The Shepherd of Hermas

But I sent these maidens to you to dwell with[*](Hermas and the maidens) you, for I saw that they were courteous to you. You have them therefore to help you, in order to keep his commandments the better, for it is not possible that these commandments be kept without these maidens. I see moreover that they are with you willingly; but I will enjoin on them not to depart at all from your

Only do you make your house pure, for in a pure house they will willingly dwell, for they are pure and chaste and industrious and all have favour with the Lord. If then they find your house pure they will remain with you. But if ever so little corruption come to it they will at once depart from your home, for these maidens love no sort of impurity.

I said to him: I hope, Sir, that I shall please them so that they may ever willingly dwell in my house. And just as lie, to whom you handed me over, finds no fault m me, so they also shall find no fault in me.

He said to the shepherd: I know that the servant of God wishes to live, and will keep these commandments, and will provide for the maidens in purity.

When he had said this he handed me over again to the shepherd, and called the maidens and said to them: Since I see that you willingly dwell in his house I commend him and his house to you, that you depart not at all from his house. But they heard these words willingly.