Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 9, Chapter 18
Worse for Having Known Him
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Similitude 9.18.1I said, “How, sir, did they become worse after coming to know God?” He said, “The person who does not know God and acts wickedly has a certain punishment for his wickedness. But the person who has come to know God must no longer act wickedly, but do good.
Similitude 9.18.2If, then, the person who ought to do good acts wickedly, does he not seem to commit greater wickedness than the one who does not know God? For this reason those who have not known God and act wickedly are condemned to death, but those who have known God and seen His mighty deeds and yet act wickedly will be punished doubly and will die forever. In this way, therefore, God’s Church will be purified.
Similitude 9.18.3Just as you saw the stones taken from the tower, handed over to the wicked spirits, and cast out from there—and there will be one body of those who have been purified, just as the tower became as though made from one stone after it was purified—so too will God’s Church be after it is purified and the wicked, hypocrites, blasphemers, double-minded people, and those practicing various wicked deeds are rejected.
Similitude 9.18.4After these have been rejected, God’s Church will be one body, one disposition, one understanding, one faith, and one love. Then the Son of God will exult and rejoice in them, having received His people pure.” I said, “Sir, everything is great and glorious.”
Similitude 9.18.5I said, “Sir, disclose to me also the meaning and conduct of each mountain, so that every soul trusting in the Lord may hear and glorify His great, wonderful, and glorious name.” He said, “Listen to the variety of the mountains and of the twelve nations.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.