Shepherd of Hermas 6

1After fifteen days, when I had been fasting and had asked the Lord many things, the understanding of the writing was revealed to me. And this was written:

2“Your offspring, Hermas, have rejected God and blasphemed the Lord, and they have betrayed their parents in great wickedness, and they were heard as betrayers of parents; and though they betrayed them, they gained no advantage, but they added still to their sins licentious acts and mixtures of wickedness, and thus their lawless deeds were filled up.

3But make these words known to all your children and to your wife, who is to be your sister; for she too does not refrain from her tongue, by which she acts wickedly. But when she hears these words, she will refrain, and she will obtain mercy.

4After you have made known to them these words which the Master commanded me to be revealed to you, then all their sins that they formerly committed are forgiven them, and also to all the holy ones who have sinned up to this day, if they repent with all their heart and remove from their heart their double‑mindedness.

5For the Master swore by his glory concerning his chosen ones: if, after this appointed day, sin should still occur, they have no salvation; for repentance has an end for the righteous. The days of repentance have been fulfilled for all the holy ones, but for the nations there is repentance until the last day.

6Therefore you shall say to those who lead the church that they should set their ways straight in righteousness, so that they may receive the promises in full, with much glory.

7Persevere, then, you who work righteousness, and do not be double‑minded, so that your passing may be with the holy angels. Blessed are you who endure the great tribulation that is coming, and who will not deny their life.

8For the Lord swore by his Son that those who denied their Lord are cut off from their life—those who are now about to deny him in the coming days; but to those who denied before, because of his great compassion, he became merciful.”