Shepherd of Hermas 1

1"Did I speak? Did I not always regard you as a goddess? Did I not always respect you as a sister? Why do you falsely accuse me, woman, of these wicked and unclean things?"

2She laughed and says to me, "Evil desire has risen up into your heart. Or does it not seem to you to be a wicked thing for a righteous man if evil desire rises into his heart? It is indeed a sin—and a great one, she says. For a righteous man plans what is righteous. Therefore, in planning what is righteous, his glory is established in the heavens, and he has the Lord readily reconciled in every matter of his. But those who plan evil in their hearts bring upon themselves death and captivity—especially those who secure this present age for themselves, who exult in their wealth, and who do not hold fast to the good things that are coming.

3"Their souls will repent—those who have no hope, but have despaired of themselves and of their life. But you—pray to God, and he will heal your sins, and those of your whole household, and of all the holy ones."