The Shepherd of Hermas

So she ended the explanation of the tower.

I was still[*](The end of the rejected stones) unabashed and asked her whether really all these stones which have been cast away, and do not fit into the building of the tower,—whether repentance is open to them, and they have a place in this tower. Repentance, she said, they have, but they cannot fit into this tower.

But they will fit into another place much less honourable, and even this only after they have been tormented and fulfilled the days of their sins, and for this reason they will be removed,[*](I.e. from their punishment.) because they shared in the righteous Word. And then[*](Apparently the meaning is Then, i.e. if they repent, but the text is obscure, and probably some words have been lost.) it shall befall them to be removed from their torments, because of the wickedness of the deeds which they committed. But if it come not into their hearts they have no salvation, because of the hardness of their hearts.