The Shepherd of Hermas

First of all believe that God is one, who made[*](Belief in God) all things and perfected them, and made all things to be out of that which was not, and contains all things, and is himself alone uncontained.

Believe then in him, and fear him, and in your fear be continent. Keep these things, and you shall cast away from yourself all wickedness, and shall put on every virtue of righteousness, and shall live to God, if you keep this commandment.

He said to me: Have simplicity and be[*](Simplicity) innocent and you shall be as the children who do not know the wickedness that destroys the life of men.

In the first place, speak evil of no one, and do not listen gladly to him who speaks evil. Otherwise you also by listening share in the sin of him who speaks evil, if you believe in the evil-speaking

Evil-speaking is wicked; it is a restless[*](Evil-speaking) devil, never making peace, but always living in strife. Refrain from it then, and you shall have well-being at all times with all men.

And put on reverence, in which is no evil stumbling-block, but all is smooth and joyful. Do good, and of all your toil which God gives you, give in simplicity to all who need, not doubting to whom you shall give and to whom not: give to all, for to all God wishes gifts to be made of his own bounties.

Those then who receive shall render an account to God why they received it and for what. For those who accepted through distress shall not be punished, but those who accepted in hypocrisy shall pay the penalty.[*](This series of precepts is also found in the Didache (i, 5) and is there quoted as being according to the commandment (ἐντολή—the same word as Hermas uses for the commandments or Mandates of the Shepherd).)