Shepherd of Hermas 18

1Be made holy from all wickedness and from all crookedness. But you do not want to depart from your wickedness. Now then, listen to me and be at peace among yourselves, and look after one another and support one another; and do not alone partake of God’s creatures in an overflow of abundance, but share also with those who are in want. For some, from their many foods, bring weakness upon the flesh and ruin their flesh; but the flesh of those who do not have food is ruined because they do not have enough nourishment, and their body is destroyed. This lack of moderation then is harmful to you who have and do not share with those who lack. Look to the judgment that is coming. Therefore, you who are well-off, seek out the hungry while the tower is not yet finished; for after the tower has been finished you will want to do good, and you will not have a place. So watch, you who pride yourselves in your wealth, lest those in need should groan, and their groaning go up to the Lord, and you be shut out together with your useless goods outside the door of the tower.

2I say to you who lead the church and to the first-seaters: do not become like poisoners. Poisoners carry their drugs in boxes; but you carry your drug and your poison in your heart. You are encrusted and do not wish to cleanse your hearts and to bring your understanding together as one in a pure heart, so that you may receive mercy from the great King. Watch then, children, lest these dissensions of yours deprive you of life. How can you wish to train the Lord’s chosen ones when you yourselves do not have training? Train one another and be at peace among yourselves, so that I also, standing joyfully before the Father, may give an account on behalf of you all to your Lord.

3X. When she had ceased speaking with me, the six young men who were building came and carried her to the tower, and four others lifted the cushioned seat and carried it also to the tower. I did not see their faces, because they were turned away.

4And as she was going, I asked her to reveal to me about the three forms in which she had appeared to me. She answered me and said, “About these, you must ask another, so that it may be revealed to you.”

5She appeared to me, brothers, in the first vision—the one last year—very aged and sitting on a chair. And in the second vision her appearance was younger, but her flesh and her hair were older, and as she stood she spoke to me; and she was more cheerful than before. And in the third vision she was wholly younger and most distinguished in beauty, only her hair was older; and she was cheerful to the end and was seated on a cushioned seat.

6About these things I was very much distressed, wanting to know this revelation. And I see the aged woman in a vision of the night, saying to me: “Every inquiry has need of humility; therefore fast, and you will receive what you ask from the Lord.” So I fasted one day, and on that very night a young man appeared to me and said to me: “Since you are asking for revelations in prayer, watch lest by asking for many things you harm your flesh. These revelations are sufficient for you. Are you able to see revelations more powerful than those you have seen?”

7And answering him I said, “Lord, this only I ask—that concerning the three forms of the aged woman the revelation may become complete.” He answered me and said: “How long will you be senseless? Rather, your double-mindednesses make you senseless, and your heart is not toward the Lord.”

8Answering him again, I said, “But from you, Lord, we shall learn these things more precisely.”