The Shepherd of Hermas

And a revelation was made to me, brethren.[*](The revelation as to the ancient lady) while I slept, by a very beautiful young man who said to me, Who do you think that the ancient lady was from whom you received the little book? I said, The Sibyl. You are wrong, he said, she is not. Who is she, then? I said. The Church, he said. I said to him, Why then is she old? Because, he said, she was created the first of all things. For this reason is she old; and for her sake was the world established.

And afterwards I saw a vision in my house. The ancient[*](The ancient lady returns) lady came and asked me if I had already given the book to the elders. I said that I had not given it. You have done well, she said, for I have words to add. When, therefore, I have finished all the words they shall be made known by you to all the elect.

You shall therefore write two little books and send one to Clement and one to Grapte. Clement then shall send it to the cities abroad, for that is his duty; and Grapte shall exhort the widows and orphans; but in this city you shall read it yourself with the elders who are in charge of the church.