The Shepherd of Hermas

Why, then, said I, sir, are they as it were dry and all alike? Because, said he, in this world, neither righteous nor sinners are apparent, but are all alike. For this world is winter for the righteous and they are not apparent, though they are living with sinners.

For just as in the winter the trees which have shed their leaves are alike, and it is not apparent which are dry and which are alive, so in this world neither the righteous nor the sinners are apparent, but all are alike.

He showed me again many trees, some budding[*](The budding and withered trees) and some withered, and said to me, Do you see, said he, these trees. I see them, sir, said I, some budding and some withered.

These trees, said he, which are budding are the righteous, who are destined to live in the world to come; for the world to come is summer for the righteous, but winter for the sinners. When therefore the mercy of the Lord shall shine, then the servants of God shall be made plain and all men shall be made apparent.

For, just as in the summer the fruit of each individual tree is made plain, and they are recognised for what they are, so also the fruit of the righteous will be plain, and they will all be known, by blossoming in that world.