The Shepherd of Hermas

I have handed you over, said he, and your house to this shepherd, that you may be protected by him. Yes, Sir, said I. If then, said he, you wish to be protected from all vexation and all cruelty, and to have success in every good work and word, and every virtue of righteousness, walk in his commandments, which he gave you, and you will be able to overcome all wickedness.

For, if you keep his commandments, all the lusts and delight of this world will be subject to you, but success in every good undertaking will follow you. Take his perfection[*](Literally ripeness .) and moderation[*](A translation either of σωφροσύνη or of εὐταξία = propriety of conduct, a word specially used by the Stoics.) upon you, and say to all that he is in great honour and dignity with the Lord, and that he is set in great power and powerful in his office. To him alone throughout all the world is given the power of repentance. Does he not seem to you to be powerful? But you despise his perfection and the modesty which he has towards you.

I said to him: Ask him himself, Sir, whether since he has been in my house I have done anything

I know myself, said he, that you have done nothing and will do nothing against his command, and therefore I am speaking thus with you, that you may persevere; for he has given me a good account of you. But you shall tell these words to others, that they also who have repented, or shall repent, may have the same mind as you, and that he may give a good account to me of them, and I to the Lord.

I myself. Sir, said I, show the mighty acts, of the Lord to all men, but I hope that all who have sinned before, if they hear this, will willingly repent, and recover life.