The Shepherd of Hermas

After some time, then, they were made disobedient by the women whom you saw clothed in black raiment, who had their shoulders bare, and their hair loose, and were beautiful. When they saw them they desired them, and put on their power, and put off the clothing and power of the maidens.

They were therefore rejected from the house of God and were handed over to those women. But those who were not deceived by the beauty of these women remained in the house of God. You have here, said he, the explanation of those who were rejected.

How will it then be. Sir, said I, if these men, such as they are, repent and put away tne lusts of these women, and return to the maidens and walk in their power and in their deeds? Will they not enter into the house of God?

They will enter, said he, if they put away the works of these women, and take back the power of the maidens and walk in their deeds. For this cause also there was a pause in the building, in order that, if they repent, they may go away into the building of the tower. But if they do not repent then others will enter and they will be finally rejected.

I thanked the Lord for all these things, that he had mercy on all who call upon his name, and sent the angel of repentance to us who have sinned against him, and renewed our spirit, even when we were already corrupted, and restored our life, when we had no hope of living.

Now, Sir, said I, explain to me why the tower was not built on the ground but on the rock and on the gate. Are you still, said he, silly and foolish? I need, Sir, said I, to ask everything from you, because I am wholly without power of understanding anything. For all things great and glorious are also difficult for men to understand.

Listen, said he, the name of the Son of God is great and incomprehensible, and supports the whole world. If