Shepherd of Hermas — Mandate 7, Chapter 1
Fear the Lord, and Not the Devil
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Mandate 7.1.1“Fear the Lord,” he says, “and keep His commandments. By keeping God’s commandments, therefore, you will be powerful in every action, and your action will be incomparable. For by fearing the Lord you will do everything well. This is the fear you must have, and be saved.
Mandate 7.1.2“But do not fear the devil. For by fearing the Lord you will master the devil, because there is no power in him. Where there is no power, there is no cause for fear; but where there is glorious power, there is also cause for fear. For everyone who has power causes fear, but the one without power is despised by everyone.
Mandate 7.1.3“But fear the devil’s works, because they are evil. By fearing the Lord, therefore, you will not do them but will keep away from them.
Mandate 7.1.4“So the fears are twofold. For if you wish to do evil, fear the Lord and you will not do it; and if, again, you wish to do good, fear the Lord and you will do it. Thus the fear of the Lord is strong and great and glorious. Fear the Lord, then, and you will live to Him; and all who fear Him and keep His commandments will live to God.”
Mandate 7.1.5“Why, sir,” I say, “did you say about those who keep His commandments, ‘They will live to God’?” “Because,” he says, “all creation fears the Lord, but does not keep His commandments. Therefore, those who fear Him and keep His commandments have life with God. But those who do not keep His commandments have no life in Him.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.