The Shepherd of Hermas

When therefore she ceased speaking with me,[*](The departure of the ancient lady) the six young men who were building came and took her away to the tower, and four others took up the couch and bore it away also to the tower. I did not see their faces because they were turned away.

But as she was going I asked her to give me a revelation concerning the three forms in which she had appeared to me. She answered me and said, Concerning these things you must ask some one else to reveal them to you.

Now she had appeared to me, brethren, in the first vision in the former year as very old and sitting on a chair.

But in the second vision her face was younger, but her body and hair were old and she spoke with me standing; but she was more joyful than the first time.

But in the third vision she was quite young and exceeding beautiful and only her hair was old; and she was quite joyful, and sat on a couch.

I was very unhappy about this, and

So I fasted one day and in the same night a young[*](The young man) man appeared to me and said to me, Why do you ask constantly for revelations in your prayer? Take care lest by your many requests you injure your flesh.

These revelations are sufficient for you. Can you see mightier revelations than you have seen?

I answered and said to him, Sir, I only ask you that there may be a complete revelation concerning the three forms of the ancient lady. He answered and said to me, How long are you foolish? You are made foolish by your double-mindedness and because your heart is not turned to the Lord.

I answered and said again to him, But from you, sir, we shall know them more accurately.