The Shepherd of Hermas

Hermas

Hermas. The Apostolic Fathers with an English translation by Kirsopp Lake. In Two Volumes. Vol. II. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd. 1913

And they who gave up their sticks dry and not moth-eaten, these are also near them; for they were hypocrites, and introduced strange doctrines and corrupted the servants of God, and especially those who have sinned, not suffering them to repent, but persuading them with their foolish doctrines. These, then, have hope of repentance.

And you see that many of them have repented since I

told them my commandments; and they shall still repent. But as many as shall not repent have lost their lives. But as many of them as repented became good and their dwelling was within the first walls, and some of them even went up into the tower. You see then, said he, that repentance of sins brings life, but not to repent brings death.

And as many as gave them up half dry and had cracks in them; listen also, concerning them:— They, whose sticks were half dry are the double-minded, for they are neither alive nor dead.

And those who had them half dry and with cracks, these are double-minded and evil speakers, and are never at peace among themselves, but are always making schisms; but repentance, said he, waits also for these. You see, said he, that some of them have repented, and there remains, said he, still hope of repentance in them.

And as many of them, said he, as have repented, shall have their dwellings in the tower, and as many of them as have repented more slowly, shall dwell on the Avails. But as many as do not repent, but remain in their deeds, shall die the death.

And

they who gave up their sticks green and with cracks, these were ever faithful and good, but had some jealousy among themselves over the first place and some question of reputation. But all these are foolish, who quarrel among themselves about the first place.

But these also, when they heard my commandments, because they were good, purified themselves and quickly repented; so their dwelling was in the tower. But if any of them turn again to schism he shall be cast out from the tower, and shall lose his life.

Life is for all those who keep the commandments of the Lord. And in the commandments there is nothing about the first place or any question of reputation, but about man’s long-suffering and humility. Among such, then, is the life of the Lord, but among the schismatic and law-breakers there is death.