Shepherd of Hermas
The first vision — the appearance of the woman in glory upon the way to Cumae, who rebukes Hermas for his thoughts and bids him pray for his household.
1He that brought me up sold me unto a certain Rhoda in Rome. After many years I met her again, and began to love her as a sister. After a certain time I saw her bathing in the river Tiber; and I gave her my hand, and led her out of the river. So seeing her beauty I reasoned within mine heart, saying: Happy were I, if I had such a wife both in beauty and in character. So much only did I reason — nothing more.
2After a time, as I was journeying unto Cumae, and glorifying God's creatures for their greatness and splendour and power, as I walked I fell asleep. And a Spirit took me, and bare me away through a pathless tract, through which no man could pass; for the place was precipitous, and broken into clefts by reason of the waters. When then I had crossed the river, I came into the level country, and knelt down, and began to pray unto the Lord, and to confess my sins.
3Now while I prayed, the heaven was opened. And I see that woman, whom I had desired, greeting me from the heaven, and saying: Hail, Hermas. And I, looking upon her, said unto her: Lady, what art thou doing here? And she answered me: I was taken up, that I might convict thee of thy sins before the Lord.
4I said unto her: Dost thou now convict me? Nay, lady, said I, but show me, what these things are. Then she answered me: Hearken. The desire after evil came up into thine heart. Is it not the thought of an evil deed unto a righteous man? It is a sin, and a great one too, said she. For the righteous man entertaineth righteous purposes. While then his purposes are righteous, his repute standeth steadfast in the heavens, and he findeth the Lord ready at his every undertaking.
5But they that entertain evil purposes in their hearts bring upon themselves death and captivity. And especially they who claim for themselves this present world, and boast in its riches, and cleave not unto the good things that are to come. They forsake the truth — and shall lament for it; they shall not find true joy.
6When she had thus spoken, the heavens were shut; and I was utterly given over unto horror and grief. And I said within myself: If even this sin is recorded against me, how can I be saved? And how shall I propitiate God for my sins which are full-blown? Or with what words shall I beseech the Lord that He may be propitious unto me?
7While I was still revolving these things in mine heart, behold I see before me a great white chair of snow-white wool. There came an aged lady in glistening raiment, having a book in her hands; and she sat down alone, and saluted me. Hail, Hermas! And I, in sorrow and weeping, said: Lady, hail!
8And she said unto me: Why so gloomy, Hermas, who art patient, and good-tempered, and always smiling? Why so downcast in thy looks, and far from cheerful? And I said unto her: Because of an excellent lady's saying that I had sinned against her. And she said: Far be this thing from the servant of God! Nevertheless the thought entered into thine heart concerning her. Now unto the servants of God such a purpose bringeth sin.
9Yet not so much for this thing doth God deal angrily with thee, as that thou mayest convert thy family, that hath sinned against the Lord, and against you their parents. But out of fondness for thy children, thou didst not admonish thy family; but didst suffer it to become corrupted. For this cause therefore is the Lord wroth with thee. But He shall heal all thy past sins; if thou and thy family wilt repent. And it is necessary, with all thine household, that ye repent.
