Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 6, Chapter 3
He Saw Them Harassed, and Had Pity
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Similitude 6.3.1Seeing them whipped and suffering like this, I grieved for them, because they were so tormented and had no respite at all.
Similitude 6.3.2I said to the shepherd who was speaking with me, “Sir, who is this shepherd who is so merciless and bitter, showing these sheep no compassion at all?” “This,” he said, “is the angel of punishment. He is one of the righteous angels and is appointed over punishment.
Similitude 6.3.3“He takes those who wander away from God and walk in the desires and deceptions of this age, and punishes them as they deserve with severe and varied punishments.”
Similitude 6.3.4“Sir,” I said, “I would like to know what these varied punishments are like.” “Listen,” he said, “to the varied torments and punishments. The torments concern daily life. Some are punished with losses, others with deprivation, others with various illnesses, others with every kind of disorder, and others by being mistreated by unworthy people and suffering through many other circumstances.
Similitude 6.3.5“For many, unsettled in their plans, attempt many things, but nothing at all goes forward for them. They say they do not prosper in their undertakings, and it never enters their hearts that they have done evil deeds; instead, they blame the Lord.
Similitude 6.3.6“When they have been afflicted with every affliction, they are then handed over to me for good instruction. They are strengthened in faith in the Lord and serve the Lord with a pure heart for the remaining days of their lives. When they repent, the evil deeds they did come into their hearts, and then they glorify God, saying that He is a righteous judge and that each has suffered justly according to his deeds. Thereafter they serve the Lord with a pure heart and prosper in every undertaking, receiving from the Lord everything they ask. Then they glorify the Lord because they were handed over to me, and they no longer suffer any of these evils.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.