Shepherd of Hermas 59

1Similitude 7

21. After a few days I saw him in the same field where I had also seen the shepherds, and he says to me, “What are you seeking?” “I am here, sir,” I say, “that you may command the shepherd, the punisher, to go out from my house, because he afflicts me greatly.” He says, “It is necessary for you to be afflicted; for thus the glorious angel has commanded concerning you, for he wants you to be tested.” “For what, sir,” I say, “have I done that was so evil, that I should be handed over to this angel?”

32. He says, “Listen: your sins are many, but not so many that you should be handed over to this angel. Rather, your household has committed great lawless deeds and sins, and the glorious angel was embittered at their works; and for this reason he ordered that you be afflicted for a certain time, so that they too might repent and cleanse themselves from every desire of this age. When therefore they repent and are cleansed, then the angel of punishment will depart.”

43. I say to him, “Sir, if they did such things as to embitter the glorious angel, what did I do?” “Otherwise,” he says, “they cannot be afflicted unless you, the head of the whole household, are afflicted; for when you are afflicted, of necessity they also will be afflicted, but if you stand firm, they cannot have any affliction.”

54. “But look, sir,” I say, “they have repented with all their heart.” He says, “I also know that they have repented with—”