Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 9, Chapter 13
No One Enters Without Their Garment
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Similitude 9.13.1I said, “What is the tower?” He said, “This tower is the Church.”
Similitude 9.13.2“And who are these virgins?” He said, “They are holy spirits. A human being cannot otherwise be found in the kingdom of God unless they clothe him in their garment. For if you receive the name alone but do not receive the garment from them, you will gain nothing. These virgins are powers of the Son of God. If you bear the name but do not bear His power, you will be bearing His name in vain.
Similitude 9.13.3The stones you saw rejected,” he said, “are those who bore the name but did not put on the virgins’ clothing.” I said, “What is their clothing, sir?” He said, “Their very names are their clothing. Whoever bears the name of the Son of God must also bear their names, for the Son Himself bears the names of these virgins.
Similitude 9.13.4All the stones you saw enter the building of the tower, handed over through their hands and remaining in the building, are clothed in the power of these virgins.
Similitude 9.13.5For this reason you see that the tower has become one stone with the rock. In the same way, those who have believed in the Lord through His Son and are clothed in these spirits will become one spirit and one body, and their garments will have one color. Such people, who bear the virgins’ names, have their dwelling in the tower.”
Similitude 9.13.6I said, “Why, then, sir, were the rejected stones rejected? For they passed through the gateway and were placed in the building of the tower through the virgins’ hands.” He said, “Since you are concerned about everything and examine it carefully, listen concerning the rejected stones.
Similitude 9.13.7All these,” he said, “received the name of the Son of God, and also received the power of these virgins. Having received these spirits, they were strengthened and were among God’s servants. They had one spirit, one body, and one garment, for they thought the same things and practiced righteousness.
Similitude 9.13.8After a time, however, they were persuaded by the women whom you saw dressed in black garments, with their shoulders bare and their hair loose, and beautiful in form. When they saw them, they desired them and put on their power, but took off the virgins’ garment and power.
Similitude 9.13.9These, therefore, were rejected from God’s house and handed over to those women. But those who were not deceived by the beauty of these women remained in God’s house. You have,” he said, “the explanation of those who were rejected.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.