Book Three 5 страница

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757.

Try by his deeds and his life the man who says that he is inspired.

758.

But as for you, trust the Spirit which comes from God, and has power;

759.

but the spirit which is earthly and empty trust not at all, for there is no power in it:

it comes from the devil.

760.

Hear, then, the parable which I am to tell you.

760.

Take a stone, and throw it to the sky, and see if you can touch it.

761.

Or again, take a stone and throw it into the sky, and see if you can penetrate the sky.

762.

How, sir, say I, can these things take place?

763.

For both of them are impossible.

764.

As these things, says he, are impossible, so also are the earthly spirits powerless and pithless.

765.

But look, on the other hand, at the power which comes from above.

766.

Hail is of the size of a very small grain,

yet when it falls on a man's head how much annoyance it gives him!

767.

Or, again, take the drop of water which falls from a pitcher to the ground, and yet it hollows a stone.

768.

You see, then, that the smallest things coming from above

have great power when they fall upon the earth.

769.

Thus also is the Divine Spirit, which comes from above, powerful.

770.

Trust, then, that Spirit, but have nothing to do with the other.

The Shepherd of Hermas CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Divisions 771-800

Commandment 12

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 2, 12

771.

On the twofold desire the commandments of god can be kept, and believers ought not to fear the devil

Chapter 1

772.

He says to me, Put away from you all wicked desire, and clothe yourself with good and chaste desire; for clothed with this desire you will hate wicked desire, and will rein yourself in even as you wish.

773.

For wicked desire is wild, and is with difficulty tamed.

774.

For it is terrible, and consumes men exceedingly by its wildness.

775.

Especially is the servant of God terribly consumed by it,

if he falls into it and is devoid of understanding.

776.

Moreover, it consumes all such as have not on them the garment of good desire,

yet are entangled and mixed up with this world.

777.

These it delivers up to death.

778.

What then, sir, say I, are the deeds of wicked desire which deliver menover to death?

779.

Make them known to me, and I will refrain from them.

780.

Listen, then, to the works in which evil desire slays the servants of God.

Chapter 2

781.

Foremost of all is the desire after another's wife or husband,

and after extravagance, and many useless dainties and drinks,

and many other foolish luxuries;

for all luxury is foolish and empty in the servants of God.

782.

These, then, are the evil desires which slay the servants of God.

783.

For this evil desire is the daughter of the devil.

784.

You must refrain from evil desires, that by refraining you may live to God.

785.

But as many as are mastered by them, and do not resist them, will perish at last,

for these desires are fatal.

786.

Put you on, then, the desire of righteousness;

and arming yourself with the fear of the Lord, resist them

787.

For the fear of the Lord dwells in good desire.

788.

But if evil desire see you armed with the fear of God, and resisting it, it will flee far from you,

and it will no longer appear to you, for it fears your armour.

789.

Go, then, garlanded with the crown which you have gained for victory over it,

to the desire of righteousness,

and, delivering up to it the prize which you have received, serve it even as it wishes.

790.

If you serve good desire, and be subject to it,

you will gain the mastery over evil desire, and make it subject to you even as you wish.

Chapter 3

791.

I should like to know, say I, in what way I ought to serve good desire.

792.

Hear, says he:

You will practice righteousness and virtue, truth and the fear of the Lord,

faith and meekness, and whatsoever excellences are like to these.

793.

Practising these, you will be a well-pleasing servant of God, and you will live to Him;

and every one who shall serve good desire, shall live to God.

794.

He concluded the twelve commandments, and said to me,

You have now these commandments.

795.

Walk in them,

and exhort your hearers that their repentance may be pure during the remainder of their life.

796.

Fulfill carefully this ministry which I now entrust to you, and you will accomplish much.

for you will find favour among those who are to repent, and they will give heed to your words;

for I will be with you, and will compel them to obey you.

797.

I say to him, Sir, these commandments are great, and good, and glorious,

and fitted to gladden the heart of the man who can perform them.

But I do not know if these commandments can be kept by man, because they are exceeding hard.

798.

He answered and said to me,

If you lay it down as certain that they can be kept,

then you will easily keep them, and they will not be hard.

799.

But if you come to imagine that they cannot be kept by man, then you will not keep them.

800.

Now I say to you,

If you do not keep them, but neglect them, you will not be saved, nor your children, nor your house, since you have already determined for yourself that these commandments cannot be kept by man.

The Shepherd of Hermas CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Divisions 801-830

Commandments 12

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 2, 12

Chapter 4

801.

These things he said to me in tones of the deepest anger,

so that I was confounded and exceedingly afraid of him,

for his figure was altered so that a man could not endure his anger.

802.

But seeing me altogether agitated and confused, he began to speak to me in more gentle tones;

and he said:

803.

O fool, senseless and doubting,

do you not perceive how great is the glory of God, and how strong and marvellous,

in that He created the world for the sake of man, and subjected all creation to him,

and gave him power to rule over everything under heaven?

804.

If, then, man is lord of the creatures of God, and rules over all,

is he not able to be lord also of these commandments?

805.

For, says he, the man who has the Lord in his heart can also be lord of all,

and of every one of these commandments.

806.

But to those who have the Lord only on their lips, Isaiah 29: 13, Matthew 15: 8

but their hearts hardened, John 12: 40, 2nd Corinthians 3: 14

and who are far from the Lord, the commandments are hard and difficult.

807.

Put, therefore, you who are empty and fickle in your faith, the Lord in your heart,

and you will know that there is nothing easier or sweeter, or more manageable,

than these commandments.

808.

Return, you who walk in the commandments of the devil,

in hard, and bitter, and wild licentiousness, and fear not the devil;

for there is no power in him against you, for I will be with you,

the angel of repentance, who am lord over him.

809.

The devil has fear only, but his fear has no strength.

810.

Fear him not, then, and he will flee from you.

Chapter 5

811.

I say to him, Sir, listen to me for a moment.

812.

Say what you wish, says he.

813.

Sir, mankind, say I, is eager to keep the commandments of God,

and there is none who does not ask of the Lord that strength may be given him for these commandments,

and that he may be subject to them;

814.

but the devil is hard, and holds sway over them He cannot, says he,

hold sway over the servants of God, who with all their heart place their hopes in Him.

815.

The devil can wrestle against these, overthrow them he cannot.

816.

If, then, you resist him, he will be conquered, and flee in disgrace from you.

817.

As many, therefore, says he, as are empty, fear the devil, as possessing power.

818.

When a man has filled very suitable jars with good wine,

and a few among those jars are left empty,

then he comes to the jars, and does not look at the full jars, for he knows that they are full;

yet he looks at the empty, being afraid lest they have become sour.

819.

For empty jars quickly become sour, and the goodness of the wine is gone.

820.

So also the devil goes to all the servants of God to try them.

821.

As many, then, as are full in the faith, resist him strongly,

and he withdraws from them, having no way by which he might enter them.

822.

He goes, then, to the empty, and finding a way of entrance, into them,

he produces in them whatever he wishes, and they become his servants.

Chapter 6

823.

But I, the angel of repentance, say to you

Fear not the devil; for I was sent, says he,

to be with you who repent with all your heart, and to make you strong in faith.

Trust God, then, you who on account of your sins have despaired of life,

and who add to your sins and weigh down your life;

825.

for if you return to the Lord with all your heart, and practice righteousness the rest of your days,

and serve Him according to His will, He will heal your former sins,

and you will have power to hold sway over the works of the devil.

826.

But as to the threats of the devil, fear them not at all,

for he is powerless as the sinews of a dead man.

827.

Give ear to me, then, and fear Him who has all power, both to save and destroy,

and keep His commandments, and you will live to God. Matthew 10: 28, Luke 12: 5

828.

I say to him, Sir, I am now made strong in all the ordinances of the Lord, because you are with me;

and I know that you will crush all the power of the devil, and we shall have rule over him,

and shall prevail against all his works.

829.

And I hope, sir, to be able to keep all these commandments which you have enjoined upon me,

the Lord strengthening me.

830.

You will keep them, says he, if your heart be pure towards the Lord;

and all will keep them who cleanse their hearts from the vain desires of this world,

and they will live to God.

The Shepherd of Hermas CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Divisions 831-850

Book 3 – Similitudes

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 3, 1

Similitude 1

831.

As in this world we have no abiding city, we ought to seek one to come

832.

He says to me, You know that you who are the servants of God dwell in a strange land;

for your city is far away from this one.

833.

If, then, he continues, you know your city in which you are to dwell,

why do you here provide lands, and make expensive preparations,

and accumulate dwellings and useless buildings?

834.

He who makes such preparations for this city cannot return again to his own.

835.

Oh foolish, and unstable, and miserable man!

836.

Do you not understand that all these things belong to another, and are under the power of another?

837.

For the lord of this city will say,

'I do not wish you to dwell in my city;

but depart from this city, because you obey not my laws. '

838.

You, therefore, although having fields and houses, and many other things,

when cast out by him, what will you do with your land, and house,

and other possessions which you have gathered to yourself?

839.

For the lord of this country justly says to you,

'Either obey my laws or depart from my dominion. '

840.

What, then, do you intend to do, having a law in your own city,

on account of your lands, and the rest of your possessions?

841.

You shall altogether deny your law, and walk according to the law of this city.

842.

See lest it be to your hurt to deny your law;

for if you shall desire to return to your city, you will not be received,

because you have denied the law of your city, but will be excluded from it.

843.

Have a care, therefore: as one living in a foreign land,

make no further preparations for yourself than such merely as may be sufficient;

844.

and be ready, when the master of this city shall come to cast you out for disobeying his law,

to leave his city, and to depart to your own,

and to obey your own law without being exposed to annoyance, but in great joy.

845.

Have a care, then, you who serve the Lord, and have Him in your heart,

that you work the works of God, remembering His commandments and promises which He promised,

and believe that He will bring them to pass if His commandments be observed.

846.

Instead of lands, therefore, buy afflicted souls, according as each one is able,

and visit widows and orphans, and do not overlook them;

and spend your wealth and all your preparations,

which you received from the Lord, upon such lands and houses.

847.

For to this end did the Master make you rich, that you might perform these services unto Him;

and it is much better to purchase such lands, and possessions, and houses,

as you will find in your own city, when you come to reside in it.

848.

This is a noble and sacred expenditure, attended neither with sorrow nor fear, but with joy.

849.

Do not practice the expenditure of the heathen, for it is injurious to you who are the servants of God;

yet practice an expenditure of your own, in which you can rejoice;

850.

and do not corrupt nor touch what is another's nor covet it,

for it is an evil thing to covet the goods of other men;

but work your own work, and you will be saved.

The Shepherd of Hermas CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Divisions 851-880

Similitude 2

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 3, 2

851.

As the vine is supported by the elm, so is the rich man helped by the prayer of the poor

852.

As I was walking in the field, and observing an elm and vine, and determining in my own mind respecting them and their fruits, the Shepherd appears to me, and says,

853.

What is it that you are thinking about the elm and vine?

854.

I am considering, I reply, that they become each other exceedingly well.

855.

These two trees, he continues, are intended as an example for the servants of God.

856.

I would like to know, said I, the example which these trees you say, are intended to teach.

857.

Do you see, he says, the elm and the vine?

858.

I see them sir, I replied.

859.

This vine, he continued, produces fruit, and the elm is an unfruitful tree;

but unless the vine be trained upon the elm,

it cannot bear much fruit when extended at length upon the ground;

and the fruit which it does bear is rotten, because the plant is not suspended upon the elm.

860.

When, therefore, the vine is cast upon the elm, it yields fruit both from itself and from the elm.

861.

You see, moreover, that the elm also produces much fruit, not less than the vine, but even more;

because, he continued, the vine, when suspended upon the elm, yields much fruit, and good;

but when thrown upon the ground, what it produces is small and rotten.

862.

This similitude, therefore, is for the servants of God

— for the poor man and for the rich.

863.

How so, sir? said I; explain the matter to me.

864.

Listen, he said:

The rich man has much wealth, but is poor in matters relating to the Lord,

because he is distracted about his riches;

865.

and he offers very few confessions and intercessions to the Lord,

and those which he does offer are small and weak, and have no power above.

866.

But when the rich man refreshes the poor, and assists him in his necessities,

believing that what he does to the poor man will be able to find its reward with God

— because the poor man is rich in intercession and confession,

and his intercession has great power with God—

867.

then the rich man helps the poor in all things without hesitation;

and the poor man, being helped by the rich, intercedes for him,

giving thanks to God for him who bestows gifts upon him.

868.

And he still continues to interest himself zealously for the poor man,

that his wants may be constantly supplied.

869.

For he knows that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and influential with God.

870.

Both, accordingly, accomplish their work.

871.

The poor man makes intercession;

a work in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord,

and with which he recompenses the master who helps him.

872.

And the rich man, in like manner,

unhesitatingly bestows upon the poor man the riches which he received from the Lord.

873.

And this is a great work, and acceptable before God,

because he understands the object of his wealth,

and has given to the poor of the gifts of the Lord, and rightly discharged his service to Him.

874.

Among men, however, the elm appears not to produce fruit,

and they do not know nor understand that if a drought come,

875.

the elm, which contains water, nourishes the vine;

and the vine, having an unfailing supply of water,

yields double fruit both for itself and for the elm.

876.

So also poor men interceding with the Lord on behalf of the rich, increase their riches;

and the rich, again, aiding the poor in their necessities, satisfy their souls.

877.

Both, therefore, are partners in the righteous work.

878.

He who does these things shall not be deserted by God,

but shall be enrolled in the books of the living.

879.

Blessed are they who have riches, and who understand that they are from the Lord.

880.

(For they who are of that mind will be able to do some good. )

The Shepherd of Hermas CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Divisions 881-905

Similitude 3

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 3, 3-4

881.

As in winter green trees cannot be distinguished from withered,

so in this world neither can the just from the unjust

882.

He showed me many trees having no leaves, yet withered, as it seemed to me;

for all were alike.

883.

And he said to me,

Do you see those trees?

884.

I see, sir, I replied, that all are alike, and withered.

885.

He answered me, and said,

These trees which you see are those who dwell in this world.

886.

Why, then, sir, I said, are they withered, as it were, and alike?

887.

Because, he said, neither are the righteous manifest in this life, nor sinners, yet they are alike;

888.

for this life is a winter to the righteous,

and they do not manifest themselves, because they dwell with sinners:

889.

for as in winter trees that have cast their leaves are alike,

and it is not seen which are dead and which are living,

890.

so in this world neither do the righteous show themselves, nor sinners,

but all are alike one to another.

Similitude 4

891.

As in summer living trees are distinguished from withered by fruit and living leaves,

so in the world to come the just differ from the unjust in happiness

892.

He showed me again many trees, some budding, and others withered,

and he said to me, Do you see these trees?

893.

I see, sir, I replied, some putting forth buds, and others withered.

894.

Those, he said, which are budding are the righteous who are to live in the world to come;

for the coming world is the summer of the righteous, but the winter of sinners.

895.

When, therefore, the mercy of the Lord shines forth,

then shall they be made manifest who are the servants of God, and all men shall be made manifest.

896.

For as in summer the fruits of each individual tree appear,

and it is ascertained of what sort they are, so also the fruits of the righteous shall be manifest,

and all who have been fruitful in that world shall be made known.

897.

But the heathen and sinners, like the withered trees which you saw,

will be found to be those who have been withered and unfruitful in that world,

and shall be burnt as wood, and thus made manifest, because their actions were evil during their lives.

898.

For the sinners shall be consumed because they sinned and did not repent,

and the heathen shall be burned because they knew not Him who created them.

899.

Do you therefore bear fruit, that in that summer your fruit may be known.

900.

And refrain from much business, and you will never sin:

for they who are occupied with much business commit also many sins,

being distracted about their affairs, and not at all serving their Lord.

901.

How, then, he continued,

can such a one ask and obtain anything from the Lord, if he serve Him not?

902.

They who serve Him shall obtain their requests,

but they who serve Him not shall receive nothing.

903.

And in the performance even of a single action a man can serve the Lord;

for his mind will not be perverted from the Lord, but he will serve Him, having a pure mind.

904.

If, therefore, you do these things, you shall be able to bear fruit for the life to come.

905.

And every one who will do these things shall bear fruit.

The Shepherd of Hermas CHAPTER THIRTY

Divisions 906-940

Similitude 5

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS 3, 5

906.

The true fasting and its reward:

Also of purity of body

Chapter 1

907.

While fasting and sitting on a certain mountain,

and giving thanks to the Lord for all His dealings with me,

I see the Shepherd sitting down beside me, and saying,

Why have you come hither so early in the morning?

908.

Because, sir, I answered, I have a station.

909.

What is the station? he asked.

910.

I am fasting, sir, I replied.

911.

What is this fasting, he continued, which you are observing?

912.

As I have been accustomed, sir, I reply, so I fast.

913.

You do not know, he says, how to fast unto the Lord:

this useless fasting which you observe to Him is of no value.

914.

Why, sir, I answered, do you say this?

915.

I say to you, he continued, that the fasting which you think you observe is not a fasting.

916.

But I will teach you what is a full and acceptable fasting to the Lord.

917.

Listen, he continued: God does not desire such an empty fasting.

918.

For fasting to God in this way you will do nothing for a righteous life;

but offer to God a fasting of the following kind:

919.

Do no evil in your life, and serve the Lord with a pure heart:

keep His commandments, walking in His precepts,

and let no evil desire arise in your heart;

and believe in God.

920.

If you do these things, and fear Him, and abstain from every evil thing, you will live unto God;

and if you do these things, you will keep a great fast, and one acceptable before God.

Chapter 2

921.

Hear the similitude which I am about to narrate to you relative to fasting.

922.

A certain man had a field and many slaves, and he planted a certain part of the field with a vineyard,

and selecting a faithful and beloved and much valued slave, he called him to him, and said,

923.

'Take this vineyard which I have planted, and stake it until I come, and do nothing else to the vineyard;

and attend to this order of mine, and you shall receive your freedom from me. '

924.

And the master of the slave departed to a foreign country.

925.

And when he had gone, the slave took and staked the vineyard;

and when he had finished the staking of the vines, he saw that the vineyard was full of weeds.

926.

He then reflected, saying, 'I have kept this order of my master:

I will dig up the rest of this vineyard, and it will be more beautiful when dug up;

and being free of weeds, it will yield more fruit, not being choked by them. '

927.

He took, therefore, and dug up the vineyard, and rooted out all the weeds that were in it.

and that vineyard became very beautiful and fruitful, having no weeds to choke it.

928.

And after a certain time the master of the slave and of the field returned, and entered into the vineyard.

929.

And seeing that the vines were suitably supported on stakes,

and the ground, moreover, dug up, and all the weeds rooted out, and the vines fruitful,

he was greatly pleased with the work of his slave.

930.

And calling his beloved son who was his heir, and his friends who were his councillors,

he told them what orders he had given his slave, and what he had found performed.

931.

And they rejoiced along with the slave at the testimony which his master bore to him.

932.

And he said to them, 'I promised this slave freedom if he obeyed the command which I gave him;

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