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

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

wished to understand this revelation, and in a vision of the night I saw the ancient lady saying to me, Every request needs humility: fast therefore and you shall receive what you ask from the Lord.

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.

Listen, he said, concerning the forms[*](The three forms of the ancient lady) which you are asking about.