The Shepherd of Hermas

While I was walking in the country I noticed[*](Rich and poor like a vine and elm) an elm and a vine, and was considering them and their fruits, when the shepherd appeared to me and said: What are you considering in yourself about the elm and vine? I am considering, sir, said I, that they are very well suited to one another.

These two trees, said he are putas a type for the servants of God. I should like, said I, to know the type of the trees of which you speak. You see, said he, the vine and the elm. Yes, sir, said I, I see them.

This vine, said he, bears fruit, but the elm is a sterile tree. But this vine, if it do not grow upon the elm, cannot bear much fruit, because it is spread on the ground, and the fruit which it bears, it bears rotten, when it is not hanging on the elm. When, therefore, the vine is attached to the elm, it bears fruit from itself and from the elm.

You see then that the elm gives much fruit, not less than the vine, but rather more.How, sir, said I, does it bear more? Because,

How, sir? said I, let me know. Listen, said he. The rich man has much wealth, but he is poor as touching the Lord, being busied about his riches, and his intercession and confession towards the Lord is very small, and that which he has is weak and small, and has no other power. But when the rich man rests upon the poor, and gives him what he needs, he believes that what he does to the poor man can find a reward with God, because the poor is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God. The rich man, therefore, helps the poor in all things without doubting.

But the poor man, being helped by the rich, makes intercession to God, giving him thanks, for him who gave to him, and the rich man is still zealous for the poor man, that he fail not in his life, for he knows that the intercession of the poor is acceptable and rich toward the Lord.

Therefore the two together complete the work, for the poor works in the intercession in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord: this he pays to the Lord who helps him.

Among men; therefore; the elm appears as if it bore no fruit; and they do not know nor understand that if there is drought the elm which has water nourishes the vine; and the vine, having water continuously; gives double fruit; both for itself and for the elm. So also the poor; interceding with the Lord for the rich; complement[*](The idea in πληροφοροῦσι is that of filling up that which is lacking,—a ὑστέρημα.) their wealth; and again; the rich helping the poor with their necessities complement their prayers.

Both; therefore; share in the righteous work. Therefore he who does these things shall not be deserted by God; but shall be inscribed in the books of the living.

Blessed are they who are wealthy and understand that their riches are from the Lord; for he who understands this will also be able to do some good service.