Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 5, Chapter 6
In the Form of a Slave, Lord of All
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Similitude 5.6.1“Listen,” he said. “The Son of God is not presented in the role of a slave, but in great authority and lordship.” “How, sir?” I asked. “I do not understand.”
Similitude 5.6.2“Because,” he said, “God planted the vineyard—that is, He created the people and entrusted them to His Son. The Son appointed the angels over them to preserve them, and He Himself cleansed their sins, laboring greatly and enduring much toil. For no vineyard can be dug without labor and hardship.
Similitude 5.6.3“So, after cleansing the people’s sins, He showed them the paths of life, giving them the law He received from His Father.
Similitude 5.6.4“But listen to why the lord took his son and the glorious angels as counselors concerning the slave’s inheritance.
Similitude 5.6.5“God caused the Holy Spirit, who existed beforehand and created all creation, to dwell in flesh that He chose. This flesh, therefore, in which the Holy Spirit dwelt, served the Spirit well, walking in dignity and purity, without defiling the Spirit in any way.
Similitude 5.6.6“Because it lived well and purely, labored together with the Spirit, cooperated in every deed, and conducted itself with strength and courage, He chose it as a partner with the Holy Spirit. For the conduct of this flesh was pleasing, because, while possessing the Holy Spirit, it was not defiled upon the earth.
Similitude 5.6.7“So He took the Son and the glorious angels as counselors, so that this flesh too, having served the Spirit blamelessly, might have a place to dwell and not seem to have lost the reward of its service. For all flesh found undefiled and spotless, in which the Holy Spirit has dwelt, will receive a reward.
Similitude 5.6.8“You now have the interpretation of this parable as well.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.