Shepherd of Hermas 62

1I say to him, “Sir, make known to me what this tree is; for I am perplexed about it, because, though so many branches have been cut off, the tree is sound, and nothing appears to have been cut away from it. About this, therefore, I am at a loss.”

2“Listen,” he says. “This great tree that covers plains and mountains and the whole earth is the law of God given to the whole world. And this law is the Son of God, proclaimed to the ends of the earth; and the peoples under the shade are those who heard the proclamation and believed in him.

3“And the great and glorious angel is Michael, who has authority over this people and governs them. For he is the one who gives the law to them, into the hearts of those who believe; therefore he himself visits those to whom he gave it, to see whether they have kept it.

4“You see the rods of each person; for the rods are the law. You see, then, many rods made worthless; and you will recognize all those who have not kept the law, and you will see the dwelling of each one.”

5I say to him, “Sir, why did he send some away into the tower, but leave others to you?”

6“All who transgressed the law which they received from him,” he says, “he left under my authority for repentance; but those who have already been pleasing to the law and have kept it, he has under his own authority.”

7“Who then, Sir,” I say, “are the ones who are crowned and go into the tower?”

8“[Those who grappled with the devil and overcame him,” he says, “are crowned.] These are the ones who suffered for the law.

9“But the others, who themselves also handed in their rods green and having side-shoots, yet without fruit—these are those who were hard-pressed for the law, but did not suffer, nor did they deny their law.

10“And those who handed in green rods just as they received them are dignified and righteous and have walked with a very pure heart, and have guarded the commandments of the Lord. The rest you will learn when I examine these rods that have been planted and watered.”