The Shepherd of Hermas

And I looked at her, and said to her: Lady, what are you doing here? and she answered me: I was taken up to accuse you of your sins before the Lord.

I said to her: Are you now accusing me? No, she said, but listen to the words which I am going to say to you. God who dwells in Heaven and created that which is out of that which is not, and increased and multiplied it, for the sake of his Holy Church, is angry with you because you sinned against me.

I answered and said to her: Did I sin against you? In what place, or when did I speak an evil word to you? Did I not always look on you as a goddess? Did I not always respect you as a sister? Why do you charge me falsely. Lady, with these wicked and impure things?

She laughed and said to me: The desire of wickedness came up in your heart. Or do you not think that it is an evil deed for a righteous man if an evil desire come up in his heart? Yes, it is a sin, said she, and a great one. For the righteous man has righteous designs. So long then as his designs are righteous his repute stands fast in Heaven, and he finds the Lord ready to assist him in all his doings. But they who have evil designs in their hearts bring upon themselves death and captivity, especially those who obtain this world for