The Shepherd of Hermas

But the revelation was not for you alone, but for you to explain it to them all,

after three days, for you must understand it first. But I charge you first, Hermas, with these words, which I am going to say to you, to speak them all into the ears of the saints, that they may hear them and do them and be cleansed from their wickedness, and you with them.

Listen to me, children; I brought you up in[*](The charge of the Church) great simplicity and innocence and reverence by the | mercy of God, who instilled righteousness into you that you should be justified and sanctified from all wickedness and all crookedness. But you do not wish to cease from your wickedness.