Shepherd of Hermas 103

First Testament

Second Testament

Shepherd of Hermas

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Kirsopp Lake ▾

1“And from the ninth mountain, which was desert, and had in it creeping things and wild beasts which devour men, are such believers as these: 2Those with spots are ministers who ministered amiss, and devoured the living of widows and orphans, and made gain for themselves from the ministry which they had received to administer. If then they remain in the same covetousness they are dead and they have no hope of life. But if they turn and fulfil their ministry in holiness they shall be able to live. 3And those with scabs, these are they who have denied and have not turned to their Lord, but have become barren and deserted; by not cleaving to the servants of God, but keeping alone, they are destroying their own souls. 4For just as a vine left alone within a fence and neglected is spoilt and is wasted by weeds, and in time becomes wild and is no longer useful to its master, so also such men as these have renounced themselves and have become wild and valueless to their Lord. 5To these then there is repentance, if they be not found to have denied from their hearts. But if one be found to have denied from his heart I do not know whether he can live. 6And I do not speak this for these days, in order that one may deny and receive repentance, for it is impossible for him to be saved who shall now deny his Lord. But there seems to be repentance waiting for those who have denied in time past. If then any be about to repent, let him make haste before the tower be finished, otherwise he will be destroyed by the women unto death. 7And the stunted ones, these are deceitful and evil-speaking men, and the wild beasts which you saw on the mountains are these. For just as the wild beasts destroy man by their poison and kill him, so also the words of such men destroy man and kill him. 8These then are stunted in their faith through their conduct which they have in themselves, but some repented and were saved. And the rest who are such can be saved if they repent; but if they repent not they will be put to death by those women whose quality they have.^a

Footnotes

a8 Apparently θηρίον, asoften in later Greek, means ‘‘snake.” 3 Lit. ‘* power.” Acts 15, 26 ἐστιν ὁ ὑπερέχων' ὅσοι