The Shepherd of Hermas

You, therefore, who work righteousness, must remain steadfast and be not double-minded, that your passing may be with the holy angels.[*](Cf. Herm. Sim. ix, 25 and Martyr. Polycarp, ii 3 with the note on the latter passage as to the doctrine of a transformation of the just into angels after their death.) Blessed are you, as many as endure the great persecution which is coming, and as many as shall not deny their life.

For the Lord has sworn by his Son that those who have denied their Christ have been rejected from their life, that is, those who shall now deny him in the days to come.

But, Hermas, no longer bear a grudge against your children, nor neglect your sister, that they may be cleansed from their former sins. For they will be corrected with righteous correction, if you bear no grudge against them. The bearing of grudges works death. But you, Hermas, had great troubles of your own because of the transgressions of your family, because you did not pay attention to them. But you neglected them and became entangled in their evil deeds.