The Shepherd of Hermas

Hermas

Hermas. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913

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

follows on these things.

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.

Do you not think that these are wicked?Yes, very wicked, said I, for the servants of God. From all these he who is serving God must refrain. Refrain, therefore from all these, that you may live to God and be enrolled with those who refrain from them. These then are the things from which you must refrain.

But now hear the things from which you must not refrain but do them, said he. Do not refrain from that which is good, but do it.

And explain to me, sir, said I, the power of the things which are good, that I may walk in them and serve them, that by doing them I may be saved. Listen, then, said he, to the deeds of goodness, which you must do and not refrain from them.

First of all, faith, fear of God, love and harmony, words of righteousness, truth, patience; than these there is nothing better in the life of man. If any man keep these things and do not refrain from them, he becomes blessed in his life.

Next hear the things which follow: To minister to widows, to look after orphans and the destitute, to redeem from distress the servants of God, to be hospitable, for in hospitality may be found the practice of good, to resist none, to be gentle, to be poorer than all men, to reverence the aged, to practise justice, to preserve

brotherhood, to submit to insult, to be brave, to bear no malice, to comfort those who are oppressed in spirit, not to cast aside those who are offended in the faith, but to convert them and give them courage, to reprove sinners, not to oppress poor debtors, and whatever is like to these things.

Do you not think, said he, that these things are good? Yes, sir, said I, for what is better than these things? Walk then, said he, in them, and do not refrain from them, and you shall live to God.

Keep therefore this commandment. If you do good, and do not refrain from it, you shall live to God, and all who act so shall live to God. And again, if you do not do that which is wicked, and refrain from it, you shall live to God, and all shall live to God who keep these commandments and walk in them.