

7[84]:2 "Clean these stones carefully, and set them in the building = of the=20 tower, these, I mean, which can fit with the rest; but those which will = not fit,=20 throw far away from the tower."

7[84]:3 Having given these orders to the shepherd, he departed from = the tower=20 with all those with whom he had come. And the virgins stood round the = tower=20 watching it.

7[84]:4 I say to the shepherd, "How can these stones go again to the = building=20 of the tower, seeing that they have been disapproved?" He saith unto me = in=20 answer; "Seest thou", saith he, "these stones ?" I see them, Sir," say = I. "I=20 myself," saith he, "will shape the greater part of these stones and put = them=20 into the building, and they shall fit in with the remaining stones." =

7[84]:5 "How, Sir," say I, "can they, when they are chiseled, fill = the same=20 space?" He saith unto me in answer, "As many as shall be found small, = shall be=20 put into the middle of the building; but as many as are larger, shall be = placed=20 nearer the outside, and they will bind them together."

7[84]:6 With these words he saith to me, "Let us go away, and after = two days=20 let us come and clean these stones, and put them into the building; for = all=20 things round the tower must be made clean, lest haply the master come = suddenly=20 and find the circuit of the tower dirty, and he be wroth, and so these = stones=20 shall not go to the building of the tower, and I shall appear to be = careless in=20 my master's sight."

7[84]:7 And after two days we came to the tower, and he saith unto = me; "Let=20 us inspect all the stones, and see those which can go to the building." = I say to=20 him, "Sir, let us inspect them."

8[85]:1 And so commencing first we began to inspect the black stones; = and=20 just as they were when set aside from the building, such also they were = found.=20 And the shepherd ordered them to be removed from the tower and to be put = on one=20 side.

8[85]:2 Then he inspected those that were mildewed, and he took and = shaped=20 many of them, and ordered the virgins to take them up and put them into = the=20 building. And the virgins took them up and placed them in the building = of the=20 tower in a middle position. But the rest he ordered to be placed with = the black=20 ones; for these also were found black.

8[85]:3 Then he began to inspect those that had the cracks; and of = these he=20 shaped many, and he ordered them to be carried away by the hands of the = virgins=20 for the building. And they were placed towards the outside, because they = were=20 found to be sounder. But the rest could not be shaped owing to the = number of the=20 cracks. For this reason therefore they were cast aside from the building = of the=20 tower.

8[85]:4 Then he proceeded to inspect the stunted (stones), and many = among=20 them were found black, and some had contracted great cracks; and he = ordered=20 these also to be placed with those that had been cast aside. But those = of them=20 which remained he cleaned and shaped, and ordered to be placed in the = building=20 So the virgins took them up, and fitted them into the middle of the = building of=20 the tower; for they were somewhat weak.

8[85]:5 Then he began to inspect those that were half white and half = black,=20 and many of them were (now) found black; and he ordered these also to be = taken=20 up with those that had been cast aside. But all the rest were [found = white, and=20 were] taken up by the virgins; for being white they were fitted by [the = virgins]=20 them[selves] into the building. But they were placed towards the = outside,=20 because they were found sound, so that they could hold together those = that were=20 placed in the middle; for not a single one of them was too short.

8[85]:6 Then he began to inspect the hard and rough; and a few of = them were=20 cast away, because they could not be shaped; for they were found very = hard. But=20 the rest of them were shaped [and taken up by the virgins] and fitted = into the=20 middle of the building of the tower; for they were somewhat weak.

8[85]:7 Then he proceeded to inspect those that had the spots, and of = these=20 some few had turned black and were cast away among the rest; but the = remainder=20 were found bright and sound, and these were fitted by the virgins into = the=20 building; but they were placed towards the outside, owing to their = strength.=20

9[86]:1 Then he came to inspect the white and round stones, and he = saith unto=20 me; "What shall we do with these stones?" "How do I know, Sir?" say I = [And he=20 saith to me,] "Perceivest thou nothing concerning them?"

9[86]:2 "I, Sir," say I, "do not possess this art, neither am I a = mason, nor=20 can I understand." Seest thou not," saith he, "that they are very round; = and if=20 I wish to make them square, very much must needs be chiseled off from = them? Yet=20 some of them must of necessity be placed into the building."

9[86]:3 "If then, Sir," say I, "it must needs be so, why distress = thyself,=20 and why not choose out for the building those thou willest, and fit them = into=20 it?" He chose out from them the large and the bright ones, and shaped = them; and=20 the virgins took them up, and fitted them into the outer parts of the = building.=20

9[86]:4 But the rest, which remained over, were taken up, and put = aside into=20 the plain whence they were brought; they were not however cast away, = "Because,"=20 saith he, there remaineth still a little of the tower to be builded. And = the=20 master of the tower is exceedingly anxious that these stones be fitted = into the=20 building, for they are very bright."

9[86]:5 So twelve women were called, most beautiful in form, clad in = black,=20 [girded about and having the shoulders bare,] with their hair hanging = loose. And=20 these women, methought, had a savage look. And the shepherd ordered them = to take=20 up the stones which had been cast away from the building, and to carry = them off=20 to the same mountains from which also they had been brought;

9[86]:6 and they took them up joyfully, and carried away all the = stones and=20 put them in the place whence they had been taken. And after all the = stones had=20 been taken up, and not a single stone still lay round the tower, the = shepherd=20 saith unto me; "Let us go round the tower, and see that there is no = defect in=20 it." And I proceeded to go round it with him.

9[86]:7 And when the shepherd saw that the tower was very comely in = the=20 building, he was exceedingly glad; for the tower was so well builded, = that when=20 I saw it I coveted the building of it; for it was builded, as it were, = of one=20 stone, having one fitting in it. And the stone-work appeared as if hewn = out of=20 the rock; for it seemed to me to be all a single stone.

10[87]:1 And I, as I walked with him, was glad to see so brave a = sight. And=20 the shepherd saith to me; "Go and bring plaster and fine clay, that I = may fill=20 up the shapes of the stones that have been taken up and put into the = building;=20 for all the circuit of the tower must be made smooth."

10[87]:2 And I did as he bade, and brought them to him. "Assist me," = saith=20 he, "and the work will speedily be accomplished." So he filled in the = shapes of=20 the stones which had gone to the building, and ordered the circuit of = the tower=20 to be swept and made clean.

10[87]:3 And the virgins took brooms and swept, and they removed all = the=20 rubbish from the tower, and sprinkled water, and the site of the tower = was made=20 cheerful and very seemly.

10[87]:4 The shepherd saith unto me, "All," saith he, "hath now been = cleaned.=20 If the lord come to inspect the tower, he hath nothing for which to = blame us."=20 Saying this, he desired to go away.

10[87]:5 But I caught hold of his wallet, and began to adjure him by = the Lord=20 that he would explain to me [all] what he had showed me. He saith to me; = "I am=20 busy for a little while, and then I will explain everything to thee. = Await me=20 here till I come."

10[87]:6 I say to him; "Sir, when I am here alone what shall I do?" = "Thou art=20 not alone," saith he; "for these virgins are here with thee." "Commend = me then=20 to them," say I. The shepherd calleth them to him and saith to them; "I = commend=20 this man to you till I come," and he departed.

10[87]:7 So I was alone with the virgins; and they were most = cheerful, and=20 kindly disposed to Me especially the four of them that were the more = glorious in=20 appearance.

11[88]:1 The virgins say to me; "Today the shepherd cometh not here." = "What=20 then shall I do?" say I. "Stay for him," say they, "till eventide; and = if he=20 come, he will speak with thee; but if he come not, thou shalt stay here = with us=20 till he cometh."

11[88]:2 I say to them; "I will await him till evening, and if he = come not, I=20 will depart home and return early in the morning." But they answered and = said=20 unto me; "To us thou wast entrusted; thou canst not depart from us." =

11[88]:3 "Where then," say I, "shall I remain?" "Thou shalt pass the = night=20 with us," say they as a brother, not as a husband; for thou art our = brother, and=20 henceforward we will dwell with thee; for we love thee dearly." But I = was=20 ashamed to abide with them.

11[88]:4 And she that seemed to be the chief of them began to kiss = and to=20 embrace me; and the others seeing her embrace me, they too began to kiss = me, and=20 to lead me round the tower, and to sport with me.

11[88]:5 And I had become as it were a younger man, and I commenced = myself=20 likewise to sport with them. For some of them began to dance, [others to = skip,]=20 others to sing. But I kept silence and walked with them round the tower, = and was=20 glad with them.

11[88]:6 But when evening came I wished to go away home; but they = would not=20 let me go, but detained me. And I stayed the night with them, and I = slept by the=20 side of the tower.

11[88]:7 For the virgins spread their linen tunics on the ground, and = made me=20 lie down in the midst of them, and they did nothing else but pray; and I = prayed=20 with them without ceasing, and not less than they. And the virgins = rejoiced that=20 I so prayed. And I stayed there with the virgins until the morning till = the=20 second hour.

11[88]:8 Then came the shepherd, and saith to the virgins; "Have ye = done him=20 any injury?" "Ask him," say they. I say to him, "Sir, I was rejoiced to = stay=20 with them." "On what didst thou sup?" saith he "I supped, Sir," say I, = "on the=20 words of the Lord the whole night through." "Did they treat thee well?" = saith=20 he. "Yes, Sir," say I.

11[88]:9 "Now," saith he, "what wouldest thou hear first?" "In the = order as=20 thou showedst to me, Sir, from the beginning," say I; "I request thee, = Sir, to=20 explain to me exactly in the order that I shall enquire of thee." = According as=20 thou desirest," saith he, "even so will I interpret to thee, and I will = conceal=20 nothing whatever from thee."

12[89]:1 "First of all, Sir," say I, "explain this to me. The rock = and the=20 gate, what is it?" "This rock," saith he, "and gate is the Son of God." = "How,=20 Sir," say I, "is the rock ancient, but the gate recent?" "Listen," saith = he,=20 "and understand, foolish man.

12[89]:2 The Son of God is older than all His creation, so that He = became the=20 Father's adviser in His creation. Therefore also He is ancient." "But = the gate,=20 why is it recent, Sir?" say I.

12[89]:3 "Because," saith he, "He was made manifest in the last days = of the=20 consummation; therefore the gate was made recent, that they which are to = be=20 saved may enter through it into the kingdom of God.

12[89]:4 Didst thou see," saith he, "that the stones which came = through the=20 gate have gone to the building of the tower, but those which came not = through it=20 were cast away again to their own place?" "I saw, Sir," say I. "Thus," = saith he,=20 "no one shall enter into the kingdom of God, except he receive the name = of His=20 Son.

12[89]:5 For if thou wishest to enter into any city, and that city is = walled=20 all round and has one gate only, canst thou enter into that city except = through=20 the gate which it hath?" "Why, how, Sir," say I, "is it possible = otherwise?" "If=20 then thou canst not enter into the city except through the gate itself, = even=20 so," saith he, "a man cannot enter into the kingdom of God except by the = name of=20 His Son that is beloved by Him.

12[89]:6 Didst thou see," saith he, "the multitude that is building = the=20 tower?" "I saw it, Sir," say I. "They," saith he, are all glorious = angels. With=20 these then the Lord is walled around. But the gate is the Son of God; = there is=20 this one entrance only to the Lord. No one then shall enter in unto Him=20 otherwise than through His Son.

12[89]:7 Didst thou see," saith he, "the six men, and the glorious = and mighty=20 man in the midst of them, him that walked about the tower and rejected = the=20 stones from the building?" "I saw him, Sir," say I.

12[89]:8 "The glorious man," saith he, "is the Son of God, and those = six are=20 the glorious angels who guard Him on the right hand and on the left. Of = these=20 glorious angels not one," saith he, "shall enter in unto God without = Him;=20 whosoever shall not receive His name, shall not enter into the kingdom = of God."=20

13[90]:1 "But the tower," say I, "what is it?" "The tower," saith he, = "why,=20 this is the Church.

13[90]:2 "And these virgins, who are they?" "They," saith he, "are = holy=20 spirits; and no man can otherwise be found in the kingdom of God, unless = these=20 shall clothe him with their garment; for if thou receive only the name, = but=20 receive not the garment from them, thou profitest nothing. For these = virgins are=20 powers of the Son of God. If [therefore] thou bear the Name, and bear = not His=20 power, thou shalt bear His Name to none effect.

13[90]:3 And the stones," saith he, "which thou didst see cast away, = these=20 bare the Name, but clothed not themselves with the raiment of the = virgins." "Of=20 what sort, Sir," say I, "is their raiment?" "The names themselves," = saith he,=20 "are their raiment. Whosoever beareth the Name of the Son of God, ought = to bear=20 the names of these also; for even the Son Himself beareth the names of = these=20 virgins.

13[90]:4 As many stones," saith he, "as thou sawest enter into the = building=20 of the tower, being given in by their hands and waiting for the = building, they=20 have been clothed in the power of these virgins.

13[90]:5 For this cause thou seest the tower made a single stone with = the=20 rock. So also they that have believed in the Lord through His Son and = clothe=20 themselves in these spirits, shall become one spirit and one body, and = their=20 garments all of one color. But such persons as bear the names of the = virgins=20 have their dwelling in the tower."

13[90]:6 "The stones then, Sir," say I, "which are cast aside, = wherefore were=20 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=20 interest thee," saith he, "and thou enquirest diligently, listen as = touching the=20 stones that have been cast aside.

13[90]:7 These all," [saith he,] "received the name of the Son of = God, and=20 received likewise the power of these virgins. When then they received = these=20 spirits, they were strengthened, and were with the servants of God, and = they had=20 one spirit and one body [and one garment]; for they had the same mind, = and they=20 wrought righteousness.

13[90]:8 After a certain time then they were persuaded by the women = whom thou=20 sawest clad in black raiment, and having their shoulders bare and their = hair=20 loose, and beautiful in form. When they saw them they desired them, and = they=20 clothed themselves with their power, but they stripped off from = themselves the=20 power of the virgins.

13[90]:9 They then were cast away from the house of God, and = delivered to=20 these (women). But they that were not deceived by the beauty of these = women=20 remained in the house of God. So thou hast," saith he, "the = interpretation of=20 them that were cast aside."

13[90]:1 What then, Sir," say I, "if these men, being such as they = are,=20 should repent and put away their desire for these women, and return unto = the=20 virgins, and walk in their power and in their works? Shall they not = enter into=20 the house of God?"

13[90]:2 "They shall enter," saith he, "if they shall put away the = works of=20 these women, and take again the power of the virgins, and walk in their = works.=20 For this is the reason why there was also a cessation in the building, = that, if=20 these repent, they may go into the building of the tower; but if they = repent=20 not, then others will go, and these shall be cast away finally."

13[90]:3 For all these things I gave thanks unto the Lord, because He = had=20 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,=20 when we were already ruined and had no hope of life, restored our life. =

13[90]:4 "Now, Sir," say I, "show me why the tower is not built upon = the=20 ground, but upon the rock and upon the gate." "Because thou art = senseless,"=20 saith he, "and without understanding [thou askest the question]." "I am = obliged,=20 Sir," say I, "to ask all questions of thee, because I am absolutely = unable to=20 comprehend anything at all; for all are great and glorious and difficult = for men=20 to understand."

13[90]:5 "Listen," saith he. "The name of the Son of God is great and = incomprehensible, and sustaineth the whole world. If then all creation = is=20 sustained by the Son [of God], what thinkest thou of those that are = called by=20 Him, and bear the name of the Son of God, and walk according to His=20 commandments?

13[90]:6 Seest thou then what manner of men He sustaineth? Even those = that=20 bear His name with their whole heart. He Himself then is become their=20 foundation, and He sustaineth them gladly, because they are not ashamed = to bear=20 His name."

15[92]:1 "Declare to me, Sir," say I, "the names of the virgins, and = of the=20 women that are clothed in the black garments." "Hear," saith he, "the = names of=20 the more powerful virgins, those that are stationed at the corners.

15[92]:2 The first is Faith, and the second, Continence, and the = third,=20 Power, and the fourth, Long-suffering. But the others stationed between = them=20 have these names--Simplicity, Guilelessness, Purity, Cheerfulness, = Truth,=20 Understanding, Concord, Love. He that beareth these names and the name = of the=20 Son of God shall be able to enter into the kingdom of God.

15[92]:3 Hear," saith he, "likewise the names of the women that wear = the=20 black garments. Of these also four are more powerful than the rest; the = first is=20 Unbelief; the second, Intemperance; the third, Disobedience; the fourth, = Deceit;=20 and their followers are called, Sadness, Wickedness, Wantonness, = Irascibility,=20 Falsehood, Folly, Slander, Hatred. The servant of God that beareth these = names=20 shall see the kingdom of God, but shall not enter into it."

15[92]:4 "But the stones, Sir," say I, "that came from the deep, and = were=20 fitted into the building, who are they?" "The first," saith he, "even = the ten,=20 that were placed in the foundations, are the first generation; the = twenty-five=20 are the second generation of righteous men; the thirty-five are God's = prophets=20 and His ministers; the forty are apostles and teachers of the preaching = of the=20 Son of God."

15[92]:5 "Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "did the virgins give in these = stones=20 also for the building of the tower and carry them through the gate?" =

15[92]:6 "Because these first," saith he, "bore these spirits, and = they never=20 separated the one from the other, neither the spirits from the men nor = the men=20 from the spirits, but the spirits abode with them till they fell asleep; = and if=20 they had not had these spirits with them, they would not have been found = useful=20 for the building of this tower."

15[92]:1 "Show me still further, Sir," say I. "What desirest thou to = know=20 besides?" saith he. "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "did the stones come up = from the=20 deep, and wherefore were they placed into the building, though they bore = these=20 spirits?"

15[92]:2 "It was necessary for them," saith he, "to rise up through = water,=20 that they might be made alive; for otherwise they could not enter into = the=20 kingdom of God, except they had put aside the deadness of their [former] = life.=20

15[92]:3 So these likewise that had fallen asleep received the seal = of the=20 Son of God and entered into the kingdom of God. For before a man," saith = he,=20 "has borne the name of [the Son of] God, he is dead; but when he has = received=20 the seal, he layeth aside his deadness, and resumeth life.

15[92]:4 The seal then is the water: so they go down into the water = dead, and=20 they come up alive. "thus to them also this seal was preached, and they = availed=20 themselves of it that they might enter into the kingdom of God."

15[92]:5 "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "did the forty stones also come up = with=20 them from the deep, though they had already received the seal?" = "Because," saith=20 he, "these, the apostles and the teachers who preached the name of the = Son of=20 God, after they had fallen asleep in the power and faith of the Son of = God,=20 preached also to them that had fallen asleep before them, and themselves = gave=20 unto them the seal of the preaching.

15[92]:6 Therefore they went down with them into the water, and came = up=20 again. But these went down alive [and again came up alive]; whereas the = others=20 that had fallen asleep before them went down dead and came up alive. =

15[92]:7 So by their means they were quickened into life, and came to = the=20 full knowledge of the name of the Son of God. For this cause also they = came up=20 with them, and were fitted with them into the building of the tower and = were=20 builded with them, without being shaped; for they fell asleep in = righteousness=20 and in great purity. Only they had not this seal. Thou hast then the=20 interpretation of these things also." "I have, Sir," say I.

17[94]:1 "Now then, Sir, explain to me concerning the mountains. = Wherefore=20 are their forms diverse the one from the other, and various?" "Listen," = saith=20 he. "These twelve mountains are [twelve] tribes that inhabit the whole = world. To=20 these (tribes) then the Son of God was preached by the Apostles."

17[94]:2 But explain to me, Sir, why they are various--these = mountains--and=20 each has a different appearance." "Listen," saith he. "These twelve = tribes which=20 inhabit the whole world are twelve nations; and they are various in=20 understanding and in mind. As various, then, as thou sawest these = mountains to=20 be, such also are the varieties in the mind of these nations, and such = their=20 understanding. And I will show unto thee the conduct of each."

17[94]:3 "First, Sir," say I, "show me this, why the mountains being = so=20 various, yet, when their stones were set into the building, became = bright and of=20 one color, just like the stones that had come up from the deep."

17[94]:4 "Because," saith he, "all the nations that dwell under = heaven, when=20 they heard and believed, were called by the one name of [the Son of] = God. So=20 having received the seal, they had one understanding and one mind, and = one faith=20 became theirs and [one] love, and they bore the spirits of the virgins = along=20 with the Name; therefore the building of the tower became of one color, = even=20 bright as the sun.

17[94]:5 But after they entered in together, and became one body, = some of=20 them defiled themselves, and were cast out from the society of the = righteous,=20 and became again such as they were before, or rather even worse."

18[95]:1 "How, Sir," say I, "did they become worse, after they had = fully=20 known God?" "He that knoweth not God," saith he, "and committeth = wickedness,=20 hath a certain punishment for his wickedness; but he that knoweth God = fully=20 ought not any longer to commit wickedness, but to do good.

18[95]:2 If then he that ought to do good committeth wickedness, does = he not=20 seem to do greater wickedness than the man that knoweth not God? = Therefore they=20 that have not known God, and commit wickedness, are condemned to death; = but they=20 that have known God and seen His mighty works, and yet commit = wickedness, shall=20 receive a double punishment, and shall die eternally. In this way = therefore=20 shall the Church of God be purified.

18[95]:3 And as thou sawest the stones removed from the tower and = delivered=20 over to the evil spirits, they too shall be cast out; and there shall be = one=20 body of them that are purified, just as the tower, after it had been = purified,=20 became made as it were of one stone. Thus shall it be with the Church of = God=20 also, after she hath been purified, and the wicked and hypocrites and=20 blasphemers and double-minded and they that commit various kinds of = wickedness=20 have been cast out.

18[95]:4 When these have been cast out, the Church of God shall be = one body,=20 one understanding, one mind, one faith, one love. And then the Son of = God shall=20 rejoice and be glad in them, for that He hath received back His people = pure."=20 "Great and glorious, Sir," say I, "are all these things.

18[95]:5 Once more, Sir," [say I,] "show me the force and the doings = of each=20 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=20 he, "to the variety of the mountains and of the twelve nations.

19[96]:1 "From the first mountain, which was black, they that have = believed=20 are such as these; rebels and blasphemers against the Lord, and = betrayers of the=20 servants of God. For these there is no repentance, but there is death. = For this=20 cause also they are black; for their race is lawless.

19[96]:2 And from the second mountain, the bare one, they that = believed are=20 such as these; hypocrites and teachers of wickedness. And these then are = like=20 the former in not having the fruit of righteousness. For, even as their = mountain=20 is unfruitful, so likewise such men as these have a name indeed, but = they are=20 void of the faith, and there is no fruit of truth in them. For these = then=20 repentance is offered, if they repent quickly; but if they delay, they = will have=20 their death with the former."

19[96]:3 "Wherefore, Sir," say I, "is repentance possible for them, = but not=20 for the former ? For their doings are almost the same." "On this = account," he=20 saith, "is repentance offered for them, because they blasphemed not = their Lord,=20 nor became betrayers of the servants of God; yet from desire of gain = they played=20 the hypocrite, and taught each other [after] the desires of sinful men. = But they=20 shall pay a certain penalty; yet repentance is ordained for them, = because they=20 are not become blasphemers or betrayers.

20[97]:1 "And from the third mountain, which had thorns and briars, = they that=20 believed are such as these; some of them are wealthy and others are = entangled in=20 many business affairs. The briars are the wealthy, and the thorns are = they that=20 are mixed up in various business affairs.

20[97]:2 These [then, that are mixed up in many and various business=20 affairs,] cleave [not] to the servants of God, but go astray, being = choked by=20 their affairs, but the wealthy unwillingly cleave to the servants of = God,=20 fearing lest they may be asked for something by them. Such men therefore = shall hardly enter into the kingdom of God.

20[97]:3 For as it is difficult to walk on briars with bare = feet, so=20 also it is difficult for such men to enter the kingdom of God. =

20[97]:4 But for all these repentance is possible, but it must be = speedy,=20 that in respect to what they omitted to do in the former times, they may = now=20 revert to (past) days, and do some good. If then they shall repent and = do some=20 good, they shall live unto God; but if they continue in their doings, = they shall=20 be delivered over to those women, the which shall put them to death. =

20[97]:1 "And from the fourth mountain, which had much vegetation, = the upper=20 part of the grass green and the part towards the roots withered, and = some of it=20 dried up by the sun, they that believed are such as these; the = double-minded,=20 and they that have the Lord on their lips, but have Him not in their = heart.

20[97]:2 Therefore their foundations are dry and without power, and = their=20 words only live, but their works are dead. Such men are neither alive = nor dead.=20 They are, therefore, like unto the double-minded; for the double-minded = are=20 neither green nor withered; for they are neither alive nor dead.

20[97]:3 For as their grass was withered up when it saw the sun, so = also the=20 double-minded, when they hear of tribulation, through their cowardice = worship=20 idols and are ashamed of the name of their Lord.

20[97]:4 Such are neither alive nor dead. Yet these also, if they = repent=20 quickly, shall be able to live; but if they repent not, they are = delivered over=20 already to the women who deprive them of their life.

22[99]:1 "And from the fifth mountain, which had green grass and was = rugged,=20 they that believed are such as these; they are faithful, but slow to = learn and=20 stubborn and self-pleasers, desiring to know all things, and yet they = know=20 nothing at all.

22[99]:2 By reason of this their stubbornness, understanding stood = aloof from=20 them, and a foolish senselessness entered into them; and they praise = themselves=20 as having understanding, and they desire to be self-appointed teachers,=20 senseless though they are.

22[99]:3 Owing then to this pride of heart many, while they exalted=20 themselves, have been made empty; for a mighty demon is stubbornness and = vain=20 confidence. Of these then many were cast away, but some repented and = believed,=20 and submitted themselves to those that had understanding, having learnt = their=20 own senselessness.

22[99]:4 Yea, and to the rest that belong to this class repentance is = offered; for they did not become wicked, but rather foolish and without=20 understanding. If these then shall repent, they shall live unto God; but = if they=20 repent not, they shall have their abode with the women who work evil = against=20 them.

23[100]:1 "But they that believed from the sixth mountain, which had = clefts=20 great and small, and in the clefts herbage withered, are such as these; =

23[100]:2 they that have the small clefts, these are they that have = aught=20 against one another, and from their backbitings they are withered in the = faith;=20 but many of these repented Yea, and the rest shall repent, when they = hear my=20 commandments; for their backbitings are but small, and they shall = quickly=20 repent.

23[100]:3 But they that have great clefts, these are persistent in = their=20 backbitings and bear grudges, nursing wrath against one another. These = then were=20 thrown right away from the tower and rejected from its building. Such = persons=20 therefore shall with difficulty live.

23[100]:4 If God and our Lord, Who ruleth over all things and hath = the=20 authority over all His creation, beareth no grudge against them that = confess=20 their sins, but is propitiated, doth man, who is mortal and full of = sins, bear a=20 grudge against man, as though he were able to destroy or save him?

23[100]:5 I say unto you--I, the angel of repentance--unto as many as = hold=20 this heresy, put it away from you and repent, and the Lord shall heal = your=20 former sins, if ye shall purify yourselves from this demon; but if not, = ye shall=20 be delivered unto him to be put to death.

24[101]:1 " And from the seventh mountain, on which was herbage green = and=20 smiling, and the whole mountain thriving, and cattle of every kind and = the fowls=20 of heaven were feeding on the herbage on that mountain, and the green = herbage,=20 on which they fed, only grew the more luxuriant, they that believed are = such as=20 these;

24[101]:2 they were ever simple and guileless and blessed, having = nothing=20 against one another, but rejoicing always in the servants of God, and = clothed in=20 the Holy Spirit of these virgins, and having compassion always on every = man, and=20 out of their labors they supplied every man's need without reproach and = without=20 misgiving.

24[101]:3 The Lord then seeing their simplicity and entire = childliness made=20 them to abound in the labors of their hands, and bestowed favor on them = in all=20 their doings.

24[101]:4 But I say unto you that are such--I, the angel of=20 repentance--remain to the end such as ye are, and your seed shall never = be=20 blotted out. For the Lord hath put you to the proof, and enrolled you = among our=20 number, and your whole seed shall dwell with the Son of God; for of His = Spirit=20 did ye receive.

25[102]:1 "And from the eighth mountain, where were the many springs, = and all=20 the creatures of the Lord did drink of the springs, they that believed = are such=20 as these;

25[102]:2 apostles and teachers, who preached unto the whole world, = and who=20 taught the word of the Lord in soberness and purity, and kept back no = part at=20 all for evil desire, but walked always in righteousness and truth, even = as also=20 they received the Holy Spirit. Such therefore shall have their entrance = with the=20 angels.

26[103]:1 "And from the ninth mountain, which was desert, which had = [the]=20 reptiles and wild beasts in it which destroy mankind, they that believed = are=20 such as these;

26[103]:2 they that have the spots are deacons that exercised their = office=20 ill, and plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans, and made gain = for=20 themselves from the ministrations which they had received to perform. If = then=20 they abide in the same evil desire, they are dead and there is no hope = of life=20 for them; but if they turn again and fulfill their ministrations in = purity, it=20 shall be possible for them to live.

26[103]:3 But they that are mildewed, these are they that denied and = turned=20 not again unto their Lord, but having become barren and desert, because = they=20 cleave not unto the servants of God but remain alone, they destroy their = own=20 souls.

26[103]:4 For as a vine left alone in a hedge, if it meet with = neglect, is=20 destroyed and wasted by the weeds, and in time becometh wild and is no = longer=20 useful to its owner, so also men of this kind have given themselves up = in=20 despair and become useless to their Lord, by growing wild.

26[103]:5 To these then repentance cometh, unless they be found to = have=20 denied from the heart; but if a man be found to have denied from the = heart, I=20 know not whether it is possible for him to live.

26[103]:6 And this I say not in reference to these days, that a man = after=20 denying should receive repentance; for it is impossible for him to be = saved who=20 shall now deny his Lord; but for those who denied Him long ago = repentance=20 seemeth to be possible. If a man therefore will repent, let him do so = speedily=20 before the tower is completed; but if not, he shall be destroyed by the = women=20 and put to death.

26[103]:7 And the stunted, these are the treacherous and backbiters; = and the=20 wild beasts which thou sawest on the mountain are these. For as wild = beasts with=20 their venom poison and kill a man, so also do the words of such men = poison and=20 kill a man.

26[103]:8 These then are broken off short from their faith through = the=20 conduct which they have in themselves; but some of them repented and = were saved;=20 and the rest that are of this kind can be saved, if they repent; but if = they=20 repent not, they shall meet their death from those women of whose power = they are=20 possessed.

27[104]:1 "And from the tenth mountain, where were trees sheltering = certain=20 sheep, they that believed are such as these;

27[104]:2 bishops, hospitable persons, who gladly received into their = houses=20 at all times the servants of God without hypocrisy. [These bishops] at = all times=20 without ceasing sheltered the needy and the widows in their ministration = and=20 conducted themselves in purity at all times.

27[104]:3 These [all] then shall be sheltered by the Lord for ever. = They=20 therefore that have done these things are glorious in the sight of God, = and=20 their place is even now with the angels, if they shall continue unto the = end=20 serving the Lord.

27[104]:1 "And from the eleventh mountain, where were trees full of = fruit,=20 decked with divers kinds of fruits, they that believed are such as = these;

27[104]:2 they that suffered for the Name [of the Son of God], who = also=20 suffered readily with their whole heart, and yielded up their lives." =

27[104]:3 "Wherefore then, Sir," say I, "have all the trees fruits, = but some=20 of their fruits are more beautiful than others?" "Listen," saith he; = "all as=20 many as ever suffered for the Name's sake are glorious in the sight of = God, and=20 the sins of all these were taken away, because they suffered for the = name of the=20 Son of God. Now here why their fruits are various, and some surpassing = others.=20

27[104]:4 "As many," saith he, "as were tortured and denied not, when = brought=20 before the magistery, but suffered readily, these are the more glorious = in the=20 sight of the Lord; their fruit is that which surpasseth. But as many as = become=20 cowards, and were lost in uncertainty, and considered in their hearts = whether=20 they should deny or confess, and yet suffered, their fruits are less, = because=20 this design entered into their heart; for this design is evil, that a = servant=20 should deny his own lord.

27[104]:5 See to it, therefore, ye who entertain this idea, lest this = design=20 remain in your hearts, and ye die unto God. But ye that suffer for the = Name's=20 sake ought to glorify God, because God deemed you worthy that ye should = bear=20 this name, and that all your sins should be healed.

27[104]:6 Reckon yourselves blessed therefore; yea, rather think that = ye have=20 done a great work, if any of you shall suffer for God's sake. The Lord = bestoweth=20 life upon you, and ye percieved it not; for your sins weighed you down, = and if=20 ye had not suffered for the Name [of the Lord], ye had died unto God by = reason=20 of your sins.

27[104]:7 These things I say unto you that waver as touching denial = and=20 confession. Confess that ye have the Lord, lest denying Him ye be = delivered into=20 prison.

27[104]:8 If the Gentiles punish their slaves, if any one deny his = lord, what=20 think ye the Lord will do unto you, He who has authority over all = things? Away=20 with these designs from your hearts, that ye may live forever unto God." =

27[104]:1 "And from the twelfth mountain, which was white, they that = believed=20 are such as these; they that are as very babes, into whose heart no = guile=20 entereth, neither lernt they what wickedness is, but they remained as = babes=20 forever.

27[104]:2 Such as these then dwell without doubt in the kingdom of = God,=20 because they defiled the commandments of God in nothing, but continued = as babes=20 all the days of their life in the same mind.

27[104]:3 As many of you therefore as shall continue," saith he, "and = shall=20 be as infants not having guile, shall be glorious [even] than all them = that have=20 been mentioned before; for all infants are glorious in the sight of God, = and=20 stand first in His sight. Blessed then are ye, as many as have put away=20 wickedness from you, and have clothed yourselves in guilelessness: ye = shall live=20 unto God cheifest of all."

27[104]:4 After he had finished the parables of the mountains, I say = unto=20 him, "Sir, now explain to me concerning the stones that were taken from = the=20 plain and placed in the building in the room of the stoes that were = taken from=20 the tower, and concerning the round (stones) which were placed in the = building,=20 and concerning those that were still round".

27[104]:1 "Hear," saith he, "likewise concerning all these things. = The stones=20 which were taken from the plain and placed in the building of the tower = in the=20 room of those that were rejected, are the roots of this white mountain. =

27[104]:2 When then they that believed from this mountain were all = found=20 guiltless, the lord of the tower ordered these from the roots of the = mountain to=20 be put into the building of the tower. For He knew that if these stones = should=20 go into the building [of the tower], they would remain bright and not = one of=20 them would turn black.

27[104]:3 But if he added (stones) from other mountains, he would = have been=20 obliged to visit the tower again, and to purify it. Now all these have = been=20 found white, who have believed and who shall believe; for they are of = the same=20 kind. Blessed is this kind, for it is innocent!

27[104]:4 Hear now likewise concerning those round and bright stones. = All=20 these are from the white mountain. Now here wherefore they have been = found=20 round. Their riches have darkened and obscured them a little from the = truth.=20

27[104]:5 When therefore the Lord percieved their mind, *that they = could=20 favor the truth,* and likewise remain good, He commanded their = possessions to be=20 cut off from them, yet not to be taken away altogether, so that they = might be=20 able to do some good with that which hath been left to them, and might = live unto=20 God for that they come of a good kind. So therefore they have been cut = away a=20 little, and placed in the building of this tower".

27[104]:1 "But the other (stones), which have remained round and have = not=20 been fitted into the building, because they have not yet received the = seal, have=20 been replaced in their own possession, for they were found very round. =

27[104]:2 For this world and the vanities of their possessions must = be cut=20 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=20 blessed this innocent kind. Of this kind then not one shall perish. Yea, = even=20 though any one of them being tempted by the most wicked devil have = committed any=20 fault, he shall return speedily unto his Lord.

27[104]:3 Blessed I pronounced you all to be--I the angel of=20 repentance--whoever of you are guileless as infants, because your part = is good=20 and honorable in the sight of God.

27[104]a:4 Moreover I bid all of you, whoever have received this = seal, keep=20 guilelessness, and bear no grudge, and continue not in your wickedness = nor in=20 the memory of the offenses of bitterness; but become of one spirit, and = heal=20 these evil clefts and take them away from among you, that the owner of = the=20 flocks may rejoice concerning them.

27[104a]:5 For he will rejoice, if he find all things whole. But if = he find=20 any part of the flock scattered, woe unto the shepherds.

27[104a]:6 For if the shepherds themselves shall have been found = scattered,=20 how will they answer for the flocks? Will they say that they were = harassed by=20 the flock? No credence will be given them. For it is an incredible thing = that a=20 shepherd should be injured by his flock; and he will be punished the = more=20 because of his falsehood. And I am the shepherd, and it behoveth me most = strongly to render an account for you.

32[109]:1 "Amend yourselves therefore, while the tower is still in = course of=20 building.

32[109]:2 The Lord dwelleth in men that love peace; for to Him peace = is dear;=20 but from the contentious and them that are given up to wickedness He = keepeth=20 afar off. Restore therefore to Him your spirit whole as ye received it. =

32[109]:3 For suppose thou hast given to a fuller a new garment = whole, and=20 desirest to receive it back again whole, but the fuller give it back to = thee=20 torn, wilt thou receive it thus? Wilt thou not at once blaze out and = attack him=20 with reproaches, saying; "The garment which I gave thee was whole; = wherefore=20 hast thou rent it and made it useless? See, by reason of the rent, which = thou=20 hast made in it, it cannot be of use." Wilt thou not then say all this = to a=20 fuller even about a rent which he has made in thy garment?

32[109]:4 If therefore thou art thus vexed in the matter of thy = garment, and=20 complainest because thou receivest it not back whole, what thinkest thou = the=20 Lord will do to thee, He, Who gave thee the spirit whole, and thou hast = made it=20 absolutely useless, so that it cannot be of any use at all to its Lord? = For its=20 use began to be useless, when it was corrupted by thee. Will not = therefore the=20 Lord of this spirit for this thy deed punish [thee with death]?"

32[109]:5 "Certainly," I said, "all those, whomsoever He shall find=20 continuing to bear malice, He will punish." "Trample not," said he, = "upon His=20 mercy, but rather glorify Him, because He is so long-suffering with your = sins,=20 and is not like unto you. Practice then repentance which is expedient = for you.=20

33[110]:1 "All these things which are written above I, the shepherd, = the=20 angel of repentance, have declared and spoken to the servants of God. If = then ye=20 shall believe and hear my words, and walk in them, and amend your ways, = ye shall=20 be able to live. But if ye continue in wickedness and in bearing malice, = no one=20 of this kind shall live unto God. All things which were to be spoken by = me have=20 (now) been spoken to you."

33[110]:2 The shepherd said to me, "Hast thou asked me all thy = questions?"=20 And I said, "Yes, Sir." "Why then hast thou not enquired of me = concerning the=20 shape of the stones placed in the building, in that we filled up their = shapes?"=20 And I said, "I forgot, Sir."

33[110]:3 "Listen now," said he, "concerning them. These are they = that have=20 heard my commandments now, and have practiced repentance with their = whole heart.=20 So when the Lord saw that their repentance was good and pure, and that = they=20 could continue therein, he ordered their former sins to be blotted out. = These=20 shapes then were their former sins, and they have been chiseled away = that they=20 might not appear."

Parable 10

1[111]:1 After I had written out this book completely, the angel who = had=20 delivered me to the shepherd came to the house where I was, and sat upon = a=20 couch, and the shepherd stood at his right hand. Then he called me, and = spake=20 thus unto me;

1[111]:2 "I delivered thee," said he, "and thy house to this = shepherd, that=20 thou mightest be protected by him." "True, Sir," I said "If therefore," = said he,=20 "thou desirest to be protected from all annoyance and all cruelty, to = have also=20 success in every good work and word, and all the power of righteousness, = walk in=20 his commandments, which I have given thee, and thou shalt be able to get = the=20 mastery over all wickedness.

1[111]:3 For if thou keep his commandments, all evil desire and the = sweetness=20 of this world shall be subject unto thee; moreover success shall attend = thee in=20 every good undertaking. Embrace his gravity and self-restraint, and tell = it out=20 unto all men that he is held in great honor and dignity with the Lord, = and is a=20 ruler of great authority, and powerful in his office. To him alone in = the whole=20 world hath authority over repentance been assigned. Seemeth he to thee = to be=20 powerful? Yet ye despise the gravity and moderation which he useth = towards you."=20

2[112]:1 I say unto him; "Ask him, Sir, himself, whether from the = time that=20 he hath been in my house, I have done ought out of order, whereby I have = offended him."

2[112]:2 "I myself know," said he, "that thou hast done nothing out = of order,=20 nor art about to do so. And so I speak these things unto thee, that thou = mayest=20 persevere. For he hath given a good account of thee unto me. Thou = therefore=20 shalt speak these words to others, that they too who have practiced or = shall=20 practice repentance may be of the same mind as thou art; and he may give = a good=20 report of them to me, and I unto the Lord."

2[112]:3 "I too, Sir," I say, "declare to every man the mighty works = of the=20 Lord; for I hope that all who have sinned in the past, if they hear = these=20 things, will gladly repent and recover life."

2[112]:4 "Continue therefore," said he, "in this ministry, and = complete it=20 unto the end. For whosoever fulfill his commandments shall have life; = yea such a=20 man (shall have) great honor with the Lord. But whosoever keep not his=20 commandments, fly from their life, and oppose him, and follow not his=20 commandments, but deliver themselves over to death; and each one = becometh guilty=20 of his own blood. But I bid thee obey these commandments, and thou shalt = have a=20 remedy for thy sins.

3[113]:1 "Moreover, I have sent these virgins unto thee, that they = may dwell=20 with thee; for I have seen that they are friendly towards thee. Thou = hast them=20 therefore as helpers, that thou mayest be the better able to keep his=20 commandments; for it is impossible that these commandments be kept = without the=20 help of these virgins. I see too that they are glad to be with thee. But = I will=20 charge them that they depart not at all from thy house.

3[113]:2 Only do thou purify thy house; for in a clean house they = will gladly=20 dwell. For they are clean and chaste and industrious, and have favor in = the=20 sight of the Lord. If, therefore, they shall find thy house pure, they = will=20 continue with thee; but if the slightest pollution arise, they will = depart from=20 thy house at once. For these virgins love not pollution in any form." =

3[113]:3 I said unto him, "I hope, Sir, that I shall please them, so = that=20 they may gladly dwell in my house for ever; and just as he to whom thou = didst=20 deliver me maketh no complaint against me, so they likewise shall make = no=20 complaint."

3[113]:4 He saith unto the shepherd, "I perceive," saith he, "that he = wishes=20 to live as the servant of God, and that he will keep these commandments, = and=20 will place these virgins in a clean habitation."

3[113]:5 With these words he again delivered me over to the shepherd, = and=20 called the virgins, and said to them; "Inasmuch as I see that ye are = glad to=20 dwell in this man's house, I commend to you him and his house, that ye = depart=20 not at all from his house." But they heard these words gladly.

4[114]:1 He said then to me, "Quit you like a man in this ministry; = declare=20 to every man the mighty works of the Lord, and thou shalt have favor in = this=20 ministry. Whosoever therefore shall walk in these commandments, shall = live and=20 be happy in his life; but whosoever shall neglect them, shall not live, = and=20 shall be unhappy in his life.

4[114]:2 Charge all men who are able to do right, that they cease not = to=20 practice good works; for it is useful for them. I say moreover that = every man=20 ought to be rescued from misfortune; for he that hath need, and = suffereth=20 misfortune in his daily life, is in great torment and want.

4[114]:3 Whosoever therefore rescueth from penury a life of this = kind,=20 winneth great joy for himself. For he who is harassed by misfortune of = this sort=20 is afflicted and tortured with equal torment as one who is in chains. = For many=20 men on account of calamities of this kind, because they can bear them no = longer,=20 lay violent hands on themselves. He then who knows the calamity of a man = of this=20 kind and rescueth him not, committeth great sin, and becometh guilty of = the=20 man's blood.

4[114]:4 Do therefore good works, whoever of you have received = (benefits)=20 from the Lord, lest, while ye delay to do them, the building of the = tower be=20 completed. For it is on your account that the work of the building has = been=20 interrupted. Unless then ye hasten to do right, the tower will be = completed, and=20 ye shut out."

4[114]:5 When then he had finished speaking with me, he rose from the = couch=20 and departed, taking with him the shepherd and the virgins. He said = however unto=20 me, that he would send the shepherd and the virgins back again to my = house. .=20 .

The Shepherd of Hermas

Go to the Shepherd of = Hermas page.
Go to the Early Christian = Writings table=20 of contents.
This web page is copyright =A9 2001 Peter Kirby = <E-Mail>.

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