Shepherd of Hermas — Mandate 4, Chapter 3
Down Into the Water, and One Repentance After
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Mandate 4.3.1“Sir,” I say, “I will ask one further question.” “Speak,” he says. “I heard from some teachers, sir,” I say, “that there is no other repentance except that when we went down into water and received forgiveness of our former sins.”
Mandate 4.3.2He says to me, “You heard correctly, for that is how it is. For one who has received forgiveness of sins ought to sin no more, but to dwell in purity.
Mandate 4.3.3“But since you inquire carefully about everything, I will explain this to you also, without giving an opportunity to those who are going to believe or who have now believed in the Lord. For those who have now believed or are going to believe do not have repentance for sins, but have forgiveness of their former sins.
Mandate 4.3.4“For those called before these days, therefore, the Lord established repentance. For the Lord, knowing hearts and foreknowing everything, knew human weakness and the devil’s many intrigues, how he would do some harm to God’s servants and act wickedly against them.
Mandate 4.3.5“Being deeply compassionate, therefore, the Lord had compassion on His creation and established this repentance, and authority over this repentance was given to me.
Mandate 4.3.6“But I tell you,” he says, “if after that great and solemn calling someone is tempted by the devil and sins, he has one repentance. But if he sins readily and repents, it is unprofitable for such a person; for he will live only with difficulty.”
Mandate 4.3.7I say to him, “Hearing these things from you so precisely has brought me to life. For I know that if I add no more to my sins, I will be saved.” “You will be saved,” he says, “and so will everyone who does these things.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.