Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 9 · Chapter 5

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.5.1 The building work ended that day, but the tower was not finished, for it was to be built further. There was a pause in the building. The six men ordered all the builders to withdraw a little and rest, but commanded the virgins not to withdraw from the tower. It seemed to me that the virgins had been left to guard the tower.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.5.2 After everyone had withdrawn to rest, I said to the shepherd, “Why, sir, was the building of the tower not finished?” He said, “The tower cannot yet be completed until its master comes and tests this building, so that, if any stones are found unsound, he may replace them. For the tower is being built according to his will.”

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.5.3 I said, “Sir, I would like to know what this building of the tower means, and about the rock, the gateway, the mountains, the virgins, and the stones that rose from the deep without being cut, but went into the building just as they were.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.5.4 And why were ten stones placed in the foundations first, then twenty, then thirty-five, then forty? And what of the stones that went into the building and were removed again and laid in their own place? Put my soul at rest about all these things, sir, and make them known to me.”

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.5.5 He said, “If you are not found to be occupied with empty things, you will know everything. For after a few days we shall come here, and you will see the remaining things that happen to this tower and will know all the parables accurately.”

Greek including Lake’s editorial reconstruction from versions

Similitude 9.5.6 After a few days we came to the place where we had sat, and he said to me, “Let us go to the tower, for the tower's owner is coming to inspect it.” We went to the tower, and there was absolutely no one beside it except the virgins alone.

Greek (Lake printed edition)

Similitude 9.5.7 The shepherd asked the virgins whether the master of the tower had arrived. They said that he was about to come to inspect the building.