Shepherd of Hermas 5

1As I was going to Cumae at the same season as the year before, while walking I recalled last year’s vision, and again the Spirit lifts me up and carries me away to the same place as the year before.

2So, having come to the place, I knelt and began to pray to the Lord and to glorify his name, because he had deemed me worthy and had made known to me my former sins.

3And after I rose from prayer, I see before me the elderly woman whom I had also seen last year, walking and reading a little book. And she says to me, “Are you able to report these things to the elect of God?” I say to her, “Lady, I am not able to remember so many things; but give me the little book, so that I may copy it.” “Take it,” she says, “and you will give it back to me.”

4So I took it, and withdrawing to a certain place in the field, I copied it all letter by letter, for I could not make out the syllables. And when I had finished the letters of the book, suddenly the little book was snatched from my hand; but by whom I did not see.