These books were
composed by a man named Hermas, brother to Pius who was bishop at Rome.
The Shepherd is the angel of the Lord appointed over who has His
command from the great Archangel Michael appointed over the souls of the
righteous, who answers to our Lord and God Jesus, the Son of the Almighty
Father and Creator of all things.
It is of course irrelevant to me what man may have said or not said concerning these books, for I was not taught of our Creator to judge according to the precepts of men. But rather I speak with the mighty angel Michael, and with the angel herein called the Shepherd, that;
Whosoever shall read and keep these commands
to walk in them, the same shall be written in the kingdom of heaven. For
the faith and redemption in Christ Jesus, is not an empty vessel so as many
like to conceive, but it is with repentance, and with the works of faith,
which these commands are.
It is said that the way to the Father is by Christ Jesus, and this being correct, many will look no further, and consequently have both worlds at once, to keep their evil world along with salvation in Christ. But again it is a truth that the way to Christ is by only a single door, which is Aseneth, meaning the city of refuge, meaning repentance, meaning faith, meaning to from then on keep the commandments.
For what good is faith if one repents not of those things
that destroys faith? Will he
purchase an automobile, and immediately drive it over a cliff? For how then can he say to have an automobile?
Will he show me the sales receipt as proof that he has the vehicle?
Hear then this O man, for God shall not ask you for the
receipt but look for the actual vehicle.
Do not pay attention to those who are of evil, you who truly search for everlasting life, for they have a neat way of discarding the sentiments of these books on the presumption that these specify law, while man is saved by faith. They even presume to contend that Israel in all their time since mount Horeb had a covenant of the law, to live by the justification of the law.
And yes that justification did exist with them, but for only a single
person, namely Christ Jesus, that no law could convict Him.
While as for the Israelites themselves, the whole nation of them, that
justification never applied as is evident from the sacrifices and the offering
which were commanded them.
For is it not
obvious that if Israel at any time depended on the law for justification, the
sacrifices would have been senseless and contradictory.
For if a man had broken the law he was to bring a sacrifice so he might
be forgiven of his sin, the sacrifice taking the punishment for him.
Was then Israel justified in the law, or not rather in the Sacrifice,
namely in the blood of Jesus who took their sins on Him to satisfy the demand
of the law?
The sacrifice, to be cleansed in the blood of it, was with Israel from the beginning and simultaneously with it was the justification, the circumcision of the law that had to be carried. For the "One Person" in Israel who did in fact keep the whole law, and was justified by it, and came to save all other men.
And why then was Paul so set on abandoning circumcision in favor of baptism, while that circumcision, for the people themselves other than Christ, had no real effect?
It was to draw them away from any reliance on the law or their works after the law, which very thing Moses already taught them when he gave them the law and spoke to them regarding sacrifices.
For to speak to them regarding sacrifices, is also to tell of their debt to the law. The gesture of full obedience was fine, but of the whole race descending from Adam only "One" was found to have saved Himself by it, namely Christ Jesus, and this was because He was not born of Adam but of God Himself, and being God with Him.
If then, as some wish to have it, that faith invalidates the law, then why was the law given along with the faith? For the law is, was, and always into for everlasting will be the demand of God on men. This will not ever change, but since we once transgressed it, we can no longer rely on being justified by it, but rather only in the grace of God to forgive us in His Son.
And whosoever believes this, will with pleasure apply himself to the law. In light of these things therefore, he who disregards, or despises, or thinks nothing good of these things written here, the same has not learned faith, or law, nor has he known God, or the Son of God.
A
BOOK OF HERMAS.
TO INDEX
Introduction
1.
When
I was sitting on my bed, having prayed, it happened that a certain man came to
me with a reverend look in the form of a shepherd clothed with a white cloak,
having a bag on his back, and a staff in his hand.
2. And I
returned his salute, and he sat down by me and said to me; "I am sent by
that honorable messenger that I should dwell with you all the remaining days of
your life."
3. I however
thought he came to try me, and I said; "Who art Thou?
For I know to whom I am committed".
He then said to me; "Do you not know me?
I am the shepherd to whose care you are delivered."
4. And while
he was speaking - his appearance changed, and I knew that it was Him to whom I
was committed, and I was ashamed and overcome with sadness, for having spoken so
foolishly to Him.
5.
But He
said to me "Be not ashamed, but receive strength in your mind through the
commands which I am about to deliver to you, for I am sent to show you all such
things as you have seen before, emphasizing those which are of most use to you.
6. First
therefore write My commands and similitude's, and the rest you shall write as I
show them to you. The reason that I bid you to write
them is that by reading My commands and similitude's often you shall more easily
keep them in memory."
7. And so I
wrote His commands and similitude's as He bade me.
And He said to me; "In hearing these things you shall observe them,
walking according to them, and exercise yourself in them with a pure mind, you
shall receive those things from the Lord, which He has promised you.
8.
But if
having heard them you shall not repent, but go on to add to your sins, you shall
be punished by Him."
9.
All these
things the Shepherd, the angel of repentance commanded me to write.
Of believing in one God.
10. First of
all believe that there is one God who created and framed all things from nothing
into being.
11. He
comprehends all things, and is immeasurable, nor is He able to be comprehended
by anyone who cannot be defined by any words, nor conceived by the mind.
12. Therefore
believe in Him and fear Him, and fearing Him abstain from all evil.
13. Keep
these things and cast all lust and iniquity far from you, and put on
righteousness, and you shall live to God if you shall keep His commandments.
Of innocence and charity.
1. And
He said; "Be innocent and without disguise, so shall you be like an infant
who knows no malice - which destroys the life of a man.
2. And above
all see to it that you speak no evil of anyone, nor willingly hear anyone speak
evil of any.
3. For if you do not observe this, then, since you are giving him ear, you will be a partaker of his sin in speaking evil, for by believing slander you also sin.
4.
To
slander a person is a destructive thing, it is an inconstant evil spirit that
never continues in peace but always is discord, refrain yourself therefore from
it, and keep peace with your brother.
5.
Put on a
holy fast in which there is no sin, in which everything is full of joy, and do
good with your labors.
6. Give
without distinction to all that are in want, having no mind to whom your charity
is, but give to all.
7. For God
will that we give to all of all His gifts, they therefore that receive shall
give account to God, both for what reason and to what end they received it.
8. And they
that receive without any real need - shall have to account for it, but he that
gave shall in that case be innocent, for he fulfilled his duty as he received it
of God not making any choice to whom he should give.
9. This
service he does with simplicity and to the glory of God, keep therefore this
commandment as I delivered it to you, that your repentance may be found sincere,
and that goodness may come to your house, and have a pure heart.
Of always speaking truth.
1.
Love
truth, and let all your speech be truth, that the Spirit which the Lord gave to
dwell in you may be found true towards all men.
2. And thus the Lord who gave you such a Spirit - may be glorified, for God is true in all His words, in Him there is no lie.
3. They
therefore that lie - deny the Lord, and have become robbers of the Lord, not
rendering to Him what they received of Him.
4. For they
received the Spirit free from lying, if therefore they make that a liar - they
defile what was committed to them by the Lord and became deceivers."
5.
And
hearing this - I wept bitterly, and He seeing me so weeping said to me.
"Why do you cry?" And
I said. "Because Sir, I doubt
if I can be saved".
6.
He then
asked me "Why?" And I
replied; "Because Sir, I did not always speak true words in my life but
lived in dissimulation, and affirmed a lie for truth to all men, and no man
contradicted me, but all gave credit to my words, how then can I live seeing I
have done thus?"
7.
And He
said to me; "You think well and truly, for as the servant of God you ought
to have walked in the truth, and not have joined an evil conscience with the
Spirit of truth, nor have grieved the Holy and true Spirit of God".
8.
And I
replied to Him; "Sir, I have never before listened so diligently to these
things." He then answered;
"Now that you have heard them, from henceforth take care that the things
which you formerly for your business sake spoke falsely, that they for your
present truth may receive credit.
9.
For these
sins may be credited if from now on you speak the truth, for by so doing you may
attain to life.
10.
Whosoever
then shall listen to this command to perform it, and depart from all lying he
shall live to God."
Of adultery and repentance.
1.
Furthermore
I command you that you shall keep yourself chaste, and suffer no thoughts of
fornication to enter into your heart, or of any other marriage, for such
thoughts produce great sin.
2.
But at
all times be mindful of the Lord, and you shall never sin, for if such evil
thoughts arise in your heart - you are guilty of a great sin, they who do such
things follow the way of death.
3. Look to
yourself therefore, and keep yourself from such thoughts, for where chastity
remains in the heart of a righteous man - there ought never arise an evil
thought."
4. And I
said to Him; "Sir suffer me to speak a little to you, for if a man faithful
in the Lord has a wife and he catches her in adultery, does a man sin to still
continue to live with her?"
5. And He
said to me. "As long as he is
ignorant of her sin he commits no fault in living with her.
But if a man knows that his wife has offended, and she shall not repent
of her sin, but go on in her fornication, then the man if he continues to live
with her shall become guilty of her sin, being a partaker of her adultery."
6. And I
said; "What therefore is to be done if the woman continues in her
sin?" And He replied.
"Let her husband put her away, and let him continue by himself, but
if he in putting away his wife marries another, he also commits adultery."
7. And I said; "What if the woman that is so put away shall repent and be willing to return to her husband, shall she not be received by him? He said unto me; "Yes, and if her husband shall not receive her he will sin and commit a great offence against himself, but he ought to receive the offender if she repents.
8.
But not
often, for to the servants of God there is but one repentance and for this cause
a man that puts away his wife ought not to take another - because she may
repent.
9. This act
is alike for both man and woman, and not only they commit adultery that pollute
their flesh, but also those who make an image.
If a woman therefore is perverse in these things, and does not repent,
depart from her, live not with her, otherwise you shall be a partaker of her
sin.
10.
For this
reason it said not to re-marry, for such persons may repent, the point is that
once an offense is made - that no more offenses be added, for as to the previous
sins - God has power to heal, and will provide a remedy."
11.
I asked
Him again; "Seeing the Lord has thought me worthy that you should dwell
with me continually, speak more to me for I understand little, and my heart is
hard through my former conversation, open therefore my understanding."
12.
And He
said to me; I am the minister of repentance, and give understanding to all that
repent. Does repentance not seem a
good thing to you to perform? He
then that does so obtains great understanding.
13. For such
a one is indeed sensible, he who has sinned in the sight of the Lord - and that
recalls wherein he has offended, and repents, no longer doing wickedly but
instead does that which is good, and humbles his soul, and afflicts it, for he
had offended.
14.
So you
see therefore that repentance is great wisdom."
And I said; "For this cause Sir I inquired diligently into all
things, for I am a sinner that I may know what I must do that I may live, for my
sins are many."
15. He then
said; "You shall live if you shall keep these commandments, and whosoever
shall hear and do these commands shall live unto God."
16. And I
said; "I have heard from other teachers that there is no other repentance
beside that of baptism, when we go down into the water and receive the
forgiveness of our sins, and that afterwards we must sin no more, but live in
purity."
17.
He said;
"You have been rightly informed, and seeing how you inquire diligently into
all things - I will manifest this also to you.
18. Those
that have been called to the faith and have fallen into sin - for these the Lord
has appointed repentance. For God
knows the thoughts of all hearts and their infirmities, and the manifold
wickedness of the devil who is always contriving something against the servants
of God, and maliciously lays snares for them.
19.
Therefore
had our merciful Lord compassion towards His creature and appointed repentance
and gave Me the power thereof, therefore I say to you; anyone after that great
and holy calling shall be tempted by the devil and sin, he has one repentance.
20. But if he shall often sin and repent of it, it shall profit him
nothing, for such a one shall hardly live unto God.
21.
And I
said; "Sir, I am restored to life since I have thus diligently listened to
these commands, for I perceive that if I shall not hereafter add more to my sins
- I shall be saved."
22.
And He
said; "You shall indeed be saved, and so shall all others, as many as shall
observe these commandments".
Of anger and forbearance.
1. Be
patient and long-suffering, so shall you have dominion over all wicked works,
and you shall fulfill all righteousness.
2.
For if
you shall be patient, then the Holy Spirit, which dwells in you, shall be pure
and not be darkened by any evil spirit. But
being full of joy be enlarged in you, and feast in the body in which it dwells,
and serve the Lord with joy and great peace.
3.
But if
anger overtake you, then the Holy Spirit which is in you, will be blocked, and
immediately seek to depart from you.
4.
For He is
choked by the evil spirit not having the liberty to serve the Lord as He would,
for by anger He is grieved, when thus a man wills both these spirits it is
destructive to him.
5.
It is as
when a little wormwood is put into a jar of honey - wherein the whole jar of
honey is spoiled. Thus a very
little wormwood spoils the great quantity; it loses its sweetness and is no
longer acceptable to its Lord, the whole honey being made bitter and useless.
6. While if
no wormwood is put in the honey, it is sweet and profitable to the Lord,
forbearance therefore is sweeter than honey, and profitable to the Lord who
dwells in it.
7. But anger
is unprofitable, if therefore anger is mixed with forbearance the soul is
distressed, and its prayer is not profitable with God.
8. And I
said to Him; "Sir, I would like to know the sinfulness of anger so that I
may keep from it." And He
said; "You shall know it, and if you do not keep from it - you shall lose
your hope with all your house, therefore I say to depart from it.
9.
For I the
messenger of righteousness is with you, and all that depart from anger and
repent with all their heart - shall live to God, and I will be with them, and
keep them all.
10.
For all
that repented have been justified by the Most Holy Messenger who is a minister
of salvation.
11. And now
hear the wickedness of anger, how evil and hurtful it is, and how it overthrows
the servants of God, it cannot hurt those that are full of faith because the
power of God is with them, but it overthrows the doubtful, and them that are
without faith.
12. For as
often as it sees those persons it comes into their hearts, and so one is in
bitterness for nothing, for nothing more than a vain word, or for sustenance, or
for reason of a friend, or a debt, or any other trivial thing of like nature.
13.
For these
things are foolish and trivial, and vain to the servants of God, but a just
temper is strong and forceful, of great power, and enjoys much room, is
cheerful, rejoicing in peace, and glorifies God at all times with meekness.
14.
This
long-suffering dwells with those that are full of faith, but anger is foolish
and light-hearted and empty.
15.
Bitterness
then is bred through folly, and anger from bitterness, and fury from anger, and
this fury arising from so many evil principles works a great and incurable sin.
16.
For when all these things are in the same man in which the Holy
Spirit will dwell, the vessel cannot contain them, for the Holy Spirit being
tender cannot tarry with the evil one, and thus departs, but dwells with him
that is meek.
17.
When therefore He is departed from that man, the man becomes
destitute and is afterwards filled with wicked spirits, and blinded with evil
thoughts, so does it happen to all angry men.
18.
Take heed
therefore, and if you shall obey this command, you shall be able to observe the
other commandments which I shall command you."
Chapter 6
The virtue of the fear of God.
1. In my first commandment I commanded you that you should keep faith and fear and repentance, but now I will show you the virtues of these commands that you may know their effects, how they are prescribed alike to the just and unjust.
2. Believe
therefore the righteous, but give no credit to the unrighteous, for
righteousness keeps the right way, but unrighteousness the wicked way.
3.
Leave
that which is evil, for the way of evil has no good end, but has many
stumbling-blocks, it is rugged, full of thorns, and leads to destruction, being
hurtful to all who walk on it.
4.
But they
who go in the right way walk with evenness and without offense, it not being
rough or thorny.
5.
You see
therefore that it is best to walk in this way, and you shall go that way, and as
many as believe in God with all their heart.
6. Understand
then what belongs to faith. There
are two angels with man, one of righteousness the other of iniquity.
7.
And I
said' "Sir, how shall I know that there are two such angels with man?"
"Hear, said He, and understand.
8. The angel
of righteousness is mild, modest, gentle, and quiet, when he therefore comes in
his heart, he immediately talks to you of righteousness modesty, chastity,
bountifulness, forgiveness, charity, and of piety.
9.
When all
these things thus come into your heart know that the angel of righteousness is
with you, listen therefore to this angel, and do his works.
10. But know
also the works of the angel of iniquity, for he is first of all bitter, and
angry and foolish, and his works are destructive, that overthrows the servants
of God.
11.
When
these things thus come in your heart, you know by his works that he is the angel
of iniquity." And I said;
"Sir, How shall I understand these things?"
12. He
replied; "Listen and understand, when anger or bitterness overtakes you -
know that he is in you, and also with the desire of many things, and of the best
foods, and of drunkenness.
13.
And also
with covetness, the love of what belongs to others, and pride, and much
speaking, and ambition, and other like things.
14.
Seeing
thus you know his works depart from them all, and give no credit to him, for his
works are evil and not becoming of the servants of God.
15.
Here you
have the works of both these angels, understand, and believe then the angel of
righteousness, for his instructions are good.
16. For be a
man ever so happy, yet if the thoughts of the angel of iniquity arise in his
heart - he must needs sin.
17.
But let a
man or woman be ever so wicked; if the work of the angel of righteousness comes
into his heart, that man or woman must needs do some good.
18.
So you
see how good it is to follow the angel of righteousness, and if you shall thus
follow him, and submit to his works, you shall live unto God, and as many as do
shall live unto God."
Chapter 7
To fear God only.
1. He said; "Fear God and keep His commandments, for if you keep His commandments you shall be powerful in every work, and all your works shall be excellent, for by fearing God you shall do everything well.
2.
This is
the fear with which you must be affected that you may be saved, but fear not the
devil, for if you fear the Lord you shall have dominion over him, there not then
being any power in him.
3.
If thus
there is no power in him, he is neither to be feared, but He in whom is
excellent power is to be feared, for everyone having power is to be feared,
while he who has no power is despised by everyone.
4.
Fear the
works of the devil since they are evil, and by fearing the Lord you will not do
the works of the devil, but keep yourself from them.
5.
There is
therefore twofold fear, if you will do no evil - fear the Lord, and if you wish
to do well - the fear of the Lord is strong, great, and glorious.
6.
Fear
therefore God and you shall live, for whosoever fear Him and keep His
commandments - their life is with the Lord, while in them that do not keep them
is neither life.
Do good, and flee from evil.
1.
I
have thus told you that there are two kinds of creatures of the Lord, and that
there is a twofold abstinence, for from some things you must abstain, and not
from others."
2. I then
said "Sir, declare me from what I must abstain, and from what not."
"Listen, so he said; Keep yourself from evil, but not from the good,
for to abstain from what is good you might sin, if thus you abstain from evil
you shall know all righteousness."
3.
I said;
"What evil things must I abstain from?"
He said; "From adultery, drunkenness, riots, excess of eating,
daintiness, dishonesty, pride, fraud, lying, detraction, hypocrisy, and from
remembering of injuries, and from all evil speaking, for these are the works of
iniquity.
4. But hear
also what follows of good things, for there are indeed many more things of which
the servant of God must abstain, such as theft, cheating, false witness,
coveting, boasting, and all other of like nature.
5.
Do not
these things seem evil to you? For
indeed they are very evil to the servants of God. Thus I have shown you what things you must avoid, and now
hear from which you must not abstain, and hear also the virtue of them.
6. First
there is faith, the fear of the Lord, love, agreement, equity, truth, patience,
and chastity.
7.
There is
nothing better than these things in the life of a man that perform these things
in their life.
8.
And what
follows are; to minister to widows, not to despise the fatherless, and the poor,
and to redeem the servants of God from necessity, to be hospitable, and not to
be contentious.
9.
To be
humble above all men, to reverence the aged, to labor to the righteous, to
respect the brotherhood, to be long-suffering, to forebear, not to cast away
those that have fallen from the faith.
10. But to
convert them and make them to be of good cheer, to admonish sinners, and not to
oppress debtors, and all other things of like nature.
11.
Do these
things seem good to you?" And
I answered; "What can be better than these words?"
"Live then, so he said, in these commandments and depart not from
them.
12.
For if
you shall keep all these, you shall live unto God, and everyone who does so
shall live unto God."
Faith and doubt.
1. Again
He said to me; "Remove all doubt from you, and question nothing at all when
you ask anything of the Lord - saying within yourself; how shall I be able to ask
anything of the Lord and receive since I have sinned so greatly against Him.
2.
Do not
think thus, but turn to the Lord with all your heart, and ask of Him without any
doubt - and you shall know the mercy of the Lord how He will not forsake you,
but fulfill the request of your soul.
3. For God
is not as man mindful of the injuries He has received, but He forgets injuries
and has compassion on His creature.
4.
Purify
your heart therefore from all the vices of this present world.
And observe the commandments that I have delivered to you of God, and you
shall receive whatsoever good things you shall ask.
And nothing shall be wanting to you of all your petition, if you shall
ask without doubt.
5.
But they
who do not so - shall obtain nothing of the things for which they ask, for they
that are full of faith ask all things with confidence and receive, but that
doubt shall hardly live to God lest he repents.
6.
And if
you should ask, and not immediately receive it, yet do not therefore doubt, for
it may be to some trial, or else for some sin of which you are unaware.
7.
Do not
therefore leave off to ask, and you will receive, for if you cease to ask, you
have only to complain of yourself and not of God, that He has not given you what
you desired.
8.
Consider
thus how cruel and destructive doubt is, and how it utterly roots out many from
the faith who were faithful and firm, for doubt is the daughter of the devil,
and deals very wickedly with the servants of God.
9.
On every
occasion despise to doubt, and you shall rule over it, put on a firm and
powerful; faith, for faith promises all things, and perfects all things, but
doubt will not believe that it shall obtain anything for all that it can do.
10.
You see
thus how faith comes from above, from God, and has great power, but doubt is an
earthly spirit proceeding from the devil and has no strength.
11.
Keep
therefore the virtue of faith, and depart from doubt in which is no virtue, and
you and as many as will shall live unto God."
Sadness and doubt.
1. Put
all sadness far from you, for it is a sister of doubt and of anger." And I said; "How sir, is it the sister of these, for
sadness, anger, and doubt seems to me to be very different of one another?"
2.
And He
answered; "Are you then without sense that you do not understand it?
For sadness is the most mischievous of all spirits, and the worst to the
servants of God. It destroys the spirits of all men, and torments the Holy
Spirit, and yet also it saves."
3.
I said;
"Sir, I am very foolish and understand not these things, I do not
comprehend how it can torment, and yet save." So He said; "Listen and understand, they who never
sought out the truth, not inquired concerning the majesty of God, but only
believed, are involved in the affairs of the heathen.
4. And there
is another lying spirit that destroys the mind of the servants of God, of those
that are doubtful. These doubtful
persons then come to him as were he a divine spirit, and inquire of him what
shall befall them.
5.
And this
lying prophet having no power in him of the Divine Spirit - answers him
according to their desires, and fills their souls with promises, as they desire.
6.
That
prophet however is vain, answering vain things to those that are vain.
And whatever is asked of him by vain men he answers them vainly.
Yet he will speak some truth, because the devil fills him with his spirit
to the intend that he may overthrow some of the righteous.
7.
Whosoever
therefore are strong in the faith of the Lord and have put on the truth, they
are not joined to such spirits, but the doubtful repent often like the heathens
do, and consults them heaping up great sin to themselves,
serving idols.
8. As many
then as there are of such they inquire on every occasion, and worship idols,
being foolish and void of the truth.
9.
For every spirit that is given of God need not be asked, but having
the power of divinity speaks all things of itself, for he comes from above, from
the power of God.
10.
But that
one of men speaks according to man's desires and concerning many other affairs
of the present world, such understand not the things which relate to God, for
these spirits are darkened through such affairs and corrupted and broken.
11.
Like as
good vines when neglected are oppressed with weeds and thorns, and at last
killed by them, so are the men who believe such spirits.
12.
They fall
into many actions and businesses and are devoid of sense, and when they think of
things pertaining to God, they understand nothing at all, and if at any time
they chance to hear anything concerning the Lord, their thoughts are upon their
business.
13.
But they
that have the fear of the Lord, and search out the truth concerning God, having
all their thoughts towards the Lord perceive whatsoever is said to them, and
forthwith understand it, for they have the fear of the Lord in them.
14.
For where
the Spirit of the Lord dwells there is also much understanding added, join
yourself therefore to the Lord, and you shall understand all things.
15. Learn now
O you unwise man how sadness troubles the Holy Spirit, and how it saves.
When a doubtful man is engaged in any affair and does not accomplish it
because of his doubt, sadness enters him, and grieves the Holy Spirit, making
Him sad.
16. Then if
anger overtakes the man for any business, but again he is greatly moved with
remorse sadness entering his heart, being troubled for what he has done, and
repents.
17. This
sadness leads to salvation for he repents of his evil deed, while again in the
previous both doubt and sadness vexes the spirit with doubt since the work did
not succeed, and so angered the Holy Spirit.
18.
Remove
sadness therefore, and afflict not the Holy Spirit which dwells in you, lest He
entreats God, and departs from you, for the Spirit of the Lord which is given to
dwell in the flesh endures no such sadness.
19. Clothe
yourself therefore with cheerfulness which always has favor with God, and you
shall rejoice in it, for every cheerful man does well and relishes those things
that are good and despises sadness.
20. But the
sad person does always wickedly, first because he grieves the Holy Spirit, which
is of a cheerful nature.
21.
And
secondly he prays with sadness to the Lord, and does not first make a thankful
acknowledgment to Him for His former mercies.
22.
And so he
obtains not of God what he asks, for the prayer of a sad person has not always
the effect of coming up to the altar of God."
23.
And I
said to Him; "Sir, Why has the prayer of a sad person no virtue to come up
to the altar of God?" He
replied. "Because sadness
remained in his heart. (wrong
sadness)
24.
When a
man prays with sadness his request will not ascend pure, for as wine mixed with
vinegar has lost its sweetness, so sadness mixed with the Holy Spirit suffers
not a man's prayer to be the same as it would otherwise.
25.
Cleanse
yourself therefore from sadness which is evil, and you shall live unto God, and
all who lay aside sadness and put on cheerfulness shall live to God."
Empty and full vessels do not mix.
1.
He
showed me certain men sitting on benches, and one sitting on a chair. He said to me; "Do you see who sit on the benches, they
are the faithful, and he who sits in the chair is an earthly spirit.
2. For he
does not come into the assembly of the faithful, but avoids it, instead he joins
himself to the doubtful and empty prophesying to them in corners and hidden
places, pleasing them by speaking according to the desires of their hearts.
3. For he
placing himself among many empty vessels is not broken, so the one fits the
other. But when he comes into the
company of just men who are full of the Spirit of God, and they pray to the
Lord, then that man is emptied because that earthly spirit flees from him, and
he is dumb and cannot speak anything.
4. As if in
a storehouse you store wine and oil, and among these vessels you place an empty
jar, and coming later to open them you shall find it still empty as you placed
it. So these empty prophets when
they come among the spirits of the just are found to be such as they are."
5.
I said;
"How then shall a man be able to discern them?"
He replied; "Consider what I am going to say, consider the two kinds
of men as I speak to you which is the prophet of God, and which is false.
6.
For He
who has the Spirit of God, for the Spirit of above is humble and quiet and
departs from all wickedness, and from the vain desires of this present world.
7.
And
accordingly makes himself more humble than all men and answers to none when he
is asked, not to everyone singularly, for the Spirit of God does not speak to a
man when he wills, but when it pleases God.
8. When a
man who has the Spirit of God comes into the church of the righteous, who have
the faith of God and pray to the Lord, then the holy angel of God fills that man
with the blessed Spirit and he speaks in the congregation as the Lord will.
9.
There
then is the Spirit of God known, for whosoever speaks by the Spirit of God
speaks, as the Lord will.
10. And now
hear concerning the empty spirit which is foolish and without virtue, he then
that is supposed to have the Spirit, exalts himself and desires to have the
first seat, and is wicked and full of words.
11.
And he
spends his time in pleasure and in all manner of foul desires, and looks for the
reward of his divination which if he does not receive it, he will not divine.
12.
And now I
ask you, it is proper that the Spirit of God divine's and receives reward?
No it does not become a prophet of God to do so.
13. Thus you
see the life of each of these kind of prophets, test therefore that man by his
life and works. He that says he has
the Spirit, and that he believes the Spirit that comes of God - but in fact has
not. Or that says he believes not
the earthly spirit, which is from the devil in whom is no faith and virtue, but
he in fact practices, its desire.
14.
And now
hear the similitude, which I am about to speak to you.
Take a stone and throw it up to heaven, or take a spout of water and
shoot it upward to see if you can reach into heaven."
15.
I said;
"Sir, this cannot be done, neither of these are possible". And He answered; "Just as these things cannot be done,
so also is the earthly spirit (down to earth) without virtue and effect.
16.
In the
next similitude then understand yet further the power that comes from above; The
grains of hail that drop down are exceedingly small, and yet when they fall on
the head of a man how do they cause pain?
17. And again
consider the rain how the little drops falling on the earth work a hollow in the
stone, so in like manner the least which comes from above that falls on the
earth have great force.
18.
Join
yourself therefore to this spirit which has the power, and depart from the other
which is empty."
Of twofold desire.
1.
Again
He said to me; "Remove all evil desire from you, and put on good and holy
desires, for having put on a good desire you shall hate that which is evil, and
bridle it as you will.
2. But an
evil desire is dreadful and hard to be tamed, it is very horrible wild, and by
its wildness consumes men, and especially if a servant of the Lord chances to
fall into it, for except he be very wise he shall be ruined in it.
3.
For it
destroys those who have not the garment of good desire, and which are engaged in
the affairs of this present world, delivering them to death."
4.
I said;
"Sir, what are the works of an evil desire that brings a man to
death?" And He said;
"First it is to covet a man's wife, or for a woman to covet another woman's
husband, and to desire dainties of riches, and the score of superfluous meats
and drunkenness, and many such delights.
5.
For in
much delicacy there is folly, and many pleasures are needless to the servants of
God, such lusting thus is evil and destructive which bring the servants of God
to death, for all such lusting is from the devil.
6. Whosoever
thus departs from all evil desires shall live to God, but that are subject to it
shall die, for evil lusting is deadly.
7.
You
therefore put on the desire of righteousness, and armed with the fear of the
Lord resist all wicked lusting.
8.
For this
fear dwells in good desires, and when evil coveting sees you armed with the fear
of God and resisting it, it will fly far from you, and not appear to you being
afraid of your armor.
9.
And you
shall have the victory and be crowned for it, and attain to that desire which is
good, and grant the victory you have obtained to God serving Him in doing what
you yourself would do.
10. For if
you shall serve good desires and be subject to them, you shall be able to obtain
dominion over your wicked lusting, and they shall be subject to you as you
desire."
11. And I
said; "Sir, I like to know how to serve that good desire." He said; "Listen, Fear God and put your trust in Him and
love truth and righteousness, and perform what is good.
12.
If you do
these things, you shall be an approved servant of God, and you shall serve Him,
and all others who in like manner shall serve a good desire shall live unto
God."
Ending words.
1. And having fulfilled these twelve commands He said to me; "You now have these commands, walk in them and exhort them that hear them and do repent, that they may keep their repentance pure all the days of their life.
2. And
fulfill this ministry that I committed to you, and you shall receive great
advantage by it and favor with all such as repent and believe your words, for I
am with you and will coerce them to believe."
3. And I
said to Him "Sir, these commands are great and excellent, able to cheer the
heart of that man which shall be able to keep them, but Sir, I cannot tell if
they can be observed by any man."
4.
He
answered "You shall easily keep these commands, and they shall not be hard,
but if you shall suffer it in your heart
that they cannot be kept by anyone, then you shall neither fulfill them.
5. And so I
say to you u now; that if you do not observe these commands but neglect them -
you shall not be saved because you judged that these commands cannot be kept by
any man."
6.
These
things He spoke very angrily to me, so much so that He greatly frightened me,
for He changed His countenance so that a man could not bear His anger.
7. And He seeing me altogether troubled and confounded, He began to speak more moderately and cheerfully saying; "O foolish and without understanding, inconstant and not knowing the Majesty of God, how great and wonderful He is.
8.
Who
created the world for man, and has made every creature subject to him, and who
gave him all the power required that he should be able to fulfill all these
commands.
9.
He is
indeed able to fulfill all these commands, he who has the Lord in his heart, but
they who do not have the Lord in their mouth, and whose heart is hardened, being
far from the Lord, to such persons these commands are hard and difficult.
10. You
therefore that are empty and light in the faith, put the Lord your God in your
heart, and you shall perceive how nothing is more easy nor more pleasant,
gentle, and holy than these commands.
11.
Turn
yourself to the Lord, and forsake the devil and his pleasures, for they are
bitter and impure, and fear not the devil for he has no power over you.
12.
For I am
with you, the messenger of repentance who has the dominion over the devil does
indeed frighten men, but his terror is in vain, wherefore fear him not and he
will flee from you."
13.
And I
said to Him. "Sir, Hear me to
speak a few words to you. A man
indeed desires to keep the commandments of God, and everyone that prays asks
that he may keep the commandments of God, but the devil is hard, and by his
power rules over the servants of God."
14. And He
said No! He cannot rule over the
servants of God who trust in God with all their hearts, the devil may strive -
but he cannot overcome them.
15. For if you resist him he will flee away with confusion, but they that
are not full of faith fear the devil as if he had some great power for the devil
tries the servants of God, and if he finds them empty, he destroys them.
16. For just
as man when he fills up vessels with good wine and among them he places a few
half-full vessels. And coming to
try the taste of the vessels, he does not try those that are full, for he knows
that they are good, but he tastes those that are half full - if they have grown
sour. For vessels half full soon
grow sour, losing the taste of wine, so also the devil comes to the servants of
God to try them.
17. They that
are full of faith resist him stoutly, and he departs from them, for he finds no
place where to enter into them. Then
he goes to those who are not full of faith, and because he finds a place of
entrance he goes into them and does what he will with them, and they become his
servants.
18.
But I the
messenger of repentance say to you; fear not the devil, for I am sent to you
that I may be with you, and with as many as repent with their whole heart that I
may confirm them in the faith.
19.
Believe
therefore you who by reason of your transgressions have forgotten God and your
own salvation and adding to your sins have made your life very heavy.
20.
That if
you shall turn to the Lord with your whole heart and shall serve Him according
to His will, He will heal you of your former sins and you shall have dominion
over all the works of the devil.
21. Be then
not in the least afraid of the threatening for they are without force, even as
the nerves of a dead man are, but listen to Me, and fear the Almighty who is
able to save or to destroy you.
22.
And I
said to Him; "Sir, I now am confirmed in all the commands of the Lord as
long as Thou art with me, for I know that Thou wilt break all the power of the
devil.
23.
And we
also shall overcome him in the help of the Lord to keep these commands which
Thou has commanded."
24.
He then
said; "You shall keep them if you purify your heart towards the Lord, and
all who shall cleanse their heart from the vain desires of this present world
shall live unto God."
End.
