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 I should like to know. Lady, who are the other stones which are being brought from the dry land? She said: Those which go into the building without being hewed are they whom the Lord approved because they walked in the uprightness of the Lord and preserved his commandments.

But who are they who are being brought and placed in the building?They are young in the faith and faithful; but they are being exhorted by the angels to good deeds, because wickedness has been found in them.

But who are they whom they[*](The rejected stones) were rejecting and throwing away?These are they who have sinned and wish to repent; for this reason they have not been cast far away from the tower, because they will be valuable for the building if they repent. Those, then, who are going to repent, if they do so, will be strong in the faith if they repent now, while the tower is being built;

but if the building be finished, they no longer have a place, but will be cast away. But they have only this,—that they lie beside the tower.

Do you wish to know who are those which[*](The stones which were broken up) are being broken up and cast far from the tower? These are the sons of wickedness; and their faith was hypocrisy, and no wickedness departed from them. For this cause they had no salvation, for because of their wickedness they are not useful for the building. Therefore they were broken up and cast far away, because of the anger of the Lord, for they had provoked his anger.

But the others of[*](The stones put on one side) whom you saw many left lying and not going into the building, of these those which are rotten are they who have known the truth, but are not remaining in it.