The Shepherd of Hermas

Be, said he, long-suffering[*](The translation of μακροθυμία and ὀξυχολία is difficult. Μακροθυμία is a little more than long suffering and almost equals courage. ὀξυχολία is a rare word, literally quickness to wrath, but this phrase does not convey in English the bad sense which Hermas obviously implies.) and prudent and[*](Long-suffering) you shall have power over all evil deeds and shalt do all righteousness.

For if you are courageous the Holy Spirit which dwells in you will be pure, not obscured by another evil spirit, but will dwell at large and rejoice and be glad with the body in which it dwells, and will serve God in great cheerfulness, having well-being in itself.

But if any[*](Against ill temper) ill temper enter, at once the Holy Spirit, which is delicate, is oppressed, finding the place impure, and

If therefore, both spirits dwell in the same place it is unprofitable and evil for that man in whom they dwell.

For if you take a little wormwood, and pour into it a jar of honey, is not the whole honey spoilt? And a great quantity of honey is ruined by a very little wormwood, and it spoils the sweetness of the honey, and it has no longer the same favour with the master, because it has been mixed and he has lost its use. But if no wormwood be put into the honey, the honey is found to be sweet, and becomes valuable to the master.

You see that long suffering is very sweet, surpassing honey, and is valuable to the Lord and he dwells in it. But ill temper is bitter and useless. If, therefore, ill temper be mixed with courage, the courage is defiled, and its intercession is no longer valuable before God.

I would like, sir, said I, to know the working of ill temper, that I may be preserved from it. Indeed, said he, if you do not keep

Hear, then, said he, the working of ill temper, and how evil it is and how it destroys the servants of God by its working, and how it leads them astray from righteousness. But it does not lead astray those who are filled with faith, nor can it work evil to them, because my power is with them, but it leads astray those who are vain and are double-minded.

And when it sees such men in tranquillity, it forces its way into the heart of that man, and the man or woman is made bitter out of nothing, because of daily business or of food or some trifle, or about some friend, or about giving or receiving, or about some such foolish matters. For all these things are foolish and vain and meaningless, and unprofitable to the servants of God.

But long-suffering is great and mighty and has steadfast power and prospers in great breadth, is joyful, glad, without care, glorifying the Lord at every