The Shepherd of Hermas

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.

He showed me many trees, without leaves, which appeared to me to be as if dry, for they were all alike. And he said to me: Do you see these

Why, then, said I, sir, are they as it were dry and all alike? Because, said he, in this world, neither righteous nor sinners are apparent, but are all alike. For this world is winter for the righteous and they are not apparent, though they are living with sinners.

For just as in the winter the trees which have shed their leaves are alike, and it is not apparent which are dry and which are alive, so in this world neither the righteous nor the sinners are apparent, but all are alike.

He showed me again many trees, some budding[*](The budding and withered trees) and some withered, and said to me, Do you see, said he, these trees. I see them, sir, said I, some budding and some withered.

These trees, said he, which are budding are the righteous, who are destined to live in the world to come; for the world to come is summer for the righteous, but winter for the sinners. When therefore the mercy of the Lord shall shine, then the servants of God shall be made plain and all men shall be made apparent.