The Shepherd of Hermas

And the fences are the holy Angels of the Lord who support his people. And the weeds which are pulled up out of the vineyard are iniquities of the servants of God. And the food which he sent to him from the supper is the commandments which he gave to his people through his Son, and the friends and counsellors are the holy Angels who were first created. And the absence of the Master[*](The absence of the Master is not mentioned in the text of the parable; but see the critical note on Sim. v. 2, 2.) is the time which remains before his coming.

I said to him: Sir, all is great and wonderful and all is glorious. How then, said I, could I understand it? Nor is there any other man, however understanding he may be, who can understand it. Moreover, sir, said I, explain to me what I am going to ask you.

Say, said he, what you wish. Why, said I, sir, is the Son of God in the parable given the form of a servant?

Listen, said he: The Son of God is not[*](The son of God as servant) given the form of a servant., but is given great power and lordship. How, sir? said I, I do not understand.

Because God planted the vineyard, said he, that is, created the people, and gave it over to his Son. And the Son appointed the angels over them to keep them. And he himself cleansed their sins, labouring much and undergoing much toil. For no vineyard can be dug without toil or labour.

When, therefore, he had cleansed the sins of the people, he showed them the ways of life, and gave them the law which he received from his Father.

But listen why the Lord took his Son and the glorious angels as counsellors concerning the heritage of the servant.