Shepherd of Hermas 52

1He says, “I told you just now that you are crafty and headstrong, asking for the interpretations of the parables. But since you are so persistent, I will interpret for you the parable of the field and the rest. He entrusted them to the angels to keep them; and he himself cleansed their sins, having labored much and endured many toils—for no one can dig without toil or labor.

2Therefore, having cleansed the sins of the people, he showed them the paths of life, giving them the law that he received from his Father. “You see,” he says, “that he himself is Lord of the people, having received all authority from his Father. And as for the Lord’s taking his Son and the glorious angels as counselors concerning the inheritance of the servant—listen.

3The Holy Spirit, which preexisted, which created all creation, God caused to dwell in flesh that he willed. This flesh, then, in which the Holy Spirit dwelt, served the Spirit well, walking in modesty and purity, in no way at all defiling the Spirit. Therefore, since it had conducted itself well and purely, and had toiled together with the Spirit and cooperated in every matter, conducting itself strongly and courageously, he chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit; for the conduct of this flesh pleased [the Lord], because it was not defiled upon the earth while having the Holy Spirit.

4Therefore he took the Son and the glorious angels as counselors, in order that this flesh also, having served the Spirit blamelessly, might have some place of dwelling, and might not seem to have lost the reward of its service. For every flesh that is found undefiled and unstained, in which the Holy Spirit has dwelt, will receive a reward. You have the interpretation of this parable also.”