Shepherd of Hermas — Mandate 5, Chapter 2
A Drop of Wormwood in the Honey
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Mandate 5.2.1“Now hear,” he says, “how a quick temper works: how evil it is, how it overturns my servants by its own working, and how it leads them astray from righteousness. But it does not lead astray those who are full in faith, nor can it work upon them, because my power is with them. It leads astray those who are empty and double-minded.
Mandate 5.2.2“When it sees such people settled, it thrusts itself into that person’s heart. From nothing, the man or woman becomes embittered over everyday affairs, or food, or some petty matter, or a friend, or giving, or receiving, or other such foolish things. For all these things are foolish and empty and senseless and unprofitable for God’s servants.
Mandate 5.2.3“But patience is great and strong, possessing firm power and flourishing in great spaciousness; cheerful, exulting, free from anxiety, glorifying the Lord at every time, with nothing bitter within itself, always remaining gentle and quiet. This patience, then, dwells with those whose faith is whole.
Mandate 5.2.4“But a quick temper is, first, foolish, flighty, and senseless. Then from senselessness comes bitterness, from bitterness fury, from fury anger, and from anger lasting wrath. Then this wrath, formed from so many evils, becomes a great and incurable sin.
Mandate 5.2.5“For when these spirits dwell in one vessel, where the holy spirit also dwells, that vessel cannot contain them, but overflows.
Mandate 5.2.6“So the tender spirit, unaccustomed to dwelling with an evil spirit or with harshness, withdraws from such a person and seeks to dwell with gentleness and quietness.
Mandate 5.2.7“Then, when it leaves that person in whom it dwells, the person becomes empty of the righteous spirit. From then on, filled with evil spirits, he is unsettled in all his conduct, dragged here and there by the evil spirits, and altogether blinded to good understanding. This, then, is what happens to all who are quick-tempered.
Mandate 5.2.8“Keep away, therefore, from a quick temper, that most wicked spirit. Put on patience, and resist a quick temper and bitterness, and you will be found with the reverence loved by the Lord. Take care, then, never to disregard this commandment. For if you master this commandment, you will also be able to keep the remaining commandments that I am going to give you. Be strong in them and gain strength, and let all who wish to walk in them gain strength.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.