The Shepherd of Hermas (Similitude 2 – Similitude 9)
The Shepherd of Hermas
continued
Similitude 2
Chapter 1
Rich and poor like a vine and elm
1 As I was walking in the field, I was looking at an elm and a vine and thinking about them and their fruit. Then the shepherd appeared to me and said, “What are you puzzling over about the elm and the vine?” “I am thinking, sir,” I said, “that they suit each other very well.”[85] 2 “These two trees,” he said, “are set up as a picture for God’s servants.” “I would like to know,” I said, “what these trees you speak of picture.” “Do you see the elm and the vine?” he said. “I see them, sir,” I said. 3 “This vine,” he said, “bears fruit, but the elm is a tree without fruit. Yet if this vine does not climb up the elm, it cannot bear much fruit, because it lies sprawled on the ground. And the fruit it does bear is rotten, because it is not hanging on the elm. So when the vine is trained up onto the elm, it bears fruit both from itself and from the elm.”
4 “So you see that the elm also gives much fruit, no less than the vine, and in fact more.” “How can it give more, sir?” I said. “Because,” he said, “when the vine hangs on the elm it gives much good fruit, but when it lies on the ground it bears little fruit, and that rotten. So this parable applies to God’s servants, to the poor and the rich.” 5 “How, sir?” I said. “Explain it to me.” “Listen,” he said. “The rich man has money, but toward the Lord he is poor, because he is distracted by his wealth. His prayer and confession to the Lord are very small, and what he has is weak and small and has no power. But when the rich man relies on the poor man and gives him what he needs, he believes that what he does for the poor man can find a reward with God. For the poor man is rich in prayer and confession, and his prayer has great power with God. So the rich man supplies the poor man with everything, without hesitating.”[86]
6 “And the poor man, supplied by the rich man, prays to God for the one who gives to him, and thanks God. And the rich man becomes all the more eager to help the poor man, so that he is provided for without fail as long as he lives. For he knows that the poor man’s prayer is acceptable to the Lord and rich before him.” 7 “So both complete the work. The poor man works with his prayer, in which he is rich and which he received from the Lord. He gives it back to the Lord, who provides for him. In the same way the rich man, without hesitating, gives the poor man the wealth he received from the Lord. This is a great work and acceptable to God. For the rich man has shown understanding about his wealth. He has worked for the poor man out of the Lord’s gifts and has carried out his service rightly.”
8 “So in people’s eyes the elm seems to bear no fruit. They do not know or understand that in a drought the elm, which holds water, feeds the vine. And the vine, having water without interruption, gives double fruit, both for itself and for the elm. In the same way the poor, praying to the Lord for the rich, make the wealth of the rich complete. And the rich, supplying the poor with what they need, make the prayers of the poor complete.” 9 “So both become partners in the righteous work. Whoever does these things will not be abandoned by God but will be written in the books of the living.”[87] 10 “Blessed are those who have wealth and understand that they are enriched by the Lord. For whoever understands this will be able also to do some good service.”
Similitude 3
Chapter 1
1 He showed me many trees without leaves, which seemed to me dry, for they were all alike. He said to me, “Do you see these trees?” “I see them, sir,” I said, “alike and dry.” He answered me, “These trees you see are those who live in this age.”[88] 2 “Why, sir,” I said, “do they look dry and all alike?” “Because,” he said, “in this age neither the righteous nor sinners can be seen for what they are; they look alike. For this age is winter for the righteous, and since they live among sinners, they cannot be told apart.” 3 “For just as in winter trees that have shed their leaves look alike, and you can’t tell which are dry and which are alive, so in this age you cannot see who are righteous and who are sinners, but all look alike.”
Similitude 4
Chapter 1
The budding and withered trees
1 He showed me again many trees, some budding and some dry, and said to me, “Do you see these trees?” “I see them, sir,” I said, “some budding, some dry.”[89] 2 “These trees that are budding,” he said, “are the righteous who will live in the age to come. For the age to come is summer for the righteous, but winter for sinners. So when the mercy of the Lord shines, then those who serve God will be revealed, and everyone will be revealed.” 3 “For just as in summer the fruit of each tree is revealed and it is known what kind it is, so the fruit of the righteous will be plain, and they will all be known, flourishing in that age.” 4 “But the pagans and the sinners, the dry trees you saw, will be found just like them, dry and fruitless in that age. They will be burned like wood, and they will be shown for what they are, because their conduct in their lives was evil. For the sinners will be burned because they sinned and did not repent. The pagans will be burned because they did not know the one who made them.”
5 “So you, bear fruit, so that in that summer your fruit may be known. Keep away from too much business, and you will not sin at all. For those who are busy with many things also sin much. They are distracted by their affairs and do not serve their Lord at all.” 6 “How, then,” he said, “can such a person ask anything from the Lord and receive it, if he does not serve the Lord? Those who serve him will receive their requests. But those who do not serve the Lord will receive nothing.” 7 “But if someone is occupied with only one business, he can serve the Lord too. For his mind will not be corrupted and drawn away from the Lord, but he will serve him with a pure mind.” 8 “So if you do this, you can bear fruit for the age to come. And whoever does this will bear fruit.”
Similitude 5
Chapter 1
Fasting
1 While I was fasting, sitting on a mountain and thanking the Lord for everything he had done with me, I saw the shepherd sitting beside me, saying, “Why have you come here so early?” “Because, sir,” I said, “I am keeping a station.”[90] 2 “What is a station?” he said. “I am fasting, sir,” I said. “And what is this fast you are keeping?” he said. “I am fasting the way I usually do, sir,” I said. 3 “You do not know how to fast to the Lord,” he said. “This useless fast you keep for him is not a fast.” “Why, sir,” I said, “do you say this?” “I tell you,” he said, “that what you think is fasting is not a fast at all. But I will teach you what fast is acceptable and complete to the Lord. Listen,” he said. 4 “God does not want such a pointless fast. For if you fast to God in this way, you accomplish nothing for righteousness. But fast to God this kind of fast:”
5 “Do nothing evil in your life, but serve the Lord with a pure heart. Keep his commandments, walking in his instructions, and let no evil desire come up in your heart. Trust God that if you do these things, and fear him, and keep yourself from every evil deed, you will live to God. And if you do these things, you will keep a great fast, acceptable to God.”[91]
Chapter 2
The parable of Fasting
1 “Listen to the parable I am going to tell you, which goes with fasting.” 2 “A man had a field and many servants, and he planted part of the field as a vineyard. He chose one servant who was faithful, pleasing to him, and held in honor. He called him over and said to him: ‘Take this vineyard that I planted and put a fence around it until I come. Do nothing else to the vineyard. Keep this command of mine, and I will give you your freedom.’ Then the servant’s master went away on a journey.” 3 “After he left, the servant took the vineyard and fenced it. When he finished fencing the vineyard, he saw that it was full of weeds.” 4 “So he thought to himself: ‘I have finished this command of my master. Next I will dig over this vineyard. It will look better once it is dug, and without weeds it will give more fruit, not being choked by the weeds.’ So he set to work, dug the vineyard, and pulled out all the weeds in it. And that vineyard became very beautiful and thriving, with no weeds to choke it.”
5 “After some time the master of the servant and of the field came and went into the vineyard. When he saw the vineyard fenced nicely, and also dug, with all the weeds pulled out and the vines thriving, he was very pleased with what the servant had done.” 6 “So he called his beloved son, whom he had as heir, and the friends he had as advisers, and told them what he had ordered his servant to do and what he had found done. They rejoiced with the servant for the good report the master had given him.” 7 “And he said to them: ‘I promised this servant his freedom if he kept the command I gave him. He kept my command and added a good work to the vineyard, and it pleased me very much. So in return for this work that he did, I want to make him a co-heir with my son, because when he thought of something good, he did not neglect it but carried it out.’”
8 “The master’s son agreed with this decision, that the servant should become co-heir with the son.” 9 “A few days later the master gave a dinner and sent him many dishes from the dinner. The servant took the dishes that were sent him by the master, kept what was enough for himself, and gave the rest to his fellow servants.” 10 “His fellow servants received the dishes and were glad, and began to pray for him, that he would find greater favor with the master, because he treated them this way.” 11 “His master heard about all this and was again very glad at what he had done. The master called together his friends and his son again and told them what the servant had done with the dishes he had received. And they agreed all the more that the servant should become co-heir with his son.”
Chapter 3
The application of the parable to Fasting
1 I said, “Sir, I do not know these parables and cannot understand them unless you explain them to me.” 2 “I will explain everything to you,” he said, “and whatever I say to you.” 3 “I will show you his commandments. If you do something good beyond what God commands, you will gain for yourself greater glory and will be more honored with God than you were going to be. So if, while keeping the commandments of God, you add these services also, you will rejoice, if you keep them according to my command.”[92] 4 I said to him, “Sir, I will keep whatever you command me, for I know that you are with me.” “I will be with you,” he said, “because you have such eagerness to do good. And I will be with all who have this eagerness.” 5 “This fast,” he said, “is very good if the commandments of the Lord are kept. So this is how you are to keep the fast you are going to observe:”
6 “First of all, guard yourself from every evil word and every evil desire and cleanse your heart of all the empty things of this age. If you keep these things, this fast will be complete for you.” 7 “And you will do it like this. After you have carried out what is written, on the day you fast you will taste nothing except bread and water. Add up the cost of the foods you would have eaten that day, and give that amount to a widow, an orphan, or someone in need. In this way you will humble yourself, so that through your humility the one who receives it may fill his own soul and pray for you to the Lord.” 8 “So if you carry out the fast this way, as I commanded you, your sacrifice will be acceptable to God, and this fast will be recorded. The service done in this way is good, cheerful, and well received by the Lord.”
9 “You will keep these things this way with your children and your whole household. If you keep them you will be blessed. And all who hear and keep them will be blessed, and whatever they ask of the Lord they will receive.”
Chapter 4
The application of the parable as to the servant
1 I begged him earnestly to explain to me the parable of the field, the master, the vineyard, the servant who fenced the vineyard, the fences, the weeds pulled out of the vineyard, the son, and the friends who were his advisers. For I understood that all of this was a parable. 2 He answered, “You are far too forward in asking questions. You ought not to ask anything at all. If something needs to be explained to you, it will be explained.” I said to him, “Sir, whatever you show me without explaining it, I will have seen for nothing, since I won’t understand what it is. In the same way, if you tell me parables and do not interpret them, I will have heard something from you for nothing.” 3 Again he answered me, “Whoever is a servant of God and has his Lord in his heart asks him for understanding and receives it. He can interpret every parable, and the words of the Lord that were spoken in parables become clear to him. But those who are weak and lazy in prayer hesitate to ask anything of the Lord.
4 “The Lord is full of compassion and gives without ceasing to everyone who asks him. But you have been strengthened by the holy angel and have received from him such a gift of prayer, and you are not lazy. Why, then, do you not ask the Lord for understanding and receive it from him?”[93] 5 I said to him, “Sir, since I have you with me, I have to ask you and question you, for you show me everything and speak with me. If I had seen or heard these things without you, I would have asked the Lord to explain them to me.”
Chapter 5
The further application
1 “I told you a moment ago,” he said, “that you are cunning and stubborn in asking for the explanations of parables. But since you are so persistent, I will explain to you the parable of the field and everything that follows from it, so that you can make it all known to everyone. Listen now and understand it. 2 “The field is this world. The lord of the field is the one who created all things, finished them, and gave them strength. The servant is the Son of God, and the vines are this people, whom he himself planted.[94] 3 “The fences are the holy angels of the Lord who hold his people together. The weeds pulled out of the vineyard are the lawless acts of God’s servants. The food he sent him from the dinner is the commandments that he gave to his people through his Son. The friends and advisers are the holy angels who were created first. And the master’s going away is the time that remains until his coming.”
4 I said to him, “Sir, everything is great and wonderful, and everything is glorious. How could I have understood these things? Not even another person, however wise, could understand them.” Then I said, “Sir, explain to me one more thing that I am about to ask you.” 5 “Say what you wish,” he said. “Sir,” I said, “why is the Son of God shown in the parable in the role of a servant?”
Chapter 6
The son of God as servant
1 “Listen,” he said. “The Son of God is not placed in the role of a servant. He is placed in great authority and lordship.” “How, sir?” I said. “I don’t understand.” 2 “Because,” he said, “God planted the vineyard, that is, he created the people, and handed it over to his Son. The Son appointed the angels over them to watch over them. And he himself cleansed their sins, working hard and enduring many labors, for no vineyard can be dug without toil or effort. 3 “So when he had cleansed the sins of the people, he showed them the paths of life by giving them the law that he received from his Father.” [John 12:49-50] 4 “Now listen to why the Lord took his Son and the glorious angels as advisers about the servant’s inheritance. 5 “God made the Holy Spirit, who existed beforehand and who created all creation, to dwell in the flesh that he chose. This flesh, in which the Holy Spirit lived, served the Spirit well, conducting itself with dignity and purity, and never defiled the Spirit at all.[95]
6 “Because this flesh lived well and purely, labored together with the Spirit, worked with it in every matter, and behaved with strength and courage, God chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit. The conduct of this flesh pleased him, because it was not defiled on earth while it carried the Holy Spirit. 7 “So he took the Son and the glorious angels as advisers, so that this flesh also, having served the Spirit without fault, might have some place to dwell and not appear to have lost the reward for its service. For all flesh in which the Holy Spirit has lived will receive a reward, if it is found undefiled and spotless. 8 “Now you have the explanation of this parable as well.”
Chapter 7
The practical conclusion
1 “Sir, I was glad to hear this explanation,” I said. “Now listen,” he said. “Keep this flesh of yours pure and undefiled, so that the spirit living in it may bear witness for it and your flesh may be declared righteous. 2 “Be careful that it never enters your mind that this flesh of yours is perishable, and so misuse it in some defilement. If you defile your flesh, you will defile the Holy Spirit as well. And if you defile the flesh, you will not live.” 3 “But, sir,” I said, “what if someone acted in ignorance before these words were heard? How can a person who has defiled his flesh be saved?” “For earlier acts of ignorance,” he said, “only God can give healing, for all authority is his. 4 “He will heal them if, from now on, you defile neither your flesh nor your spirit, for the two belong together and neither can be defiled without the other. So keep both pure, and you will live to God.”
Similitude 6
Chapter 1
Introduction
1 I was sitting in my house, glorifying the Lord for everything I had seen, and thinking about the commandments: that they were good, powerful, joyful, and glorious, and able to save a person’s soul. I said to myself, “I will be blessed if I walk in these commandments, and whoever walks in them will be blessed.” 2 While I was saying this to myself, I suddenly saw him sitting beside me. He said, “Why are you double-minded about the commandments I gave you? They are good. Do not be double-minded at all. Put on the faith of the Lord, and you will walk in them, for I will strengthen you in them. 3 “These commandments are useful for those who are about to repent. If they do not walk in them, their repentance is in vain. 4 “So you who are repenting, throw off the wickedness of this age, which wears you down. Put on every virtue of righteousness, and you will be able to keep these commandments and stop adding to your sins. Walk, then, in these commandments of mine, and you will live to God. All of this has been spoken to you by me.”
The vision of the Shepherds
5 After he had spoken with me in this way, he said to me, “Let’s go out to the countryside, and I will show you the shepherds of the sheep.” “Let’s go, sir,” I said. We came to a plain, and he showed me a young shepherd dressed in a saffron-colored outfit. 6 He was pasturing a great many sheep. These sheep seemed to be living in luxury and were very pampered, and they were skipping about happily here and there. The shepherd himself was very cheerful over his flock. Even his appearance was very cheerful, and he ran around among the sheep.
Chapter 2
The Shepherd of luxury
1 He said to me, “Do you see this shepherd?” “I see him, sir,” I said. “This,” he said, “is the angel of luxury and deceit. He wears down the souls of God’s servants and turns them away from the truth, deceiving them with evil desires that destroy them. 2 “They forget the commandments of the living God and walk in deceit and empty pleasures, and this angel destroys them, some to death and some to ruin.” 3 I said to him, “Sir, I don’t know what it means to be destroyed ‘to death’ and what it means ‘to ruin.’” “Listen,” he said. “The sheep you saw that were cheerful and skipping are those who have been torn away from God completely and have handed themselves over to the desires of this age. For them there is no repentance that leads to life, because they added to their sins and blasphemed the name of God. These are the ones who are headed for death.[96]
4 “The sheep you saw that were not skipping but grazing in one place are those who have handed themselves over to luxury and deceit, but who have not blasphemed the Lord at all. These have been ruined and led away from the truth. For them there is still hope of repentance, by which they can live. So ruin has some hope of renewal, but death means destruction forever.”
The Shepherd of Punishment
5 I went on a little farther, and he showed me a large shepherd who looked wild. He was wearing a white goatskin and carried a bag on his shoulders, a very hard staff with knots in it, and a large whip. His gaze was so harsh that I was afraid of him. 6 This shepherd was taking over from the young shepherd those sheep that were pampered and living in luxury but were not skipping. He drove them into a steep place full of thorns and thistles, so that the sheep could not free themselves from the thorns and thistles but were tangled up in them. 7 So they grazed tangled in the thorns and thistles, and they were in great misery as he beat them. He drove them here and there and gave them no rest, and those sheep had no peace at all.
Chapter 3
1 When I saw them being whipped and suffering in this way, I felt sorry for them, because they were tormented like that and had no relief at all. 2 I said to the shepherd who was speaking with me, “Sir, who is this shepherd who is so hard and bitter and has no pity at all for these sheep?” “This,” he said, “is the angel of punishment. He is one of the righteous angels, but he is put in charge of punishment. 3 “He takes those who have wandered away from God and followed the desires and deceits of this age, and he punishes them as they deserve, with terrible and varied punishments.” 4 “Sir,” I said, “I would like to know what these various punishments are.” “Listen to the various torments and punishments,” he said. “These torments belong to this life. Some are punished with losses, some with want, some with all kinds of illness, some with every kind of turmoil, some by being insulted by unworthy people, and some by suffering in many other circumstances.[97]
5 “Many people are restless in their plans and attempt many things, but nothing at all succeeds for them. They say they are not prospering in their business, and it never enters their minds that they have done evil. Instead they blame the Lord. 6 “When they have been afflicted with every kind of affliction, then they are handed over to me for good discipline, and they are made strong in the faith of the Lord. For the rest of their lives they serve the Lord with a pure heart. If they repent, then it comes to their minds what evil things they did, and they glorify God, saying that he is a righteous judge and that each one suffered justly according to his deeds. From then on they serve the Lord with a pure heart, they prosper in everything they do, and they receive from the Lord whatever they ask. Then they glorify the Lord because they were handed over to me, and they no longer suffer any of the evils.” [Matthew 21:22]
Chapter 4
1 I said to him, “Sir, explain this one more thing to me.” “What else do you want to know?” he said. “Sir,” I said, “are those who live in luxury and are deceived punished for the same length of time that they lived in luxury and were deceived?” He said to me, “They are punished for the same length of time.” 2 “Sir,” I said, “that is a very short punishment. People who live in such luxury and forget God ought to be punished seven times as long.” 3 He said to me, “You are foolish and do not understand the power of punishment.” “Sir,” I said, “if I did understand, I would not be asking you to explain.” “Listen,” he said, “to the power of both. 4 “The time of luxury and deceit is one hour, but an hour of punishment has the force of thirty days. So if someone enjoys luxury and is deceived for one day, and is punished for one day, that day of punishment counts as a whole year. A person is punished for as many years as the days he spent in luxury. You see, then,” he said, “that the time of luxury and deceit is very short, while the time of punishment and torment is long.”[98]
Chapter 5
1 “Sir,” I said, “I still don’t understand at all about the time of deceit, luxury, and punishment. Explain it to me more clearly.” 2 He answered me, “Your foolishness lingers. You do not want to purify your heart and serve God. Be careful that the time does not run out and you are found still foolish. So listen, as you wish, so that you may understand. 3 “A person who lives in luxury and deceit for one day and does whatever he likes is clothed in great foolishness and does not understand what he is doing. By the next day he has forgotten what he did the day before, for luxury and deceit have no memory, because of the foolishness they put on. But when punishment and torment cling to a person for a single day, he is punished and tormented for a whole year, because punishment and torment have a long memory.
4 “So after a whole year of being tormented and punished, he remembers his luxury and deceit and recognizes that he is suffering these evils because of them. Everyone who lives in luxury and deceit is tormented in this way, because although they have life, they have handed themselves over to death.” 5 “Sir,” I said, “which kinds of luxury are harmful?” “Every action is a luxury for a person,” he said, “if he does it with pleasure. Even the hot-tempered man lives in luxury when he satisfies his own passion. So do the adulterer, the drunkard, the slanderer, the liar, the greedy person, the swindler, and everyone who does things like these: each satisfies his own disease. He lives in luxury through his own action. 6 “All these luxuries are harmful to God’s servants. It is because of these deceptions that those who are punished and tormented suffer. 7 “But there are also luxuries that save people. Many who do good find luxury in it, carried along by their own pleasure. This kind of luxury is useful for God’s servants and brings life to such a person. The harmful luxuries I described before bring them torment and punishment. And if they stay in them and do not repent, they bring death on themselves.”[99]
Similitude 7
Chapter 1
The reason for the continued punishment of the penitent
1 A few days later I saw him on the same plain where I had seen the shepherds. He said to me, “What are you looking for?” “I am here, sir,” I said, “so that you will order the shepherd of punishment to leave my house, because he is afflicting me severely.” “You must be afflicted,” he said. “The glorious angel gave this order about you, because he wants you to be tested.” “But sir,” I said, “what have I done that is so evil that I should be handed over to this angel?”[100] 2 “Listen,” he said. “Your sins are many, but not so many that you should be handed over to this angel. But your household has committed great lawless acts and sins, and the glorious angel was embittered by what they did. For this reason he ordered you to be afflicted for a time, so that they too might repent and cleanse themselves from every desire of this age. When they repent and are cleansed, the angel of punishment will leave you.”
3 I said to him, “Sir, if they did such things that the glorious angel was embittered, what did I do?” “There is no other way for them to be afflicted,” he said, “except for you, the head of the house, to be afflicted. When you are afflicted, they will necessarily be afflicted too. But while you are doing well, they cannot suffer any affliction.” 4 “But look, sir,” I said, “they have repented with their whole heart.” “I too know that they have repented with their whole heart,” he said. “But do you think the sins of those who repent are forgiven immediately? Not at all. The person who repents must torment his own soul and be thoroughly humble in everything he does, and he must be afflicted with all kinds of afflictions. If he bears the troubles that come on him, then the one who created everything and gave it strength will surely have compassion and give him some healing.[101] [Psalm 69]
5 “This will surely happen if he sees that the heart of the repentant person is clean from every evil thing. It is good for you and your household to be afflicted now. Why should I say more to you? You must be afflicted, just as that angel of the Lord who handed you over to me commanded. And give thanks to the Lord that he thought you worthy to be shown the affliction ahead of time, so that, knowing it beforehand, you might bear it with strength.” 6 I said to him, “Sir, be with me, and I will be able to bear any affliction.” “I will be with you,” he said. “I will also ask the angel of punishment to afflict you more lightly. But you will be afflicted for a short time, and then you will be restored to your house. Just stay humble and serve the Lord with a pure heart, you and your children and your household, and walk in my commandments that I am giving you. Then your repentance can be strong and pure.
7 “If you keep these commandments with your household, all affliction will leave you. And indeed,” he said, “affliction will leave everyone who walks in these commandments of mine.”
Similitude 8
Chapter 1
The parable of the willow-tree
1 He showed me a great willow tree covering plains and mountains, and all who are called by the name of the Lord had come under the shelter of the willow. 2 Beside the willow stood a very tall and glorious angel of the Lord, holding a large pruning knife. He was cutting branches from the willow and handing them to the people sheltered by the willow. The branches he handed them were little rods, about a cubit long.[102] 3 After everyone had received a rod, the angel put down the knife, and the tree was as healthy as when I had first seen it. 4 I was amazed and said to myself, “How can the tree be healthy when so many branches have been cut off?” The shepherd said to me, “Do not be amazed that the tree stayed healthy even though so many branches were cut. When you have seen everything, it will be made clear to you what it is.”
5 The angel who had handed out the rods asked the people for them back. In the same order in which they had received them, they were called to him, and each one returned his rod. The angel of the Lord took them and examined them. 6 From some he received rods that were dry and, as it were, eaten by moths. The angel ordered those who handed in rods like that to stand apart. 7 Others handed in rods that were dry but not moth-eaten. He ordered these to stand apart too. 8 Others handed in rods that were half dry, and these stood apart. 9 Others handed in rods that were half dry and had cracks, and these stood apart. 10 Others handed in rods that were green but had cracks, and these stood apart. 11 Others handed in rods that were half dry and half green, and these stood apart. 12 Others brought rods that were two-thirds green and one-third dry, and these stood apart.
13 Others handed in rods that were two-thirds dry and one-third green, and these stood apart. 14 Others handed in rods that were almost completely green, with only a very small part dry, just the tip, but with cracks in them, and these stood apart. 15 Others had rods with very little green and the rest dry, and these stood apart. 16 Others came carrying rods that were green, just as they had received them from the angel. Most of the crowd handed in rods like that. The angel was very glad about these people, and they stood apart. 17 Others handed in rods that were green and had shoots. These stood apart, and the angel was very glad about them too. 18 Others handed in rods that were green and had shoots, and the shoots had something like fruit on them. The people whose rods were found like this were very joyful. The angel rejoiced over them, and the shepherd was very joyful about them too.
Chapter 2
1 The angel of the Lord ordered crowns to be brought. Crowns were brought that looked as if they were made from palm branches. He crowned the people who had handed in rods with shoots and some fruit, and sent them off into the tower. 2 He also sent the others into the tower: those who had handed in rods that were green and had shoots, but whose shoots had no fruit. He gave them seals. 3 All who went into the tower were wearing the same clothing, white as snow. 4 He also sent away those who handed in their rods green, just as they had received them, and gave them clothing and seals.
The instruction of the angel to the Shepherd
5 When the angel had finished this, he said to the shepherd, “I am going. You are to send these people inside the walls, each one according to where he deserves to live. Examine their rods carefully and then dismiss them. Examine them carefully. Be careful that no one gets past you. If anyone does get past you, I will test them myself at the altar.” After saying this to the shepherd, he left. 6 After the angel left, the shepherd said to me, “Let’s take everyone’s rods and plant them, and see whether any of them can live.” I said to him, “Sir, how can these dry things live?”
The treatment, of the sticks by the shepherd
7 He answered me, “This tree is a willow, and willows are a kind that clings to life. If the rods are planted and get a little moisture, many of them will live. Then we will also try pouring water on them. If any of them can live, I will rejoice with them. If one does not live, I will not be found negligent.” 8 The shepherd told me to call the people, each as he had been standing. They came by groups and handed their rods to the shepherd. The shepherd took the rods and planted them group by group, and after planting them he poured so much water on them that the rods could not be seen for the water. 9 After he had watered the rods, he said to me, “Let’s go, and come back in a few days and look at all the rods. The one who created this tree wants everyone who received branches from it to live. I also hope that most of these little rods will live, now that they have taken in moisture and been watered.”[103]
Chapter 3
The explanation of the parable
1 I said to him, “Sir, tell me what this tree is. I am puzzled about it, because although so many branches were cut, the tree is healthy and nothing seems to have been cut from it. That is what puzzles me.” 2 “Listen,” he said. “This great tree that covers plains and mountains and the whole earth is the law of God, which was given to the whole world. This law is the Son of God, proclaimed to the ends of the earth. The peoples under its shelter are those who have heard the proclamation and believed in him.[104] 3 “The great and glorious angel is Michael, who has authority over this people and governs them. He is the one who puts the law into the hearts of those who believe. So he checks on those to whom he gave it, to see whether they have kept it.[105] 4 “You see the rods of each person, for the rods are the law. So you see that many rods have been made useless, and you will know who they are: all those who have not kept the law. And you will see where each of them will live.”
5 I said to him, “Sir, why did he send some into the tower and leave others to you?” “All who broke the law they received from him,” he said, “he left to my authority for repentance. But all who have already satisfied the law and kept it, he keeps under his own authority.” 6 “Sir,” I said, “who then are the ones who were crowned and are going into the tower?” “Those who wrestled against the devil and defeated him,” he said, “have been crowned. These are the ones who suffered for the law. 7 “The others also handed in rods that were green and had shoots, but no fruit. These are those who were afflicted for the sake of the law but did not actually suffer, and did not deny their law.[106] 8 “And those who handed in their rods green, just as they received them, are the reverent and righteous, who have walked very far with a pure heart and kept the commandments of the Lord. You will learn the rest when I examine these rods that were planted and watered.”
Chapter 4
The continuation of the parable
1 A few days later we came to the place. The shepherd sat down in the angel’s seat, and I stood beside him. He said to me, “Put on a linen apron and serve me.” I put on a clean apron made of sackcloth. 2 When he saw that I was dressed and ready to serve him, he said, “Call the men whose rods have been planted, in the order in which each gave in his rod.” I went out to the plain and called all of them, and they all stood in their groups. 3 He said to them, “Let each one pull up his own rod and bring it to me.” 4 First to hand them in were those whose rods had been dry and cut. When their rods were found still dry and cut, he ordered them to stand apart. 5 Next came those whose rods had been dry but not cut. Some of them handed in rods that were now green, and some handed in rods that were dry and cut, as if by moths. He ordered those who handed in green rods to stand apart, and those who handed in dry, cut rods he ordered to stand with the first group.
6 Then came those whose rods had been half dry and cracked. Many of them handed in rods that were green and without cracks. Some handed in rods that were green and had shoots, with fruit on the shoots, like the fruit of those who had gone into the tower wearing crowns. Some handed in rods that were dry and eaten, some dry and not eaten, and some that were still half dry and cracked. He ordered each of them to stand apart, some with their own groups and some separately.
Chapter 5
1 Then came those who had rods that were green but cracked. All of these handed in rods that were green, and they stood with their own group. The shepherd rejoiced over them because they had all changed and lost their cracks. 2 Those who had rods half green and half dry also handed them in. The rods of some were found completely green, of some half dry, of some dry and eaten, and of some green with shoots. All of these were sent, each to his own group. 3 Then came those who had rods two-thirds green and one-third dry. Many of them handed in rods that were green, many half dry, and others dry and eaten. All of these stood with their own group. 4 Then came those who had rods two-thirds dry and one-third green. Many of them handed in rods half dry, some dry and eaten, others half dry and cracked, and a few green. All of these stood with their own group.
5 Next came those whose rods had been green, but with a very small part dry, and with cracks. Some of these handed in rods that were green, and some green with shoots. These also went to their own group. 6 Then came those who had only a little green, with the rest dry. Their rods were found to be mostly green, with shoots and fruit on the shoots, and others were completely green. The shepherd rejoiced very greatly over these rods, because they were found like this. They went off, each to his own group.
Chapter 6
The further explanation
1 After the shepherd had examined everyone’s rods, he said to me, “I told you this tree loves life. Do you see how many repented and were saved?” “I see it, sir,” I said. “You see this,” he said, “so that you may see the Lord’s abundant compassion, how great and glorious it is. He has given the Spirit to those who are worthy of repentance.” 2 “Sir,” I said, “why did they not all repent?” “He gave repentance to those whose hearts he saw were going to become pure and serve him with their whole heart,” he said. “But to those whose deceit and wickedness he saw, who would repent only in hypocrisy, he did not give repentance, so that they would not defile his name again.” 3 I said to him, “Sir, now explain to me about those who handed in the rods: what each of them is like, and where they will live. I ask this so that those who have believed, received the seal, broken it, and not kept it whole may hear, recognize their own deeds, and repent. Then they could receive a seal from you and glorify the Lord, because he had mercy on them and sent you to renew their spirits.”[107]
4 “Listen,” he said. “Those whose rods were found dry and eaten by moths are the apostates and betrayers of the church. They blasphemed the Lord in their sins, and they were also ashamed of the name of the Lord that had been called over them. So these are lost to God for good. You see that not one of them repented, although they heard the words that you spoke to them, which I commanded you. Life has departed from such people.[108] [James 2:7] 5 “Those who handed in rods that were dry but not moth-eaten are close to them. They were hypocrites who brought in strange teachings and turned God’s servants aside, especially those who had sinned. They would not allow them to repent, but won them over with their foolish teachings. These still have hope of repentance. 6 “You see that many of them have repented since I spoke my commandments to them, and more will still repent. Those who do not repent have lost their lives. But those of them who repented became good, and they were given a place to live in the first walls. Some even went up into the tower. You see, then,” he said, “that repentance from sins brings life, and not repenting brings death.
Chapter 7
1 “Now listen about those who handed in rods that were half dry and had cracks. Those whose rods were half dry are the double-minded, for they are neither alive nor dead. 2 “Those who had rods that were half dry and cracked are double-minded and slanderers. They are never at peace among themselves, but are always stirring up division. But repentance is waiting for these too,” he said. “You see that some of them have repented, and there is still hope of repentance among them. 3 “Those of them who have repented will have their place in the tower. Those who repented more slowly will live in the walls. But those who do not repent, and remain in their deeds, will surely die. 4 “Those who handed in rods that were green but cracked were always faithful and good. But they had some rivalry among themselves about who should be first and about reputation. All of these are foolish for competing with one another about who is first.
5 “But even these, when they heard my commandments, purified themselves and quickly repented, because they were good. So they were given a place to live in the tower. But if any of them turns back to division, he will be thrown out of the tower and lose his life. 6 “Life belongs to everyone who keeps the commandments of the Lord. And in the commandments there is nothing about being first or about reputation, but about patience and humility. In such people is the life of the Lord, but among the divisive and lawless there is death.
Chapter 8
1 “Those who handed in rods half green and half dry are those who are tangled up in business affairs and do not cling to the saints. This is why half of them is alive and half is dead. 2 “Many of them, when they heard my commandments, repented. All who repented have their place in the tower. But some of them fell away for good. These have no repentance, for because of their business they blasphemed the Lord and denied him. They lost their life through the evil they did. 3 “Many of them were double-minded. These still have repentance, if they repent quickly, and their place will be in the tower. If they repent more slowly, they will live in the walls. If they do not repent, they too have lost their life. 4 “Those who handed in rods two-thirds green and one-third dry are those who have denied in many different ways.
5 “Many of them repented and went to live in the tower. But many fell away from God for good, and these lost life for good. Some of them were double-minded and caused divisions. These have repentance, if they repent quickly and do not stay in their pleasures. But if they keep on in their deeds, they too are bringing death on themselves.
Chapter 9
1 “Those who handed in rods two-thirds dry and one-third green are those who became believers, but then grew rich and gained honor among the Gentiles. They put on great arrogance and became proud. They abandoned the truth and did not stay close to the righteous, but lived together with the Gentiles, and that way of life became more pleasant to them. Yet they did not leave God; they stayed in the faith, but did not do the works of faith. 2 “Many of them repented, and they were given a place to live in the tower. 3 “But others lived with the Gentiles to the end, were corrupted by the empty pride of the Gentiles, left God, and did the things the Gentiles do. These were counted with the Gentiles. 4 “Others of them were double-minded, not hoping to be saved because of the things they had done. Others were double-minded and caused divisions among themselves. For those who became double-minded because of what they had done, there is still repentance. But their repentance must be quick, so that their place may be in the tower. For those who do not repent, but stay in their pleasures, death is near.
Chapter 10
1 “Those who handed in rods that were green, but with the very tips dry and cracked, were always good, faithful, and honored by God. They sinned only a little, through small desires and through having small grievances against one another. But when they heard my words, most of them repented quickly, and they came to dwell in the tower. 2 “Some of them were double-minded, and some of the double-minded caused a greater division. For these there is hope of repentance, because they were always good, and hardly any of them will die. 3 “Those who handed in rods that were dry with only a little green are those who only believed, but did the works of lawlessness. Yet they never left God. They bore his name gladly, and they gladly welcomed God’s servants into their homes. When they heard about this repentance, they repented without hesitation, and now they practice every virtue and righteousness.
4 “Some of them are afraid, because they know what they did. All of these will have their place in the tower.”
Chapter 11
Conclusion
1 When he had finished explaining all the rods, he said to me, “Go and tell everyone to repent and live to God. The Lord sent me out of compassion to give repentance to everyone, even though some are not worthy of it because of what they have done. But the Lord is patient and wants those who were called through his Son to be saved.”[109] 2 I said to him, “Sir, I hope that all who hear this will repent. I am convinced that everyone who recognizes his own deeds and fears God will repent.” 3 He answered me, “All who repent with their whole heart, cleanse themselves of the evils I listed before, and add nothing more to their sins will receive healing from the Lord for their earlier sins. They will live to God, provided they are not double-minded about these commandments. But those who add to their sins and walk in the desires of this age will condemn themselves to death.
4 “You, though, walk in my commandments and you will live to God. All who walk in them and do what is right will live to God.” 5 After showing me all this and telling me everything, he said to me, “I will show you the rest in a few days.”
Similitude 9
Chapter 1
Introduction
1 After I had written down the commandments and parables of the Shepherd, the angel of repentance, he came to me and said, “I want to show you everything that was shown to you by the Holy Spirit, who spoke with you in the form of the church. That Spirit is the Son of God.[110] 2 “Since you were too weak in the flesh, it was not shown to you by an angel. But when you were strengthened by the Spirit and made strong in your own strength, so that you could even see an angel, then the building of the tower was shown to you through the church. You saw everything well and with dignity, as if from a young woman. Now you see by means of an angel, but through the same Spirit. 3 “But you must learn everything more precisely from me. That is why I was given by the glorious angel to live in your house, so that you might see everything with strength and not be afraid, as you were before.”
The vision of the Mountains
4 He took me away to Arcadia, to a mountain shaped like a breast, and set me on the summit. He showed me a great plain, and around the plain twelve mountains, each mountain with a different appearance. 5 The first was black as soot. The second was bare, with no vegetation. The third was full of thorns and thistles. 6 The fourth had plants that were half dried up: the tops of the plants were green, but the parts near the roots were dry. Some of the plants dried up when the sun scorched them. 7 The fifth mountain had green plants and was rugged. The sixth mountain was completely full of cracks, some small and some large. The cracks had plants in them, but the plants were not very healthy; they looked rather as if they were withering. 8 The seventh mountain had lush, fresh vegetation, and the whole mountain was thriving. Every kind of livestock and bird was feeding on that mountain, and the more the animals and birds ate, the more the plants on it flourished. The eighth mountain was full of springs, and every kind of creature the Lord had made drank from the springs of that mountain.
9 The ninth mountain had no water at all and was completely desert. It had wild beasts and deadly reptiles on it that killed people. The tenth mountain had enormous trees and was shaded all over, and under the shelter of the trees sheep lay resting and chewing the cud. 10 The eleventh mountain was thick with trees, and those trees were loaded with fruit, each decorated with different fruits, so that anyone who saw them would want to eat their fruit. The twelfth mountain was entirely white, its appearance was cheerful, and the mountain was most beautiful in itself.
Chapter 2
The great stone in the plain
1 In the middle of the plain he showed me a great white rock rising out of the plain. The rock was higher than the mountains and square, so that it could hold the whole world. 2 The rock was old, and it had a gate cut into it. The cutting of the gate seemed to me to be recent. The gate shone brighter than the sun, so that I marveled at its brightness.
The Maidens
3 Around the gate stood twelve young women. The four standing at the corners seemed to me more glorious than the others, though the others were glorious too. They stood at the four sides of the gate, with two young women between each pair of corners. 4 They were dressed in linen tunics and neatly belted, with their right shoulders bare, as if they were about to carry a load. That is how ready they were, for they were very cheerful and eager. 5 After I had seen this I marveled to myself, because I was seeing great and glorious things. Again I was puzzled by the young women, because although they were so delicate, they stood there bravely, as if they were about to carry the whole sky. 6 The shepherd said to me, “Why are you turning things over in your mind, getting puzzled and making yourself sad? Whatever you cannot understand, do not try to force it, if you are wise, but ask the Lord to give you understanding so that you can understand it.
7 “You cannot see what is behind you, but you can see what is in front of you. Leave aside what you cannot see, and do not torment yourself over it. Master what you do see, and do not be overly curious about the rest. I will explain to you everything that I show you. So look at the rest.”
Chapter 3
The six men
1 I saw six men come, tall, glorious, and alike in appearance. They called a large crowd of men, and those who came were also tall, handsome, and strong. The six men ordered them to build a tower on top of the rock. There was a great commotion among the men who had come to build the tower, as they ran back and forth around the gate. 2 The young women standing around the gate told the men to hurry and build the tower. The young women held out their hands as if to take something from the men.
The ten stones
3 The six men ordered stones to come up from a deep place and go into the building of the tower. Ten shining square stones came up, which had not been cut from a quarry. 4 The six men called the young women and ordered them to carry all the stones that were to go into the building of the tower, to pass through the gate, and to hand them to the men who were going to build the tower. 5 The young women lifted the first ten stones that came up from the deep onto one another, and they carried them together, one stone at a time.[111]
Chapter 4
The building of the stones by the maidens and the men
1 Just as they had stood together around the gate, so they carried the stones: the ones who seemed strong got under the corners of the stone, and the others got under its sides. In this way they carried all the stones. They brought them through the gate as they had been ordered and handed them to the men for the tower, and those men took the stones and built with them. 2 The tower was built on the great rock and above the gate. Those ten stones were fitted together and filled the entire rock. They became the foundation for the building of the tower, and the rock and the gate bore the weight of the whole tower.
The 2 stones; The 3 stones; The 4 stones
3 After the ten stones, twenty more stones came up from the deep. These too were fitted into the building of the tower, carried by the young women as the earlier ones had been. After these, thirty-five more came up, and they were fitted into the tower in the same way. After these, forty other stones came up, and all of these were put into the building of the tower. So there were four rows in the foundations of the tower.[112]
The second stage of the building
4 Then the stones stopped coming up from the deep, and the builders paused for a little. Again the six men ordered the great crowd to bring stones from the mountains for the building of the tower. 5 So stones of many different colors, cut by the men, were brought from all the mountains and handed to the young women. The young women carried them through the gate and handed them over for the building of the tower. When the multicolored stones were placed in the building, they all became alike white and lost their various colors. 6 Some stones were handed over by the men for the building but did not become bright. They were found exactly as they had been put in, because they had not been handed over by the young women or carried in through the gate. These stones looked out of place in the building of the tower.
7 When the six men saw the out-of-place stones in the building, they ordered them to be removed and taken down to their own place, from which they had been brought. 8 They told the men who were bringing the stones, “Do not put any stones into the building at all. Put them beside the tower, so that the young women can carry them in through the gate and hand them over for the building. If they are not carried through the gate by the hands of these young women, they cannot change their colors. So do not labor in vain.”
Chapter 5
The pause in the building
1 That day’s building work was finished, but the tower was not completed, because more was going to be built on it, and there was a pause in the work. The six men ordered all the builders to withdraw for a little while and rest, but they told the young women not to leave the tower. It seemed to me that the young women had been left behind to guard the tower. 2 After everyone had withdrawn and was resting, I said to the shepherd, “Sir, why was the building of the tower not finished?” “The tower cannot be finished yet,” he said, “until its lord comes and inspects the building, so that if any stones are found rotten, he can replace them. The tower is being built according to his will.” 3 “Sir,” I said, “I would like to know what this building of the tower means. I would like to know about the rock, the gate, the mountains, the young women, and the stones that came up from the deep and were not cut but went into the building just as they were.
4 “Tell me also why ten stones were laid first for the foundation, then twenty, then thirty-five, then forty. Tell me too about the stones that went into the building and were taken out again and put back in their own place. Set my soul at rest about all these things, sir, and make them known to me.” 5 “If you are not found to be idly curious,” he said, “you will know everything. In a few days we will come back here, and you will see the rest of what happens to this tower, and you will know all the parables accurately.” 6 A few days later we came to the place where we had sat, and he said to me, “Let’s go to the tower, for the owner of the tower is coming to inspect it.” We went to the tower, and there was no one near it except the young women.
7 The shepherd asked the young women whether the master of the tower had arrived. They said he was about to come to inspect the building.
Chapter 6
The coming of the Lord of the Tower
1 Soon afterward I saw a procession of many men approaching. In the middle was a man so tall that he towered above the tower.[113] 2 The six men who had been in charge of the building walked with him on his right and left, and all who had worked on the building were with him, along with many other glorious figures around him. The young women who guarded the tower ran up and kissed him, and began to walk near him around the tower. 3 That man examined the building carefully, so that he touched every stone one by one. He was holding a staff in his hand and struck each stone in the building. 4 When he struck them, some became black as soot, some scabby, some cracked, some chipped, some neither white nor black, some rough and not matching the other stones, and some covered with many stains. These were the various kinds of rotten stones found in the building.
5 He ordered all of these to be removed from the tower and set beside it, and other stones to be brought and put in their place. 6 The builders asked him from which mountain he wanted stones brought to put in their place. He ordered that they not be brought from the mountains, but from a plain nearby. 7 The plain was dug up, and shining square stones were found, and some round ones. Every stone found in that plain was brought and carried through the gate by the young women. 8 The square stones were cut and set in the place of those that had been removed. The round stones were not put into the building, because they were hard to cut and it took a long time. They were set beside the tower, as if they would be cut later and put into the building, for they were very bright.
Chapter 7
The injunctions of the Lord to the Shepherd
1 When he had finished this, the glorious man, the lord of the whole tower, called the shepherd over and handed him all the stones lying beside the tower, those that had been thrown out of the building, and said to him: 2 “Clean these stones carefully and put into the building of the tower those that can fit with the rest. Throw far from the tower those that do not fit.” 3 After giving these orders to the shepherd, he left the tower with everyone who had come with him. The young women stood around the tower, guarding it. 4 I said to the shepherd, “How can these stones go into the building of the tower when they have been rejected?” He answered, “Do you see these stones?” “I see them, sir,” I said. “I will cut most of these stones,” he said, “and put them into the building, and they will fit with the rest of the stones.”
5 “Sir,” I said, “how can they fill the same place after being cut down?” He answered, “The ones that turn out small will be put in the middle of the building, and the larger ones will be put on the outside and hold them together.” 6 After saying this he said to me, “Let’s go, and in two days we will come back and clean these stones and put them into the building. Everything around the tower must be cleaned, so that the master does not suddenly come, find the area around the tower dirty, and be angry. Then these stones would not go into the building of the tower, and I would seem negligent in the master’s eyes.” 7 Two days later we came to the tower and he said to me, “Let’s look at all the stones and see which can go into the building.” “Sir, let’s look,” I said.
Chapter 8
The Shepherd’s treatment of the Stones
1 We began by examining the black stones first. They were found to be just as they were when they had been put out of the building. The shepherd ordered them to be removed from the tower and set apart. 2 Next he examined the scabby ones. He took many of them and cut them, and ordered the young women to pick them up and put them into the building. The young women picked them up and set them in the middle of the building of the tower. The rest he ordered to be put with the black ones, since they too were found to be black. 3 Next he examined the ones with cracks. He cut many of them and ordered the young women to carry them into the building. They were placed on the outside, because they were found to be sounder. The rest could not be cut because of the number of their cracks, and for this reason they were thrown out of the building of the tower.
4 Next he examined the chipped ones. Many of them were found to be black, and some had large cracks, and he ordered these also to be put with the rejected stones. The rest of them he cleaned and cut and ordered to be put into the building. The young women picked them up and fitted them into the middle of the building of the tower, for these were weaker. 5 Next he examined the ones that were half white and half black. Many of them were found to be black, and he ordered these also to be taken away with the rejected stones. The rest were all picked up by the young women: because they were white, the young women themselves fitted them into the building. They were placed on the outside because they were found to be sound, so that they could hold the ones set in the middle, since none of them was chipped at all.
6 Next he examined the rough and hard ones. A few of them were rejected because they could not be cut; they turned out to be very hard. The rest were cut, picked up by the young women, and fitted into the middle of the building of the tower, since they were weaker. 7 Next he examined the ones with stains. Very few of these had turned black and were thrown out with the rest. The remainder were found to be bright and sound. These were fitted into the building by the young women, and placed on the outside because of their strength.
Chapter 9
1 Then he came to examine the white round stones and said to me, “What should we do with these stones?” “How would I know, sir?” I said. He said, “Do you not have any idea about them?” 2 “Sir,” I said, “I don’t have this skill. I am not a stonecutter, and I can’t work it out.” “Don’t you see,” he said, “that they are very round? If I want to make them square, a great deal has to be cut off them. Yet some of them must necessarily go into the building.” 3 “Sir,” I said, “if it is necessary, why do you torment yourself? Why not choose the ones you want for the building and fit them in?” He chose the larger, bright ones from them and cut them, and the young women picked them up and fitted them into the outer parts of the building. 4 The rest, the ones left over, were picked up and put back in the plain from which they had been brought. They were not thrown away, “because,” he said, “there is still a little left to be built on the tower, and the master of the tower wants all these stones fitted into the building, since they are very bright.”
5 Twelve women were called, very beautiful in appearance, dressed in black, belted, with their shoulders bare and their hair loose. These women seemed wild to me. The shepherd ordered them to pick up the stones that had been thrown out of the building and carry them off to the mountains, from which they had been brought. 6 They cheerfully picked up all the stones, carried them away, and put them back where they had been taken from. After all the stones had been removed and not a single stone was left lying around the tower, the shepherd said to me, “Let’s walk around the tower and see if there is any flaw in it.” I walked around with him. 7 When the shepherd saw that the tower was beautifully built, he was very glad. The tower was built so well that when I saw how it was built, I was filled with longing for it. It was built as if from a single stone, without a single joint in it. The stone looked as if it had been cut out of the rock; it seemed to me to be one solid piece.
Chapter 10
The clearing of the neighbourhood of the tower
1 I walked with him, and I was glad to see such good things. The shepherd said to me, “Go and bring lime and finely crushed pottery, so that I can fill in the marks left by the stones that were removed and put into the building. All the ground around the tower must be level.” 2 I did as he ordered and brought them to him. “Help me,” he said, “and the work will soon be finished.” He filled in the marks of the stones that had gone into the building and ordered the area around the tower to be swept and cleaned. 3 The young women took brooms and swept, took all the rubbish away from the tower, and sprinkled water. The place around the tower became cheerful and very beautiful. 4 The shepherd said to me, “Everything has been cleaned. If the lord comes to inspect the tower, he will have nothing to blame us for.” After saying this he wanted to leave.
5 But I took hold of his bag and began to beg him solemnly, by the Lord, to explain to me what he had shown me. He said to me, “I have something to attend to for a little while, and then I will explain everything to you. Wait for me here until I come.” 6 I said to him, “Sir, what am I to do here alone?” “You are not alone,” he said. “These young women are with you.” “Then put me in their care,” I said. The shepherd called them and said to them, “I entrust him to you until I come.” And he left. 7 So I was alone with the young women. They were cheerful and treated me kindly, especially the four who were more glorious than the others.
Chapter 11
Hermas stays with the Maidens
1 The young women said to me, “The shepherd is not coming here today.” “What should I do, then?” I said. “Wait for him until evening,” they said. “If he comes, he will talk with you. If he does not come, you will stay here with us until he does.” 2 I said to them, “I will wait for him until evening. If he does not come, I will go home and come back in the morning.” They answered me, “You were handed over to us. You cannot leave us.” 3 “Where, then, will I stay?” I said. “You will sleep with us,” they said, “as a brother and not as a husband. You are our brother, and from now on we are going to live with you, for we love you very much.” But I was embarrassed to stay with them.[114] 4 The one who seemed to be the first of them began to kiss and embrace me. When the others saw her embracing me, they too began to kiss me and lead me around the tower and play with me.
5 I felt as if I had become young again, and I began to play with them myself. Some of them danced in a ring, some danced, and some sang, while I walked silently with them around the tower and was cheerful with them. 6 When evening came, I wanted to go home, but they would not let me. They kept me with them, and I stayed with them for the night and slept by the tower. 7 The young women spread their linen tunics on the ground and had me lie down in the middle of them. They did nothing at all except pray, and I prayed with them without stopping, no less than they did. The young women were glad to see me praying this way. I stayed there with them until the next day, until the second hour. 8 Then the shepherd arrived and said to the young women, “You haven’t done him any harm, have you?” “Ask him,” they said. I said to him, “Sir, I was happy to stay with them.” “What did you have for dinner?” he said. “Sir,” I said, “I dined on the words of the Lord all night long.” “Did they receive you well?” he said. “Yes, sir,” I said.
9 “Now,” he said, “what do you want to hear first?” “Sir,” I said, “in the order you showed me from the beginning. I ask you, sir, to explain things to me in the same order that I ask them.” “As you wish,” he said, “I will explain to you, and I will hide nothing at all from you.”
Chapter 12
The explanation of the parable
1 “Sir,” I said, “first of all explain this to me: what are the rock and the gate?” “This rock and gate,” he said, “is the Son of God.” “Sir,” I said, “how is it that the rock is old, but the gate is new?” “Listen,” he said, “and understand, you slow-witted man. 2 “The Son of God is older than all his creation, so that he became the Father’s adviser in making his creation. That is why the rock is old.” “But why is the gate new, sir?” I said.[115] 3 “Because,” he said, “he was revealed in the last days at the end of the age. That is why the gate became new, so that those who are going to be saved may enter the kingdom of God through it. 4 “You saw the stones that came in through the gate and were placed in the building of the tower, and the ones that did not come in were thrown back to their own place?” “I saw, sir,” I said. “In the same way,” he said, “no one will enter the kingdom of God unless he receives his holy name.
5 “If you want to enter a city, and that city is walled all around and has only one gate, can you enter that city except through the gate it has?” “How could it be done any other way, sir?” I said. “So if you cannot enter the city except through its gate,” he said, “in the same way a person cannot enter the kingdom of God except through the name of his Son, the one loved by him.[116] [John 3:5] 6 “Did you see the crowd that was building the tower?” “I saw them, sir,” I said. “They are all glorious angels,” he said. “So the Lord is walled around by these. The gate is the Son of God, and this is the one entrance to the Lord. So no one will come in to him in any other way than through his Son.
The six men
7 “You saw the six men, and in the middle of them the glorious, great man who walked around the tower and rejected the stones from the building?” “I saw them, sir,” I said.
The glorious man
8 “The glorious man,” he said, “is the Son of God. Those six are the glorious angels who stand on his right and left, supporting him. None of these glorious angels will enter into God’s presence without him. Whoever does not receive his name will not enter the kingdom of God.”
Chapter 13
The Tower
1 “And the tower,” I said, “what is it?” “This tower,” he said, “is the church.”
The Maidens
2 “And who are these young women?” “These are holy spirits,” he said. “A person cannot be found in the kingdom of God in any other way unless they clothe him in their clothing. If you receive only the name but do not receive the clothing from them, you gain nothing. These young women are the powers of the Son of God. If you wear his name but do not wear his power, you will be wearing his name for nothing.[117] 3 “The stones you saw thrown out,” he said, “are those who wore the name but did not put on the clothing of the young women.” “What is their clothing, sir?” I said. “Their very names are their clothing,” he said. “Whoever wears the name of the Son of God must also wear their names, for the Son himself wears the names of these young women. 4 “All the stones you saw go into the building of the tower, handed in by the young women’s hands and remaining in the building, are people who have put on the power of these young women.
5 “That is why you see the tower has become one single stone together with the rock. In the same way, those who believe in the Lord through his Son and put on these spirits will become one spirit and one body, and their clothing will all be one color. Such people, who wear the names of the young women, have their home in the tower.”[118] [Ephesians 4:4]
The rejected stones
6 “Sir,” I said, “then why were the rejected stones rejected? They passed through the gate and were put into the building of the tower by the hands of the young women.” “Since you care about everything and ask so precisely,” he said, “hear about the rejected stones. 7 “All of these received the name of the Son of God, and they also received the power of these young women. Having received these spirits, they were strengthened and were with God’s servants, and they had one spirit, one body, and one garment. For they shared the same mind and practiced righteousness. [Ephesians 4:4] 8 “Then after a time they were led astray by the women you saw dressed in black, with their shoulders bare, their hair loose, and beautiful to look at. When they saw these women they desired them and put on their power, and they took off the clothing and the power of the young women.
9 “So these were thrown out of the house of God and handed over to those women. But those who were not deceived by the beauty of these women stayed in the house of God. Now you have the explanation of the rejected stones.”
Chapter 14
1 “Sir,” I said, “what if these people, being what they are, repent and throw away the desires of those women, and return to the young women and walk in their power and in their works? Will they not enter the house of God?” 2 “They will enter,” he said, “if they throw away the works of those women and take up again the power of the young women and walk in their works. That is why there was a pause in the building: so that, if they repent, they may go into the building of the tower. But if they do not repent, then others will enter, and these will be thrown out for good.” 3 For all this I gave thanks to the Lord, because he had compassion on all who call on his name and sent the angel of repentance to us who had sinned against him. He renewed our spirit, and when we were already ruined and had no hope of living, he renewed our life.
4 “Now, sir,” I said, “explain to me why the tower was not built on the ground, but on the rock and on the gate.” “Are you still foolish and slow to understand?” he said. “I have to ask you about everything, sir,” I said, “because I cannot understand anything at all. Everything is great and glorious and hard for people to understand.” 5 “Listen,” he said. “The name of the Son of God is great and immeasurable, and it carries the whole world. If the whole creation is carried by the Son of God, what do you think of those who are called by him, who wear the name of the Son of God and walk in his commandments? 6 “Do you see, then, whom he carries? Those who wear his name with their whole heart. He has become their foundation, and he carries them gladly, because they are not ashamed to wear his name.”
Chapter 15
The Maidens and the women clothed in black
1 “Sir,” I said, “tell me the names of the young women and of the women dressed in black.” “Listen,” he said, “to the names of the stronger young women, the ones standing at the corners. 2 “The first is Faith, the second Self-control, the third Power, and the fourth Patience. The others standing between them have these names: Simplicity, Innocence, Purity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Harmony, and Love. Whoever wears these names, and the name of the Son of God, will be able to enter the kingdom of God. 3 “Now listen also to the names of the women dressed in black. Four of these are stronger too. The first is Unbelief, the second Lack of Self-control, the third Disobedience, and the fourth Deceit. Their followers are called Grief, Wickedness, Wantonness, Bad Temper, Falsehood, Foolishness, Slander, and Hatred. A servant of God who wears these names will see the kingdom of God, but will not enter it.”
The stones of the foundation
4 “Sir,” I said, “who are the stones from the deep that were fitted into the building?” “The first ones, the ten placed in the foundation,” he said, “are the first generation. The twenty-five are the second generation of righteous men. The thirty-five are the prophets of God and his servants. And the forty are the apostles and teachers of the proclamation of the Son of God.” 5 “Sir,” I said, “why then did the young women hand over these stones too for the building of the tower, carrying them through the gate?” 6 “Because,” he said, “these were the first to wear these spirits, and they never separated from each other at all, neither the spirits from the people nor the people from the spirits. The spirits stayed with them until they fell asleep. If they had not had these spirits with them, they would not have been useful for building this tower.”
Chapter 16
The stones from the deep
1 “Sir,” I said, “explain still more to me.” “What are you looking for?” he said. “Sir,” I said, “why did the stones come up from the deep and get put into the building of the tower, when they had worn these spirits?” 2 “They had to come up through water,” he said, “in order to be made alive. For they could not enter the kingdom of God in any other way than by putting away the deadness of their former life. 3 “So these who had fallen asleep also received the seal of the Son of God and entered the kingdom of God. Before a person wears the name of the Son of God, he is dead. But when he receives the seal, he puts aside the deadness and takes on life. 4 “The seal, then, is the water. People go down into the water dead and come up alive. This seal was proclaimed to them too, and they used it to enter the kingdom of God.”[119]
5 “Sir,” I said, “why did the forty stones also come up from the deep with them, when they had already received the seal?” “Because,” he said, “these apostles and teachers who preached the name of the Son of God fell asleep in the power and faith of the Son of God. Then they preached also to those who had fallen asleep before them, and they themselves gave them the seal of the proclamation. 6 “So they went down into the water with them and came up again. But the apostles and teachers went down alive and came up alive, while those who had fallen asleep earlier went down dead and came up alive. 7 “Through the apostles and teachers, then, those people were made alive and came to know the name of the Son of God. That is why they came up with them and were fitted together into the building of the tower. They were built in without being cut, for they fell asleep in righteousness and great purity. They only lacked this seal. Now you have the explanation of these too.” “I have it, sir,” I said.
Chapter 17
The mountains
1 “Now, sir, explain to me about the mountains. Why do they look different, each in its own way?” “Listen,” he said. “These twelve mountains are the tribes that inhabit the whole world. The Son of God was proclaimed to them through the apostles.” 2 “Explain to me, sir, why the mountains look so different, each one with its own appearance.” “Listen,” he said. “These twelve tribes that inhabit the whole world are twelve nations. They differ in their thinking and understanding. The variety you saw in the mountains is the variety in the minds and thinking of the nations. I will explain to you what each one does.” 3 “First of all, sir,” I said, “explain this to me. Why, though the mountains were so different, did their stones become bright and all one color when they were put into the building, like the stones that came up from the deep?” 4 “Because,” he said, “all the nations that live under heaven, having heard and believed, were called by the name of the Son of God. When they received the seal, they had one understanding and one mind. Their faith became one and their love became one, and together with the name they wore the spirits of the young women. That is why the building of the tower became bright, with one color like the sun.[120]
5 “But after they had come together and become one body, some of them defiled themselves and were thrown out of the family of the righteous. They became once again what they had been before, or rather even worse.”
Chapter 18
Why the backsliders are worse than the unconverted
1 “Sir,” I said, “how did they become worse, when they had come to know God?” “Someone who does not know God and does evil,” he said, “receives some punishment for his evil. But someone who has come to know God should no longer do evil, but good. 2 “So if a person who ought to do good does evil instead, doesn’t he seem to do more evil than the one who does not know God? That is why those who do not know God and do evil are condemned to death, but those who know God and have seen his mighty works and still do evil will be punished twice over and will die forever. This is how the church of God will be cleansed.[121] 3 “You saw how the stones were removed from the tower, handed over to the evil spirits, and thrown out from there. (And there will be one body of those who have been cleansed, just as the tower, after it was cleansed, became as if it were made of a single stone.) So it will be with the church of God too, after it has been cleansed and the wicked, the hypocrites, the blasphemers, the double-minded, and those who do various kinds of evil have been thrown out of it.
4 “After these have been thrown out, the church of God will be one body, one mind, one understanding, one faith, one love. Then the Son of God will rejoice and be glad in them, having received his people pure.” “Sir,” I said, “this is all great and glorious.” 5 “Sir,” I said, “explain further to me the meaning and the deeds of each of the mountains, so that every soul that trusts the Lord may hear and glorify his great, wonderful, and glorious name.” “Listen,” he said, “to the variety of the mountains and of the twelve nations.
Chapter 19
The characteristics of the mountains; The first mountain
1 “Believers from the first mountain, the black one, are like this: they are apostates, blasphemers against the Lord, and betrayers of God’s servants. For these there is no repentance, but there is death. That is why they are black, for their kind is lawless.
The second mountain
2 “Believers from the second mountain, the bare one, are like this: hypocrites and teachers of wickedness. These are like the first group, since they have no fruit of righteousness. Just as their mountain bears nothing, so such people have the name but are empty of faith, and there is no fruit of truth in them. For these repentance is available, if they repent quickly. But if they delay, their death will be with the first group.” [James 3:18] 3 “Sir,” I said, “why is there repentance for these, but not for the first group? Their actions are nearly the same.” “There is repentance for these,” he said, “because they did not blaspheme their Lord and did not betray God’s servants. But out of greed for profit they acted as hypocrites, and each one taught according to the desires of sinful people. They will pay some penalty, but repentance is open to them because they did not become blasphemers or betrayers.”
Chapter 20
The third mountain
1 “Believers from the third mountain, the one with thorns and thistles, are like this. Some of them are rich, and some are tangled up in many business affairs. The thistles are the rich, and the thorns are those tangled up in various business affairs.[122] 2 “These people, tangled up in many and various affairs, do not stay close to God’s servants but wander off, choked by their activities. The rich find it hard to stay close to God’s servants, because they are afraid they will be asked for something. Such people will enter the kingdom of God only with difficulty.[123] 3 “Just as it is hard to walk barefoot among thistles, so it is hard for such people to enter the kingdom of God. 4 “Yet for all of these there is repentance, but it must be quick. That way, what they failed to do in earlier times they may now make up for in these days, and they may do some good. If they repent and do some good, they will live to God. If they stay in their deeds, they will be handed over to those women, who will put them to death.”[124]
Chapter 21
The fourth mountain
1 “Believers from the fourth mountain are like this. That mountain has many plants that are green at the top but dry near the roots, and some are dried up by the sun. Some of these believers are double-minded, and some have the Lord on their lips but not in their hearts.[125] 2 “That is why their foundations are dry and have no strength, and only their words are alive, while their works are dead. Such people are neither alive nor dead. They are like the double-minded, for the double-minded are neither green nor dry, since they are neither alive nor dead.[126] 3 “Just as these plants dried up when they saw the sun, so the double-minded, when they hear of affliction, worship idols out of cowardice and are ashamed of the name of their Lord.[127] 4 “Such people are neither alive nor dead. But if they repent quickly, they will be able to live. If they do not repent, they have already been handed over to the women who take their life away.”
Chapter 22
The fifth mountain
1 “Believers from the fifth mountain, the rugged one with green plants, are like this: they are faithful, but slow to learn, stubborn, and pleased with themselves. They want to know everything and yet know nothing at all. 2 “Because of this stubbornness, understanding has left them and senseless folly has entered them. They praise themselves for having understanding and want to be self-appointed teachers, though they are foolish. 3 “Because of this arrogance many were emptied out through exalting themselves, for stubbornness and empty self-confidence are a great demon. Many of them were thrown out, but some repented and believed and submitted themselves to those who have understanding, recognizing their own foolishness.[128] 4 “For the rest of such people repentance is open, for they did not become evil, but rather foolish and without understanding. If these repent, they will live to God. If they do not repent, they will live with the women who do evil to them.
Chapter 23
The sixth mountain
1 “Believers from the sixth mountain, the one with large and small cracks and withered plants in the cracks, are like this. 2 “Those with small cracks are those who have something against one another, and who have withered in the faith because of their slanders. But many of these have repented, and the rest will repent when they hear my commandments, since their slander is small and they will repent quickly. 3 “Those with large cracks are persistent in their slander and hold grudges, staying angry with one another. These were thrown out of the tower and rejected from its building. Such people will live only with difficulty. 4 “If God and our Lord, who rules over all things and has authority over all his creation, does not hold a grudge against those who confess their sins but is merciful, how can a mortal human being, full of sins, hold a grudge against another human being, as if he could destroy or save him?[129] [James 4:12]
5 “I, the angel of repentance, tell you: all of you who have this factious spirit, lay it aside and repent. The Lord will heal your former sins, if you cleanse yourselves of this demon. If not, you will be handed over to it to die.[130]
Notes
[85] This is the second Parable. In Roman Italy, grapevines were commonly trained to grow up elm trees.
[86] Hermas links giving to the poor with the prayers of the poor for the giver, and speaks of the giver’s reward with God. Compare Proverbs 19:17 and Luke 14:13–14. In 2 Corinthians 9:12–14, those who receive a gift thank God and pray for the givers. The New Testament roots our standing with God in grace (Ephesians 2:8–9) and treats such giving as its fruit.
[87] “The book of the living” echoes Psalm 69:28. Compare the “book of life” in Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 3:5.
[88] This is the third Parable.
[89] This is the fourth Parable, a companion to the third.
[90] This is the fifth Parable, on fasting. “Station” (Greek στατίων, from Latin statio, a sentry post) is a term for a fast kept as a kind of watch. Tertullian later uses it for the Wednesday and Friday fasts, and the Didache (8.1) already commands fasting on those days. Hermas does not say which day his station was.
[91] Compare Isaiah 58:3–7 on the fast God accepts. Barnabas 3 also quotes this passage from Isaiah.
[92] Here the Shepherd teaches that doing more than God commands earns extra glory. The New Testament does not teach this. Compare Luke 17:10: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.”
[93] The Greek word here (enteuxis) usually means a petition or prayer, and its exact sense in this passage is unclear.
[94] Here the shepherd explains the parable told earlier in this Similitude, where a master’s servant fenced and weeded a vineyard and was made co-heir with the master’s son. Identifying the servant with the Son of God raises difficulties, because the master’s son is identified with the Holy Spirit (22.5.2 onward); see the note at 22.6.5.
[95] Many scholars read this passage as identifying the pre-existent Son of God with the Holy Spirit, who dwelt in a human body (the “servant”) that God then rewarded by making it a partner. Compare Similitude 9.1.1, where the Spirit is said to be the Son of God. The exact meaning is debated. Hermas never uses the names “Jesus” or “Christ,” and he is working inside a parable rather than writing a formal doctrine. His picture is still clearly different from the church’s later teaching, in which the Son and the Spirit are distinct persons.
[96] Later in the book (Parables 8 and 9), Hermas again says that there is no repentance for those who blasphemed the Lord or turned traitor and were ashamed of his name. He seems to have deliberate apostasy in view. Readers may compare Hebrews 6:4-6, but Hermas does not quote it.
[97] Hermas places these punishments in the present life (“belonging to this life”), not in the world to come. As the parable goes on to explain, they fall on those who still have hope of repentance, and they are meant to bring them to repent and be strengthened in faith.
[98] Compare the “year for each day” pattern in Numbers 14:34, though Hermas does not cite it.
[99] The Greek word translated “luxury” (truphē) can also mean delight or enjoyment. Hermas uses the same word for both the harmful and the saving kind. That is why he can speak of “luxuries that save.”
[100] As the Shepherd goes on to explain, Hermas is suffering because his household has sinned. The “glorious angel” appears several times in Hermas. In Similitude 8 (25.3.3) he is named as Michael, though some scholars connect the figure with the Son of God. The Shepherd himself is the angel of repentance.
[101] Hermas holds that repentance involves real hardship and self-humbling. This is part of the background to later discussions of penance in the church. Compare 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 for repentance that produces earnestness, and Hebrews 12:5-11 for suffering as a father’s discipline.
[102] A cubit was the length from the elbow to the fingertips, roughly a foot and a half (about 45 cm).
[103] Compare 1 Timothy 2:4, which says God “desires all people to be saved.”
[104] “In him” translates a Greek pronoun that could refer either to the law or to the Son. Since Hermas has just identified the two, the sense is the same either way.
[105] Michael appears in Daniel 10:13, 10:21 and 12:1, in Jude 9, and in Revelation 12:7 as a leading angel and a defender of God’s people. Here Hermas gives him the role of placing the law in believers’ hearts. Scripture gives that role to God himself (Jeremiah 31:33, quoted in Hebrews 8:10). Scholars debate whether Hermas’s “glorious angel” is meant to stand for the Son of God.
[106] In context, “suffer” probably means suffering to the point of martyrdom, as with the crowned group in the previous verse. These people were persecuted but did not go that far.
[107] “The seal” is Hermas’s regular word for baptism. The same use appears in 2 Clement (7:6, 8:6), and it became common in later writers. Here he pictures a person who has been baptized but has “broken” the seal by sinning. This is the problem the whole book tries to answer.
[108] “The name called over them” is the name of the Lord placed on believers, most likely at baptism. James 2:7 uses nearly the same Greek phrase (“the noble name that was called over you”).
[109] Literally, “wants the calling that came about through his Son to be saved (or kept safe).” The translation takes “the calling” to mean the people who were called.
[110] Hermas here says that the one who appeared to him as the church (the woman of the Visions) was the Holy Spirit, and that this Spirit is the Son of God. In Vision 2 he was told that the woman was the church, created first of all things, and that the world was made for her sake. Compare also Similitude 5, where the Son is identified with the Holy Spirit. Hermas’s language mixes these figures together and does not follow later precise teaching about the Trinity.
[111] “One another” refers to the young women, not the stones, because the Greek word is feminine. The women passed each stone among themselves and carried it together.
[112] The Greek printed here says twenty. However, when the stones are explained later (Similitude 9.15.4), the second group numbers twenty-five. The number may have been altered in copying. I have kept what the text here says.
[113] Later in this same parable, the shepherd explains that this glorious man is the Son of God.
[114] Later in this parable the shepherd explains the young women as holy spirits, powers of the Son of God (9.13). He also names them as virtues; the first four are Faith, Self-control, Power, and Patience (9.15). The scene pictures Hermas being welcomed into their company as a brother. It is not a romantic episode, as the words “not as a husband” make plain.
[115] Compare Proverbs 8:22-31, where Wisdom is with God before the world is made and takes part in its making. Many early Christian writers applied that passage to Christ. John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-17 also say the Son existed before creation and that all things were made through him. They do not call him the Father’s “adviser,” which is Hermas’s own way of putting it.
[116] Compare John 10:7-9, where Jesus calls himself the gate, and John 14:6 and Acts 4:12, where salvation comes only through him and his name.
[117] Hermas insists that bearing Christ’s name is worthless without a changed life. Elsewhere he links receiving the name with the “seal” of baptism (Similitude 9, chapter 16). The point is shared with James 2:14-26 and Matthew 7:21. The twelve young women are named in Similitude 9, chapter 15: Faith, Self-control, Power, Patience, Sincerity, Innocence, Purity, Cheerfulness, Truth, Understanding, Harmony, and Love.
[118] Compare Ephesians 4:4, “one body and one Spirit.”
[119] Hermas plainly identifies “the seal” with the water of baptism. He pictures righteous people who died before Christ, such as the prophets of Similitude 9.15.4, receiving baptism after death. He tries in this way to explain how they could be saved when baptism is the entrance to the kingdom. The New Testament speaks of Christ preaching to the dead (1 Peter 3:19; 4:6), but it does not say that baptism was given to them. Clement of Alexandria cited this passage of Hermas approvingly, but the wider church did not adopt the idea as teaching.
[120] Compare Ephesians 4:3-6, with its repeated “one,” and Revelation 7:9, where people of every nation stand before the throne.
[121] The principle here, that more knowledge means more responsibility, matches Luke 12:47-48, Hebrews 10:26-31, and 2 Peter 2:20-21.
[122] Compare Mark 4:18-19, the parable of the sower, where thorns stand for the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.
[123] Compare Mark 10:23, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” Hermas uses the same Greek word for “with difficulty.”
[124] “Those women” are the women dressed in black from earlier in this parable. Hermas explains that they stand for vices such as unbelief, disobedience, deceit, and licentiousness.
[125] Compare Isaiah 29:13, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 15:8, about people who honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from him.
[126] Compare James 2:17, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
[127] Compare the parable of the sower in Mark 4:5-6, 16-17. There the plants on rocky ground are scorched by the sun, and they stand for people who fall away when affliction or persecution comes.
[128] Hermas more than once calls a vice a “demon” (Greek daimonion), treating it as a spiritual force that takes hold of a person. For example, in Mandate 2 he calls slander a “restless demon.”
[129] Compare Matthew 6:14-15 and 18:21-35 on forgiving others because God has forgiven us, and James 4:12, where only one is lawgiver and judge, “he who is able to save and to destroy.”
[130] The Greek word here is hairesis, which later came to mean “heresy.” Here it refers to a party spirit or factiousness, the grudge-holding just described, not false doctrine.