Shepherd of Hermas — Similitude 9, Chapter 26
Those Who Devoured the Widow’s Portion
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Similitude 9.26.1Those who believed from the ninth mountain, the desolate one, which has within it the reptiles and wild beasts that destroy human beings, are like this.
Similitude 9.26.2Those with stains are deacons who served badly, plundered the livelihood of widows and orphans, and acquired things for themselves from the ministry they had received to perform. If they persist in the same desire, they have died, and there is no hope of life for them. But if they turn back and complete their ministry purely, they will be able to live.
Similitude 9.26.3The scabby ones are those who denied and did not return to their Lord, but became barren and desolate. They do not attach themselves to God’s servants, but remain alone and destroy their own souls.
Similitude 9.26.4For just as a vine left in an enclosure and neglected is ruined and laid waste by weeds, and with time becomes wild and no longer useful to its master, so such people have given themselves up as lost and, having become wild, become useless to their Lord.
Similitude 9.26.5Repentance therefore becomes available to these, if they are not found to have denied from the heart. But if anyone is found to have denied from the heart, I do not know whether he can live.
Similitude 9.26.6I do not say this about these present days, so that someone may deny and then receive repentance; for it is impossible for someone who now intends to deny his Lord to be saved. Rather, repentance appears to be available for those who denied long ago. If anyone, therefore, intends to repent, let him act quickly before the tower is completed. Otherwise, he will be destroyed unto death by the women.
Similitude 9.26.7The stones broken short are deceitful people and slanderers; these are the wild beasts you saw on the mountain. For just as wild beasts destroy and kill a person with their own venom, so the words of such people destroy and kill a person.
Similitude 9.26.8These, therefore, are broken short in their faith because of the conduct they hold within themselves. But some repented and were saved. The others of this kind can also be saved if they repent. But if they do not repent, they will die at the hands of those women whose power they possess.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.