Shepherd of Hermas 30

1I asked him again, saying, "Since the Lord has counted me worthy that you should dwell with me always, bear with a few more words from me, since I understand nothing, and my heart has been hardened by my former deeds. Give me understanding, for I am very foolish and altogether perceive nothing."

2Answering me, he says, "I," he says, "am appointed over repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. Or does it not seem to you," he says, "that this very thing—to repent—is understanding? To repent," he says, "is great understanding. For the man who has sinned understands that he has done what is evil before the Lord, and the deed that he did rises up in his heart, and he repents and no longer does evil, but does good abundantly, and he humbles his own soul and afflicts it, because he sinned. You see then that repentance is great understanding."

3"For this reason then," I say, "sir, I inquire of you carefully about everything: first, because I am a sinner; then, because I do not know by doing what works I shall live, for my sins are many and manifold."

4"You will live," he says, "if you keep my commandments and walk in them; and whoever, having heard these commandments, keeps them, will live to God."