Shepherd of Hermas

The vision of the building of the tower — the Church as a tower built upon the waters, and the stones gathered from every place; only those that fit are set into the tower.

1When I was on the way to Cumae again, about the same season as the year before, while I was walking I remembered the vision of the year before; and again a Spirit took me, and bare me away unto the same place where I had been the year before. When I came unto the place, I knelt down and began to pray, and to glorify the name of the Lord — for that He had counted me worthy, and had made known unto me my former sins.

2After I rose from prayer, I behold opposite me the aged lady whom I had seen the year before, walking and reading a little book. She saith unto me: Canst thou report these things unto the elect of God? I say unto her: Lady, so much I cannot remember; but give me the book, that I may copy it.

3Take it, saith she; and see thou return it unto me. So I took it, and retired to a place in the country, and copied the whole letter to letter — for I could not make out the syllables. After I had finished the letters of the book, suddenly the book was snatched out of my hand. By whom, I did not see.

4Now after fifteen days had passed, when I had fasted and entreated the Lord earnestly, the knowledge of the writing was revealed unto me. This was the writing: Thy seed, Hermas, hath set God at nought, and have blasphemed the Lord, and betrayed their parents through great wickedness. Yet, though they have been called betrayers of parents, they have profited nothing by their betrayal; they shall add unto their sins wanton deeds and recklessness of wickedness; and so their iniquities shall be made full. But make thou these words known unto all thy children, and unto thy wife who shall be as thy sister; for she too refraineth not from using her tongue, wherewith she doeth evil. Yet when she hath heard these words, she shall refrain herself, and shall find mercy. After thou hast made known these words unto them, then shall all the sins which they have sinned aforetime be forgiven them; and they shall be forgiven unto all the saints which have sinned unto this day, if they repent with their whole heart, and remove double-mindedness from their heart.

5After fifteen days, when I had again prayed, suddenly the same lady appeareth before me — only now she is younger, and her face is brighter than before. Hail, Hermas, she saith unto me. Lady, hail. She saith unto me: I am come to show thee a vision — even a great vision. So she taketh me into the country, and showeth me a great tower being builded by certain youthful men upon the waters.

6And the tower was builded foursquare. The stones were brought, some from the depth, and some from the dry land. The square and white stones, that fitted exactly into the joints, were set together by the builders. So great was their attachment one to another, that they appeared as if all of one stone. The stones from the dry land were of various kinds: some were brought black, some round, some smooth, some rough; some were rejected; some were chiseled and laid into the building.

7I said unto her: Lady, what is this tower? And she said: This tower which thou seest building is myself, the Church, which was seen of thee both now and aforetime. Ask therefore what thou willest concerning the tower; and I will reveal it unto thee, that thou mayest rejoice with the saints.

8I said unto her: Lady, why is the tower built upon the waters? And she said unto me: Because your life was saved, and shall be saved, by water. The tower hath been founded upon the word of the almighty and glorious Name; and is supported by the unseen power of the Master.

9I said: Lady, who are the men that bring the stones? And she said: They are holy angels of God, who first received this Spirit. The Lord Himself overseeth the building, that nothing be done amiss.

10I said: Lady, who are the white square stones, fitting exactly into the joints? She said: They are the apostles, and the bishops, and the teachers, and the deacons — that have walked according to the holiness of God, and have ministered unto the elect of God in purity and reverence as bishops, and teachers, and deacons. Of whom many have fallen asleep, and many still abide. They have agreed always together, and have peace with one another, and have hearkened one to another. For this cause they fit together, even in the building of the tower.

11Then she said: Hear now concerning the stones that are placed into the building. The stones that are square and white and fitted into the joints — these are the apostles and bishops and teachers and deacons of the holy fathers; some have fallen asleep, others remain. They walked in the holiness of God; they ministered unto the saints. Wherefore they fit together with the others, with great peace, into the building of the tower.

12Now they who are dragged out of the deep and placed into the building — and that fit together with the rest of the stones already used in the building — these are they that have already fallen asleep, and have suffered for the name of the Lord. The other stones that are brought from the dry land — what is their meaning? She said: They which go unto the tower and are not chiseled — these are they whom the Lord hath approved, because they walked in the upright way of the Lord, and rightly executed His commandments. They which are brought and laid in the building of the tower — these are they that are young in the faith, and faithful; they are admonished by the angels to do good, because no wickedness is found in them.

13But who are they whom they reject and cast away? She said: These are they that have sinned, and have repented; and on this account they were not cast far from the tower; for they will be useful for the building, if they repent. They therefore that shall repent — if they repent — shall be strong in the faith, if they repent now, while the tower is building. For if the building be finished, they have no more place.

14Hear now concerning them that are utterly rejected. These are the sons of iniquity, that have believed in hypocrisy; and from whom no wickedness departeth. For this cause they have not salvation; for they are not useful for the building. Therefore they were broken to pieces, and were cast far away by reason of the wrath of the Lord.

15Therefore, Hermas — preach repentance unto them all. Let no man delay; for the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night. Blessed are they that repent before the tower is finished. Wo unto them that delay; for the Lord cometh swiftly, and the door shall be shut.

16Glory be unto the Lord, the builder of the tower; and unto the Spirit, the comforter of the elect; and unto the saints, the living stones gathered into the everlasting house. Forever and ever. Amen.