The Shepherd of Hermas

Fear, said he, the Lord and keep his[*](Fear) commandments. By keeping, therefore, the commandments of God you shall be strong in every act, and your conduct shall be beyond compare. For by fearing the Lord you shall do all things well, and this is the fear with which you must fear and be saved.

But the devil do not fear, for by fearing the Lord you have power over the devil because there is no might in him. But where there is no might, neither is there fear. But where there is glorious might, there is also fear. For everyone who has might gains fear. But he who has not might is despised by all.

But fear the works of the devil, because they are evil. If therefore, you fear the Lord you shall not do them, but depart from them.

There are therefore two sorts of fear. For if you wish to do that which is evil, fear the Lord and you shall not do it. But, on the other hand, if you wish to do that which is good, fear the Lord, and you shall do it. So that the fear of the Lord is mighty and great and glorious. Therefore fear the Lord and you shall live in him. And whosoever shall fear him and keep his commandments, shall live to God.

Wherefore, sir, said I, did you say of those who keep his commandments, they shall live to God? Because, said he, the whole creation fears the Lord, but it does not keep his commandments. Those, therefore

I told you, said he, that the creatures of[*](Temperance) God are two-fold, and temperance is also two-fold. For from some things we must refrain and from some things not.

Let me know, sir, said I, from what we must refrain and from what not. Listen, said he. Refrain from evil, and do not do it, but do not refrain from good, but do it. For if you refrain from doing good, you do great sin; but if you refrain from doing evil, you do great righteousness. Refrain therefore from all evil, and do good.

What, sir, said I, are the wickednesses from which we must refrain? Listen, said he. From adultery and fornication, from the lawlessness of drunkenness, from evil luxury, from much eating, and extravagance of wealth, and boastfulness and haughtiness and pride, and from lying and evil speaking and hypocrisy, malice and all blasphemy.

These deeds are the wickedest of all in the life of men. The servant of God must therefore refrain from these deeds. For he who does not refrain from these cannot live to God. Hear therefore what

But, sir, said I, are there still other evil deeds? Yes, said he, there are many from which the servant of God must refrain. Theft, lying, robbery, false witness, coveteousness, evil desire, deceit, vain-glory, pride, and whatever is like to these.