Shepherd of Hermas — Mandate 3 · Chapter 1

Greek

Mandate 3.1.1 Again he says to me, “Love truth, and let everything that comes out of your mouth be truth, so that the spirit God caused to dwell in this flesh may be found truthful among all people. In this way the Lord who dwells in you will be glorified, because the Lord is truthful in every word, and there is no falsehood with Him.

Greek

Mandate 3.1.2 “Those who lie, therefore, reject the Lord and become defrauders of the Lord, failing to return to Him the deposit they received. For they received from Him a spirit that does not lie. If they return it false, they have defiled the Lord’s commandment and become defrauders.”

Greek

Mandate 3.1.3 When I heard this, I wept bitterly. Seeing me weep, he says, “Why are you weeping?” “Because, sir,” I say, “I do not know whether I can be saved.” “Why?” he says. “Because, sir,” I say, “never yet in my life have I spoken a truthful word. Instead, I have always spoken deceitfully with everyone and presented my falsehood as truth before all people. No one ever contradicted me; my word was believed. How, then, sir,” I say, “can I live, after doing these things?”

Greek

Mandate 3.1.4 “Your thinking,” he says, “is good and true. For as God’s servant you ought to have walked in truth; an evil conscience ought not to dwell with the spirit of truth, nor bring grief upon the venerable and truthful spirit.” “Never, sir,” I say, “have I heard such words explained precisely.”

Greek

Mandate 3.1.5 “Now, then,” he says, “you hear them. Keep them, so that when these words are found true, the false things you previously said in your dealings may also become trustworthy; for they too can become trustworthy. If you keep these things and speak nothing but truth from now on, you will be able to gain life for yourself. And whoever hears this commandment and abstains from the most wicked falsehood will live to God.”