Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 8, Chapter 1
A Tree Whose Shade Covers the Nations
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Similitude 8.1.1He showed me a great willow overshadowing plains and mountains. All those called by the name of the Lord had come beneath the willow’s shelter.
Similitude 8.1.2Beside the willow stood a glorious angel of the Lord, exceedingly tall, holding a great sickle. He cut branches from the willow and gave them to the people sheltered beneath it. He gave them small rods, about a cubit long.
Similitude 8.1.3After everyone had received the rods, the angel put down the sickle. The tree remained sound, just as I had seen it before.
Similitude 8.1.4I wondered within myself, saying, “How is the tree sound when so many branches have been cut?” The shepherd said to me, “Do not wonder that this tree remained sound after so many branches were cut. When you have seen everything,” he said, “what it means will be explained to you.”
Similitude 8.1.5The angel who had given the rods to the people asked for them back. They were called to him in the order in which they had received them, and each returned his rod. The angel of the Lord received and examined them.
Similitude 8.1.6From some he received rods that were dry and eaten as though by a moth. The angel commanded those who had handed over such rods to stand apart.
Similitude 8.1.7Others handed over dry rods that had not been eaten by a moth. He commanded these too to stand apart.
Similitude 8.1.8Others handed over half-dried rods. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.9Others handed over rods that were half-dried and had splits. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.10Others handed over green rods that had splits. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.11Others handed over rods with one half dry and the other half green. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.12Others brought their rods with two parts green and the third dry. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.13Others handed over rods with two parts dry and the third green. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.14Others handed over rods almost entirely green, with only a very small part dry, the very tip; but they had splits in them. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.15Others had only a very small part green, with the rest of their rods dry. These too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.16Others came carrying rods as green as when they received them from the angel. The greater part of the crowd handed over rods of this kind. The angel was very pleased with them, and these too stood apart.
Similitude 8.1.17Others handed over green rods bearing shoots. These too stood apart, and the angel was very pleased with them.
Similitude 8.1.18Others handed over green rods bearing shoots, and their shoots had what looked like fruit. The people whose rods were found like this were very cheerful. The angel rejoiced over them, and the shepherd was very cheerful over them too.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.